中国常驻联合国代表王光亚大使在美国普
林斯顿大学的演讲
2006-7-7 17:35
Good evening.
It is an honor for me to be invited to
your seminar tonight. For me ， for my
colleagues and many other Chinese ，
Princeton has long been a familiar name.
With a history longer than the country， it
has produced many outstanding people ，
Woodrow Wilson， the 28th US President，
Albert Einstein， the great scientist， and
T. S. Eliot， the famous poet， to name but
a few. As the former President Bill Clinton
said in 1996 in celebration of the 250
anniversary of Princeton ： “At every
pivotal moment in American history ，
Princeton ， its leadership ， its students
have played a crucial role.”
I am more pleased to learn that all of
you have a keen interest in China. Though
our two countries are geographically far
apart ， we have lots in common. While
many Chinese enjoy Hollywood movies and
McDonald's fast food ， many Americans
find that their clothes and daily necessities
are made in China. I hope that today's
seminar will help you gain a better
understanding of China and its foreign
policy ， thus further deepening our
friendship and cooperation.
Ladies and Gentlemen，
Let me begin by briefly talking about
China's current situation. As you all know，
China introduced the policy of reform and
opening up 25 years ago. In the short span
of a quarter century， China has achieved
unprecedented progress in its development.
25 years ago， China's GDP was only
billion US dollars. Last year， it exceeded 1，
400 billion， an increase of almost 10 times.
25 years ago ， China foreign trade was
merely billion USD. Last year ， the
volume climbed to billion. 25 years
ago ， more than 250 million people were
living below the poverty line. Last year ，
the figure was reduced to less than 30
million. It is certainly not an overstatement
to say that the past 25 years constitute a
most glorious chapter in the annals of the
Chinese history.
The most fundamental reason for such
remarkable achievements is that we have
found a development model ， which fits
our own conditions. That is socialism with
Chinese characteristics. Needless to say ，
we still have a long way to go， as China
still faces many challenges including ，
among others ， a huge population ，
problems left over from the past ， low
productivity and lack of balance in its
development.
China is slightly larger than the United
States in size ， but its population is
billion and it is still increasing. It will reach
its peak of billion around 2040 and will
only then begin to decrease. With such a
huge population， no matter how enormous
the total volume of financial and material
resources is ， once being divided by
billion ， it becomes a small per capita
figure. Last year ， China's GDP ranked
sixth in the world， but in per capita GDP
terms ， it was only a little over 1 ， 000
USD ， which was behind more than 100
countries. The huge development gap
between the coastal areas and the interior of
China is another problem confronting the
country.
The more immediate objective of the
Chinese government is to enable all the
Chinese people to lead a fairly well off life.
This requires consistent and tireless efforts.
The Chinese government has made
development its top priority. By
development ， we do not simply mean
economic growth ， but an all round ，
balanced and coordinated development ，
with the focus only on the people. The
development strategy will seek to maintain
a balance between the rural and urban
areas ， and between the economic
development and social progress. All in all，
it is aimed at achieving material， cultural
and political progress ， and harmonious
coexistence between man and nature.
To revitalize the Chinese nation is the
common aspiration of all the Chinese
people. We now embrace a wonderful
opportunity for development. By what has
been achieved， the rise of China sounds no
longer a dream. This ， however ， has
caused concerns and worries of some
people. They argue that modern history
shows that the rise of a big power would
often lead to disturbances of international
relations and world order and even war.
While I understand such concerns， I must
say however that they are really
unnecessary. It is because：
First， China as a nation has always
believed in the philosophy of “peace is
priceless”。 To pursue a world of “Great
Harmony” is not just a teaching from our
ancestors. It is a “gene” deeply rooted in the
Chinese nation. Never seeking hegemony is
our solemn commitment.
Second， while proud of its long and
splendid ancient civilization ， China also
remembers the bitter and humiliating
experiences in its modern history. We
keenly feel the pain inflicted by outside
aggressors. “Do not do unto others as you
would not have them do unto you”。 This is
the will of the Chinese people and no one
can go against the will of the people.
Third ， as mankind has entered the
21st century ， no country can retreat to
“zero sum” games. China will not be an
exception. Our only choice is to develop in a
peaceful environment ， which in turn will
enhance peace.
Fourth ， for a country with over a
billion people， China can rely on nobody
but itself for development. We will mainly
take advantage of our vast market
potentials， abundant labor resources and
capital accumulation， while working hard
to improve education and develop science
and technology.
Finally ， the peaceful rise of China
with its billion people will be neither a
hindrance nor a threat to any country.
Quite the contrary ， it can only greatly
contribute to maintaining world peace and
stability.
