风雪策马向新程，寰海同舟共稳航——谢锋大使在2026年新春招待会上的致辞

Forge ahead steadily through wind and snow toward a new journey——Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Xie Feng at the 2026 Chinese New Year Reception

尊敬的各位来宾，女士们，先生们，朋友们：

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

大家晚上好！今天恰逢农历腊月二十三祭灶节，也是中国北方小年，正式进入“过年模式”。借此机会，谨向长期关心中国发展、支持中美关系的各界朋友致以节日问候！提前给大家拜年！

Good evening! Today is the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, a day when Chinese people traditionally offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God. It is also known in northern China as the Preliminary Eve, so we are now officially in Chinese New Year mode. On this auspicious occasion, I would like to express festive greetings to friends from various sectors who have long cared for China’s development and supported China-U.S. relations. Happy Chinese New Year in advance!

过去一年中国经济顶压前行、向新向优。在全球经济增长乏力的背景下，2025年中国经济总量突破140万亿元，GDP同比增长5%。中国依靠创新为发展赋能，天问二号、雅下水电工程等大国重器竞相涌现，AI大模型、人形机器人等前沿技术你追我赶，“灯塔工厂”数量全球第一，中国在全球创新指数排名中首次跻身前十。中国以开放助力全球发展，举办消博会、广交会、服贸会、进博会，启动海南自贸港封关，扩大免签“朋友圈”，向最不发达国家实施“零关税”。中国已成为150多个国家和地区的主要贸易伙伴，张开怀抱与世界分享机遇，持续做全球增长最稳定、最可靠的动力源。

In the past year, the Chinese economy grew against all the odds, making new progress in innovation-led and high-quality development. Despite sluggish global economic growth, China’s economic output crossed the threshold of 140 trillion yuan in 2025, with GDP growing 5% year-on-year.

We have energized development through innovation. A stream of new innovations and major projects were accomplished, including the Tianwen-2 spacecraft, and the Yarlung Zangbo hydropower project. Frontier technologies such as large AI models and humanoid robots have been competing in a race to the top. We have the world’s largest number of lighthouse factories, and have entered the top 10 of the Global Innovation Index for the first time.

We have powered global development through openness. Last year, we held events including the China International Consumer Products Expo, the Canton Fair, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, and the China International Import Expo. We launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port, expanded our visa-free policy to more countries and regions, and granted zero-tariff treatment to all least developed countries having diplomatic relations with us. China is now a major trading partner of more than 150 countries and regions. We are sharing opportunities with the world with open arms, and will continue to be one of the most stable and reliable engines of global growth.

过去一年中美关系经历起伏、破浪前行。从年初平稳过渡，到关税战贸易战风高浪急，再到釜山会晤止跌企稳，在两国元首战略引领下，中美关系实现了来之不易的总体动态稳定，这也离不开两国各部门和各界人士的共同努力。比如，戴安斯参议员和史密斯众议员去年分别率团访华，实现美国两院两党议员访华“双破冰”。一年来的实践再次表明：对话比对抗好，合作比零和好，稳定比折腾好。“合则两利，斗则俱伤”是两国打交道一条颠扑不破的真理，无论关税战、贸易战、科技战还是产能战、资源战、地缘战，都是损人害己的死路绝路。一个稳定、健康、可持续发展的中美关系，符合两国人民根本利益，顺应国际社会普遍期待，是值得双向共同奔赴的大道正道。

In the past year, China-U.S. relations witnessed ups and downs, and forged ahead through the waves.From the smooth transition at the start of the year, to rising tensions amid the tariff and trade war, and to stabilization after the Busan Summit, China-U.S. relations realized overall and dynamic stability under the strategic guidance of our two Presidents. This did not come easily, and could not have been achieved without the joint efforts of multiple departments and people from various sectors in both our countries. For instance, Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Adam Smith respectively led a delegation to visit China last year on two ice-breaking trips, which involved senators and congressmen from both parties.

What happened in the past year has again proven that, dialogue is better than confrontation, cooperation is better than zero sum, and stability is better than volatility. It is an established truth that our two countries gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Be it a tariff, trade or tech war, or an industrial, resource or geopolitical war, all would only hit a dead end and serve no one’s interest. A steady, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relationship serves the fundamental interests of both our peoples, and meets the shared expectation of the international community. It is therefore the right path our two sides should pursue together.

