Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has sent a letter of congratulation to the Chinese Consulate General in Houston to honor the upcoming China's National Day.

In a letter to China's Consulate General in Houston Gao Yanping, Carter, a key person in the establishment of Sino-U.S. diplomatic relations decades ago, extended his best wishes on the 61st anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

"We congratulate you as you celebrate your many achievements over the past 61 years," the former president said.

"When Deng Xiaoping and I announced the establishment of diplomatic relationship between our two countries 31 years ago, neither of us anticipated the great economic and social transformation that has changed the lives of the Chinese people," Carter said.

"As we mark the birthday of the People's Republic of China, I hope that our bilateral relationship will continue to thrive through mutual respect, understanding, and the close relationships formed between Chinese and American citizens," he said.