To achieve peace and development is
the ardent aspiration of the entire mankind.
China will continue to pursue an
independent foreign policy of peace. We
wish to see a multi-polar world where
international relations are conducted on the
basis of democracy and rule of law ，
disputes are settled through dialogue and
cooperation ， and the world affairs are
managed by all countries on an equal
footing. We are in favor of diversified
modes of development ， more extensive
dialogue and exchanges among civilizations，
poverty elimination and environmental
protection so as to attain common and
harmonious development of all countries.
We are against all forms of terrorism and
proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction. We advocate a new security
concept of mutual trust， mutual benefit，
equality and coordination.
Ladies and Gentlemen，
Sino-US relations are one of the most
important bilateral relations for China.
Since the establishment of diplomatic
relations 25 years ago， they have enjoyed
continued progress ， despite twists and
turns. Before the establishment of
diplomatic ties， Sino-US trade volume was
less than billion USD. Now， the volume
is over 100 billion. The two countries have
become each other's major trade partners.
People-to-people contacts used to be
virtually nonexistent. Today， our annual
two way exchanges amount to several
million persons. Over 60 ， 000 Chinese
students are studying in your country ，
and more than 3，000 Americans are taking
courses in China.
The United Sates is the largest
developed country ， while China is the
largest developing country. The two
countries are having more and more
common interests ， and the areas of
cooperation are expanding. In our bilateral
relations and in multilateral fora such as
the United Nations ， one can find many
examples of cooperation. From economic
relations and trade to environmental
protection and AIDS prevention ， and to
anti-terrorism， Korean nuclear issue and
nonproliferation. All this has helped
broaden the scope and consolidate the
foundation of our strategic interests.
It is unthinkable that China and the
United States should see eye to eye on
everything. After all ， the two countries
have different historical traditions ，
cultures and values. However ， as was
described by Secretary of State Colin
Powell ， “the United States sees an even
greater need to shape a relationship with
China that is defined by our mutual
interests， not by those of disagreement. ？
And we know that China shares that goal.”
I fully concur with this view. As an
ancient Chinese saying goes ， “true
friendship between gentlemen allows for
differences”。 When we have differences，
we should discuss them frankly， and not
let them obstruct the development of our
relations. A sound and stable friendly
relationship and cooperation is in the
common interests of our two peoples and is
conducive to world peace and development.
Mankind is faced with numerous
challenges in its endeavor for peace and
development. The future of the world is full
of variables. While the traditional security
issues such as border conflicts ， ethnic
disputes ， and religious grievances still
exist； new security problems are cropping
up in the form of terrorism， transnational
crimes ， environmental degradation and
drug trafficking.
I have noticed that basketball ，
baseball and football are the most favorite
sports for American youth. All these sports
manifest and require a strong team spirit.
Maintaining world peace and security also
requires that spirit. With the fast
development of globalization and
transnational challenges and threats ， no
country can develop itself in seclusion ，
even it is in possession of unparalleled
military and economic might. The
international community can only choose
cooperation to realize true peace and
security.
About 60 years ago， drawing on the
lessons of WWII ， President Franklin
Roosevelt and his colleagues blueprinted
and founded the United Nations. Its major
objective was to jointly safeguard security
and promote development through
collective action. As the most broadly
representative and authoritative
international organization in the world
today， the United Nations still serves as an
important forum for countries to strengthen
cooperation and respond to common
challenges. A powerful United Nations is
what the future of the world lies.
The war in Iraq a year ago has caused
repercussions on the collective security
mechanism， putting multilateral approach
and the United Nations under severe test.
Developments in Iraq over the past year
show that unilateral approach cannot bring
peace and security. Rather， It undermines
mutual trust and cooperation among states.
It is gratifying to see that more and more
countries have realized that collective
security and multilateralism offer the
effective way to tackle global issues. The
United Nations should play a substantive
role in seeking a solution to the Iraqi issue.
Undoubtedly， to better respond to the
wide spectrum of challenges confronting the
world today， we need a more effective and
efficient United Nations. There have been
thought-provoking discussions and studies
in this regard. In order to adapt to new
changes and meet emerging challenges， it
is necessary to reform the United Nations in
an appropriate manner with a view to
strengthening its authority and functions
and enhancing people's confidence and
trust.
Ladies and Gentlemen，
108 years ago， Woodrow Wilson，
the 13th president of Princeton， called on
students to work hard and be ready to serve
their country in his famous oration entitled
“Princeton in the Nation's Service”。 This
coincides with the tradition of the Chinese
intellectuals ？ “to study and apply what
you learn ， to serve the country with
unreserved loyalty”。
I am also delighted to hear that thanks
to the proposal of President Harold Shapiro，
the famous phrase has now become
“Princeton in the Nation's Service， and in
the Service of All Nations”。 This has given
full expression to the spirit of
multilateralism and represents the trend of
the world today.
