韩叙大使1989年(9)

　　Today with emotions running high, it is easy for people to overlook one thing: Against tremendous odds, the Chinese Government and people have accomplished the unthinkable: In a world trapped in widening economic gaps, hunger and poverty, China is able to provide a decent living for almost a quarter of world’s population. Its GNP and per capita income literally doubled in a decade. Increasing prosperity has become a living reality to several hundred million Chinese peasants. Vigorous experiment has been carried out to reform the rigid economic management system. A whole new class of enterprising private businessmen has emerged, instilling vitality into the economy. For the first time in its modern history, China is wide open to the outside world on an unprecedented scale. China has gone much further than any other socialist country in this bold experiment. And this is what I want to tell you: Despite what has happened in Beijing in the past few months, all this will stay in China.

　　Then why the unrest? The causes are complex and many. The transition from the old economic structure to the new one gives rise to a degree of market chaos. Some corrupt officials and speculators take advantage of the situation to enrich themselves at the expense of the public. The resulting income disparity has caused much complaint. An overheated economy plagued by ever greater demand eventually touched off runaway inflation. And the rapid spread of television has created rising expectation that cannot be met. The ensuing frustration has proved incendiary. There are also people who wish to copy alien political institutions and introduce them to China overnight. In short, China now manifests all the social tensions that are generated by rapid economic development. What has unfolded in Beijing is certainly tragic for China. But we must remember that the difficulties result not from failure or static economy. Rather, they are the inevitable products of success and China's dynamism. Given the unbelievable changes that have taken place in China in the past decade, I can assure you the Chinese government is committed to continuing the reform and opening up to the outside world for the benefit of the Chinese people. As the situation in Beijing has returned to normal, the go?vernment is engaged in a soul searching review to draw lessons, both positive and negative, so to ensure the further progress of the reform.

　　Two things have emerged clear: First, despite demonstrations and riots, both the Chinese government and people remain united in their consensus view that the ongoing reform and opening up to the outside world must be sustained. If anything, this conviction has only become more streng?thened. For the experiences of the past decade have eloquently shown that reverting to the old way of doing things will lead China nowhere. Only reform will ensure China’s future. For all those who follow with interest the developments in China, this is the most important message to take. To miss this point will miss the whole picture.

　　Secondly, China’s reform, both political and economic, can succeed only if it proceeds gradually, or I might say in an orderly evolutionary way. Asking for radical change overnight or imposing unrealistic demands can only in fact hinder the process of reform.

　　I know there are bound to be people who view with suspicion the efforts of the Chinese Government to restore order and persist in reform. All I ask from them is to show patience. I am sure time will bear this commitment out. And as I speak to you today, I seek only one thing, that is, the understanding of the American people. I know you have your own values and political institutions which you cherish, and I respect that. At the same time, I think it is important to realize that China has it own political and economic dynamics. Its march towards modernization takes place in a totally different setting.

　　When I come to the final question, namely, the relations between our two countries, I recall the stream of letters and calls I have received in the past few months. Some expressed sympathy and concern for China, some expressed disappointment and even anger. Yet, there is one theme common to them, that is, no one wants to see our relations suffer as a result of the recent developments in China. I suspect that if a similar tragedy occurred in many other capitals, it would not have provoked a similar outpouring of American emotions. I welcome this. It reflects the special nature of Sino-American relations. It shows the American people care about China and about our relations. That gives me much encouragement.

本文摘自《钱其琛作序推荐》

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　　 世界发生了重大而又深刻的变化，我们的时代已经从战争与革命的时代进入了以和平与发展为主题的时代。在以和平与发展为主题的时代里，外交的作用上升，事实上中国的外交已经迎来了一个黄金时期。吴建民同志这本《外交案例》用作教材我认为是一件好事。