英语翻译指导：奥巴马复旦演讲
Good afternoon. It is a great honor for me to be here in Shanghai, and tohave this opportunity to speak with all of you. I'd like to thank Fudan
University's President Yang for his hospitality and his gracious welcome. I'd
also like to thank our outstanding Ambassador, Jon Huntsman, who exemplifies the
deep ties and respect between our nations. I don't know what he said, but I hope
it was good. (Laughter.)
What I'd like to do is to make some opening comments, and then what I'm
really looking forward to doing is taking questions, not only from students who
are in the audience, but also we've received questions online, which will be
asked by some of the students who are here in the audience, as well as by
Ambassador Huntsman. And I am very sorry that my Chinese is not as good as your
English, but I am looking forward to this chance to have a dialogue.
This is my first time traveling to China, and I'm excited to see this
majestic country. Here, in Shanghai, we see the growth that has caught the
attention of the world -- the soaring skyscrapers, the bustling streets and
entrepreneurial activity. And just as I'm impressed by these signs of China's
journey to the 21st century, I'm eager to see those ancient places that speak to
us from China's distant past. Tomorrow and the next day I hope to have a chance
when I'm in Beijing to see the majesty of the Forbidden City and the wonder of
the Great Wall. Truly, this is a nation that encompasses both a rich history and
a belief in the promise of the future.
The same can be said of the relationship between our two countries.
Shanghai, of course, is a city that has great meaning in the history of the
relationship between the United States and China. It was here, 37 years ago,
that the Shanghai Communique opened the door to a new chapter of engagement
between our governments and among our people. However, America's ties to this
city -- and to this country -- stretch back further, to the earliest days of
America's independence.
In 1784, our founding father, George Washington, commissioned the Empress
of China, a ship that set sail for these shores so that it could pursue trade
with the Qing Dynasty. Washington wanted to see the ship carry the flag around
the globe, and to forge new ties with nations like China. This is a common
American impulse -- the desire to reach for new horizons, and to forge new
partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
Over the two centuries that have followed, the currents of history have
steered the relationship between our countries in many directions. And even in
the midst of tumultuous winds, our people had opportunities to forge deep and
even dramatic ties. For instance, Americans will never forget the hospitality
shown to our pilots who were shot down over your soil during World War II, and
cared for by Chinese civilians who risked all that they had by doing so. And
Chinese veterans of that war still warmly greet those American veterans who
return to the sites where they fought to help liberate China from
occupation.
A different kind of connection was made nearly 40 years ago when the frost
between our countries began to thaw through the simple game of table tennis. The
very unlikely nature of this engagement contributed to its success -- because
for all our differences, both our common humanity and our shared curiosity were
revealed. As one American player described his visit to China -- "people
are just like us…The country is very similar to America, but still very
different."
Of course this small opening was followed by the achievement of the
Shanghai Communique, and the eventual establishment of formal relations between
the United States and China in 1979. And in three decades, just look at how far
we have come.
In 1979, trade between the United States and China stood at roughly $5
billion -- today it tops over $400 billion each year. The commerce affects our
people's lives in so many ways. America imports from China many of the computer
parts we use, the clothes we wear; and we export to China machinery that helps
power your industry. This trade could create even more jobs on both sides of the
Pacific, while allowing our people to enjoy a better quality of life. And as
demand becomes more balanced, it can lead to even broader prosperity.
In 1979, the political cooperation between the United States and China was
rooted largely in our shared rivalry with the Soviet Union. Today, we have a
positive, constructive and comprehensive relationship that opens the door to
partnership on the key global issues of our time -- economic recovery and the
development of clean energy; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and the
scourge of climate change; the promotion of peace and security in Asia and
around the globe. All of these issues will be on the agenda tomorrow when I meet
with President Hu.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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