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不過美國與這個國家的紐帶可以追溯更久遠的過去，追溯到美國獨立的初期，喬治· 華盛頓組織了皇后號的下水儀式，這個船成功前往大清王朝，華盛頓希望看到這艘船前往各地，與中國結成新的紐帶。希望中國開辟新的地平線，建立新的伙伴關系。

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.

在其后的兩個世紀中，歷史洪流使我們兩國關系向許多不同的方向發(fā)展，而即使在最動蕩的方向中，我們的兩國人民打造深的，甚至有戲劇性的紐帶，比如美國人永遠不會忘記，在二戰(zhàn)期間，美國飛行員在中國上空被擊落后，當?shù)厝嗣駥λ麄兊目畲?，中國公民冒著失去一切的危險罩著他們。而參加二戰(zhàn)的老兵仍然歡迎故地重游的美國老兵，他們在那里參戰(zhàn)。

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.

40年前，我們兩國間開啟了又一種聯(lián)系，兩國關系開始解凍，通過乒乓球的比賽解凍關系。我們兩國之間有著分歧，但是我們也有著共同的人性及有著共同的好奇，就像一位乒乓球運動員一樣，那時的國家就是一樣，但是這個小小的開頭帶來了《上海公報》的問世，最終還帶來了美中在1979年建交。在其后的30年我們又取得了長足的進展，1979年美中貿易只有50億美元，現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)超過了4000億美元。

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 -- "[The]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.

貿易在許多方面影響人民的生活，比如美國電腦中許多部件，還有穿的衣服都是從中國進口的，我們向中國出口中國工業(yè)要使用的機器，這種貿易可以在太平洋兩岸創(chuàng)造更多的就業(yè)機會，讓我們的人民過上質量更高的生活。

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.

1979，美中兩國主要基于共同的競爭對手蘇聯(lián)而建立了政治合作關系。如今我們有著積極合作和全面的關系，為我們在當前重大的全球問題上建立伙伴關系打開了大門，這些問題包括經(jīng)濟復蘇、潔凈能源的開發(fā)、制止核武器擴散以及應對氣候變化。還有在亞洲及全球各地促進和平和穩(wěn)定，所有這些問題我明天與胡主席會談時都會談到。

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.

1979年的時候，我們兩國人民的聯(lián)系十分有限，如今當年乒乓球運動員的好奇可以在許多領域建立的聯(lián)系中都可以看到，在美國，中國留學生的數(shù)量排在第二位。而在美國的學生中，學中文的人數(shù)增加了50%。我們兩國有近200個友好城市，美中科學家在許多新的研究領域和發(fā)現(xiàn)領域進行合作，而我們兩國人民都熱愛籃球，姚明就是個例子。不過，此行中我不能觀看上海鯊魚隊的比賽，有點遺憾。

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.

那么我們兩國之間的這種關系給我們帶來了積極的變化，這并不是偶然的，中國使得億萬人民脫貧，而這種成就是人類歷史上史無前例的。而中國在全球問題中也發(fā)揮更大的作用，美國也目睹了我們經(jīng)濟的成長。

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.