On December 11, 2012, Vice Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang met with former US President Jimmy Carter in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai.

Li remarked that it was during Carter’s Presidency that China and the United States of America established formal diplomatic relations. The two countries turned against each other at the very beginning, then shook hands, and then joined hands. Thanks to the efforts of generations of leaders and peoples of the two countries, the bilateral ties between the two countries now are growing more mature. The strong ties must be cherished and maintained, as it is apparent that the significance and impact of China-US relations is increasingly going beyond the two countries alone. A strengthened China-US relationship is and will always be the general trend despite occasional twists in bilateral cooperation. It is therefore imperative for the two countries to continue their close friendship based on mutual respect, proper settlement of differences, tolerance for development and common interest so that a win-win situation can be achieved for the two countries.

Li pointed out that as China is striding ahead toward realizing a well-off society in an all-round way, pushing forward unswervingly its reform and opening-up, promoting sustainable and healthy development of the economy and social progress in its modernization drive, the people of China will enjoy more welfare and other countries will see tremendous opportunities for cooperation with China. Li expressed his hope that former US President Carter will continue to use his influence to present a true China to the statesmen and people of America and to do more publicity about the significance of China-US relations on the two countries, the Asia-Pacific Region and the world as a whole.

Carter noted that the relations between China and America have made amazingly remarkable progress over the past few decades and the American people are deeply impressed with the friendship and compassion of the Chinese people. As an old friend of the Chinese people, he will continue to dedicate himself to moving forward the friendly cooperation and friendly relations of the two countries, Carter promised.

Also at the meeting were Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.