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.
1979年,我们两国人民的联系十分有限。今天,我们看到当年乒乓球队员的好奇心已经化为许多领域的纽带。在留美的学生中,中国留学生的数量位居第二;而在美国学生中,学中文的人数增加了50%。我们两国有近200个友好城市,把我们的社区联系在一起。美中科学家合作进行新的研究与发现。而姚明正是我们两国人民都热爱篮球的一个标志——令我遗憾的是,此行中我不能观看上海东方大鲨鱼队的比赛。
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.
我们两国之间的关系处于一个积极变化的时期,这不是偶然的。中国实现了使亿万人民脱贫,这一成就史无前例,同时,中国在全球问题上也在发挥更大的作用。美国在促使冷战顺利结束的同时,经济也取得了增长,人民的生活水平有了提高。
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.
中国有句名言:“温故而知新。”当然,过去30年中我们也曾遇到挫折和挑战,我们的关系不是没有分歧和困难。但是,“我们必然是对手”的概念并非是注定不变的——回顾过去不会是这样。由于我们的合作,美中两国都更加繁荣、更加安全。我们已经看到我们本着共同的利益和相互的尊重建立关系而取得的成果。
来源:可可英语 //www.utensil-race.com/daxue/201708/518546.shtml