And in 1979, the connections among our people were limited. Today, we see the curiosity of those ping-pong players manifested in the ties that are being forged across many sectors. The second highest number of foreign students in the United States come from China, and we've seen a 50 percent increase in the study of Chinese among our own students. There are nearly 200 "friendship cities" drawing our communities together. American and Chinese scientists cooperate on new research and discovery. And of course, Yao Ming is just one signal of our shared love of basketball -- I'm only sorry that I won't be able to see a Shanghai Sharks game while I'm visiting.
1979年的時(shí)候,我們兩國人民的聯(lián)系十分有限。當(dāng)年在乒乓球領(lǐng)域的好奇如今已延伸到許多領(lǐng)域,美國現(xiàn)在數(shù)量最多的留學(xué)生都來自中國。而在美國的學(xué)生中,學(xué)中文的人數(shù)增加了50%。我們兩國有近200個(gè)友好城市,美中科學(xué)家在許多新的研究領(lǐng)域和發(fā)現(xiàn)領(lǐng)域進(jìn)行合作。我們兩國人民都熱愛籃球,姚明就是個(gè)例子。不過,此行中我不能觀看上海鯊魚隊(duì)的比賽,有點(diǎn)遺憾。
It is no coincidence that the relationship between our countries has accompanied a period of positive change. China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty -- an accomplishment unparalleled in human history -- while playing a larger role in global events. And the United States has seen our economy grow along with the standard of living enjoyed by our people, while bringing the Cold War to a successful conclusion.
我們兩國之間的這種關(guān)系給我們帶來了積極的變化,這并不是偶然的,中國使得億萬人民脫貧,而這種成就是人類歷史上史無前例的。而中國在全球問題中也發(fā)揮更大的作用,美國也目睹了我們經(jīng)濟(jì)的成長。
There is a Chinese proverb: "Consider the past, and you shall know the future." Surely, we have known setbacks and challenges over the last 30 years. Our relationship has not been without disagreement and difficulty. But the notion that we must be adversaries is not predestined -- not when we consider the past. Indeed, because of our cooperation, both the United States and China are more prosperous and more secure. We have seen what is possible when we build upon our mutual interests, and engage on the basis of mutual respect.
中國有句古言,溫故而知新。當(dāng)然,我們過去30年中也遇到了挫折和挑戰(zhàn),我們的關(guān)系并不是沒有困難的,沒有分歧的。“但是我們必須一定是對手”的這種想法不應(yīng)該是一成不變的。由于我們兩國的合作,美中兩國都變得更加繁榮、更加安全。我們基于相互的利益、相互的尊重就能有成就。
And yet the success of that engagement depends upon understanding -- on sustaining an open dialogue, and learning about one another and from one another. For just as that American table tennis player pointed out -- we share much in common as human beings, but our countries are different in certain ways.
不過,這種接觸的成功要取決于我們要彼此了解,要能夠進(jìn)行開誠布公的對話,彼此進(jìn)行了解。就像當(dāng)年美國乒乓球運(yùn)動(dòng)員所說的,我們作為人有著共同的向往,但是我們兩國又不同。