New Chinese embassy building unveiled in U.S.

WASHINGTON, July 30 (Xinhua) -- A new Chinese embassy building was unveiled here Tuesday night, a few days before a new U.S. embassy building in China will be inaugurated.

The building was officially inaugurated before an audience of about 500 people with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Zhou Wenzhong, Chinese American architect who designed the building, Bei Yuming, and five U.S. cabinet members cutting the ribbon.

Yang congratulated on the opening of the new embassy and paid his high tribute to all that have helped with the project.

"We are gathered here today to inaugurate the new chancery of the Chinese Embassy in the United States," he said. "This is a symbol of the important progress in China-U.S. relations. It is an event that we should celebrate."

Yang described the new chancery, which he said got the single largest investment among all Chinese diplomatic and consular missions abroad, "a perfect blend of Chinese and Western cultures "in a "stately and elegant style."

"It adds to the beautiful landscape of Washington, D.C., and lends another jubilant note to China-U.S. relations."

Yang reviewed the history from China's first liaison office that was established in 1973 in a dozen of rented rooms of the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., to the current embassy building that was turned from a hotel in 1979, and expressed gratitude toward all the Chinese diplomats and staff who have worked throughout these years.

"Along with 35 years of evolution of the Chinese Embassy, China-U.S. relationship has gone through an extraordinary path and made major progress," he said. "It is fair to say that China-U.S. relationship is now at an unprecedented level in its width, depth, and strategic significance."

A new U.S. embassy in China will be inaugurated on Aug. 8 under watch of President George W. Bush, the same day of the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games.

"The completion of the two new embassies not only reflects the good shape of our relationship, but also signals broad prospects for its further growth," Yang added.

During their greetings to the newly-inaugurated embassy, U.S. government officials including Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Trade Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Labor Secretary Elaine Lan Chao and Deputy State Secretary John D. Negroponte all hailed the development of U.S.-China relations with a strong momentum and committed to expanding cooperation and exchange with China in various fields.

"The move from the previous building to this impressive new complex is emblematic of China's growing presence on the world stage," Chao said, adding that she was looking forward to attending the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games as a member of the presidential delegation.

With a total of 10,760 square meters, the new embassy is located within the International Center in the U.S. capital.

The new building's overall design is derived from a contemporary interpretation of traditional Chinese architectural planning principles.

The project, which has taken hundreds of Chinese construction workers more than three years, will become one of the largest foreign embassies in Washington, D.C. after it is completed.

"I believe this building is very important for China not only architecturally but also symbolically," said Bei, the architect.