Obama greets 30th anniversary of U.S.-China science, technology collaboration

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama has sent a greeting letter to representatives taking part in the 13th U.S.-China Joint Commission Meetings on Science and Technology Cooperation to celebrate 30 years of collaboration in science and technology between the two countries, according to a senior White House official.

John Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy,| adresses the reception for the 13th Joint Commission Meeting of China-United States Cooperation on Science and Technology at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Oct. 16, 2009.(Xinhua/Zhang Yan)

The letter, dated to October 8, was read on Thursday evening by John Holdren, director of the Office of Science and Technology at White House.

"I am proud to acknowledge that the United States-China Science and Technology Agreement is the longest-standing of all bilateral agreements between our nations. It has certainly passed the test of time. Its importance, however, goes far beyond its admirable longevity," Obama said in the letter.

The U.S. president said in realms as diverse as water resource management, earthquake monitoring, and energy research and development, scientists and engineers in the two countries have shared their expertise and enthusiasm, proving that science and technology can build bridges between nations. He hoped that the two countries continue demonstrating to the rest of the world that it is possible to build a better, stronger and more prosperous future through science and technology cooperation.