崔天凯大使在“中美关系的前景与挑战”研讨会上的演讲

　　Remarks by Ambassador Cui Tiankai at the Institute for China-America Studies (ICAS) Annual Conference – Prospects and Challenges for U.S.-China Relations

　　2017年7月25日

　　July 25, 2017

　　尊敬的吴士存院长、洪农主任，

　　女士们，先生们，朋友们，

　　Chairman Wu Shicun,

　　Director Hong Nong,

　　Ladies and Gentlemen,

　　Dear Friends,

　　大家好。感谢中美研究中心邀请我参加今天的研讨会，很高兴与大家共同展望和探讨中美关系。

　　Good morning. I want to thank the Institute for China-America Studies (ICAS) for inviting me to join your discussion about the future of China-U.S. relations.

　　中美关系是一组战略性的关系。准确把握中美关系，要求我们不仅要知道我们从哪里来，更要看清要往哪里去;不仅要看到树木，更要看到森林。

　　The relationship between China and the U.S. is a strategic one. To understand this relationship, we need to know the path we have traveled, but more importantly, steer the direction we are heading to. We need to discuss the issues, but more importantly, understand the whole picture.

　　46年前的7月，基辛格博士开启了那次传奇的中国之行。中美老一辈领导人以非凡的战略远见打破两国关系的坚冰。近半个世纪以来，中美关系穿越了冷战的阴霾，经历了冷战后的惊涛骇浪，取得了历史性的进步。21世纪的中美关系，正面临前所未有的新机遇、新挑战。

　　In July forty-six years ago, Dr. Henry Kissinger made his legendary visit to China. It marked the beginning of the visionary efforts of the leaders of China and the U.S. to break the ice between our two countries and start a new relationship. In the almost half century since then, this relationship has withstood the test of the Cold War, survived the ups and downs afterwards and made historic progress. It is now facing new circumstances of the 21st century with unprecedented opportunities and challenges.

　　展望中美关系的未来，我们必须对一些重要问题给出答案。中美两国未来究竟应当发展什么样的关系，才能既有利于两国、又有利于世界?中美两国能否避免冲突和对抗?中美是否“注定一战”而落入“修昔底德陷阱”?中美两国能否开辟出一条国际关系新道路，让包括大国在内的世界各国都能建设互利共赢的伙伴关系，而不是零和对抗?

　　Looking into the future of China-U.S. relations, we have to give answers to some important questions. What kind of relationship that we should build together, in the interests of both countries, as well as of the world? Will conflict and confrontation be unavoidable between China and the U.S.? Is the “Thucydides trap” so insurmountable that China and the U.S. are destined for war? Can China and the U.S. blaze a new trail in international relations in which countries, especially the major ones, engage in win-win partnership instead of zero-sum rivalry?

　　这是对中美两国的历史性挑战。

　　This is a historic challenge to both our countries.

　　这是对我们能否理解当今世界现实的考验，是对我们能否把握21世纪的政治、经济、科技、社会文化潮流的考验，是对我们是否有决心和勇气、率先引领变革的考验。

　　It is a test on our understanding of the new realities of today’s world. It is a test on our ability to grasp the major trends of the 21st century in the economy and in politics, in science and in technology, and in society and in culture. It is also a test on our determination and courage to take the lead and pioneer the transformations.

　　这是对中美两国的历史性机遇。

　　This is a historic opportunity for both our countries.

　　如果我们现在做出正确选择，我们将有机会为处理紧迫的国内议程赢得稳定有利的国际环境，将有机会建立中美关系的牢固基础，建立造福世界各国的更良好的世界秩序。

　　If we make the right choice now, we both will have the opportunity to win a stable and supportive international environment while addressing pressing domestic agenda. We will also have the opportunity to build a more solid foundation for future China-U.S. relations and for a better world order that will benefit all nations.

　　这是中美两国的共同责任。

　　This is also our shared responsibility.

　　这是我们对中美两国人民的责任。中国人民和美国人民都胸怀伟大的理想。当中美两国一起合作，中国梦和美国梦都将有更好的机会成为现实。

　　It is our responsibility to our people. The Chinese people and the American people both have great aspirations. When China and the U.S. work together, both the Chinese dream and the American dream will have a much better chance to come true.

