驻美国大使秦刚在美中关系全国委员会董事会成员线上欢迎活动上的演讲
Keynote Speech by Ambassador Qin Gang at the Welcome Event by the National Committee on US-China Relations Board of Directors
2021年8月31日
31 August 2021
尊敬的基辛格博士，
尊敬的雅各布·卢主席，
希尔斯名誉主席，
欧伦斯会长：
Dear Dr. Kissinger,
Secretary Lew,
Ambassador Hills,
President Orlins,
Friends,
感谢美中关系全国委员会为我举行欢迎活动，很高兴同各位董事会成员见面。
I wish to thank the National Committee on US-China Relations for hosting this welcome event. It’s my great pleasure to meet with you online.
美中关系全国委员会成立55年来，为促进中美关系发展发挥了重要积极作用。基辛格博士不顾年迈，为推动中美关系奔波操劳。你曾多次访华，受到习近平主席等中国领导人接见，我有幸多次现场聆听您的真知灼见。卢主席任财长时曾两次赴华主持中美战略与经济对话，当时我都在场，见证了中美对话与合作的丰硕成果。我2013年来美参加交流项目时，还有幸走访希尔斯咨询公司，同希尔斯名誉主席当面交流，你耐心回答了我的提问。2015年，习近平主席对美进行国事访问时，委员会同其他美国友好团体一道在西雅图为习主席举行欢迎晚宴，在中美关系史上留下浓墨重彩的一笔，当时友好热烈的场面至今历历在目。为筹办这场活动，我同欧伦斯会长等美方同事进行了很好的合作。
Over its 55 years of history, the National Committee has played an important and positive role for China-US relations. Dr. Kissinger, you have been very dedicated to China-US relations even at an advanced age. You have visited China and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders for many times. I had the honor to be present at many of your insightful meetings. Secretary Lew, when you were the Treasury Secretary, you visited China twice to co-chair the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogues. I was also present at both sessions, and I witnessed the fruitful outcomes of China-US dialogue and cooperation. When I participated in the China-Yale Senior Government Leadership Program in 2013, I visited the Hills & Company, and had face-to-face communication with Ambassador Hills. You answered my question patiently. During President Xi’s state visit to the US in 2015, the National Committee held a welcoming banquet for him in Seattle, together with other friendly organizations. That event has left a remarkable imprint in the history of China-US relations. I still vividly remember the friendly and lively scene. To prepare for that event, Mr. Orlins and I worked together very well.
朋友们，
Dear Friends,
今年是基辛格博士秘密访华和中美“乒乓外交”50周年。在冷战高峰的历史背景下，中美两国老一辈领导人以非凡的战略智慧、远见和勇气，超越意识形态分歧，重启中美关系大门。
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Kissinger’s secret visit to China and Ping-Pong diplomacy. 50 years ago, at the height of the Cold War, the elder generation of Chinese and American leaders showed great strategic wisdom, vision and courage. They went beyond ideological differences and reopened the door of China-US relations.
50年来，中美化干戈为玉帛，利益交融日益紧密，人文交流和友好往来不断加深，给两国人民带来巨大福祉。中美关系的发展改变了国际战略格局走向，加速了冷战终结，推动了全球化进程，给亚太地区带来了空前发展机遇，极大促进了世界和平与繁荣。在隔绝对抗的年代，中美只能借助乒乓球这个“小球”推动中美关系这个“大球”，而今天，许许多多“小球”围绕着大球转动。
Over the past five decades, China and the US have put down past grudges. Our interests have been closely entwined, and people-to-people exchanges have deepened. All this has delivered huge benefits to the two peoples. The growth of China-US relations has changed the international strategic landscape, accelerated the end of the Cold War, advanced globalization, brought unprecedented opportunities to the Asia-Pacific, and greatly promoted world peace and prosperity. In the age of estrangement and confrontation, we had to rely on the small ping-pong ball to move the “big ball” of China-US relations. But now, many “small balls” are moving around this “big ball”.
