He Yafei, vice-director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, speaks at a symposium commemorating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of US-China diplomatic relations. Zheng Xin / China Daily

Trust between young citizens of China and the United States is increasing, said Clarence Kwan, chairman of the Committee of 100.

Kwan spoke during the opening ceremony of a symposium commemorating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of US-China diplomatic relations in Beijing on Monday.

According to a survey of the C-100 members, most believe trust between China and the US has declined compared with 2012, Kwan said. The Committee of 100, based in New York City, describes itself as "a nonpartisan organization focused on addressing issues important to the Chinese-American community and furthering US-China relations".

However, mutual trust and favorable impressions between young citizens from the world's largest developed country and the world's biggest developing country are increasing, said Kwan.

"We should further come up with more platforms for the youth from China and the US to better boost the relations," he said.

It's necessary to build US-China trust through the next generation, Kwan said.

The symposium, jointly hosted by the China Overseas Exchange Association, Committee of 100 and Global Forum of Chinese Political Scientists, was meant to further boost the mutual trust and the positive roles of overseas Chinese in facilitating stronger Sino-US relations.

In 1979, Chinese and U.S. leaders, shelving their ideological differences, officially established diplomatic ties.

The move shook the world, and its effects are still felt today. After 35 years, the relationship between the two powers is more important than ever.

The history between China and the U.S. is more than the past 35 years, and the overseas Chinese have been playing a significant role, said Kwan, who is also the senior partner of Sino-Century China PE Partners and a board member of East West Bank.

"As overseas Chinese, we should make our efforts to help seek common ground while shelving the differences and seeking mutual interests in peaceful coexistence," said Kwan.

"Over the years, the overseas Chinese have been trying to maintain a positive image of the group through involving ourselves with social welfare deeds and increasing participation of the mainstream society," he said. "We are glad to be part of the history in pushing for a stronger relationship between the two world's superpowers."

Sino-American relations have much to do with global prosperity as well as the well being of some 5 million overseas Chinese, said Qiu Yuanping, director of Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China.

"What the overseas Chinese have been doing over the past few years is very essential in boosting mutual relations," she said.

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn