Congratulatory Message by Ambassador Cui Tiankai at the China-Utah Trade and Investment Forum

       值此“中国—犹他州经贸投资论坛”举办之际，我谨致以热烈祝贺！

　　今年是中美建交40周年。过去40年中美关系蓬勃发展的历史告诉我们，中美关系给两国人民创造了实实在在的福祉，经贸合作是中美关系压舱石和推进器，地方合作是中美关系根基和动力。当前，中美关系正处于关键时期。我们要始终牢记，中美合则两利，斗则俱伤，合作是中美两国最好的选择，并共同努力确保中美关系继续沿着正确轨道健康稳定向前发展。

I would like to extend my warmest regards to everyone attending the China-Utah Trade and Investment Forum.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. During this time, we have learned a number of important lessons. We've learned that the relationship between our two countries can provide tangible benefits to our people. We've learned that cooperation on matters related to trade and economics serve as both the anchor and propeller of this relationship. And we've learned that sub-national engagements serve as the foundation and driving force for the relationship.

China-US relations are at a critical juncture and it is important that we remember that our two countries always stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. There is no better option than continued cooperation. We need to work together to ensure the sound and steady development of China-US relations continues along the right track.

　　今天，犹他州和中国的官员、企业家共聚一堂，召开中国-犹他经贸投资论坛，聚焦互利共赢，畅谈务实合作，把握住了中美关系本质。论坛的举办充分体现了中美地方、企业和人民对中美关系的殷切期盼，对中美友谊与合作投下了赞成票，对中美关系前景投下了信任票。

Today, officials and entrepreneurs from Utah and China are gathering here to discuss how to deepen our win-win and practical cooperation. This gets to the very essence of the China-US relationship. Today's Forum demonstrates that sub-national governments, private sector stakeholders, and our respective citizens all have high expectations for the China-US relationship. Not only do they approve of the continued friendship and cooperation between our countries, but they also have confidence in the relationship going forward.

　　中国和犹他州友好关系源远流长，创造了中美关系中的多个“第一”。1979年，杨百翰大学在中美建交当年就率先向中国派出巡演团。2006年，犹他州议会和辽宁省人大建立了首个中美省州立法机关合作交流机制。2011年，首届中美省州长论坛在犹他州举办。犹他州中文教育走在全美前列，学习中文人口比例居全美首位。这些“第一”，体现了犹他州对华友好的深厚民意，并有力推动了双方各领域务实合作。展望未来，我们有理由相信，双方友好合作愿望将更加强烈，需求将更加迫切，领域将更加宽广，前景将更加光明。

The friendly relationship between China and Utah has a long history. Shortly after China and the United States established diplomatic relations in 1979, Brigham Young University took the lead by sending a performing group to China. In 2006, the Utah State Legislature and the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress established the first cooperation and exchange mechanism between US state and Chinese provincial legislatures. In 2011, the first China-US Governors Forum was held here in Utah. Utah is also a pioneer in Chinese language education in the United States. In fact, Utahans speak Chinese at a higher percentage than any other state. These records reflect the public support for the state's friendship with China, and they have effectively advanced our practical cooperation in various fields. Looking ahead, we have every reason to believe that the two sides will have stronger aspirations and more urgent needs for wide-ranging cooperation, which will surely enjoy more promising prospects.