Foreign and Military Affairs

Ambassador's public service lauded

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-13 16:48

Former US President Jimmy Carter

Rosalynn joins me in expressing our thanks and best wishes to Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong as his tenure in Washington draws to a close.

During Ambassador Zhou's tenure, the relationship between our two great nations has been strengthened, cultural exchanges between China and the United States have multiplied, and people-to-people interactions have grown to unprecedented numbers.

I am also deeply grateful for Ambassador Zhou's support for The Carter Center's work in China and hope that this cooperation will continue under his successor. I wish Ambassador Zhou great success in his new position and hope that the good momentum in US-China relations that he helped to cultivate will continue under the new leadership.

Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner

I commend Ambassador Zhou for his longtime dedication to public service on behalf of the Chinese people. His enduring professionalism and tireless efforts to develop a strong relationship between the US and China made him an influential advocate for the Chinese people in this country and around the world. For this I congratulate him — he will be missed.

Senator Maria Cantwell

Ambassador Zhou has a solid understanding of US politics and culture, and during his five years in Washington has been particularly skillful in helping the Beijing government better understand the role and importance of the US Congress. I wish him well.

Representative Howard L. Berman

I've enjoyed working with Ambassador Zhou during his tenure here. He is a true professional. Even where we had deep differences, I found our exchanges useful and candid.

Representative Rick Larsen

It has been an honor and privilege to work with Ambassador Zhou during his tenure here in Washington. During his time as Chinese Ambassador to the US, the US-China relationship has grown to new heights.

Our two nations have gone from having "a" relationship, to "many" relationships. This is due in no small part to the work that Ambassador Zhou has done.

I certainly look forward to working with his replacement to further the US-China relationship, and I wish Ambassador Zhou the best in his future endeavors.

Senator Kit Bond, Vice Chairman, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

Over the last two years, all of us in Missouri have appreciated Ambassador Zhou's support and vision for a new trade route between China and the Midwest in St. Louis.

Ambassador Zhou saw tremendous opportunities to strengthen and deepen the economic and cultural ties between China and the US by promoting this project. Through his tireless support and advocacy within the Chinese government, a tremendous amount of progress has been made since he first visited St. Louis almost 2 years ago. It has been an honor for all of us in Missouri to work together with and build a friendship with Ambassador Zhou. I hope Ambassador Zhou will always consider St. Louis and the State of Missouri his home away from home in the United States.

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Ambassador Zhou has represented his country admirably, and I very much enjoyed working with him to ensure a productive relationship between the US and China. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Former Secretary of State George P. Shultz

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong is a very special person. Sometimes ambassadors make a real difference for the better. He has done so. I look forward to his continuing constructive contributions to US-China relations in whatever capacity he now assumes. Thank you, Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, for your help in this most critical relationship.

Former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen

Ambassador Zhou is one of the most talented diplomats that I have ever met, and it has truly been a great honor to work closely with him. While it is natural that any bilateral relationship sees its share of challenges and opportunities, I have tremendous admiration for the way in which Ambassador Zhou has worked tirelessly to bring our two nations together. He personally deserves significant credit for the strong partnership that our two governments continue to build upon and cultivate today.

Former National Security Advisor Samuel R. Berger

I have long admired Ambassador Zhou's clear understanding of the broad scope of US-China relations; he is a good listener and understands, both in theory and in practice, that lasting solutions to problems must meet the needs of both countries.

His intelligence and frank approach has allowed him to serve as the indispensable bridge between our two governments in the most complex bilateral relationship in the world.

As an individual, Ambassador Zhou has made enormous contributions to the successful management of US-China relations. Former National Security Advisor and retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft

Ambassador Zhou has done an outstanding job in Washington. He has both represented Chinese interests and has understood the American scene in a manner which represents the very best in diplomacy. He is among the very best diplomats I have encountered in my many years in Washington.

Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr., former US ambassador to China

I would like to heartily congratulate Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong on the successful completion of his tour of duty as China's ambassador to the US. The US-China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, and Ambassador Zhou served in this critical post during a crucial period with great professionalism and distinction. He was unfailingly a strong and articulate advocate of China's interests. Moreover, Ambassador Zhou was my partner in promoting mutual understanding and the healthy development of US-China relations as well as a valued friend. I know that he and Madam Xie are leaving behind many friends in the US and want to wish them every success and happiness in all their future endeavors.

Retired Admiral Joseph W. Prueher, former US ambassador to China

Ambassador Zhou and I met in a crucible in Beijing, each of us the point person trying to reconcile the aftermath of the April 2001 collision between our nations' aircraft. Out of these events grew a relationship of respect, trust, and genuine friendship. He is a great representative of China who has earned great respect from both his nation and ours. We will be blessed if he remains a part of solving the China-US issues for the future. Fair winds and following seas to you, my friend.

Former Ambassador Wendy R. Sherman, Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State

I have always been impressed with Ambassador Zhou's deep and nuanced understanding of the US, and his ability to promote his country's interests while seeking positive outcomes for both countries. Ambassador Zhou has been highly respected and liked for his intelligent and pragmatic approach to bilateral relations. His critical understanding of the US has allowed him to make major contributions to steering this complex bilateral relationship.

John Chen, Chairman of the Committee of 100

We applaud the hard work Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong put in for the last five years to help build a constructive and mutually beneficial relationship between the US and China.

He traveled from Des Moines to Denver, from Schenectady, NY, to Minneapolis, reaching out to Americans.

His efforts were important in ensuring an open channel of bi-directional communication. The Committee of 100 is grateful to him for supporting our mission which is to promote understanding of the peoples of US and China.

The board, staff and members of the National Committee on US-China Relations

The National Committee on US-China Relations has worked with Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong since his arrival at the Liaison Office as an interpreter in 1978. We have watched his well-deserved rise over the past 32 years and are pleased to have worked with him so closely over that period. We will miss his unfailing help, his warm friendship, and his wise counsel.

Vishakha Desai, President of Asia Society

Ambassador Zhou has been a great representative of his country in New York and he has dazzled his colleagues at the UN as well as policy makers in New York with his keen intellect and an ability to present a nuanced understanding of critical issues facing his country and the world.

We will miss him as the senior statesman of Asia. But all of us at Asia Society look forward to continuing our relationship with him, in China and else where. On behalf of our staff and trustees, it is my honor to wish him the very best in his new endeavor.