On November 26, 2007, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui, at invitation, attended the gala dinner of the Committee of 100 and delivered a speech on China's foreign relations and China-US ties.

Zhang said that against the background of fluctuating international situation and accelerating globalization China's relationship with the rest of the world has experienced historic changes and its fate is closely linked with that of the entire world. China's overseas interest is expanding and contribution to world peace and development keeps rising. Meanwhile China is under increasing influence of the world. As a developing country with a large population and relatively low income, China still has a long way to go. China will unswervingly follow the road of peaceful development. We need a sound international security environment for our development and at the same time want to maintain world peace and stability with our own development. China is committed to implementing the opening strategy for mutual benefit and win-win outcome, maintaining friendly cooperation with all the other countries on the basis of five principles of peaceful coexistence, participating in international affairs in a positive attitude and pushing for the building of a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity. History has and will continue to prove that with faster development China will surely bring about greater benefit to people all over the world.

The bilateral ties between China and the US, despite twists and turns, have maintained progress since the resumption of bilateral relations 35 years ago. In the era of globalization, China and the US share increasing instead of decreasing common interest. The bilateral relations face critical opportunities of further development. Both sides need make joint efforts in the following aspects. First, to treat and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, strengthen dialogue and communications and deepen strategic mutual trust; second, to expand the mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the sustainable development of the Chinese, the US and the world economy; third, to enhance coordination and cooperation on international and regional hot issues and maintain world peace. Zhang required the US side to abide by the three China-US joint communiqués with tangible actions, appropriately handle the Taiwan question, get rid of trade protectionism and respect the right of each other to independently choosing their development road so as to move forward the constructive partnership between the two countries.

The theme of the 2007 meeting of the Committee of 100 is Bridge to Change. More than 400 Chinese and foreign guests attended the dinner.