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


尊敬的内格罗蓬特常务副国务卿、尊敬的杰弗里副助理，


女士们、先生们、朋友们，


Honorable Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte,

Honorable Deputy National Security Advisor James Jeffery

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,


今天，我们相聚在中国驻美大使馆新馆，隆重庆祝中华人民共和国成立59周年。我谨代表中国政府和人民，向各位来宾表示热烈欢迎，向所有关心、支持中国现代化建设和中美关系发展的各界朋友表示衷心的感谢。

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.


新中国成立以来，中国发生了巨大变化，特别是改革开放极大地调动了亿万人民的积极性和创造性，打开了中国与世界交往的大门，开创了中国经济、政治、文化、社会发展的新局面，中国综合国力大幅提升，人民生活显著改善，对外关系不断发展。


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.


今年对中国来说是不平凡的一年。在中央政府的坚强领导、全国人民的团结奋斗和国际社会的大力支持下，中国取得了抗震救灾的重大阶段性胜利，成功举办了北京奥运会和残奥会。几天前，中国又成功进行了“神舟七号”载人航天飞行和首次“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.


中国的发展靠的是改革开放。改革开放是中国人民改变自己命运的战略抉择，也是中国人民矢志不渝的前进方向。中国前面的发展道路还很漫长，面临的机遇和挑战都是空前的。我们将继续全面深入落实科学发展观，以人为本，抓住机遇，迎接挑战，实现更长时间、更高水平、更好质量的发展。在推进自身现代化进程中，中国将始终坚定不移地走和平发展道路，坚持奉行互利共赢的对外开放战略，更深参与经济全球化，实现中国与世界的共同发展。


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.


女士们，先生们！


Ladies and Gentlemen,


在双方的共同努力下，当前中美关系总体保持积极发展的良好势头。两国高层交往密切，各领域交流合作进展顺利，中美战略经济对话和战略对话机制不断取得积极成果。中国政府和人民衷心感谢美国政府和人民对中国抗震救灾、北京奥运会和残奥会的支持，这进一步增进了两国人民的友好情谊。


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.


我们即将迎来中美建交30周年。30年来，中美关系取得了长足发展。我们相信，只要双方始终坚持从战略高度和长远角度出发，恪守中美三个联合公报原则，尊重彼此核心利益，加强交流、对话与合作，妥善处理分歧，我们就有理由对中美关系的未来充满信心和期待。


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.


现在，我提议：

为庆祝中华人民共和国成立59周年，

为中美两国和两国人民的友谊与合作，

为各位来宾和朋友的健康，

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!