Another tendency is to exaggerate China’s prowess,especially its military might. This could be a rationale for the so-called"China threat" theory. The January 7,1996,edition of Boston Globe carries a feature titled"Should we fear China?" with an illustration of a pair of long chopsticks picking pieces of paper bearing the US flag. In its introduction,the article mentions my name,describing its reporter’s interview with Mr Zhao Qizheng,deputy mayor of Shanghai and head of the Pudong New District. Zhao has an ambitious plan,it says,that could be fulfilled in his lifetime and that China would not only be a political power and military power,but also an economic one,and everyone should fear it. China would eat American flags as if they were delicacies. As a matter of fact,China has neither the capacity nor the intention to eat another country as its food. I wrote to the paper,saying："Mr editor,I cannot agree with you because China does not have this plan." I thank them for printing my letter.
Many Chinese who grew up after 1972 have since given up their original fondness of the US. Many Chinese,including the youth with apparently identical values as their US counterparts,cannot help raising strings of disconcerting questions： Why is mainstream US media against China? Why do they misinform the US public? Why does the US keep churning out a report each year reprimanding the human rights situation in developing countries,including China? Why should the US raise an anti-China resolution in the annual UN human rights conference? Why does the US keep interfering with China’s internal affairs? Why should the US increase arms sales to Taiwan each year? Will the US ever be a friend of China? These questions might explain why in 1996 a few young Chinese intellectuals wrote the book China Can Say No.
Such pent-up sentiments found a natural outlet in 1999,when the US-led NATO forces bombed the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia. The anger and indignation,apparent in the large scale demonstrations,underscored Chinese people’s strong patriotic feelings.
In retrospect,it is clear to us that despite the ups and downs and some key contentious issues,the direction of the Sino-US relationship is friendly co-operation. It should be so. There is no single reason why our two countries should not cooperate. If there is any,it is all man-made. In my opinion,the friendship between our two peoples should last forever like the giant redwood trees thriving in the Pacific Northwest. I have recently come across a brand of cigarettes in China named after Seqouia,the giant redwood. As of now,China is still dedicated to promoting Sino-US friendship. Some studios and TV stations are working on films expounding Sino-US friendship. For example,the film Grief over the Yellow River,a big box office winner in China,features American pilots fighting the Japanese on Chinese soil. By the way,Chinese people are rather fond of American movies. The beautiful,tragic love story in Titanic and the manhood and patriotism in The Patriot,have left a deep impression on Chinese people.
The Chinese are a rational and mature people. They understand that with the multi-polarization of world politics and economic globalization,all countries on the planet will become increasingly interdependent in political,economic,military and cultural fields. The US is the largest industrialized country in the world,while China is the biggest developing nation. Though great differences exist in their ideologies,strategic interests and cultural traditions,the two nations that have formally established a constructive strategic partnership share fundamental interests in many areas. Such interests will be advanced if both strive for a win-win partnership; however,neither shall benefit if the two turn against each other. Indeed,cooperation and enhanced understanding between the two will also be conducive to promoting world peace. Improvement and further development of the Sino-US relationship should be common aspirations of the two peoples.
When I was working in Shanghai’s Pudong District,a skyscraper was jointly built by Chinese and Americans. It is the third tallest in the world,with 420.5 meters,but is considered the most beautiful. Shaped like a Chinese pagoda,it was built with American steel structure,with magnificent interiors. I believe there are many new areas that we can explore together.
Standing on the threshold of the new century,we feel a strengthened obligation to develop the Sino-US relationship,if for nothing but the benefit of future generations. We have no right whatsoever to undermine or hinder exchanges between the two peoples. The majority of the Chinese people back President Jiang Zemin’s stance that China and the US should enhance understanding,ease trouble,advance cooperation and shun confrontation. They also agree with former President Clinton that the 21st century will witness the blossoming of the Sino-US relationship.
I know that I have chosen a tough topic today. I’ve no intention of dwelling on the history of the Sino-US relationship,as that should be the task of scholars; nor do I intend to elaborate on the contemporary Sino-US relationship,as that is the job of diplomats. All I wish to say concerns ordinary Chinese people’s perception about America and American people. These perceptions might be complex,mixed,constantly changing and contradictory at times.
However,as an optimist,I hope my speech will more or less give you an idea that the Chinese people,in their best wishes,expect the US to be a beautiful country,not a beautiful imperial power. Today I"ve made the speech"America and Americans Through Chinese Eyes" I hope sometime next year an activity will be sponsored to showcase American culture in China so I can hear a speech"China and Chinese Through American Eyes." I am looking forward to meeting you in China. I will be glad to take your questions.
Thank you！
