第三篇 Passage 3

Mr. President and Mrs. Clinton,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me thank you, Mr. President, for your kind invitation. It is with great pleasure that I have come to the United States of America for a state visit. I wish to take this opportunity to convey to the great American people the cordial greetings and best wishes of the 1.2 billion Chinese people.

Eighteen years ago, Mr. Deng Xiaoping solemnly announced here that a new era for Sino-American relations had begun. Today, the Chinese people have sent me on this mission to the United States to enhance mutual understanding, broaden common ground, develop cooperation and build a future together and to bring our relationship to a new stage of development.

On the eve of the 21st century, people all over the world are looking forward to a new century full of hope and our planet blessed with peace, tranquility and prosperity for mankind.

Both China and the United States are countries that carry considerable weight in the world. In the new international situation, the shared interests between China and the United States have increased rather than decreased; our potential for cooperation has expanded rather than diminished. Our two countries share broad common interests and shoulder a common responsibility on major issues bearing upon human survival and development. All the people in the world and persons of insight are following closely the course of development of China-U.S. relations.

We should view and handle our relations from a historical height and in a strategic perspective. The past quarter of a century has witnessed the conclusion of three China-U.S. Joint Communiqués which have facilitated our expansion of exchanges and cooperation in various fields and proper handling of differences between our two countries. I believe that so long as we continue to strictly abide by the principles as set forth in the three China-U.S. Joint Communiqués, China-U.S relations will make steady and sound progress.

I hope that the development of China-U.S. relations can play a positive role in promoting mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and common development among countries around the world with different histories, cultures, social systems and levels of development.

Let us, the Chinese and Americans, join hands and, together with people around the world, work hard to bring about a new century of peace, stability and prosperity.

Allow me to thank you, Mr. President, once again for your warm welcome.