当前中美关系又走到一个新的历史关口，面临空前复杂严峻的局面。美上届政府采取的极端对华政策，给中美关系造成严重破坏，而这一局面迄未得到改变，甚至还在延续，这与中美两国人民的根本利益和国际社会的普遍愿望背道而驰。有些人否定中美关系50年来的发展成就，试图以战略竞争重新定义中美关系，认为中美接触合作的时代已经终结，必须以竞争对抗取而代之。
Now the China-US relationship has come to another historical juncture, and it faces a very severe situation. The extreme China policy of the previous US administration has caused serious damage to our relations, and such a situation has not changed. It is even continuing. It goes against the fundamental interests of Chinese and American people and the wishes of the international community. Some people are trying to deny the achievements of China-US ties in the past 50 years and redefine our relations by strategic competition. They assert that the era of engagement and cooperation is over, and it must be replaced by competition and confrontation.
美国有人认为，中国在赌美国输，中国发展的目标就是要挑战和取代美国。这是对中国战略意图的严重误判。
There are three wrong beliefs on China-US relations in the United States. Some people believe that China is betting against America, and China’s goal is to challenge and displace America. This is a serious misjudgment of China’s strategic intention.
中国共产党所做的一切努力，就是为中国人民谋幸福。我们制订的一切规则、政策的出发点和落脚点都是坚持以人民为中心，紧紧围绕中国自身发展，致力于推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化，更好地满足中国人民对美好生活的向往。天行健，君子以自强不息。中国从来不把自己的命运押宝在别国身上，中国要不断超越的是自己，从来没有把超越美国作为目标，从来没有挑战和取代美国、称霸世界的野心。
Everything the Communist Party of China (CPC) does is to pursue happiness for the Chinese people. Our plans and policies are all made with the people at the center. They are to serve China’s development, and modernize our governance system and capabilities. In the end, they are for the purpose of meeting the people’s aspiration for a better life. As an English proverb goes, God helps those who help themselves. China never bets its own future on other countries. We only want to surpass ourselves. We never take surpassing the US as our goal, and we never have the ambition to challenge and displace America, or to seek hegemony in the world.
中美利益紧密交融，剪不断、理还乱。美国一直广泛参与了中国的改革开放进程。2020年，中美贸易额达5800多亿美元，美国是中国第一大贸易伙伴，中国是美国国债第二大持有国，中美贸易支撑了美国国内260万个就业岗位。中美是密不可分的利益攸关方，各自的成功对彼此都至关重要。中国没有赌美国输，而是乐见美国凭借自身的力量，而不是靠压制别国或让别国吃药解决美国自身的问题，继续保持繁荣强大，为世界和平稳定做出更多贡献。相信中美都能继续从彼此的发展繁荣中获益。
The interests of China and the US are closely integrated. They cannot be cut off as anyone wishes. America has been extensively involved in China’s reform and opening-up. In 2020, China-US two-way trade reached 580 billion dollars. The US is China’s largest trading partner, and China is the second biggest holder of the US Treasury bonds. China-US trade supports 2.6 million American jobs. We are inseparable stakeholders, and the success of one side is critical to the other. China does not bet against America. Instead, we are glad to see America resolve its problems by itself, not by undercutting other countries, or by prescribing medication for others. We are glad to see America remain prosperous and strong, and make greater contribution to world peace and stability. I believe that both countries can benefit from the development and prosperity of the other side.
美国有人认为，美国要从实力地位出发与中国打交道，可以像战胜前苏联一样赢得对华“新冷战”。这是对历史和中国的严重无知。
Some people believe that America needs to deal with China from a position of strength. They think America can win the new “Cold War” against China, just as it defeated the Soviet Union. This reflects a serious ignorance of history and China.
