韩叙大使1989年(10)

　　There is no doubt that China-U.S. relations are experiencing difficulties. No one is more pained than I to see all this happening. I was fortunate enough to be present at the creation of the new relations between our two countries 18 years ago, and I have served longer than any other Chinese ambassador in this country, personally witnessing the tremendous growth of these fruitful ties. Yet, right before my eyes, these relations are suffering one setback after another.

　　I am sure that none of you want to see these ties so painstakingly cultivated over the past years to fall apart overnight. Every effort should be made to restore and advance these relations so important to both our two countries.

　　Are there any basis for the restoration and advancement of China-U.S. relations? The answer is yes. Let me draw your attention to the following essential facts:

　　1.Both China and the United States are two of the largest countries in the world. Their total population comes to a fully 29 per cent of the world total. In this increasingly shrinking and interdependent world, friendly relations between these two countries are no doubt in the best interest of our two peoples and the world people.

　　2.None of the two countries poses a security threat to the fundamental interest of the other. The confrontation that once existed between us shows that animosity can only hurt both. It cannot and must not be accepted as an alternative for our relations.

　　3.Our common interests far outweight our differences. The most important one is that both countries share a fundamental belief for maintaining world peace and stability. Anyone can see that China-U.S. rapprochement has contributed significantly to peace and stability in Asia-pacific.

　　4.Mutually beneficial economic ties have served as the engine pulling our relations forward. Both countries have benefited from these fruitful ties. Our trade has grown at an annual rate of 20%. The United States has become China’s number two foreign trade partner. China has jumped to the 13th biggest trade partner of the United States. It has become one of the fastest growing export markets of the Uni?ted States. And China has always been the largest and a reliable traditional customer of American grains. The United States is the largest foreign investor in China, with 3.4 bi?llion dollars committed in 660 projects throughout China. There is much talk of imposing further economic sanctions against China. Such sanctions must be firmly rejected. They hurt the United States as much as they hurt China. The only effect on China that I can think of is that to push back China into the isolation of the old days. I am sure that it is not a prospect that you want to see.

　　5.The Chinese and American peoples who represent the two great civilizations of the world have always had great affections for each other. The mutual friendship is long and deep?rooted. Since our doors have been opened to each other, people to people exchanges have flourished on an unprecedented scale. A bond of enduring friendship has been forged between our two great peoples. This, I am confident, will provide the ultimate guarantee for the preservation of our relations. Because of these factors, I remain optimistic about the future of our ties. I am glad, as I have said, to find that I am by no means alone in this conviction. Several opinion polls show the vast majority of the American public favors the preservation of U.S.-China relations. Many noted public figures have come out to speak in defense of protecting our relations. And the very fact that I am being invited to speak to you from this rostrum shows that the American people care about their relations with China.

　　At present, the important thing is not to interfere in China’s internal affairs, particularly when it is in difficulty. Do not make things more difficult for it. The principle of mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, a corner stone of China-U.S. relations, must be strictly observed. Further more, any act that can only hurt the national interests and sentiments of both countries should be firmly rejected.

本文摘自《钱其琛作序推荐》

---

　　 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。