汇聚两国人民力量 推进中美友好事业
——在美国友好团体联合欢迎宴会上的演讲
（2023年11月15日，旧金山）
中华人民共和国主席 习近平
女士们，先生们，朋友们：
很高兴在旧金山，同美国各界朋友见面，共叙友情，共话友好。1985年我第一次访问美国，就是从旧金山入境，我对美国的第一印象来自旧金山，至今还保存着一张在金门大桥的留影。
首先，我要向组织这次活动的美中关系全国委员会、美中贸易全国委员会、亚洲协会、美国对外关系委员会、美国商会等友好团体表示衷心感谢！向长期致力于中美关系发展的美国朋友表示诚挚问候！向友好的美国人民致以良好祝愿！
旧金山见证了中美两国人民百年交往的历史。158年前，大批中国工人来到美国，修建连接东西海岸的太平洋铁路，筚路蓝缕，在旧金山建起了西半球历史最悠久的唐人街。从这里出发，中美两国之间发展起7600亿美元双边贸易和累计2600多亿美元双向投资，建立起284对友好省州和友好城市关系，最多每周300多个航班和每年500多万人次的相互往来。这是全世界近四分之一人口共同绘就的宏伟画卷。
旧金山见证了中美建设美好世界的努力。78年前，在携手战胜法西斯主义和军国主义之后，中美共同参与发起旧金山制宪会议，推动建立了联合国，中国第一个在《联合国宪章》上签字。从这里出发，二战后的国际秩序得以建立，100多个国家相继获得了民族独立，几十亿人口最终摆脱了贫困，世界和平发展进步的力量不断成长。这是各国人民和国际社会携手取得的硕果。
女士们、先生们、朋友们！
中美关系的根基是由人民浇筑的。第二次世界大战时期，我们两国共同为和平和正义而战。陈纳德将军带领美国志愿者奔赴中国战场，组成了著名的飞虎队。他们不仅直接对日本侵略者作战，还建起了向中国运送急需物资的驼峰航线，1000多名中美机组人员牺牲在这条航线上。日本偷袭珍珠港后，1942年美国空军16架B-25轰炸机奔袭日本，由于油料不足，杜立特中校等飞行员在中国弃机跳伞，中国军民奋勇救助，日军竟因此屠杀了25万中国平民。中国人民没有忘记飞虎队。我们在重庆专门修建了纪念馆，邀请了1000多名飞虎队老兵及其家属回到中国，我同他们中的一些人也一直有书信往来。最近，飞虎队老兵、103岁高龄的莫耶和98岁高龄的麦克马伦来到中国，登上了长城，受到中国人民热烈欢迎。美国人民也没有忘记殊死营救美国军人的中国人民。浙江衢州有一个杜立特行动纪念馆，当年获救的美国军人的后代经常来到这里，向见义勇为的中国人民表达敬意。我相信，血与火铸造的中美两国人民友谊一定能够代代相传。
中美关系的大门是由人民打开的。两国曾经隔绝对立22年。是时代潮流让我们走向彼此，是共同利益让中美超越分歧，是人民愿望让两国打破坚冰。1971年，美国乒乓球代表团来到北京，小球转动了大球。此后不久，曼斯菲尔德先生率领的第一个美国国会议员代表团来了，包括艾奥瓦州州长罗伯特·雷在内的第一个美国州长代表团来了，许多工商界人士也来了，掀起了中美友好交往的浪潮。世界走出新冠疫情大流行后，我在北京见了基辛格博士、比尔·盖茨先生，也见了舒默先生和其他几位参议员，还有纽森州长。我对他们讲，中美关系希望在人民，基础在民间，未来在青年，活力在地方。我欢迎更多美国州长、议员访华，欢迎美国各界人士到中国去。
中美关系的故事是由人民书写的。我第一次访问美国时，住在艾奥瓦州的德沃切克夫妇家中，我还记得门牌号是邦尼街2911号。这是我同美国民众首次面对面接触，也是一段我和美国人民共同生活的难忘经历。对我来说，他们就是美国。我也发现，两国虽然历史文化、社会制度、发展道路不同，但人民都善良友好、勤劳务实，都爱祖国、爱家庭、爱生活，都对彼此抱有好感和兴趣。正是善意友好的涓滴汇流，让宽广太平洋不再是天堑；正是人民的双向奔赴，让中美关系一次次从低谷重回正道。我相信，中美关系的大门一旦打开，就不会再被关上。两国人民友好事业一经开启，就不会半途而废。人民友谊之树已经长大，一定能经风历雨。
中美关系的未来是由人民创造的。越是困难的时候，越需要拉紧人民的纽带、增进人心的沟通，越需要更多的人站出来为中美关系鼓与呼。我们要为人民之间的交往搭建更多桥梁、铺设更多道路，而不是设置各种障碍、制造“寒蝉效应”。我今天同拜登总统达成重要共识，两国将推出更多便利人员往来、促进人文交流的措施，包括增加中美客运直航航班，举办中美旅游高层对话，优化签证申请流程等。我们期待着两国人民多走动、多来往、多交流，共同续写新时代两国人民友好的故事！我也期待着加州和旧金山在中美友好的征程上继续领跑！
女士们、先生们、朋友们！
我们处在一个充满挑战变化的时代，也处在一个充满希望的时代。世界的未来需要中美合作。作为世界上最大的发展中国家和发达国家，中美要好好打交道。面对变乱交织的世界，中美更需要有宽广的胸怀，展现大国格局、拿出大国担当、发挥大国作用。
我一直在思考，如何让中美关系这艘巨轮避开暗礁浅滩、穿越狂风巨浪，不偏航、不失速、不碰撞？首先要回答的是，中美到底是对手，还是伙伴。这是一个根本的、也是管总的问题。道理很简单，如果把对方视为最主要竞争对手、最重大地缘政治挑战和步步紧逼的威胁，必然导致错误的政策、采取错误的行动、产生错误的结果。中国愿意同美国做伙伴、做朋友。我们处理中美关系的根本遵循就是相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢。
相互尊重是人与人打交道的基本礼数，也是中美两国相处的起码准则。美国有独特的历史文化和地理位置，塑造了自身的发展道路和社会制度，我们充分尊重。中国特色社会主义道路是在科学社会主义理论指导下走出来的，植根于5000多年绵延不断的中华文明，我们同样感到自豪。两条道路不同，但都是人民的选择，都通向全人类共同价值，都应该得到尊重。
和平共处是国际关系基本准则，更是中美两个大国必须守住的底线。把坚持和平发展的中国视为威胁，搞你输我赢、你兴我衰的零和博弈是走偏了方向。中国从不赌美国输，从不干涉美国内政，也无意挑战和取代美国，乐见一个自信开放、发展繁荣的美国。同样，美国也不要赌中国输，不要干涉中国内政，应该欢迎一个和平、稳定、繁荣的中国。
合作共赢是时代发展的潮流，也是中美关系应该有的底色。中国正致力于高质量发展，美国也在着力振兴经济，双方合作空间无限广阔，完全可以相互成就、互利共赢。中方提出的共建“一带一路”倡议以及全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议，始终面向各国开放，包括美国。中方也愿参与美国提出的多边合作倡议。今天上午，我同拜登总统同意本着相互尊重精神，推动两国在外交、经贸、人文、教育、科技、农业、军队、执法、人工智能等领域开展对话合作，把合作的清单拉得更长，把合作的蛋糕做得更大。我要告诉大家，中方对芬太尼对美国人民尤其是青年人的毒害深表同情，我和拜登总统已同意成立禁毒工作组，进一步开展合作，协助美国应对毒品的滥用。我愿在此宣布，为扩大中美两国人民特别是青少年一代交流，中方未来5年愿邀请5万名美国青少年来华交流学习。
不久前，华盛顿国家动物园的3只大熊猫回到中国。我听说很多美国民众特别是孩子们依依不舍，专门到动物园去送行。我还了解到，圣迭戈动物园和加州人民热切期盼大熊猫能重返加州。大熊猫是中美人民的友谊使者。我们愿继续同美国开展大熊猫保护合作，努力满足加州人民的愿望，增进两国人民友好感情。
女士们、先生们、朋友们！
中国是世界上最大的发展中国家。工作得更好，生活得更好，孩子们成长得更好，是14亿多中国人民的殷切心愿。中国共产党就是给人民办事的，人民对美好生活的向往就是我们的奋斗目标，就是必须守住的人民的心。经过百年探索和接续奋斗，我们已经找到了一条适合自己的发展道路，正在以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴。
我们致力于团结奋斗，让全体中国人民一起迈向现代化。人口众多是中国的基本国情。再大的成就除以14亿都会变得很小，再小的问题乘以14亿都会变得很大，这就是大的难处。同时，大也有大的优势。中国共产党领导、中国特色社会主义制度、广大人民群众的拥护和支持是我们最大的优势。中国是超大规模经济体，形成了超大规模市场。前不久，我们成功举办第六届中国国际进口博览会，吸引了来自包括美国在内128个国家的3400多家企业参展，美国连续6届展览面积最大。14亿多中国人民迈向现代化是中国带给世界的巨大机遇。
我们致力于共同富裕，让每一个中国人都过上美好生活。摆脱贫困，是中华民族的千年梦想。共同富裕，是中国人民的共同期盼。我不到16岁就在陕北的一个小村子里同农民住在一起、干在一起，知道人民愁什么、盼什么。从那时到现在，半个世纪过去了，在人民中间让我觉得踏实，同人民在一起让我有力量。我将无我、不负人民，这就是我终生的信念。我刚担任中共中央总书记和中华人民共和国主席时，中国还有1亿人生活在联合国标准的贫困线以下。经过8年艰苦奋斗，这些贫困人口已全部脱贫，提前10年实现了联合国2030年可持续发展议程的减贫目标，1800多名中共党员在扶贫攻坚的岗位上献出了生命。
我们的目标不是少数人的富裕，而是全体人民共同富裕。就业、教育、医疗、托幼、养老、住房、环境，这些老百姓的身边事、贴心事、具体事正不断融入中国国家发展的顶层设计，不断变成老百姓的获得感、幸福感、安全感。我们将继续推动高质量发展，让现代化成果惠及全体人民。这是中国共产党的初心使命，是我们对人民的承诺，也必将在人民支持下实现。
我们致力于全面发展，让人们的物质和精神世界同样富足。中国人很早就懂得“衣食足而知荣辱”。物质贫困不是社会主义，精神贫乏也不是社会主义。中国式现代化是以人民为中心的现代化，其中一个重要目标就是在不断提高国家经济实力、人民生活水平的同时，不断丰富人民的精神世界、提高全社会文明程度、促进人的全面发展。我提出全球文明倡议，就是要推动国际社会解决物质和精神失衡问题，共同推动人类文明不断进步。
我们致力于永续发展，让人与自然和谐共生。“天人合一”、“道法自然”是中华优秀传统文化的重要理念。我们身处同一个地球村，在我们有生之年可能找不到另一个星球供人类生存了。英语里也有一句话：“地球不是我们从祖辈那里继承的，而是向我们的子孙借来的。”2002年我在福建担任省长时就提出福建要建成中国第一个生态省。到浙江工作后，2005年我又提出“绿水青山就是金山银山”，如今这已成为中国人民的共识。现在，全球光伏发电装机容量接近一半在中国，全球新能源汽车一半以上行驶在中国，全球四分之一的新增绿化面积来自中国。我们力争2030年前实现碳达峰，2060年前实现碳中和。我们说到做到。
