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。

　　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。

　　And yet the success of that engagement depends upon understanding——on sustaining an open dialogue, and learning about one another and from one another.  For just as that American table tennis player pointed out—— we share much in common as human beings, but our countries are different in certain ways. 

　　I believe that each country must chart its own course.  China is an ancient nation, with a deeply rooted culture.  The United States, by comparison, is a young nation, whose culture is determined by the many different immigrants who have come to our shores, and by the founding documents that guide our democracy。

　　Those documents put forward a simple vision of human affairs, and they enshrine several core principles —— that all men and women are created equal, and possess certain fundamental rights; that government should reflect the will of the people and respond to their wishes; that commerce should be open, information freely accessible; and that laws, and not simply men, should guarantee the administration of justice。

　　Of course, the story of our nation is not without its difficult chapters.  In many ways -- over many years —— we have struggled to advance the promise of these principles to all of our people, and to forge a more perfect union.  We fought a very painful civil war, and freed a portion of our population from slavery. It took time for women to be extended the right to vote, workers to win the right to organize, and for immigrants from different corners of the globe to be fully embraced. Even after they were freed, African Americans persevered through conditions that were separate and not equal, before winning full and equal rights。

　　None of this was easy.  But we made progress because of our belief in those core principles, which have served as our compass through the darkest of storms. That is why Lincoln could stand up in the midst of civil war and declare it a struggle to see whether any nation, conceived in liberty, and "dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal" could long endure. That is why Dr. Martin Luther King could stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and ask that our nation live out the true meaning of its creed.  That's why immigrants from China to Kenya could find a home on our shores; why opportunity is available to all who would work for it; and why someone like me, who less than 50 years ago would have had trouble voting in some parts of America, is now able to serve as its President。

　　And that is why America will always speak out for these core principles around the world.  We do not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation, but we also don't believe that the principles that we stand for are unique to our nation.  These freedoms of expression and worship—— of access to information and political participation —— we believe are universal rights.  They should be available to all people, including ethnic and religious minorities ——whether they are in the United States, China, or any nation.  Indeed, it is that respect for universal rights that guides America's openness to other countries; our respect for different cultures; our commitment to international law; and our faith in the future。

　　These are all things that you should know about America. I also know that we have much to learn about China. Looking around at this magnificent city —— and looking around this room—— I do believe that our nations hold something important in common, and that is a belief in the future. Neither the United States nor China is content to rest on our achievements.  For while China is an ancient nation, you are also clearly looking ahead with confidence, ambition, and a commitment to see that tomorrow's generation can do better than today's。

　　美中两国关系的发展伴随着一个积极变革的时期，但这绝非巧合。中国使几千万人口摆脱了贫困，这是人类历史上史无前例的成就。中国还在全球事务中发挥着越来越大的作用。美国经济随着人民生活水平的提高而不断增长，与此同时，“冷战”亦被成功画上了句号。

　　中国有句古话：“温故而知新。”的确，30年来，我们饱经挫折与挑战，两国关系亦不无分歧与困难。但历史告诉我们，两国并非命中注定一定要成为对手。事实上，由于合作，美中两国都变得更加繁荣和安全。我们深知，只要我们在互利互惠、相互尊重的基础上进行交往，就一定会有所建树。

　　但是，接触的秘诀在于理解——双方应开诚布公，互相了解，互相学习。正如当年美国乒乓球运动员指出的，作为人类，我们有着许多共同之处；但就某些方面而言，我们两国却各有千秋。

　　我认为各国应该沿着属于自己的发展道路前进。中国是一个古老的国度，有着深厚的文化底蕴。相对而言，美国还很年轻，其文化取决于投奔到这块土地上的背景各异的移民，还取决于指导我们民主的建国纲领。

　　这些纲领对人类事务提出了一个宏观愿景，体现了几个核心原则——人人生来平等，享受若干基本权利；政府应当反映人民的意志并满足人民的愿望；商务开放，信息公开；我们保障司法公正。

　　当然，我们国家的发展并非一帆风顺。多年来，我们千方百计地兑现对人民的承诺，缔造一个更加完善的联邦。我们经过痛苦的内战，将一部分人从奴隶制中解放出来。经过了相当长的一段时间，妇女才获得了选举权，劳工获得组织权，才使来自世界各地的移民完全被接纳。即使是在废除奴隶制后，非裔美国人仍需与种族隔离和不公平的待遇作斗争，直至最终获得完全平等的权利。

　　因此，取得这些成就并非轻而易举。我们取得了进步，是因为我们对指引我们走出最黑暗的暴风雨的核心原则笃信不疑。因此，林肯能够挺身而出，在内战期间宣布：斗争的目的是为了验证一个以自由和人人平等为宗旨的国家能否长久存在。因此，马丁·路得·金能够伫立在林肯纪念碑前的台阶之上，诘问我们国家是否能真正实践其立国信条的真谛。因此，来自中国、肯尼亚等各国的移民能够定居美国；因此，机会总是留给孜孜以求的人。因此，在不到50年前，美国的某些地方连投票都会遭遇种种困难的人，现在却可以出任总统。

　　这也是为什么美国在世界各地总为这些核心原则而大声疾呼。我们并不寻求将任何政治体制强加给其他任何国家，我们也不认为自己所代表的这些原则为我们的独创。言论自由、宗教自由、知情权和政治参与均为包括少数族裔和宗教少数派群体在内的美国、中国和其他各国人民应当享受的权利。事实上，正是基于对上述权利的尊重，美国对其他国家采取开放政策，尊重不同文化，遵循国际法，相信未来。

　　以上有关美国的情况是大家应该了解的，同时，我认为我们还应更多地了解中国。看看这座繁华的城市——环视这个礼堂——我相信我们两国有许多重要的共同点，那便是相信未来。无论是美国还是中国，我们都不愿意为目前所取得的成就而沾沾自喜。中国虽然是一个古老的国家，但你们怀着同样的信心、追求和责任展望未来，期望一代新人胜旧人。