谢锋大使在中美“乒乓外交”52周年纪念活动上的讲话

Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Xie Feng at the reception marking the 52nd anniversary of ping-pong diplomacy

尊敬的方方副校长，

Vice President Fang Fang,

乔罗斯兰主任，

Director Cioroslan,

白莉娟副会长，

Vice President Berris,

查尔主席，

Chair Char,

女士们，先生们，

Ladies and Gentlemen,

大家晚上好！

Good evening!

在习近平主席同拜登总统旧金山成功会晤和中美关系即将迎来建交45周年之际，我们很高兴欢迎方方副校长率北京大学乒乓球代表团访问华盛顿并举行友谊赛，其中包括大家熟悉的世界冠军刘伟、丁宁。

As President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden just concluded a successful summit meeting in San Francisco, and our two countries will soon celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, it is a great pleasure to welcome Vice President Fang Fang and the delegation of the Peking University table tennis team to visit D.C. and have a friendly game. Among them are world champions Liu Wei and Ding Ning. Glad to have you here! 

我们尤其荣幸邀请到1971年访华的美国乒乓球队成员康妮•史维利斯女士，1972年接待中国乒乓球队回访美国的白莉娟女士、戴尔•史维利斯先生和随团翻译史伯明先生。他们是“乒乓外交”的参与者和亲历者。

We are also honored to have with us friends who were personally involved in ping-pong diplomacy: Connie Sweeris, American table tennis champion who went on the ice-breaking trip to China in 1971; her husband Dell Sweeris, and Ms. Jan Berris, who received the Chinese table tennis delegation visiting the United States in 1972; and Dr. Douglas Spelman, who interpreted for the Chinese delegation then. Let’s give them a warm round of applause! 

让我们用热烈掌声欢迎他们的到来！借此机会我谨向各位及长期关心支持中美关系发展的各界朋友再次表示衷心感谢！

Let me also thank all of you and other friends again for your long-time care and support for China-U.S. relations.

朋友们，

Dear friends,

半个世纪过去了，“乒乓外交”的历史经验和指导意义历久弥新，继续给我们以启迪。

Over half a century on, we can still draw much inspiration and wisdom from ping-pong diplomacy.

一是把握大势，坚持战略引领。52年前，在冷战阴霾下，毛泽东主席、周恩来总理与尼克松总统、基辛格博士审时度势、当机立断，以非凡的战略眼光、政治勇气和外交智慧，通过“小球转动大球”，打开中美重新交往大门，拉开中美关系正常化序幕，撬动了国际格局变化，影响了世界历史走向。两周前，博士与世长辞，但他的名字将永远镌刻在中美关系的历史丰碑上。

First, keep abreast of the times, and follow strategic guidance. In the shadow of the Cold War 52 years ago, with a keen grasp of the historical trend, Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, President Richard Nixon and Dr. Henry Kissinger demonstrated extraordinary strategic vision, political courage and diplomatic wisdom, reopened the doors between China and the United States with a small ball, and set off the normalization of bilateral relations. Their decision significantly changed the international landscape and reshaped the course of world history. Dr. Kissinger passed away two weeks ago, but his name will always go down in the history of China-U.S. relations.

一个月前，习近平主席同拜登总统在旧金山举行历史性会晤，探讨新时期中美正确相处之道，开辟面向未来的“旧金山愿景”。习近平主席高屋建瓴地指出，中美要共同树立正确认知，共同有效管控分歧，共同推进互利合作，共同承担大国责任，共同促进人文交流。这“五个共同”为中美关系稳定发展浇筑起五根支柱。

At their historic summit in San Francisco last month, President Xi and President Biden discussed the right way for China and the United States to get along with each other in the new era, and fostered a future-oriented San Francisco vision. President Xi pointed out that China and the United States need to jointly develop a right perception toward each other, jointly manage disagreements effectively, jointly advance mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly shoulder responsibilities as major countries, and jointly promote people-to-people exchanges. These are the five pillars for stabilizing and developing China-U.S. relations.

