A new center focusing on U.S.-China relations was inaugurated at the Asia Society in New York City on January 30, with the participation of former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger who is considered to have inaugurated modern relations between the two countries.

In a discussion at the launching ceremony with Orville Schell, a renown China expert who was appointed director of the Center, Kissinger said that the current U.S.-China relationship is "good and cooperative" despite some problems.

"I'm optimistic because I've seen now a succession of American presidents committed themselves to the importance of the relationship and made the adjustments that were needed. And I've also seen a succession of Chinese leaders who have moved in a parallel direction," said Kissinger.

He believed that China and the United States can play "a key role" instead of "an exclusive role" in the international arena on issues like non-proliferation, energy, and environment.

The Center on U.S.-China Relations was founded by Asia Society trustee, Arthur Rose. "At this particular point in history, it is critical that a center be created to deal with one of the most important developments in the world today, the rise of China," Rose noted, adding that it is his intention that the center will study and promote the bilateral relations on "multiple levels and perspectives."

According to Asia Society, the new center will conduct original research, distribute timely information on critical issues, inform the American and international public on U.S.-China related issues and comment on important topics and current events. It will also engage key Chinese and American leaders in critical dialogue.

Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution, working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders and institutions of Asia and the United States. It was founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd. Now headquartered in New York, it has nine regional offices in Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, San Francisco, Shanghai and Washington D.C..

(Chen Wen, Beijing Review, Reporting from New York)