我们致力于和平发展，推动构建人类命运共同体。中华文明传承的是和平和睦和谐的理念，中国没有对外侵略扩张的基因。中国人民对近代以后自身遭受的动荡和苦难刻骨铭心。我经常讲，中国人民反对的就是战争，求的就是稳定，盼的就是天下太平。中华民族伟大复兴的实现离不开和平稳定的国际环境。我们决不会走通过战争、殖民、掠夺、胁迫等方式实现现代化的老路。
新中国成立70多年来，中国没有主动挑起过任何一场战争和冲突，没有侵占过别国一寸土地，是唯一将和平发展写入宪法和执政党党章、上升为国家意志的大国。中国是现行国际秩序的受益者和维护者。我们将坚定维护以联合国为核心的国际体系，维护以国际法为基础的国际秩序，维护以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为基础的国际关系基本准则。无论今后发展到哪一步，我们都永远不称霸、不扩张，不强加于人，不谋求势力范围，不同任何国家打冷战热战。中国将坚持对话而不对抗、结伴而不结盟，继续奉行合作共赢的开放战略。中国追求的不是独善其身的现代化，愿同各国一道，实现和平发展、互利合作、共同繁荣的世界现代化，推动构建人类命运共同体！
女士们、先生们、朋友们！
历史长河大浪淘沙，最终沉淀下来的总是最有价值的东西。不论形势如何变化，中美和平共处的历史逻辑不会变，两国人民交流合作的根本愿望不会变，世界人民对中美关系稳定发展的普遍期待不会变。任何一项伟大事业要成功都必须从人民中找到根基、从人民中积聚力量、由人民来共同完成。中美友好就是这样一项伟大事业。让我们汇聚起两国人民的力量，赓续中美友谊，推进中美关系，努力为促进世界和平和发展作出更大贡献！
Galvanizing Our Peoples into a Strong Force
For the Cause of China-U.S. Friendship
2023-11-16 15:22
Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping
President of the People’s Republic of China
At Welcome Dinner by Friendly Organizations in the United States
San Francisco, November 15, 2023
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
It gives me great pleasure to meet with you, friends from across the American society, in San Francisco to renew our friendship and strengthen our bond. My first visit to the United States in 1985 started from San Francisco, which formed my first impression of this country. Today I still keep a photo of me in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Before going further, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, the U.S.-China Business Council, the Asia Society, the Council on Foreign Relations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other friendly organizations for hosting this event. I also want to express my warm greetings to all American friends who have long committed to growing China-U.S. relations and my best wishes to the friendly American people.