会晤巩固了中美关系止跌企稳势头，为变乱交织的世界注入了难得的确定性稳定性，受到两国和国际社会普遍欢迎。历史将证明，它不仅是今年中美关系的高光时刻，也是中美关系史上的里程碑，而且将对世界和平与发展产生重大深远影响。

The summit has consolidated the momentum toward stabilizing China-U.S. relations, and injected much-needed certainty and stability into this turbulent and fluid world. It has been widely welcomed by both countries and the international community. History will prove that the summit is not only a highlight in China-U.S. relations this year, but also a milestone in the history of the bilateral relationship, which will have far-reaching influence on world peace and development. 

二是厚植民心，推进人文交流。中美都是伟大的国家，两国人民善良友好、勤劳务实，彼此抱有强烈好感和浓厚兴趣。太平洋天堑和长达22年的意识形态隔绝也没能阻隔双方的交流与合作。毛泽东主席说，“人民之间的友好往来势不可挡。

Second, boost people-to-people exchanges, and pool public support for China-U.S. relations. Both China and the United States are great countries. Both our peoples are kind, hardworking and down-to-earth, who are friendly toward and interested in each other. Neither the vast Pacific nor the 22-year-long ideological estrangement prevented our peoples from reaching out to one another. Just as Chairman Mao said, “The friendly exchanges between the peoples are simply unstoppable.” 

”当周恩来总理问美方乒乓球代表团对访问有没有什么不满意的地方，美方团长斯廷霍文回答，有！在众人惊愕之余，斯廷霍文先生接着说，你们给我们太多好吃的了！团长的幽默反衬了中国人民的热情好客。

When Premier Zhou asked the American friends whether they had any complaint during the 1971 trip, head of the U.S. delegation Graham Steenhoven said, “Eventually, I found something to criticize — That you always fed us too much.” Such humor spoke volumes about how warmly they were received in China.

美国外交博物馆保存着史维利斯女士当年访华的旅行护照。“中国”原被列为“本护照不能前往”的地区，但为了此访成行，“中国”一项被手动涂掉。这看似轻轻的“一笔勾销”，背后是顺应大势的决断力和创造力，这在当下仍然至关重要。

One of the most interesting collections at the National Museum of American Diplomacy is Connie’s passport. On one of its pages, China had been originally listed among the countries “this passport is not valid for travel to”, but the American officials took a black marker and carefully crossed out “China” to make the visit possible. Underlying that seemingly simple cross-off were decisiveness and creativity to act in line with the trend of the times, which remain indispensable today.

一个月前，习近平主席在旧金山美国友好欢迎宴会上发表演讲，深情讲述与美国民众交往的友好故事，强调中美关系的根基是由人民浇筑的、大门是由人民打开的、故事是由人民书写的、未来是由人民创造的，引发两国民众强烈共鸣。

At the welcome dinner hosted by friendly American organizations in San Francisco last month, President Xi recalled fondly his friendship with the American people. He emphasized that the foundation of the China-U.S. relationship was laid by our peoples, its doors was opened by the peoples, its stories were written by the peoples, and its future will be created by the peoples. His words struck a chord with peoples of both countries.

三是相互尊重，发扬体育精神。在“乒乓外交”的带动下，体育成为中美民心相通的桥梁和纽带。曾效力休斯敦火箭队的姚明受到美国人民喜爱。美国NBA球星巴特勒远赴中国贵州台盘村，实现了NBA与“村BA”的梦幻互动。去年北京冬奥会期间，中美冰壶运动员赛后互赠徽章，两国自由式滑雪女子空中技巧选手摘金夺银后在雪地上相拥而泣，这些美好画面在寒冬中传递着人民友谊的阵阵暖意。

Third, respect each other, and demonstrate good sportsmanship. Starting with ping-pong diplomacy, sport has served as a bridge between our two peoples. Yao Ming, who played for the Houston Rockets, has many fans in the United States. Earlier this year, NBA star Jimmy Butler travelled to Taipan Village, Guizhou Province to take part in China’s famous grassroots basketball tournament “VBA” (Village Basketball Association). During the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Chinese and American curlers exchanged pins after their match, and the hug with tears of joy between aerial skiers Ashley Caldwell and Xu Mengtao after Xu won gold melted the hearts of many.  

