Remarks by Ambassador Cui Tiankai at the Reception Celebrating the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China

崔天凯大使在国庆69周年招待会上的致辞

27-Sep-18

2018年9月27日

The Honorable Matt Pottinger, Senior Director for Asian Affairs of the National Security Council, The Honorable Congressman Robert Pittenger, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

尊敬的白宫国安会亚洲事务高级主任波廷杰，尊敬的皮坦格尔众议员，各位来宾，女士们，先生们：

Good evening. Thank you very much for joining us this evening in celebrating the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

欢迎大家来到中国驻美国大使馆出席今晚的招待会，与我们欢聚一堂，共同庆祝中华人民共和国成立69周年。

This festive occasion provides us with a good opportunity to walk through the 69 years of the People's Republic while at the same time embrace the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up.

在这举国欢庆的日子，让我们回顾新中国69年的历程，并共同庆祝改革开放40周年。

Sixty-nine years ago, the Chinese people put an end to the century of wars and humiliation after decades of heroic struggles under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and founded the People's Republic. The 5,000-year-old ancient civilization thus embarked on a new and promising journey of development.

69年前，中国共产党带领中国人民经过艰苦卓绝的奋斗，结束了近代中国100多年战乱、屈辱的历史，建立了新中国。一个具有5000年历史的文明古国，开启了充满希望的新的发展历程。

Over the past 69 years, China has overcome formidable challenges one after another. From the dark clouds of the Cold War to the two hot wars at its doorstep, from external embargo to containment, China has not only survived, but also thrived. With courage, diligence and perseverance, the Chinese people, who account for one-fifth of the world population, have risen above all the hardships, charged forward on the path of their own choice, pursued a better life, maintained independence, sovereignty and stability, and promoted national reunification.

69年来，从阴云密布的冷战，到家门口的两场热战，从围堵封锁的艰难，到对华遏制等挑战，新中国跨越了重重阻碍走到今天。占世界人口五分之一的中国人民，认准了自己的路，以非凡的勇气、勤劳的双手、奋斗的汗水，战胜千难万险，创造幸福美好的生活，坚定维护国家的独立、主权和稳定，推进国家的统一。

Thanks to the hard work of the Chinese people since the founding of the People's Republic and in particular, since reform and opening-up 40 years ago, the once poverty-stricken country is now the world's second largest economy. China boasts of over U.S.$8,000 in per capita GDP today, compared to U.S.$200 in 1978. And it has lifted over 700 million people out of poverty, or more than 70% of the world's total in the same span of time.

69年来，特别是改革开放40年来，中国已经从一个贫穷落后的国家建设成为世界第二大经济体，人均国民总收入从1978年的200美元到如今超过8000美元；中国7亿多贫困人口成功脱贫，占同期全球减贫人口总数70%以上。

Throughout China's transformation – from standing up to becoming more prosperous, and then stronger – there is one single theme that never changes: the aspiration of the Chinese people for a better life. That is the goal of China's development. That is also the strategic intention of China. The blueprint adopted at the 19th Party Congress in October last year for China's development in the new era is exactly for that purpose. We will stick to the people-centered development philosophy. We will focus on tackling the constraints of unbalanced and inadequate development to meet the people's ever-growing needs for a better life. We will give our people a greater and sustainable sense of fulfillment, happiness and security.

中华民族从站起来、富起来到强起来，贯穿着一条主线：人民对美好生活的向往。这就是中国的发展目标，这就是中国的战略意图。去年10月召开的中共十九大为中国在新时代的发展绘就蓝图，明确坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，着力解决人民日益增长的美好生活需要和不平衡不充分发展之间的主要矛盾，使人民获得感、幸福感、安全感更加充实、更有保障、更可持续。

Ladies and Gentlemen,

女士们，先生们，

China's reform and opening-up and its development in the past four decades have not only changed the outlook of China itself, but also contributed significantly to peace and development of the Asia-Pacific and the world as a whole. From California to Kolkata, from Alaska to Tasmania, the dividends of China's growth have reached every corner of the Pacific Ocean. The Asia-Pacific has been transformed from a battlefield of hot and cold wars to a dynamic market of unlimited cooperation. It has become one of the main engines of global economic growth. China has contributed more than 30% to the world economic growth. All these are universally recognized facts.