中国不是前苏联。前苏联输在自身。苏共封闭僵化、腐败蜕变、脱离人民，沉溺于军备竞赛，热衷于对外侵略扩张，导致国家发展停滞，民生凋敝、民怨载道。美苏彼此隔绝，关系剑拔弩张，两大阵营水火不容。前苏联解体后，十四万人齐卸甲，竟无一人是男儿。前苏联的命运就是国霸必衰的前车之鉴。
China is not the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union’s collapse was its own making. The Communist Party of the Soviet Union had been rigid, corrupt, closed to the outside world, and detached from the people. It had been obsessed with arms race and external aggression. As a result, the country’s development halted. People’s lives were difficult, and they were very unhappy. The Soviet Union and the United States had little engagement at that time, and their relations were extremely tense. The two blocs of the Cold War could barely coexist. When the Soviet Union collapsed, almost none of its Party members stood out to say no. China has learned from this part of history that hegemonism will only lead to decline.
今天中国共产党领导下的中国，社会主义民主制度不断完善，人民真正当家作主，经济繁荣发展，社会和谐稳定，民生不断改善，中华民族彻底摆脱了绝对贫困。中国共产党全面从严治党，9500多万党员时刻牢记为人民谋幸福的初心和使命，同全体人民想在一起，干在一起。哈佛大学肯尼迪政府学院连续十年对中国民众进行的民调结果显示，中国民众对政府的满意度连续十年都保持在90%以上。
Under the leadership of the CPC, China’s socialist democracy keeps improving. The people are the master of their own country. The nation enjoys economic development, social stability and better livelihoods for the people. It has eliminated absolute poverty. Meanwhile, the CPC enforces strict discipline over itself. With over 95 million Party members, the CPC always bears in mind its original aspiration to pursue happiness for the people. It shares one mind with the people, and works together with the people. Harvard Kennedy School has conducted a survey on Chinese public opinion for 10 years in a row. According to the results, over 90% of the Chinese citizens surveyed are satisfied with their government, and this has been the case for the whole decade.
中国同美国和世界紧密融合，是世界第二大经济体、第一大货物贸易国、第一大外资流入国，是120多个国家和地区的最大贸易伙伴。中国从来不搞侵略扩张，从来不输出自己的政治制度和发展模式，坚定不移走和平发展、开放发展、合作发展、共同发展道路，积极推动构建人类命运共同体。这样的中国是前苏联吗？这样的中国共产党是前苏共吗？
China is closely linked to the US and integrated with the world. It’s the world’s second largest economy, the biggest trader in goods, and the number one destination of foreign investment. It is the biggest trading partner of over 120 countries and regions. China never engages in aggression or expansion. It never exports its political system or development model. It is committed to peaceful, open, cooperative and common development, and works to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Does such a country look like the Soviet Union? Does the CPC look like the Soviet Union’s Communist Party?
冷战的硝烟仍未散尽，大国冲突的浩劫仍历历在目。把“冷战剧本”生搬硬套到今天的中美关系，把中国当作对手和假想敌，如同堂吉诃德挑战风车一样荒诞和危险。有哪个国家愿意在中美之间选边站队？我从未听到有任何国家明确这样说。相反，更多的国家表达了他们对美国迫使他们在中美间选边站队的无奈或忧虑。希望美国的决策者们认真思考，处处围堵打压中国能得逞吗？究竟符不符合美自身利益？由此给中美关系和世界造成的灾难性后果谁能承担得起？美从实力地位出发同中国打交道，中国人民不吃这一套！
The Cold War is not too far in our memory. The conflict between major countries is just like yesterday. It would be absurd and dangerous to apply the “Cold War playbook” to today’s China-US relations, and to take China as its rival and imaginary enemy, just like when Don Quixote tilted at windmills. Is any country willing to take sides between China and America? I have never heard any country say so. To the contrary, many countries are reluctant or concerned about being forced by the US to pick sides. I hope American politicians would seriously consider: Does suppressing China really serve their purpose? Does it really meet America’s own interests? Who can bear the disastrous consequences to China-US relations and the world? Dealing with China from a position of strength – the Chinese people simply do not accept it.