体育是东西方文明的重要组成部分。体育崇尚进取，追求卓越，又要求相互尊重、彼此欣赏、取长补短、共同提高。体育必须遵守规则，公平竞争，而不能挖坑使绊，既当裁判员、又当运动员；不能只许自己挥拍，却捆绑对方手脚，甚至连上场机会都不给对方；应该集中精力提升自我，而不是挖空心思拉低对方；应该捉对比拼，而不能拉帮结伙打群架；应该开放包容，超越差异，场上是对手，场下仍应是朋友。

Sport is an integral part of both Eastern and Western civilizations. It is both about striving for the better, and about respecting and learning from each other to make progress together. It is about abiding by rules and ensuring fair play. One cannot be both the judge and the athlete, tie the hands of their competitors, still less deny others an opportunity to be part of the game. One should focus on improving themselves instead of bringing others down, and play by the rule of the game instead of ganging up on the other side. Sport is also about embracing openness and inclusiveness, and rising above differences. There is no reason why competitors cannot also be friends.

朋友们，

Dear friends,

当前中美关系正处在新的十字路口。时代呼唤我们从“乒乓外交”汲取智慧和力量，让中美关系稳下来、好起来，实现健康、稳定、可持续发展，让两国人民放心、让世界安心。

The China-U.S. relationship today is again at a crossroads. The era is calling on us to draw wisdom and strength from ping-pong diplomacy, stabilize and improve the relationship and ensure its sound, stable and sustainable development, so as to reassure our peoples and the world.

我们要实现两国关系“再融冰”。一段时间来，中美关系陷入建交以来最低点，各领域交流合作遭遇“寒流”。这种状况不符合双方利益。世界既然已经告别冷战，就不应走回头路；中美既然能够打破隔绝22年的坚冰，如今更应有信心冲破冷战思维的禁锢，打碎“政治正确”的桎梏，跳出大国冲突的历史陷阱。

We need to re-break the ice between our countries. In recent years, the China-U.S. relationship has been at the lowest point since the diplomatic ties began, with a chill looming over exchanges and cooperation in various fields. This does not serve the interests of either side. The Cold War already ended, and there is no reason to reverse course. Since China and the United States managed to break the 22-year-long ice 52 years ago, we should have even greater confidence today to shake off the Cold War mentality, defy the “political correctness”, and leap across the trap of major-country conflict.

冰冻三尺非一日之寒，融冰亦非一日之功。希望美方同中方一道，树立正确认知，从点滴做起，从今天做起，践行相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢，用互利合作的成功故事压制零和博弈的负面叙事。

As a Chinese proverb puts it, it takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of ice. Naturally, the ice cannot thaw overnight. But we hope the U.S. side will work together with us, develop a correct perception toward each other, start with concrete steps from now, act on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and prevail over the zero-sum narrative with success stories of mutually beneficial cooperation.

我们要促进两国人民“再接触”。新冠病毒阻碍了面对面沟通交流，贸易战、科技战只会导致对抗和冲突。接触对话才能避免误判，逐步走出困境，重新积累互信。

We need to reinvigorate exchanges between our peoples. The Covid-19 virus hampered in-person communication, and trade and technology wars would only lead to conflict and confrontation. Only through engagement and dialogue can we avoid miscalculation, find a way out of the predicament and restore mutual trust.

