45th anniversary of Nixon's historic trip to China held in U.S.

A ceremony commemorating the 45th anniversary of late U.S. President Richard Nixon's historic trip to China was held Tuesday at his namesake library in Yorba Linda, California.

Nixon visited China in 1972. On Feb. 28 that year, the last day of the trip, the two countries released the Shanghai Communique, laying the foundation for the two countries to resume diplomatic ties.

Liu Jian, China's Consulate General in Los Angeles, attended the ceremony and expressed hope to further boost China-U.S. relations in a new era.

"The ever-lasting historic significance of President Nixon's trip to China and the issuing of Shanghai Communique doesn't wear away with time elapsing," he said.

Liu's comments were echoed by Bill Baribault, President of the Richard Nixon Foundation.

"The document lives on 45 years later, and still remains the overarching framework of China-U.S. relations. We now have a relationship that has grown exponentially since 1972. China and the United States share much in the ways of commerce, trade and economic cooperation," he said.

"May we continue to cooperate with each other -- and talk to, and work with, one another -- as this leads to greater understanding of cultures and institutions, precisely in the spirit of the Shanghai Communique, outlined 45 years ago today," he added. Endi