　　这是我们对子孙后代的责任。我们有责任帮助后世子孙拥有更好的生活、更大的幸福和更美好的未来。

　　It is our responsibility to future generations. We owe it to our children and their children that they can look forward to a better life, greater happiness and a brighter future.

　　这也是我们对全人类的责任。中美两国是世界上最大的两个经济体，都是联合国安理会常任理事国。我们有责任共同努力，维护世界和平，促进全球繁荣，保护世界环境，维护和变革世界秩序。

　　It is also our responsibility to the global community. China and the U.S. are the two largest economies in the world. Both are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. We owe it to the world to join hands in safeguarding world peace, promoting global prosperity, protecting the world environment, and maintaining and reforming the world order.

　　因此，我们应该作出的选择是不言自明的，除此之外别无选择。中美两国应根据不冲突不对抗、相互尊重、合作共赢的原则，共同建设强劲、稳定的关系。中美不能再搞“冷战”，更不能打热战，也不能陷入“冷和平”。跨越陷阱的最佳方式是开辟一条新路。我们肩负的历史使命是着眼共同利益和共同未来，建立一种新型国际关系，而不是把全球主导权从一个国家移交给另一个国家，无论是通过战争还是其他方式。

　　Therefore, the choice before us is clear and there is actually no alternative. China and the U.S. have to work together to build a strong and stable relationship that is based on the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. We should not fight another Cold War, still less a hot war. Nor should we be content with “cold peace”. The best way of overcoming a trap is to open up a new path. Our historic mission is not the transfer of global dominance from one power to another, by war or by less confrontational means. Rather, our mission is to establish a new model of international relations that are based on common interests and shared future.

　　特朗普总统就任以来，在中美双方共同努力下，两国关系取得重要积极进展。两国元首在海湖庄园成功会晤，不久前再次在二十国集团领导人汉堡峰会期间成功会晤，为新时期中美关系指明方向，确立建设性基调。双方已经建立外交安全对话、全面经济对话、执法及网络安全对话、社会和人文对话等四个高级别对话机制。

　　Since President Trump took office, China-U.S. relations have made important and positive progress thanks to the concerted efforts of the two sides. Our two presidents have set a constructive tone and pointed the way forward for China-U.S. relations with their successful meetings in Mar-a-Lago in April and in Hamburg during the G20 summit earlier this month. The two sides established four high-level dialogue mechanisms, covering diplomatic and security issues, economic relations, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and law-enforcement and cyber security.

　　首轮外交安全对话于6月初举行，双方取得了重要成果。上周举行的首轮全面经济对话同样取得了成功。关于全面经济对话，我希望突出介绍一些此前媒体没有充分报道的成果。首先，中美双方通过共同努力实现了成功对话，重申双方将加强对话与协调，发展经济关系，管控可能的分歧。双方认识到，虽然对话无法立即解决所有分歧，但对抗的道路更不可取。第二，世界最大的两个经济体选择互利共赢的建设性对话，为全世界注入了难得的乐观信心。当前世界经济形势充满了不确定性，这样的再确认比任何具体协议都更能提振工商界的信心。

　　The first round of the Diplomatic and Security Dialogue held last month was very successful. So was the Comprehensive Economic Dialogue (CED) last week. At the CED, the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on a broad spectrum of topics, including macro-economic policy, the 100-Day Action Plan and a one-year plan, global economy and governance, trade and investment, services, agricultural cooperation and high-tech trade.

　　Among the objectives achieved by the dialogue, let me try to highlight a couple of points that may not have been sufficiently emphasized in the media. First, the efforts made by the two sides for the success of the discussion reaffirm the commitment to conduct the economic relations and manage possible differences through dialogue and coordination rather than confrontation. Both sides recognize that while dialogues may not solve all problems at once, confrontation will lead nowhere. Second, the fact that the two largest economies in the world have chosen to engage in constructive dialogue for mutual benefit gives the world the optimism it badly needs. Amid considerable uncertainties in the global economy, such reassurances will help boost business confidence more than any specific deals.