书城外语那些激励我前行的身影
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第20章 Tear Down This Wall (7)

Entering the 21st century,the world has continued to undergo profound changes. Peace and development remain the calling of our times. On the other hand,factors causing instability and uncertainty are increasing and new challenges and threats are looming. Against this backdrop,the common interests between our two countries are increasing and the areas of our cooperation widening. Global peace and security now face new challenges,such as fighting international terrorism,preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,protecting the environment and human habitat and combating transnational crimes. And it is exactly in these fields that we share important strategic interests. China has a huge market and its development has generated strong demand,while the United States has advanced technology and high quality products. This has created enormous opportunities for economic and technical cooperation between our two countries. Indeed,there is a broad prospect for the growth of constructive and cooperative China-US relations in all fields.

Yesterday morning,President Bush and I had an in-depth exchange of views on China-US relations and major international and regional issues of common interest and reached broad and important agreement. We are both of the view that the two sides should approach our relations from the strategic and long-term perspective and that we should enhance dialogue,expand common ground,increase mutual trust,deepen cooperation and promote the overall growth of the constructive and cooperative China-US relations in the 21st century.

When we focus on the overall interest of China-US relations,respect and show understanding to each other,I am confident that our relations will move ahead in a healthy and steady manner,and contribute to the well-being of our two peoples and bring greater hope to people around the world.

Ladies and gentlemen,dear friends.

A composer cannot write enchanting melody with one note,and a painter cannot paint landscape with only one color. The world is a treasure house where the unique cultural achievements created by people of all countries are displayed. The culture of a nation tells a lot about the evolution of the nation’s understanding of the world and life,both past and present. Culture thus embodies a nation’s fundamental pursuit of mind and dictates its norms of behavior. The historical process of human development is one in which different civilizations interact with and enrich each other and all civilizations in human history have contributed to human progress in their own unique way.

Cultural diversity is a basic feature of both human society and today’s world and an important driving force for human progress. As history has shown,in the course of interactions between civilizations,we not only need to remove natural barriers and overcome physical isolation,we also need to remove obstacles and obstructions of the mind and overcome various prejudices and misunderstandings. Differences in ideology,social system and development model should not stand in the way of exchanges among civilizations,still less should they become excuses for mutual confrontation. We should uphold the diversity of the world,enhance dialogue and interaction between civilizations,and draw on each other’s strength instead of practicing mutual exclusion. When this is done,mankind will enjoy greater harmony and happiness and the world will become a more colorful place to live in.

Ladies and gentlemen,dear friends,

Exchanges in culture and education and among young people serve as a bridge for increasing mutual understanding between our two peoples. They are also a major driving force for the healthy and stable growth of China-US relations. Yale is a forerunner in conducting China-US educational exchanges and provides an important platform for cultural exchanges between our two countries. One hundred and fifty-six years ago,a Chinese young man named Rong Hong entered Yale Campus. Four years later,he graduated with distinction and received a bachelor of arts degree,making him the first ever Chinese graduate of an American university. Later,group after group of young Chinese followed his footsteps and studied at Yale. Over the past 20 years,Yale has accepted over 4,000 Chinese students and undertaken more than 80 cooperation projects in culture,science and technology,and education with China. Last summer,Yale sent the first group of students to China for internships and some among them became the first foreign interns to work with China’s Palace Museum. I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to you,Mr. Levin,and Yale for the efforts you have made to promote exchanges between our two peoples.

To enhance mutual understanding between young people and educators of the two countries,I announce with pleasure here that we have decided to invite 100 Yale faculty members and students to visit China this summer. I’m sure you can look forward to an enjoyable experience in China.

Ladies and gentlemen,dear friends,

As an old Chinese saying goes:“As in the Yangtze River where the waves behind drive on those before,so a new generation always excels the last one.”Young people represent the hope and future of the world. They are full of vitality,new ideas and creativity. I sincerely hope that the young people in China and the United States will join hands and work to enhance friendship between our two peoples,and,together with people of other countries,create a better world for all.

Thank you!

尊敬的理查德·莱文校长,同学们,老师们,女士们,先生们:

首先,我感谢莱文校长的邀请,使我有机会来到世界著名学府耶鲁大学,同青年朋友和老师们相聚在一起。