美国有人认为，中美合作面越来越窄，竞争对抗已经占据主导。这是对中美关系前景的严重误导。
Some people believe that cooperation is being phased out by competition and confrontation. This is a very misleading perception for the prospects of China-US relations.
事实是，中美合作的需要不是减少了而是增多了，中美不应相互敌对，而更应携手合作。超过7万家美国企业在华投资兴业，获得丰厚回报。根据美中贸委会最新报告，95%的受访美国企业过去一年在中国是盈利的，64%的企业称其中国市场营业收入实现增长。我此次来美前，同不少美国工商界朋友交流，他们告诉我，没有任何国家可以取代中国在全球产业链中的地位，他们看重中国市场，看好中国经济前景，希望继续留在中国，扩大对华投资，明确反对美对华“贸易战”、搞“脱钩”、“断供”。他们最担心的就是中美关系持续恶化给美国企业带来的不确定性。
In fact, the need for China-US cooperation is not decreasing, but increasing. Our two countries should not be enemies, but partners. Over 70,000 American companies have investments in China, and these investments pay well. According to the latest report of the US-China Business Council, 95% of the American companies surveyed made a profit in China last year, and 64% saw their revenue grow in the Chinese market. Before I came to the US, I had discussions with the American business community in China. They all told me that no country can take the place of China in global industrial chain. They value the Chinese market, they are optimistic about the Chinese economy, and they hope to stay in China and expand their investments. They are firmly opposed to the trade war, to decoupling, and to cutting off supplies to Chinese companies. They are most worried about the uncertainty that a worsening China-US relationship may have on them.
上世纪60年代初，中苏关系恶化，苏联从中国撤走所有专家和援助，当时中国很困难，正处于严重的旱灾，粮食极为短缺，中国人连饭都吃不饱，但我们咬紧牙关、自力更生，几年时间内把完整的工业体系和国民经济体系搞起来了，把重大科技项目搞上去了。1964年，中国主要机器设备的自给率已近90%以上。1965年，石油可以全部满足当时经济的需要。1964年，中国第一颗原子弹诞生。所以，对华搞“断供”的日子中国经受过，但我们都挺过来了。今天美国不惜动用国家机器打压华为，其结果用很多中国人的话说，华为不会倒，还会产生出更多的中国华为。中国残疾人运动员在正在举行的东京残奥会上奖牌遥遥领先，这是因为中华民族经历历史沧桑，最懂得自强不息。
In the early 1960s, China’s relations with the Soviet Union turned bitter. The Soviet Union withdrew all the experts and assistance from China. At that time, China was caught up in serious difficulties. Terrible droughts caused dire shortage of food, and the people had barely enough to eat. But we met these difficulties head on, and relied on ourselves. Within a few years, we put in place a complete industrial system and national economic system. We launched major scientific and technological programs. In 1964, almost 90% of the main machinery in China was self-manufactured. In 1965, we produced enough petroleum to meet the demands of the Chinese economy at that time. In 1964, China’s first atomic bomb was successfully tested. China knows how it feels to have its back to the wall, just like the situation today when we face the threat of cutting off supplies. But we have all made it through. When the US chooses to use state power to bring down Huawei, it can only expect, in the words of many Chinese, not the collapse of Huawei, but the emerging of more companies like Huawei. In the ongoing Tokyo Paralympic Games, Chinese athletes are well leading the medal tally. This is because after all the historical ups and downs, the Chinese people would always strive for self-perfection even in hardships.