女士们、先生们、朋友们,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

一年之计在于春，中美凝聚共识、再启新程正当其时。上周习近平主席再次同特朗普总统通电话，对新一年中美关系再校准、再擘画。我们应该坚决落实两国领导人达成的重要共识，相向而行，争取让2026年成为中美两个大国探索相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢正确相处之道的重要一年。

As a Chinese proverb goes, “A year’s plan starts with spring.” Now is the opportune moment for China and the United States to build consensus and embark on a new journey. Last week, President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump had another phone call, recalibrating again and charting the courseof bilateral relations for the year ahead. We should resolutely implement the important common understandings reached by our leaders, work in the same direction, and strive to make 2026 an important year where our two major countries explore a right way to get along based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

我们应该坚持元首战略引领不动摇。元首外交是中美关系的“指南针”和“定盘星”。上周通话时，习近平主席表示，愿同特朗普总统继续引领中美关系这艘大船穿越风浪、平稳前行，多办一些大事、好事。特朗普总统表示，乐见中国成功，美方愿与中方加强合作，推动两国关系取得新发展。双方应珍视并落实好两国元首重要共识，坚定不移沿着两国领导人指明的方向前进，不折不扣将元首的战略引领转化为实实在在的政策、行动与实践，推动中美关系巨轮不偏航、不失速、向前进。

We should adhere to our Presidents’ strategic guidance without wavering. Heads-of-state diplomacy is the compass and anchor of China-U.S. relations. During the phone call last week, President Xi Jinping said he hopes to work with President Trump to steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations steadily forward through winds and storms, and accomplish more big things and good things. President Trump said he wants to see China succeed, and that the U.S. would like to work with China and make more progress in bilateral ties.

Our two sides should cherish and implement the two Presidents’ important common understandings, steadfastly follow the course charted by our leaders, and faithfully translate their strategic guidance into concrete policies, actions and practices, so as to ensure the giant ship of China-U.S. relations will sail forward without losing direction or speed.

我们应该树立正确认知不误判。战略认知是根本的、管总的问题。从零和博弈的视角看彼此，竞争冲突即为宿命；从命运共同体的视角看彼此，合作共赢才是终极选项。中美一方的成功为什么要以另一方的失败为代价呢？一个和平、稳定、繁荣的中国，本来是对世界的贡献，怎么就变成了挑战呢？关税战期间，很多美国朋友进一步反思，发现中美合作不仅对双方不可或缺，而且给动荡不安的世界带来不可多得的稳定性和确定性。去年底，芝加哥全球事务委员会民调显示，53%的美国人支持对华友好合作与接触。美涉华民调五年来首次正向反弹，支持中美合作的美国青年人比例更高。我们期待美方展现战略眼光与历史担当，摒弃冷战思维和“政治正确”，下决心同中国做伙伴、做朋友。

We should establish a right strategic perception and avoid misjudgment. Strategic perception is of fundamental and overarching importance. If we view each other through a zero-sum lens, competition and conflict would be inevitable. But if we see our two countries as a community with a shared future, mutually beneficial cooperation would be our ultimate choice. Why should the success of China and the U.S. come at the expense of the other? And how can a peaceful, stable and prosperous China, which should be a contribution to the world, pose challenges instead?  

During the tariff war, many American friends found upon further reflection that China-U.S. cooperation not only is indispensable for both our countries, but also brings precious stability and certainty to a turbulent world. A poll by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs late last year showed that 53% of Americans favorfriendly cooperation and engagement with China. U.S. public opinion surveys on China have demonstrated a positive rebound for the first time in five years, with the younger generation being more supportive of China-U.S. cooperation. We hope strategic vision and a sense of historical responsibility will be adopted, the Cold War mentality and the so-called “political correctness” will be rejected, and a decision will be made to be partners and friends with China.

我们应该管控分歧矛盾不越线。无论过去、现在和将来，中美都会有分歧和矛盾，关键要尊重彼此核心利益和重大关切，为中美关系装好安全阀。台湾问题是第一条不能逾越的红线。因为它关乎中国的主权、安全和领土完整，牵动14亿中国人民的心。台湾自古属于中国，早在12世纪中叶，中国就开始在澎湖、台湾设治，实施行政管辖。二战胜利前后，《开罗宣言》《波茨坦公告》和1971年联大通过的第2758号决议等具有国际法效力的文件进一步予以确认。一个中国原则不仅是国际社会普遍共识，也是中美上世纪重新打开交往大门、中美关系逐步走向正常化的政治基础。中美三个联合公报是双方共同达成的具有约束力的国家间协议，其核心就是一个中国原则。当前台海和平的最大威胁来自于“台独”分裂行径及其冒险挑衅。美方应切实遵守一个中国原则和中美三个联合公报。

We should manage differences and avoid crossing the line. There have been and will continue to be differences between China and the U.S. The key is to respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, so as to install a “safety valve” for bilateral relations.

The Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed, which bears on China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and is close to the hearts of the 1.4 billion Chinese people. Taiwan has been part of China’s territory since ancient times. As early as in the mid-12th century, China set up administrative bodies to exercise jurisdiction over Penghu and Taiwan. The fact was further reaffirmed bya series of instruments with legal effect under international lawduring World War II and after its victory, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 adopted in 1971.

The one-China principle is not only a broad consensus of the international community, but also the political foundation for China and the U.S. to reopen doors to each other and gradually normalize bilateral relations in the 20th century. The three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqués are binding intergovernmental agreements reached by both sides, which are fundamentally centered on the one-China principle.

Currently, the biggest threat toward peace across the Taiwan Strait comes from the separatist activities and dangerous provocations by the “Taiwan independence” forces.We hope the U.S. side will earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqués.

我们应该拓展务实合作不松劲。今年，中国“十五五”开局起步，美国迎来建国250周年，中美还将分别主办亚太经合组织领导人非正式会议、二十国集团领导人峰会，这为双方深化合作提供了新契机。中美不仅应在经贸、农业、能源等传统领域巩固合作，还应在禁毒执法、生物医药、人工智能、打击跨境犯罪等领域打造新的合作增长点。今年还恰逢“乒乓外交”55周年，友好传承正翻开新篇。从“5年5万”倡议硕果累累，到“匹克球外交”铺架交流新桥，再到“成为中国人”在美走红，两国人民相知相近的愿望真切而蓬勃。在中方推出240小时过境免签后，许多美国朋友探索中国的热情找到了新的释放点，特别是青年朋友在社交媒体上兴高采烈地分享他们的“在华免签奇遇”，从壮丽的长城到繁华的外滩，从川菜火锅到早茶点心，有人惊呼240小时旅程让他们坠入一场文化、发展和美食共同编织的“甜蜜陷阱”。旅程结束，他们意犹未尽，纷纷向使馆发邮件“投诉”，表示240小时很棒，但最好在后面加一个零、变成2400小时，才够了解、探索、享受中国。中国大门常开，欢迎四方来宾。希望美方相向而行，破解签证难、入境难、直航少等堵点，为两国人文交流提供更多便利。

We should also keep up the effort to expand practical cooperation.This year, China will kick off its 15th Five-Year Plan, and the U.S. will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence. We will also respectively host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and the G20 Summit. All these will provide new opportunities for deepening our cooperation. Not only should we enhance cooperation in traditional areas such as economy and trade, agriculture and energy, but we should also foster new growth points in sectors like counternarcotics, law enforcement, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and combating transnational crime.

This year also marks the 55th anniversary of ping-pong diplomacy. A new chapter is unfolding in our people’s friendship. From the “50,000 in five years” initiative that has yielded fruitful outcomes, to pickleball diplomacy building new bridges for exchange, and to the popular trend of “Becoming Chinese” among Americans, our people are eager to reach out to each other and come closer together. After China rolled out the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, many American friends have seized the opportunity to experience China. Young people, in particular, have been excitedly sharing their fascinating China adventure on social media. From the majestic Great Wall to the bustling Bund, from Sichuan-style hotpot to Cantonese dim sum, people marvel that the 240-hour journey turns out to be a feast of enchanting culture, modern development and delicious cuisine. After coming back from China, many Americans have sent emails to our Embassy to “complain”, saying that while 240 hours is already great, they hope it could be extended to 2,400 hours, so they could have more time knowing, exploring and enjoying China. China’s doors will always be open to friends from all around the world. We hope the U.S. side will act in the same spirit, and remove bottlenecks in visa application, border entry and direct flights, so as to provide greater convenience for people-to-people exchanges.

女士们、先生们、朋友们,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

再过一周就将迎来中国农历马年。马在中国文化中象征着自强不息、开拓奋进。期待在两国元首战略引领下，中美关系在新的一年攻坚克难、行稳致远！

In just one week, we will ring in the Year of the Horse. In Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of perseverance, innovation, and bold resolve to forge ahead. It is our expectation that under our Presidents’ strategic guidance, China-U.S. relations will overcome challenges and achieve steady and sustained development in the year ahead.

现在，我提议，让我们共同举杯，

为中美两国国泰民安，

为中美关系回稳向好，

为各位来宾幸福安康，

干杯！

Now, I would like to propose a toast,

To the peace and prosperity of both China and the U.S.,

To the stability and improvement of China-U.S. relations,

And to the happiness and good health of all the friends here and your loved ones,

Cheers!