这是一个关于友谊的故事。兰蒂女士坚信，“友谊是一件大事”。这本书的主旋律也是友谊。书中记录了中美两国农民、教师、学生、商人、科学家、地方官员等之间的友好故事。中美人民建立的紧密联系使我感慨万分，两国人民为中美关系注入的巨大能量和创造力令我惊叹不已。
这是一个关于信任的故事。1980年和1985年，当艾奥瓦人欢迎习仲勋和习近平父子分别率领的两个代表团时，他们对中国知之甚少，但他们相信这些中国人是为了友谊与合作而来。同时，中国代表团对艾奥瓦也了解不多，但他们相信艾奥瓦人会尊重中国、帮助中国、了解中国。相互信任助力他们克服了重重障碍，并建立起长久的友谊。
This story is about friendship. Mrs. Lande believes friendship is really a big business. The keynote of her book is also friendship, friendship between our farmers, teachers, students, businessmen, scientists and local officials. I am deeply touched by how strong a bond our two peoples could establish. I am also amazed at the power and creativity our two peoples have injected into our relations.
This story is about trust. In 1980 and 1985, people in Iowa knew very little about China when they were about to welcome two Chinese delegations, led respectively by Governor Xi Zhongxun in 1980 and by his son Mr. Xi Jinping in 1985. But people here believed that these Chinese were coming here for friendship and cooperation. At the same time, the two Chinese delegations knew very little about their Iowa hosts. But they trusted that the people here will respect, help and learn about China. It was this mutual trust that helped them to overcome all the barriers and build a long-term friendship from scratch.
这是一个关于开放的故事。1980年和1985年，艾奥瓦人以“艾奥瓦式友善”接待这些来自中国的客人，带领他们参观当地最好的农场、企业和科研机构，并直率地询问他们很多关于中国的问题。这些中国客人也毫不掩饰对美国先进的技术水平、管理经验和生活品质的好奇和讶异。正是因为彼此敞开心扉，人们才会很快成为朋友和合作伙伴。
这是一个关于合作的故事。阅读这本书时，给我留下深刻印象的是，一名经理大老远气喘吁吁地赶过来，向中国代表团推介他的公司。先锋种子公司（DuPont Pioneer）、ADM和罗克韦尔柯林斯（ROCKWELL COLLINS）等企业在上世纪80年代初次会见到访的中国代表团后，很快在中国落地生根并逐步取得巨大成功，也令我印象深刻。今天我们所在的世界粮食奖大厅见证了中国和艾奥瓦州农业领域合作所取得的很多成果。
This story is about openness. In 1980 and 1985, people in Iowa treated the Chinese visitors with 'Iowa Nice'. You showed them your best farms, businesses, research facilities and technologies. You did not hesitate to ask them many questions about China, either. And the Chinese visitors did nothing to hide their curiosity and surprise about the advanced technologies, management skills and life standards in the United States. It was this kind of openness that quickly brought people together as friends and cooperation partners.
This story is about cooperation. While reading the book, I am deeply impressed by that out-of-breath manager coming miles away to introduce his business to the Chinese delegation. I am also impressed by the businesses like DuPont Pioneer, ADM and Rockwell Collins, which have gained their significant presence and success in China through their initial meetings with the Chinese delegations in the 1980's. And of course, this World Food Prize Hall has witnessed so many success stories of our cooperation in agriculture.
上一篇：驻英国大使刘晓明在苏格兰商会晚宴上的主旨演讲：《坚守自由贸易理念，引领开放融通潮流》（中英对照）
下一篇：驻印度大使罗照辉在中印关系研讨会上发表演讲：《共同谱写龙象共舞的新乐章》（中英对照）
微信公众号搜索“译员”关注我们，每天为您推送翻译理论和技巧，外语学习及翻译招聘信息。