当今世界正在经历百年未有之大变局，世界各国利益紧密交融，成为休戚与共的命运共同体。任何国家都不可能单打独斗、独善其身，都不可能靠损害别人来实现本国优先。特别是，当前新冠肺炎疫情仍在全球肆虐，国际恐怖主义活动依然活跃，气候变化向人类发出“红色警报”，各种地区热点问题层出不穷。在这些事关人类前途命运的重大问题上，中美作为两个大国，协调合作的必要性、紧迫性更加突出，这也是国际社会的普遍期盼。
The world is undergoing major changes unseen in a century. The interests of various countries are closely integrated. They are connected in a community with a shared future. No country can face the challenges in the world alone, and no country can really be the first by hurting others. In particular, COVID-19 is still rapidly spreading worldwide. International terrorism is still active. Climate change has sent a “Code Red” to humanity. Regional hotspots keep surfacing. On these major issues concerning mankind’s future, coordination and cooperation between China and the US, as two major countries, become all the more necessary and urgent. This is also the general expectation of the international community.
朋友们，
Dear Friends,
处在中美关系何去何从的关键关口，我们既不能错失历史机遇，更不能犯历史性错误，而是应正视现实、认清大势、回归理性，本着对历史、对两国人民、对世界负责的态度，把握中美关系的正确发展方向。中美之间决不应走向误解误判和冲突对抗，必须寻求不同政治制度、不同文化、不同发展阶段的两个大国相互尊重、和平共处之道。
At this critical juncture for China-US relations, we should not miss historical opportunities. More importantly, we should not make historical mistakes. Instead, we need to face up to the reality and trend of the times, return to rationality, take a responsible attitude to history, to the two peoples and to the world, and keep to the right direction of China-US relations. China and the US should not go for misunderstanding, misjudgment, conflict or confrontation. As two major countries with different political systems, cultures and development stages, we must find a way to get along in peace based on mutual respect.
（无中文）
My observations:
双方要明确底线、相互尊重。王毅国务委员兼外长不久前在天津向舍曼常务副国务卿提出了中方的“三条底线”：一是不得挑战、诋毁甚至试图颠覆中国特色社会主义道路和制度；二是不得试图阻挠甚至打断中国的发展进程；三是不得侵犯中国国家主权和领土完整。这“三条底线”都事关中国的主权安全发展利益和中国人民的民族尊严，是中国的核心利益。中方还提出了要求美方纠正对华错误言行及有关个案等“两份清单”。“清单”是症状，“底线”是症结。希望美方特别要在涉台、涉港、涉疆、涉藏、南海等问题上谨言慎行，尊重中国的主权、安全、发展利益，停止干涉中国内政，不要触碰和挑战中方的红线。
First, the two sides should be clear about each other’s bottom lines and show mutual respect. In their Tianjin meeting, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi marked out “three bottom lines” of China to Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. They are all about China’s core interests. The Chinese side also put forward “two lists” to the US side: a list of US wrongdoings and a list of individual cases of China’s concern. The lists are symptoms, and the bottom lines point to the root causes. It is hoped that the US side will exercise caution on issues concerning Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Xizang and the South China Sea, respect China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, and avoid touching or challenging China’s red line.
中华文明有一条重要历史规律，就是什么时候能够保持统一、稳定和民族团结，就会迎来繁荣发展。而一旦陷入战乱、动荡和分裂，就会国家蒙辱、人民蒙难、文明蒙尘。所以中国人民像珍视生命一样珍视国家主权和领土完整，没有任何妥协、退让余地。台湾自古以来就是中国领土不可分割的一部分。如果有人支持纵容“台独”，14亿中国人民绝不答应。如果有人想让任何一个州从美国独立出来，美国人民会不会答应？将心比心，希望美方切实尊重中方核心利益，慎重处理有关问题。这是中美不冲突不对抗、发展建设性关系的根本前提。
There is an important historical rule for the Chinese civilization: when the country remains unified, stable and united, it will enjoy prosperity and development; when it is in war, turbulence or division, it means humiliation and disaster for the Chinese nation and civilization. That’s why the Chinese people value sovereignty and territorial integrity as much as their own lives. There is no room for compromise or backdown on this issue. Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times. If anyone supports or connives at “Taiwan independence”, the 1.4 billion Chinese people will never agree. Just imagine, if anyone wants to get an American state independent from the US, will the American people say yes? Please put yourselves in our shoes. I hope that the US side will earnestly respect China’s core interests, and cautiously handle these issues. This is the fundamental precondition to achieve no conflict and no confrontation, and develop a constructive China-US relationship.
