Remarks by Ambassador Cui Tiankai at the Ceremony of George H. W. Bush Award for Statesmanship in U.S.-China Relations Honoring President Jimmy Carter

尊敬的尼尔·布什先生，

尊敬的詹姆斯·卡特先生，

尊敬的卡特中心CEO玛丽·彼得斯大使，

尊敬的查尔斯·福斯特先生，

各位来宾，

女士们，先生们，

　　晚上好！

　　很高兴参加乔治·赫伯特·沃克·布什美中关系基金会为卡特前总统颁发美中关系卓越领袖奖颁奖仪式。一位民主党总统，因其对中美关系的杰出贡献而获颁以共和党总统命名的奖项，其意义不可谓不重大。这充分说明，中美友谊高于美国党派利益，两国都有保持中美关系生机和活力的强烈共识。

Mr. Neil Bush,

Mr. James Earl Carter III,

Ambassador Mary Ann Peters,

Mr.Charles Foster,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening.

It's a great pleasure to attend this Ceremony in which the George H. W. Bush Award for Statesmanship in U.S.-China Relations is presented to President Jimmy Carter. The significance of a Democratic President receiving an honor named after a Republican President in recognition of his outstanding and profound contributions to China-U.S. relations is not lost upon us. The China-U.S. friendship transcends partisanship; indeed a strong, stable consensus for its vitality exists in both countries.

　　20世纪70年代末，伴随全球力量格局演变，世界经历重大变化。中美两国领导人洞悉世界大势和国际格局演变，高瞻远瞩，作出建交的战略决定。这一决定加速了冷战结束，为世界持久和平与稳定作出了贡献。

　　今年是中美建交40周年。面对21世纪的机遇和挑战，世界形势继续发生深刻变化。要应对气候变化、恐怖主义、传染病、贫困等全球性问题，中美应进一步加强合作。单打独斗解决不了问题，对抗更会雪上加霜。作为世界前两大经济体和联合国安理会常任理事国，中美必须紧密合作，共同推动两国关系健康稳定发展，这也符合国际社会的普遍期待。

The world was undergoing significant changes in the late 1970s, with emerging trends in the global power structure. That moment was met by inspired leadership in China and the United States. Their insightful observations of the world and the evolving international landscape enabled them to make the strategic decision to establish diplomatic relations, which actually sped up the ending of the Cold War and contributed to enduring world peace and stability.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. The world continues to evolve amid great challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. To address climate change, terrorism, infectious disease, poverty, and other transnational problems, it is imperative that China and the United States cooperate more closely. We cannot solve any of those problems alone, let alone through confrontation. As the world's two largest economies and Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council, China and the U.S. must work closely to promote coordination, cooperation and stability in their relations. This is also the broad-based expectation of the international community.

　　在此关键时刻，我们仍听到一些对中美关系非理性的质疑。有人鼓吹两国“脱钩”，宣扬所谓“新冷战”。这不仅是质疑过去40年我们取得的成就，挑战我们合作的实际成果，也将危及中美关系的未来，以及全球稳定和繁荣。

　　中美两国固然存在差异，但中美关系的本质是互利共赢。正如老布什前总统所说，“我对未来不怀疑，对前景不恐惧。我们的问题很大，但我们的心胸更宽广。”我相信，只要心胸宽广，我们定能克服任何困难，确保中美关系沿着正确的轨道向前发展。

At this critical juncture, there are yet some irrational doubts about our relations. Some are clamoring for decoupling of our two countries and a new Cold War. These attempts are not only questioning the achievements we have made over the past four decades and challenging the very tangible outcomes of our cooperation, but also putting the future of our relations and prospects for global stability and prosperity at great risk.

Although differences between us are always there, our relationship remains mutually beneficial in nature. As President George H. W. Bush said, "I do not mistrust the future. I do not fear what is ahead. For our problems are large, but our heart is larger." I believe that as long as we have a big heart, we will overcome any difficulties and stay on the right track of our bilateral relations.