DECISION MAKER: Chinese President Hu Jintao meets former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in Beijing on January 12. The United States established diplomatic relations with China on January 1, 1979, during Carter's presidency (LIU JIANSHENG )

THREE DECADES OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING: U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt, Jr. speaks at a reception to celebrate the 30th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing on January 11 (LI MINGFANG )

RELIVING HISTORY: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter (center), along with former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (first left), former U.S. National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski (second left) and Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo (second right), visit a photo exhibition commemorating the 30th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations in Beijing on January 12 (GETTY IMAGES)

TO HEALTHY RELATIONS: Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (center) toasts former U.S. President Jimmy Carter (left) and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (right) at a dinner banquet to celebrate the 30th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations in Beijing on January 12 (YAO DAWEI)