San Francisco has borne witness to exchanges between the Chinese and American peoples for over a century. A hundred and fifty-eight years ago, a large number of Chinese workers came all the way to the United States to build the first transcontinental railroad, and established in San Francisco the oldest Chinatown in the Western Hemisphere. From here, China and the United States have made many achievements—USD 760 billion of annual bilateral trade and over USD 260 billion of two-way investment, 284 pairs of sister provinces/states and sister cities, and over 300 scheduled flights every week and over five million travels every year at peak time. These extraordinary accomplishments were made jointly by our peoples accounting for nearly one quarter of the global population.
San Francisco has also borne witness to the efforts by China and the United States in building a better world. Seventy-eight years ago, after jointly defeating fascism and militarism, our two countries initiated together with others the San Francisco Conference, which helped found the United Nations, and China was the first country to sign the U.N. Charter. Starting from San Francisco, the postwar international order was established. Over 100 countries have gained independence one after another. Several billion people have eventually shaken off poverty. The forces for world peace, development and progress have grown stronger. This has been the main fruit jointly achieved by people of all countries and the international community.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
The foundation of China-U.S. relations was laid by our peoples. During World War II, our two countries fought side by side for peace and justice. Headed by General Claire Lee Chennault, a group of American volunteers, known as the Flying Tigers, went to the battlefield in China. They not only engaged in direct combats fighting Japanese aggressors, but also created “The Hump” airlift to transport much-needed supplies to China. More than 1,000 Chinese and American airmen lost their lives on this air route. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the United States sent 16 B-25 bombers on an air raid to Japan in 1942. Running low on fuel after completing their mission, Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle and his fellow pilots parachuted in China. They were rescued by Chinese troops and local civilians. But some 250,000 civilian Chinese were killed by Japanese aggressors in retaliation.