Thank you.
女士们、先生们：
晚上好。
很荣幸应邀到普林斯顿大学参加你们
的研讨会。对我本人、我的同事及许多中国
人来讲，普林斯顿大学的名字早已是耳熟能
详。她的历史比这个国家还 长，从这个校
园里走出了美国第 28 任总统伍德罗·威尔逊、
伟大科学家爱因斯坦、著名诗人 .艾略特
等众多杰出人物。正如前总统克林顿先生在
1996 年 普大建校 250 周年时所说：“在美
国历史上的每一个紧要关头，普林斯顿大学
及其师生都发挥了关键作用。”
令人高兴的是，在座诸位对中国事务都
抱有研究兴趣。虽然我们两国地理上相距万
里，但在日常生活中却非常相近。好莱坞影
片、麦当劳快餐成了许多中 国人生活中的
内容。而中国加工的服装、日用品也天天伴
随着美国人民。我希望通过今天的交流，能
增进在座诸位对中国和中国外交政策的了
解，为未来彼此的友谊 与合作锦上添花。
女士们、先生们，
我想首先扼要说一下中国的现状。大家
知道，中国实行改革开放已走过了 25 年。
在短短的四分之一个世纪里，中国取得了前
所未有的重大进步和发展。 25 年前，中国
的 GDP 只有 1473 亿美元，而去年已达
14000 多亿美元，增长近 10 倍；25 年前，
中国外贸总额仅为 206 亿美元，去年则达到
了 8512 亿美元；25 年前，中国的贫困人口
有 2 亿 5 千万，目前已下降到 3000 万人左
右。毫不夸张地说，这 25 年是中国历史上
最辉煌的一页。
之所以能取得如此成就，最根本的一条
就是我们找到了适合中国国情的发展道路，
即具有中国特色的社会主义道路。当然，我
们还有很长的路要走，因为中国人口众多、
包袱沉重，生产力不发达、发展不平衡。
中国的面积比美国稍大，但有 13 亿人
口，而且还在增长，到 2040 年前后将超过 15
亿，其后才会逐渐下降。有如此大的人口基
数，无论财力、物力 总量多么可观，只要
除以 13 亿，就成为相当低的人均水平。去
年中国的 GDP 总量排名世界第六位，但人
均刚过 1000 美元，排在世界 100 位以后。
中国东部 与中西部、沿海与内地存在巨大
的发展差距，也是困扰中国的难题。
中国政府的近期目标就是要让全体中
国人都过上小康生活。这需要我们继续作出
不懈的努力。因此，中国政府的第一要务就
是发展，不仅是经济发展，而 且是全面、
平衡、协调发展。注重以人为本，统筹城乡
之间和区域之间的发展，保持经济发展与社
会发展的平衡，实现人与自然和谐共存，实
现物质文明、精神文明 和政治文明的共同
发展。
实现中华民族的复兴，是全体中国人的
夙愿。当前，我们正面临千载难逢的良好发
展机遇，中国的崛起不再是遥不可及的梦想。
当然，国际上也有一些人 士对此感到担忧
与不安。他们认为，从近代历史看，一个大
国的崛起，往往会导致国际格局和世界秩序
的急剧变动，甚至引发战争。我认为，从某
种意义上讲，这种 担忧是可以理解的，但
同时也是不必要的。因为：
首先，中华民族历来尊崇“和为贵”的哲
学思想，追寻“大同世界”不仅是简单的千年
祖训，而且是植根于中华民族血液里的“基
因”。不称霸是我们郑重的承诺。
第二，中国有古代的辉煌与骄傲，更有
近代的惨痛和屈辱。我们对外来侵略有切肤
之感，“已所不欲，勿施与人”。这是中国的
民意，民意不可违。
第三，人类已进入 21 世纪，中国不会，
也不可能再重复走“零和”道路。我们唯一的
选择只能是和平崛起，就是利用世界和平努
力发展自己，同时又以自身发展维护世界和
平。
第四，像中国这样十几亿人口的大国，
要发展起来，不应当、也不可能依赖任何别
的国家，只能靠自己努力，依靠广阔的国内
市场、充足的劳动力资源和资金积累，并依
靠提高国民素质和科技进步解决资源和环
境问题，实现可持续发展。
最后，中国的和平崛起不会妨碍任何国
家，也不会威胁任何国家。相反，具有 13
亿人口的中国的和平崛起、和平发展，本身
就是对世界和平与稳定的巨大贡献。
实现和平与发展是全人类最大的福祉