中国改革开放和发展不仅改变了中国的面貌，也为亚太地区乃至世界和平与发展作出了重大贡献。从加利福尼亚到加尔各答，从阿拉斯加到塔斯马尼亚，整个环太平洋地区都从中获得诸多收益，已经从战乱频发的热点地区变为充满合作机遇的大市场，成为全球经济增长的主要引擎之一。中国对全球经济增长的贡献率也已达30%以上。这些都是有目共睹的事实。

We fully recognize that China's development won't be possible without international peace and stability, and that a growing China should contribute more to mankind. The philosophy and interest of the Chinese nation dictates our firm adherence to the path of peaceful development. China will open its door even wider to the outside world to embrace and promote common development for mankind. China will promote more inclusive globalization that benefits all. And China will firmly safeguard international regime and order for free trade. China is committed to promoting a new model of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation. China will continue to work with other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind. China never seeks hegemony. And China opposes any attempt by anyone to do so. Our position is open and aboveboard, clear and consistent.

我们深知，中国的发展离不开和平稳定的国际环境，不断发展的中国应当为人类作出更大的贡献。中华民族的信念和利益决定了中国将始终不渝地走和平发展道路。中国将进一步向世界打开大门，融入和促进全球共同发展。中国将推动更加包容、普惠的全球化，坚定维护国际自由贸易体系和秩序。中国致力于推动建设相互尊重、公平正义、合作共赢的新型国际关系，同世界各国一道构建人类命运共同体。中国永远不寻求霸权，也反对任何人在世界上称王称霸。中国的立场光明磊落，始终如一。

Ladies and Gentlemen,

女士们，先生们，

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations. Over the past four decades, the two countries have witnessed dramatic changes across the world. And China-U.S. relations have also evolved profoundly. History has proven that cooperation benefits both countries while confrontation hurts both, and that the only right choice for us is cooperation.

明年中美两国将迎来建交40周年。40年来，两国共同见证了世界风云变幻，中美关系也经历了深刻的调整演变。历史已经证明，中美合则两利，斗则俱伤，合作是唯一正确的选择。

The world today is undergoing unprecedented changes. China and the United States, permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and the world's two largest economies, must make another historic choice on where they want this relationship to go. At stake are the interests of our workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, men and women in military services and all other sectors, especially the future and fate of the young generation of the two countries. The 1.7 billion people in China and the United States, and indeed the 7 billion people on this planet, are urging us to make the responsible choice.

当今世界正面临百年未有之大变局。作为联合国安理会的两个常任理事国，作为世界上最大的两个经济体，中美关系何去何从，再一次需要作出历史性的选择。这个选择事关两国工农商学兵各界的利益，特别是事关两国青年一代的前途和命运。中美17亿人民、世界70亿人民要求我们必须作出负责任的选择。

China has already made its choice. We are committed to the principle of no-conflict, no-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation with the U.S. We are committed to enhancing mutual trust and cooperation. We are also committed to settling our differences in a constructive way. And we are committed to a sound, steady and growing China-U.S. relationship for the benefit of the people of both countries and the whole world. We call on and expect the U.S. side to make the same right choice.

中方的选择已经明确。我们致力于同美方共同秉持不冲突不对抗、相互尊重、合作共赢的理念，增进互信，扩大合作，以建设性方式解决分歧，建立健康稳定、持续发展的中美关系，造福两国人民和整个人类社会。我们期待美方同样作出正确的选择。

Now, I would like to propose a toast,

现在，我提议：

To the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China,

为庆祝中华人民共和国成立69周年，

To the friendship and cooperation between the Chinese and American peoples,

为中美人民的友谊与合作，

And to a brighter future of China-U.S. relations!

为中美关系的光明未来，

Cheers!

干杯！