The fourth China-U.S. Relations Conference opened in Beijing Thursday under the theme "U.S.-China: Looking ahead after 30 years."

At the opening ceremony, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that since China and the United States forged diplomatic ties 30 years ago, bilateral relations had made a historic achievement to bring the two countries and two peoples tangible benefits and had a positive and far-reaching impact on the international situation.

The China-U.S. Relations Conference was initiated by former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, and is scheduled to be held every two years, by turn in the United States and China.

The 85-year-old Bush said in a video message to the fourth conference, "This year marks the 30th anniversary of U.S.-China relations. During that time, our bilateral relationship has grown closer and stronger."

U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman said in his speech, that U.S.-China relations should be managed in a positive, collaborative and comprehensive way.

About 300 delegates from political, business and academic circles of China and the United States attended the two-day conference, discussing topics such as global security, energy, climate change, trade and world economic recovery.

Video: Lou Yi