在其后的两个世纪中，历史洪流使我们两国关系向许多不同的方向发展，而即使在最动荡的方向中，我们的两国人民也打造了很深的，甚至有戏剧性的纽带，比如美国人永远不会忘记，在二战期间，美国飞行员在中国上空被击落后，当地人民对他们的款待，中国公民冒着失去一切的危险保护着他们。而参加二战的中国老兵仍然欢迎故地重游的美国老兵，他们在那里参战。
A different kind of connection was made nearly 40 years ago when the frost between
our countries began to thaw through the simple game of table tennis. The very unlikely nature of this engagement contributed to its success -- because for all our differences, both our common humanity and our shared curiosity
were revealed. As one American player described his visit to China -- "[The]people are just like us…The country is very similar to America, but still very different." Of course this small
opening was followed by the achievement of the Shanghai Communique, and the eventual establishment of formal relations between the United States and China in 1979. And in three decades, just look at how far we have come. 40年前，我们两国间开启了又一种联系，两国关系开始解冻，通过乒乓球的比赛解冻关系。我们两国之间有着分歧，但是我们也有着共同的人性及有着共同的好奇，就像一位乒乓球人员所说的一样，那的国家就是一样，但是这个小小的开头带来了《上海公报》的问世，最终还带来了美中在1979年建交。在其后的30年我们又取得了长足的进展。
In 1979, trade between the United States and China stood at roughly ＄5 billion -- today it tops over ＄400 billion each year. The commerce affects our people's
lives in so many ways. America imports from China many of the computer parts we use, the clothes we wear; and we export to China machinery that helps power your industry. This trade could create even more jobs on both sides of the Pacific, while allowing our people to enjoy a better quality of life. And as demand becomes more balanced, it can lead to even broader prosperity. 1979年中美贸易仅有500亿美元，而今天美中贸易已经接近4000亿美元。贸易在许多方面影响人民的生活，比如美国电脑中许多部件，还有穿的衣服都是从中国进口的，我们向中国出口中国工业要使用的机器，这种贸易可以在太平洋两岸创造更多的就业机会，让我们的人民过上质量更高的生活。
In 1979, the political cooperation between the United States and China was rooted
largely in our shared rivalry with the Soviet Union. Today, we have a positive, constructive and comprehensive relationship that opens the door to partnership on the key global issues of our time --economic recovery and the development of clean energy; stopping the spread of
nuclear weapons and the scourge of climate change; the promotion of peace and security in Asia and around the globe. All of these issues will be on the agenda tomorrow when I meet with President Hu. 在需求趋于平衡的过程中，这种贸易可以是更广阔的贸易。如今我们有着积极合作和全面的关系，为我们在当前重大的全球问题上建立伙伴关系打开了大门，这些问题包括经济复苏、洁净能源的开发、制止核武器扩散以及应对气候变化。还有在亚洲及全球各地促进和平和稳定，所有这些问题我明天与胡主席会谈时都会谈到。
And in 1979, the connections among our people were limited. Today, we see the
curiosity of those ping-pong players manifested in the ties that are being forged across many sectors.
The second highest number of foreign students in the United States come from China, and we've seen a 50 percent increase in the study of Chinese among our own students. There are nearly 200 "friendship cities" drawing our communities together. American and Chinese scientists cooperate on new research and discovery. And of course, Yao Ming is just one signal of our shared love of basketball -- I'm only sorry that I won't be able to see a Shanghai Sharks game while I'm visiting.
1979年的时候，我们两国人民的联系十分有限。当年在乒乓球领域的好奇如今已延伸到许多领域，美国现在数量最多的留学生都来自中国。而在美国的学生中，学中文的人数增加了50%。我们两国有近200个友好城市，美中科学家在许多新的研究领域和发现领域进行合作。我们两国人民都热爱篮球，姚明就是个例子。不过，此行中我不能观看上海鲨鱼队的比赛，有点遗憾。