The Chinese people never forget the Flying Tigers. We built a Flying Tigers museum in Chongqing, and invited over 1,000 Flying Tigers veterans and their families to visit China. I have kept in touch with some of them through letters. Most recently, 103-year-old Harry Moyer and 98-year-old Mel McMullen, both Flying Tigers veterans, went back to China. They visited the Great Wall, and were warmly received by the Chinese people.
The American people, on their part, always remember the Chinese who risked their lives to save American pilots. Offspring of those American pilots often visit the Doolittle Raid Memorial Hall in Quzhou of Zhejiang Province to pay tribute to the Chinese people for their heroic and valorous efforts. These stories fill me with firm confidence that the friendship between our two peoples, which has stood the test of blood and fire, will be passed on from generation to generation.
The door of China-U.S. relations was opened by our peoples. For 22 years, there were estrangement and antagonism between our two countries. But the trend of the times brought us together, converging interests enabled us to rise above differences, and the people’s longing broke the ice between the two countries. In 1971, the U.S. table tennis team visited Beijing—a small ball moved the globe. Not long after that, Mr. Mike Mansfield led the first U.S. Congressional delegation to China. This was followed by the first governors’ delegation including Iowa Governor Robert Ray and then many business delegations, forming waves of friendly exchanges.
This year, after the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, I have respectively met in Beijing with Dr. Henry Kissinger, Mr. Bill Gates, Senator Chuck Schumer and his Senate colleagues, and Governor Gavin Newsom. I told them that the hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in our societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels. I welcome more U.S. governors, Congressional members, and people from all walks of life to visit China.
The stories of China-U.S. relations are written by our peoples. During my first visit to the United States, I stayed at the Dvorchaks in Iowa. I still remember their address—2911 Bonnie Drive. That was my first face-to-face contact with the Americans. The days I spent with them are unforgettable. For me, they represent America. I have found that although our two countries are different in history, culture and social system and have embarked on different development paths, our two peoples are both kind, friendly, hardworking and down-to-earth. We both love our countries, our families and our lives, and we both are friendly toward each other and are interested in each other. It is the convergence of many streams of goodwill and friendship that has created a strong current surging across the vast Pacific Ocean; it is the reaching out to each other by our peoples that has time and again brought China-U.S. relations from a low ebb back onto the right track. I am convinced that once opened, the door of China-U.S. relations cannot be shut again. Once started, the cause of China-U.S. friendship cannot be derailed halfway. The tree of our peoples’ friendship has grown tall and strong; and it can surely withstand the assault of any wind or storm.
The future of China-U.S. relations will be created by our peoples. The more difficulties there are, the greater the need for us to forge a closer bond between our peoples and to open our hearts to each other, and more people need to speak up for the relationship. We should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people interactions. We must not erect barriers or create a chilling effect.
Today, President Biden and I reached important consensus. Our two countries will roll out more measures to facilitate travels and promote people-to-people exchanges, including increasing direct passenger flights, holding a high-level dialogue on tourism, and streamlining visa application procedures. We hope that our two peoples will make more visits, contacts and exchanges and write new stories of friendship in the new era. I also hope that California and San Francisco will continue to take the lead on the journey of growing China-U.S. friendship!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
We are in an era of challenges and changes. It is also an era of hope. The world needs China and the United States to work together for a better future. We, the largest developing country and the largest developed country, must handle our relations well. In a world of changes and chaos, it is ever more important for us to have the mind, assume the vision, shoulder the responsibility, and play the role that come along with our status as major countries.
I have always had one question on my mind: How to steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations clear of hidden rocks and shoals, navigate it through storms and waves without getting disoriented, losing speed or even having a collision?
