President Xi Jinping sent a letter to the National Committee on US-China Relations on Thursday night congratulating the committee on its 50th anniversary. In the letter, Xi called for cooperation as the two countries enter a new chapter of US-China relations.

"At the moment, China and the US need to work together to step up dialogue and communication, and vigorously expand cooperation at bilateral, regional and global levels," he said in the letter, which was read by Ambassador Cui Tiankai.

"We also need to manage differences constructively, ensure a smooth transition, and move this relationship forward from a new starting point," Xi wrote.

Cui also paid tribute to the committee's achievements over the past five decades, thanking it for bridging the two countries.

"Trust comes from mutual understanding," he said. "We must make efforts for much better understanding of each other, better understanding of both past and present, culture and society, economy and politics, defense and diplomacy, intention and capability, in order to avoid miscalculation and misperceptions."

The speech took place at the committee's 50th-anniversary dinner gala held on Thursday night in New York City.

The committee (NCUSCR) honored former secretary of state Henry Kissinger and businessman Maurice Greenberg, chairman and CEO of C.V. Starr & Co. They were given the NCUSCR's first ever lifetime achievement award for their instrumental roles in building the US-China relationship.

When asked what advice he would give President-elect Donald Trump on Sino-US ties, Kissinger said that when two countries of the magnitude of China and the US interact, there will be disagreements.

"But the fundamental thing to keep in mind is that the peace and progress of the world depend on the abilities of the United States and China to respect each other's core interests, and to modify the core interests in order to make cooperation possible," he said.

Greenberg, former chairman and CEO of American Insurance Group which contributed to the development of the young China's insurance industry, said both nations should pursue a free trade agreement.

"I have been advocating that for a decade. It will be difficult but it is needed and I would urge the new administration to seek a free trade agreement," he said.

United Airlines and Boeing were also honored for their contributions to positive bilateral relations by the NCUSCR. United CEO Oscar Munoz and Boeing Vice-Chairman Raymond Conner accepted the awards respectively.

In the 30 years since United first began service to China, the airline has grown to operate more non-stop flights to more cities there than any other American carrier, with a total of 100 weekly flights to six Chinese destinations.

Celebrating its centennial this year, Boeing has long-standing relationships with Chinese airlines, the Chinese aviation industry, the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Chinese government.

Stephen Orlins, president of NCUSCR, said the organization had raised over $10.5 million to maintain an outreach program and to continue playing an important part in fostering improving ties between the two countries.

"The best way to predict the future is to create it," said Orlins while proposing a toast. He said it was an Abraham Lincoln quote that President Xi borrowed during his recent visit to the White House.

Ambassador Cui said he is looking forward to the centennial of the committee, "and for that event I guess we have to move to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing."

Contact the writers at hezijiang@chinadailyusa.com