Ａ Ｒｅｄ－Ｌｅｔｔｅｒ Ｄａｙ ｔｏ Ｒｅｍｅｍｂｅｒ

Ｓｕｎ　Ｇｕｏｗｅｉ，　ｏｕｒ　ｓｐｅｃｉａｌ　ｒｅｐｏｒｔｅｒ

The spring of 1979 came early in Washington. Cherry flowers bloomed and trees were fuzzy green. Chai Zemin got early on the morning of March 1, 1979 and took a stroll outside the residence. The day was important because he was to visit White House and present to American President Jimmy Carter his credentials as Chinese ambassador to USA. Chai was appointed by Chairman Mao Zedong as the first ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Peoples Republic of China to the United State of America. Presenting his credentials was a simple diplomatic routine, but it would mark the beginning of a new page in the channels of China-USA relations.

A black limousine with a Chinese flag and an American flag came to the gate to the Chinese embassy at 2301 S street, Washington. A protocol official from the American State Department came to accompany the Chinese ambassador to the White House.

Crowds of people were waiting outside the White House to witness the historical moment. A military band played music. Before Chai and his wife entered the oval office, they were ushered into the Vermeil Room to view the Goldware Collection there and while taking a short break in a sitting room near the Rose Garden, Chai autographed in the guestbook. Chai, known for his calligraphy among Chinese diplomats, wrote his name on the book as a representative of one billion Chinese people. The autograph served as a witness to the achievement accomplished by Chinese and American people over the past decades.

When Mr. and Mrs. Ambassador stepped into the oval office, President Carter smiled his most charming signature smile. The host and guests shook hands warm-heartedly, marking the end of the old era and the beginning of a new era.

Ambassador Chai Zemin was dressed in a black Chinese tunic suit and his wife a velvet suit. The ambassador presented his credentials in his hands to President Carter, conveying the best regards of the Chinese leaders to the American President. President Carter welcomed Chinese ambassador and said it was a historic day in the history of America-China relations. He was greatly pleased with the tremendous progress and said it was his great pleasure to provide the ambassador with all conveniences. The Chinese ambassador replied that he would do his best to promote the friendly relations between China and USA and enhance the sympathy and understanding of the two peoples.

On the same day, all the diplomats and staff members with the Chinese embassy attended at the previous Chinese Liaison Office at 2300 Connecticut Avenue a flag-raising and unveiling ceremony, presided over by the visiting Minister of Metallurgical Industry Tang Ke, especially appointed as the master of ceremony by the Chinese Government for this occasion.

A reception banquet was held at the embassy the same evening, attended by more than 700 American guests including government officials, celebrities from business, culture, news media, and industry, and China-America business groups. The host and guests toasted for the enhancement of relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Chai toasted with friends. The ambassador had devoted his life to resuming the diplomatic relations between the two countries under the leadership of Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou Enlai. It was also his day of happiness. □