Remarks by Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
At Reception marking the 59th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China


2008年9月29日


尊敬的內(nèi)格羅蓬特常務副國務卿、尊敬的杰弗里副助理，


女士們、先生們、朋友們，


Honorable Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte,

Honorable Deputy National Security Advisor James Jeffery

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,


今天，我們相聚在中國駐美大使館新館，隆重慶祝中華人民共和國成立59周年。我謹代表中國政府和人民，向各位來賓表示熱烈歡迎，向所有關心、支持中國現(xiàn)代化建設和中美關系發(fā)展的各界朋友表示衷心的感謝。

Today, we are gathered here at the new chancery of the Chinese Embassy to celebrate the 59th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Government and people, I would like to warmly welcome all of you and express appreciation to you for your care and support for China’s modernization and the relationship between China and the United States.


新中國成立以來，中國發(fā)生了巨大變化，特別是改革開放極大地調(diào)動了億萬人民的積極性和創(chuàng)造性，打開了中國與世界交往的大門，開創(chuàng)了中國經(jīng)濟、政治、文化、社會發(fā)展的新局面，中國綜合國力大幅提升，人民生活顯著改善，對外關系不斷發(fā)展。


Since its founding, the People’s Republic of China has seen tremendous changes all over the country. The reform and opening up policies, in particular, have brought out the creativity and initiatives in the people of China, opened the door to the world, and raised the curtain on enormous progress in China’s economy, politics, culture and society. Our country has grown stronger, our people enjoy a better life, and our relations with the world have made continuous progress.


今年對中國來說是不平凡的一年。在中央政府的堅強領導、全國人民的團結(jié)奮斗和國際社會的大力支持下，中國取得了抗震救災的重大階段性勝利，成功舉辦了北京奧運會和殘奧會。幾天前，中國又成功進行了“神舟七號”載人航天飛行和首次“太空行走”。


This year is eventful for China. Under the strong leadership of China’s central government, with the people all over the country coming together and making hard efforts, and with enormous support from the international community, China has successfully carried out the first phase of the earthquake relief and presented the world with great Olympics and Paralympics. The Shenzhou 7 manned space mission and the first-ever “space walk” by the Chinese astronauts a few days ago were another great success.


中國的發(fā)展靠的是改革開放。改革開放是中國人民改變自己命運的戰(zhàn)略抉擇，也是中國人民矢志不渝的前進方向。中國前面的發(fā)展道路還很漫長，面臨的機遇和挑戰(zhàn)都是空前的。我們將繼續(xù)全面深入落實科學發(fā)展觀，以人為本，抓住機遇，迎接挑戰(zhàn)，實現(xiàn)更長時間、更高水平、更好質(zhì)量的發(fā)展。在推進自身現(xiàn)代化進程中，中國將始終堅定不移地走和平發(fā)展道路，堅持奉行互利共贏的對外開放戰(zhàn)略，更深參與經(jīng)濟全球化，實現(xiàn)中國與世界的共同發(fā)展。


Reform and opening up are essential to China’s development. Reform and opening up are the strategic choice of the Chinese people. Reform and opening up will continue to have a major effect on the future of China and its people. The road ahead is long and the opportunities as well as the challenges before us are unprecedented. We will continue to follow the scientific outlook of development, put people’s interest above everything else, seize the opportunities and address the challenges, and achieve longer growth at a higher level and with better quality. While striving for modernization, China will always and steadfastly follow the path of peaceful development. We will pursue an open-up strategic and work for mutual benefit with our partners in the world, and we will increase our participation in the economic globalization. We want to see China developing hand in hand with the world.


女士們，先生們！


Ladies and Gentlemen,


在雙方的共同努力下，當前中美關系總體保持積極發(fā)展的良好勢頭。兩國高層交往密切，各領域交流合作進展順利，中美戰(zhàn)略經(jīng)濟對話和戰(zhàn)略對話機制不斷取得積極成果。中國政府和人民衷心感謝美國政府和人民對中國抗震救災、北京奧運會和殘奧會的支持，這進一步增進了兩國人民的友好情誼。


The overall relationship between China and the United States is showing a good momentum of positive progress thanks to the concerted efforts of both countries. There has been close communication at the top level and successful cooperation in various fields. The Strategic Economic Dialogue and the Strategic Dialogue keep producing positive results. The Chinese Government and people also appreciate the support from the Government and people of the United States for the earthquake relief operations in China and the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, which I am sure, helped further enhance the friendly feelings between the peoples of our two countries.


我們即將迎來中美建交30周年。30年來，中美關系取得了長足發(fā)展。我們相信，只要雙方始終堅持從戰(zhàn)略高度和長遠角度出發(fā)，恪守中美三個聯(lián)合公報原則，尊重彼此核心利益，加強交流、對話與合作，妥善處理分歧，我們就有理由對中美關系的未來充滿信心和期待。


Very soon, it will be the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. Our relationship has made great progress in the past 30 years. As long as both sides always bear in mind our strategic and long-term interests, abide by the three Joint Communiqués, respect each other’s central interests, increase exchanges, dialogues and cooperation, handle differences appropriately, we have every reason to expect an even better China-US relationship in the future.


現(xiàn)在，我提議：

為慶祝中華人民共和國成立59周年，

為中美兩國和兩國人民的友誼與合作，

為各位來賓和朋友的健康，

干杯!


May I now invite all of you to join me in a toast,

To the 59th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,

To the friendship and cooperation between China and the United States, and between Chinese and American peoples, and

To the health of all my friends present here tonight.

Cheers!