近来中美对话交往有所增多，近20个对话交流机制恢复重建。中美直航航班从年初每周20班增加到70班，三周前北京到华盛顿恢复直航。

To our encouragement, dialogue and interactions have been on the rise. Nearly 20 dialogue and exchange mechanisms have been revived. Direct flights have grown from only 20 every week early this year to 70, with those between Beijing and D.C. resumed three weeks ago.

人文交流也有起色，中国苏州、成都、泉州、宁波等市组团来美访演，费城交响乐团、美国芭蕾舞剧院等赴华演出。不久前，百岁高龄的飞虎队老兵莫耶和麦克马伦等一行访华并登上长城，在中国社交媒体获得无数点赞致敬。

People-to-people exchanges are coming back. Chinese art troupes from Suzhou, Chengdu, Quanzhou and Ningbo have brought performances to the United States, while the Philadelphia Orchestra and the American Ballet Theatre have toured China. Not long ago, Flying Tigers veterans including 103-year-old Harry Moyer and 98-year-old Mel McMullen visited China and climbed the Great Wall. The story soon became a top hit on Chinese social media and received numerous thumbs-up.

美国作家马克•吐温曾说，“旅行是偏见、偏执和狭隘的死敌。”我们要支持两国人民多走动、多交往、多牵手。

Mark Twain once observed that “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” We need to encourage our peoples to visit and interact with each other more often and join hands together.

我们要推动中美关系“再出发”。旧金山会晤不是终点，而是新的起点。当务之急要做好后续工作，加强全过程管理，特别是不折不扣将两国元首会晤共识落到实处，推动中美关系稳下来、好起来，让“旧金山愿景”照进现实，造福两国、惠及世界。

We also need to embark on a new journey in the China-U.S. relationship. The summit in San Francisco is not a finish line, but a new starting point for bilateral relations. The pressing priority is to follow up on the meeting, enhance whole-process management, and in particular faithfully implement the common understandings reached between our Presidents, so as to stabilize and improve the bilateral relationship, turn the San Francisco vision into reality, and benefit both countries and the world.

中方向来言出必行，已采取一系列促进中美经贸合作、便利双方人员往来的务实举措，包括批准万事网联准入、批准美博通公司收购威睿公司，取消签证预约并缩短发放时间，阶段性调减签证费用，大幅简化入境流程等。

China always honors its words with actions. We have taken a series of practical steps to boost economic cooperation and facilitate people-to-people exchanges. For instance, we have approved Mastercard NUCC’s application to conduct bank card clearing operations in China, given the greenlight to Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, started providing walk-in visa application services, shortened the visa processing time, reduced visa fees, and significantly streamlined the border entry procedure.

我们期待美方与中方相向而行，采取行动，不要落后，特别是防止反复，不要进一步、退半步，甚至进一步、退两步，不要为两国关系设置新的障碍。

We expect the U.S. side to move with us in the same direction and follow up with more actions. Especially, it is important to prevent any flip-flopping, and avoid making one step forward but then taking half or even two steps backward, lest it should cause new obstacles to bilateral relations.

朋友们，

Dear friends,

稍后，中美双方将组成混合队伍进行友谊赛，重温历史、赓续友情。方寸乒台，足够中美选手尽情挥拍；宽广地球，容得下中美共同发展。

Later, we will have a mixed-team friendly game to review the history and renew the goodwill. The small ping-pong table can be a broad arena for athletes from both countries to bring out their best, and the vast Earth is big enough for China and the United States to prosper together.

“乒乓外交”不仅是一段彪炳史册的华彩篇章，更是一种穿透时空的精神伟力。让我们携起手来，续写新时期两国人民交往的精彩故事，探索新时期中美正确相处之道。

Ping-pong diplomacy not only marks a significant chapter in history, but also represents a spirit that transcends time and space. Let’s join hands to write more stories of friendship between our peoples, and explore the right way for China and the United States to get along in the new era together.

谢谢大家！

Thank you.