双方要保持对话、管控分歧。双方应落实习近平主席和拜登总统除夕通话的精神，加强沟通交流，增进相互信任。我们愿同美方加强外交、经济、金融、执法、军队等部门之间的交流对话，重建有关对话机制，准确了解彼此的政策意图，以建设性的方式妥善管控和处理矛盾分歧，努力防止误解误判转变为冲突和对抗，尽快为两国关系止损，稳住中美关系大局。当然，预防危机的最好办法就是从根本上找到症结，不要旧伤不愈，又添新愁。
Second, the two sides should maintain dialogue and manage differences. We need to follow through on the spirit of the telephone call between President Xi and President Biden on the eve of Chinese New Year, enhance communication and exchanges, and promote mutual trust. We are willing to strengthen communication with the US between the departments of foreign affairs, economy, finance, law enforcement and the military, and rebuild dialogue mechanisms. This is to accurately understand each other’s policy intentions, properly manage and handle differences in a constructive way, prevent misunderstanding and misjudgment from becoming conflict and confrontation, avoid further damage to our relationship, and realize the stable development of the relations. Of course, the best way to prevent crises is to address their root causes, at least not to rub salt into the wound.
双方要排除干扰、聚焦合作。无论在双边层面，还是在应对气候变化等全球性问题上，中美双方都可以从点滴做起，从易到难，积少成多，寻求改善关系的切入点及合作面。同时，双方要共同努力扫清合作障碍。希望美方认识到新冠肺炎病毒才是美国的敌人，在病毒溯源问题上尊重科学，停止搞政治操弄。美本届国会开幕刚半年多，就提出了260多项涉华消极议案。“2021年美国创新和竞争法案”、“老鹰法案”等法案，有许多内容都是基于对中国真实情况的不了解、误解和虚假信息以及对中美共同利益的低估。如果成法，将严重绑架中美关系，也势必严重损害美自身利益。
Third, the two sides should remove disturbances and focus on cooperation. At the bilateral level and on global issues such as climate change, we can build up small steps and address easier problems first, so as to find the entry point to improve our relations and expand cooperation. At the same time, we need to jointly remove obstacles for cooperation. It is hoped that the US would recognize that COVID-19 is its real enemy, respect science, and stop political manipulation on the origins tracing of the virus. A little more than six months into this Congress, there have already been more than 260 bills with negative content on China, out of no knowledge, misunderstanding and disinformation of China, particularly the Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 and the EAGLES Act. They underestimate the common interests between the two countries. If they become laws, they will hijack China-US relations and gravely damage America’s own interests.
朋友们，
Dear Friends,
中美关系的改善和发展道阻且长。新时期维护和促进中美关系的历史责任已经落在我们的肩头。我此次出任中国驻美大使，将加强同美各界沟通对话，当好中美间的桥梁和纽带，增进相互了解，努力推动构建更加理性、稳定可控、建设性的中美关系。我期待同美中关系全国委员会一道，为此而努力。
There is a long way to go to improve and develop China-US relations. The historical mission of upholding and promoting our relationship in the new era has come to us. Serving as Chinese Ambassador to the US at this time, I will enhance communication and dialogue with various sectors of the US, act as a bridge and bond between the two countries, promote mutual understanding, and work to build a more rational, stable, manageable and constructive China-US relationship. I look forward to working together with the National Committee towards this goal.