和愿望。中国将继续奉行独立自主的和平外
交政策，主张促进世界多极化，倡导国际关
系民主化与法制化，通过对话 与合作解决
争端。我们认为，世界上的事情应由各国平
等协商，赞同发展模式多样化，推动文明对
话与交流，消除贫困，保护环境，实现各国
人民的共同和谐发展。 我们反对一切形式
的恐怖主义和大规模杀伤性武器扩散，提倡
互信、互利、平等、协作的新安全观。
女士们、先生们，
中美关系是中国最重要的双边关系之
一。建交 25 年来，两国关系走过了一条很
不平坦的道路，但总的方向是不断向前发展。
建交前，中美贸易额不足 25 亿美元。今天
已超过 1000 亿美元，两国已互为重要的贸
易伙伴。建交前，中美两国民间交往几乎为
零。目前，两国人员往来每年超过百万人次。
中国有 6 万 多名青年人在美国学习，美国
也有 3000 多人在中国学习。
作为世界上最大发展中国家和最大的
发达国家，中美两国近年来的共同利益不断
增加，合作的领域在不断扩大和深化。不论
在经贸、金融、环保、防治艾 滋病方面，
还是在反恐、朝核、防扩散领域，或是在联
合国等多边机制中，我们都可以轻易列举出
许许多多生动事例。这些都为进一步拓宽双
方的战略利益提供了更 好的空间与基础。
诚然，中美作为两个大国，由于历史、
文化和价值观的差异，彼此之间没有分歧也
是不可想象的。但正如鲍威尔国务卿所说：
“美国认为更有必要同中国建立一种以共同
利益为主，而不是以分歧为主的关系。……
我们知道中国也抱有相同的目标。”
我完全赞同鲍卿的上述观点。中国有句
古语：君子和而不同。意思是说，真正的好
朋友也可以有不同的观点。中美两国在某些
问题上存在分歧是正常的， 我们完全可以
就有分歧的问题坦诚交换意见，但分歧不应
当成为阻碍两国进一步发展关系的藩篱。中
美只有发展健康的、稳定的友好合作关系，
才符合两国人民的共 同利益，也符合全球
和平与发展的利益。
当前，人类和平与发展面临诸多挑战，
世界的未来充满了变数。各种传统安全问题，
如边界冲突、民族矛盾、宗教恩怨等依然存
在。恐怖主义、跨国犯罪、环境污染、毒品
走私等非传统安全威胁又在迅速蔓延。
我注意到一个现象：美国年青人最喜欢
的体育运动，如篮球、棒球、橄榄球等，都
是最讲求团队精神的运动。维护国际和平与
安全也需要团队与合作精 神。在全球化日
益发展的今天，面对跨国性挑战和威胁，任
何单个国家都无法独善其身，即使它拥有无
与伦比军事和经济力量。国际社会只有携手
合作，才能实现彼 此真正的和平与安全。
约 60 年前，基于对二战惨烈后果的反
思，罗斯福总统与其同事设计并创立了联合
国，其核心目的就是通过集体合作共同维护
安全，促进发展。作为最具 普遍性和权威
性的国际组织，联合国今天仍然是各国加强
国际合作、应对共同挑战的重要场所。一个
强有力的联合国是世界希望之所在。
一年前的伊拉克战争曾给集体安全机
制造成冲击，将多边主义及联合国推向了一
个十字路口。一年来的伊拉克局势说明，单
边行为不能带来和平与安全， 还会损害各
国信任与合作。令人欣慰的是，越来越多的
国家认识到，集体安全与多边主义才是解决
国际问题的有效手段，联合国已实质性参与
解决伊拉克问题。
无庸置疑，为了更好应对当今世界面临
的诸多共同挑战，我们需要一个更加有效的
联合国。各方对此也在深刻反思。为适应新
变化、迎接新挑战，联合国必须进行合理和
必要的改革，增强其权威与作用，提高人们
对其的依赖与信心。
女士们，先生们，
108 年前，普林斯顿大学第 13 任校长威
尔逊先生在那篇著名的《普林斯顿－为了给
国家服务》的演讲中号召学生应为国家建设
尽心服务。这种思想与中国文人素有的“学
以致用、精忠报国”的传统不谋而合。
我也很高兴地听说，在 Harold Shapiro
校长的倡导下，普林斯顿大学的校训已由“普
林斯顿——为了给国家服务”扩展为“普林斯
顿——不仅服务于国家，而且服务于天下”。
我认为，这无疑也体现了多边主义精神，符
合当今世界的潮流。
谢谢大家。