In this respect, the number one question for us is: are we adversaries, or partners? This is the fundamental and overarching issue. The logic is quite simple. If one sees the other side as a primary competitor, the most consequential geopolitical challenge and a pacing threat, it will only lead to misinformed policy making, misguided actions, and unwanted results. China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States. The fundamental principles that we follow in handling China-U.S. relations are mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.
Just as mutual respect is a basic code of behavior for individuals, it is fundamental for China-U.S. relations. The United States is unique in its history, culture and geographical position, which have shaped its distinct development path and social system. We fully respect all this. The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics has been found under the guidance of the theory of scientific socialism, and is rooted in the tradition of the Chinese civilization with an uninterrupted history of more than 5,000 years. We are proud of our choice, just as you are proud of yours. Our paths are different, but both are the choice by our peoples, and both lead to the realization of the common values of humanity. They should be both respected.
Peaceful coexistence is a basic norm for international relations, and is even more of a baseline that China and the United States should hold on to as two major countries. It is wrong to view China, which is committed to peaceful development, as a threat and thus play a zero-sum game against it. China never bets against the United States, and never interferes in its internal affairs. China has no intention to challenge the United States or to unseat it. Instead, we will be glad to see a confident, open, ever-growing and prosperous United States. Likewise, the United States should not bet against China, or interfere in China’s internal affairs. It should instead welcome a peaceful, stable and prosperous China.
Win-win cooperation is the trend of the times, and it is also an inherent property of China-U.S. relations. China is pursuing high-quality development, and the United States is revitalizing its economy. There is plenty of room for our cooperation, and we are fully able to help each other succeed and achieve win-win outcomes.
The Belt and Road Initiative as well as the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) proposed by China are open to all countries at all times including the United States. China is also ready to participate in U.S.-proposed multilateral cooperation initiatives. This morning, President Biden and I agreed to promote dialogue and cooperation, in the spirit of mutual respect, in areas including diplomacy, economy and trade, people-to-people exchange, education, science and technology, agriculture, military, law enforcement, and artificial intelligence. We agreed to make the cooperation list longer and the pie of cooperation bigger. I would like to let you know that China sympathizes deeply with the American people, especially the young, for the sufferings that Fentanyl has inflicted upon them. President Biden and I have agreed to set up a working group on counternarcotics to further our cooperation and help the United States tackle drug abuse. I also wish to announce here that to increase exchanges between our peoples, especially between the youth, China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years.
Recently, the three pandas at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C. have returned to China. I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off. I also learned that the San Diego Zoo and the Californians very much look forward to welcoming pandas back. Pandas have long been envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
China is the largest developing country in the world. The Chinese people long for better jobs, better lives, and better education for their children. It is what the 1.4 billion Chinese hold dear to their hearts. The Communist Party of China (CPC) is committed to working for the people, and our people’s expectation for a better life is our goal. This means we must work hard to secure their support. Thanks to a century of exploration and struggle, we have found the development path that suits us. We are now advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization.
We are committed to striving in unity to achieve modernization for all Chinese. A large population is a fundamental aspect of China’s reality. Our achievements, however great, would be very small when divided by 1.4 billion. But a problem, however small, would be huge when multiplied by 1.4 billion. This is a unique challenge for a country of our size. In the meantime, big also means strength. The leadership of the CPC, the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the endorsement and support of the people are our greatest strengths. China is both a super-large economy and a super-large market. Not long ago the sixth China International Import Expo was held, attracting over 3,400 business exhibitors from 128 countries including the United States. The exhibition area of American companies has been the largest for six consecutive years at the Expo. Modernization for 1.4 billion Chinese is a huge opportunity that China provides to the world.
We are committed to prosperity for all to deliver a better life for each and every Chinese. To eliminate poverty is the millennia-old dream of the Chinese nation, and prosperity for all is the longing of all Chinese. Before I turned 16, I was in a village in northern Shaanxi Province, where I lived and farmed with villagers, and I knew about their worries and needs. Now half a century on, I always feel confident and strong when staying with the people. Serving the people selflessly and living up to their expectations is my lifelong commitment. When I became General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the People’s Republic of China, 100 million people were still living below the poverty line set by the United Nations. Thanks to eight years of tenacious efforts, we lifted them all out of poverty. We realized the poverty reduction goal of the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. In the process, over 1,800 CPC members lost their lives in the line of duty.
