I was pleased to read an article in China Daily on Chinese people's opinion of the United States and the emphasis on the need for better and stronger relationships between China, and the US and India.

Since these countries are big powers, I think such relations are very important not only for the three sides, but also for the rest of the world.

I think that relations between China and Japan are important, too. Compared with relations between China and other countries, Sino-Japanese ties are not easy to handle because of historical reasons. But Beijing and Tokyo should make efforts to improve their relations for the development of bilateral ties as well as relations across East Asia.

Let's hope President Hu Jintao's state visit to the US has strengthened the foundation of good relations between China and the US and the rest of the world.

Fred Henry, via e-mail