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An American friend asked me: "Why is China successful?" This summer I went to east China's Zhejiang Province on holiday. The region has the most vibrant economy in the country. I asked my local guide what is the one word that defines his compatriots, and he said, "eagerness." That sums up who we are as Chinese.

一位美国朋友问我：“中国为什么会成功？今年夏天我去浙江度假，这里是中国最具活力的地方。我问导游，如果用一个词来概括家乡人，会是哪个词。他说‘奋斗’。”没错，这个词大概勾画了我们这个民族的特质。

Chinese labor productivity grows at 9 percent annually, the highest in the world. The country has maintained a strong labor force and high rates of working women. This year, China broke into the world's top-20 most innovative economies for the first time. American multinational conglomerate General Electric started doing business in China as early as 1906, with its slogan "In China, For China." R&D from its 2,500 Chinese engineers has made GE even more competitive.

近四十年来中国劳动生产率每年以9%的速度增长。中国的劳动力队伍坚实可靠，女性参加工作的比例很高。今年，中国首次跻身全球最具创新力经济体20强。美国跨国公司通用电气早在1906年便开始在中国开展业务，其口号是“在中国，为中国”。通用雇佣了2500名中国工程师，他们的研发让通用电气更上层楼。

When Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997) started China's reform and opening up 40 years ago, he not only shook up a stagnant economy, but also set the imagination of Chinese people free.

四十年前，中国在邓小平领导下开始改革开放。改革开放不仅解放了中国的经济，还解放了中国人的思想。

Farmers were no longer chained to the field, workers were no more burdened by travail, and entrepreneurs became truly enterprising.

农民不再被束缚于土地，工人的劳动激情迸发，企业家充满进取之心。

In droves, Chinese people became porters and builders, canners and caterers, engineers and researchers, phone makers and shop owners. They are the beating heart of a growing economy and the backbone of an aspiring nation. Like the American pioneers in the West, they deserve every respect for their human ingenuity and determination. They are the real Chinese at their best. They are the good part of humanity.

一批批中国人成为搬运工、建筑工人、制造工人、工程师或者科学家。他们都是中国经济持续发展的动力，他们是有志向的中华民族的脊梁。就像美国西部拓荒者一样，这一代中国人的聪明才智和坚强决心理当赢得世界的尊重。他们展示了中国人最优秀的一面，也是人类至善的典范。

You may ask what is the government's role in all of this? I'd say it is the catalyst. The true chemistry is generated by the hands and feet of hundreds of millions of Chinese workers.

你可能会问，政府在这里中扮演什么角色呢？我想说，中国的变革是数亿中国人用勤劳的双手双脚带动的化学反应，政府只是催化剂而已。

I know some Americans perceive China as a "thief, robber and plotter" because it is richer, better, stronger and different. But this is not only wrong, it misses the point.

我知道有些美国人把中国看成是小偷、强盗和阴谋家，因为中国比过去更好、更富有、更强大，而且中国与众不同。这种看法不仅看错了答案，也看错了问题。

Like a speeding car, China powers ahead because of a strong engine not because it jumps lanes. No one should be blamed for making efforts, especially if they are willing to join hands with others. In this sense, the Chinese share the same dream as Africans, Europeans and Americans.

中国就像一辆高速奔驰的赛车，它一马当先靠的是强劲的动力，而不是投机取巧、抢占赛道。没有人应该指责一位勤勉的新秀，尤其是当他正努力拥抱世界的时候，从这个意义上说，无论中国、非洲、欧洲或美洲，我们拥有共同的梦想。

Colin Powell once said diplomacy is listening to what the other guy needs. A great statesman stands tall because he understands humanity in friends and in opponents.

美国前国务卿鲍威尔曾说，外交就是聆听对方的声音。一个伟大的政治家登高望远，是因为他看到人性的光辉，不论和朋友还是和对手。

The Chinese and American people are at another historical crossroad. Some say we are only connected by wallets; I don't agree. We are connected in more fundamental ways – in our creativity, aspirations, and introspections. How we imagine each other will not only affect others, it will define who we are.

中美两国人民正站在一个新的十字路口。有人说让两国联系在一起的只是利益罢了。我不敢苟同。把中美两国联系起来的东西比利益更深刻，那就是：我们的创造力、对未来的期望和对自己的认知。我们看待彼此的方式不仅会影响他人，还会塑造我们自己。

English author Rudyard Kipling says "East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet." But adds, "There is neither East nor West when two strong men stand face to face."

英国作家吉卜林说过，“东西各有道，两厢永不遇。”但他也说过，“将遇良才时，无人问东西。”