Our goal is not to have just a few wealthy people, but to realize common prosperity for all. Employment, education, medical services, child care, elderly care, housing, the environment and the like are real issues important to people’s daily life and close to their heart. They are being steadily integrated into our top-level plans for national development, thus ever increasing the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security of our people. We will continue to promote high-quality development and deliver the benefits of modernization to all. This is the CPC’s founding mission and the pledge we have made to the people. It will surely be realized with the support of the people.
We are committed to well-rounded development to achieve both material and cultural-ethical advancement for the people. Our forefathers observed that “When people are well-fed and well-clad, they will have a keen sense of honor and shame.” Material shortage is not socialism, nor is cultural-ethical impoverishment. Chinese modernization is people-centered. An important goal of Chinese modernization is to continue increasing the country’s economic strength and improving the people’s living standards, and at the same time, enriching the people’s cultural lives, enhancing civility throughout society and promoting well-rounded development of the person. The purpose of the Global Civilization Initiative I proposed is to urge the international community to address the imbalance between material and cultural advancement and jointly promote continued progress of human civilization.
We are committed to sustainable development to achieve harmony between man and nature. The belief that humans are an integral part of nature and need to follow nature’s course is a distinctive feature of traditional Chinese culture. We live in the same global village, and we possibly won’t find another inhabitable planet in our lifetime. As an English saying goes, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” When I was Governor of Fujian Province in 2002, I called for turning Fujian into the first ecological province in China. Later when I worked in Zhejiang Province in 2005, I said that clear waters and green mountains are just as valuable as gold and silver. Today, this view has become a consensus of all the Chinese people. China now has close to half of the world’s installed photovoltaic capacity. Over half of the world’s new energy vehicles run on roads in China, and China contributes one-fourth of increased area of afforestation in the world. We will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. We have made the pledge, and we will honor it.
We are committed to peaceful development to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Peace, amity and harmony are values embedded in Chinese civilization. Aggression and expansion are not in our genes. The Chinese people have bitter and deep memories of the turmoils and sufferings inflicted upon them in modern times. I often say that what the Chinese people oppose is war, what they want is stability, and what they hope for is enduring world peace. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation cannot be achieved without a peaceful and stable international environment. In pursuing modernization, we will never revert to the beaten path of war, colonization, plundering or coercion.
Throughout the 70 years and more since the founding of the People’s Republic, China has not provoked a conflict or war, or occupied a single inch of foreign land. China is the only major country that has written peaceful development into the Constitution of the country and the Constitution of the governing party, thus making peaceful development a commitment of the nation. It benefits from and safeguards the current international order. We remain firm in safeguarding the international system with the U.N. at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. Whatever stage of development it may reach, China will never pursue hegemony or expansion, and will never impose its will on others. China does not seek spheres of influence, and will not fight a cold war or a hot war with anyone. China will remain committed to dialogue and oppose confrontation, and build partnerships instead of alliances. It will continue to pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. The modernization we are pursuing is not for China alone. We are ready to work with all countries to advance global modernization featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity, and to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
The passage of time is like a surging river—much is washed away, but the most valuable stays. No matter how the global landscape evolves, the historical trend of peaceful coexistence between China and the United States will not change. The ultimate wish of our two peoples for exchanges and cooperation will not change. The expectations of the whole world for a steadily growing China-U.S. relationship will not change. For any great cause to succeed, it must take root in the people, gain strength from the people, and be accomplished by the people. Growing China-U.S. friendship is such a great cause. Let us galvanize the Chinese and American peoples into a strong force to renew China-U.S. friendship, advance China-U.S. relations, and make even greater contributions to world peace and development!
