外交部副部长谢锋在2021年“读懂中国”国际会议（广州）开幕式上的主旨演讲

Keynote Speech by Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng at the Opening Ceremony of 2021 Understanding China Conference (Guangzhou)

2021年12月2日，广州

Guangzhou, 2 December 2021

尊敬的郑必坚会长、吕岩松副部长，

各位嘉宾，女士们、先生们：

Chairman Zheng Bijian,

Vice Minister Lv Yansong,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

很高兴与各位新老朋友相聚花城。“读懂中国”国际会议已成功举办五届，中外友人通过这一平台共话友谊、共谋合作，为促进中国与世界相互认知和理解信任集众力、汇众智。习近平主席在开幕式致辞中再次强调，“读懂今天的中国，必须读懂中国共产党”。在中国共产党百年华诞的历史节点，大家围绕“从哪里来，到哪里去——世界百年变局与中国和中国共产党”进行深入研讨，具有特殊重要意义。首先请允许我转达王毅国务委员兼外长和外交部的热烈祝贺，预祝本次会议圆满成功。

It gives me great pleasure to meet friends old and new in Guangzhou, the city of flowers. The Understanding China Conference, now in its fifth year, provides a forum for Chinese and foreign participants to renew friendship and promote cooperation, and contribute their ideas and expertise to enhancing mutual understanding and trust between China and the world.

In his video address, President Xi Jinping stressed that to understand China today, one must strive to understand the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC celebrates its centenary this year. This is a particularly important time for discussing “Whence and Whither – Unprecedented Changes in the World and China and the CPC”, the theme of this conference.

In this connection, I bring the warm congratulations of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the Chinese Foreign Ministry. We wish your conference a complete success.

不久前召开的中国共产党十九届六中全会，全面总结党百年奋斗的重大成就和历史经验，融汇了百年来中国共产党为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴的不懈奋斗和伟大创造，凝聚了百年来中国共产党为世界和平发展和人类文明进步贡献的宝贵智慧和责任担当。以史为鉴，面向未来，在中国共产党的领导下，中国人民正满怀信心踏上新的赶考之路，开启奋进新征程，向着实现第二个百年奋斗目标、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦勇毅前行。

Three weeks ago, the CPC held the sixth Plenary Session of its 19th Central Committee. The plenary summed up the major achievements and historical experience of the Party over the past century, and looked back on the great efforts the Party has made for the happiness of the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It also reviewed the dedicated efforts and valuable ideas the Party has contributed to world peace, development and human progress.

History is a mirror through which we can better understand the future. Under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people have set out confidently on a new journey toward realizing the Second Centenary Goal and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

中国外交始终是党的事业重要组成部分，是党百年奋斗的重要篇章。在党中央统一领导下，中国外交攻坚克难，走过了波澜壮阔的历史征程。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记统揽全局、胸怀世界、掌舵领航，引领中国外交在继承中发展，在坚守中创新，铸就了坚韧风骨和独特精神，开创了中国特色大国外交新局面。我想和大家分享四个关键词，希望有助于对新时代中国外交政策的理解和认识：

Diplomacy is an important part of the Party’s lofty cause and epic struggle. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, China’s diplomacy has traveled an extraordinary journey against great odds. Since the 18th Party Congress in 2012, General Secretary Xi Jinping has kept global and domestic developments in mind and provided overall leadership for the conduct of Chinese diplomacy. By carrying forward our fine diplomatic traditions and breaking new ground in practice, we have forged an unyielding spirit and unique style in diplomacy, and opened up new horizons in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

In this context, let me share with you four watchwords for understanding China’s foreign policy in the new era:

第一个关键词是独立自主，这是中国外交的基石。“天行健，君子以自强不息”。对于国际事务，中国始终从中国和世界人民的根本利益出发，根据事情本身的是非曲直，决定自己的立场政策。从不依附谁，也不胁迫谁；不惹事，也不怕事。无论国际形势多么复杂严峻，外来压力如何霸凌蛮横，我们都不信邪、不弯腰，始终用自己的脑袋思考，用自己的双脚走路，把中国的命运牢牢掌握在自己手中。我们坚定捍卫国家主权、安全、发展利益，绝不拿原则做交易。不仅为中国外交赢得了理解和尊重，也为那些希望保持自身独立性的国家和民族增添了信心和底气。

The first watchword is independence. This is the cornerstone of China’s diplomacy.

Ancient Chinese philosophers observed that “as heaven maintains vigor through constant movement, a gentleman should continually strive for self-perfection”. In international affairs, China determines its position and policy based on the fundamental interests of the people both in China and around the world, and on the merits of the issue. China never subordinates itself to others or coerces others into submission. China never provokes trouble, but is not afraid of provocation. Even in a complex and challenging international situation, and faced with external pressure and bullying, China never flinches or bends its knees.

We always think on our own, follow our own path and keep our destiny in our own hands. We never stand down when it comes to protecting our sovereignty, security and development interest. We never trade away our principles. This approach has earned us international understanding and respect; it has also boosted the confidence and courage of other countries and nations that wish to maintain their independence.

近期，在个别国家出现一股逆流，妄图打“台湾牌”，“以台制华”，明里暗里纵容“台独”分裂势力挑战一个中国底线。我要再次强调，一个中国原则是中国与其他国家关系的政治基础，是国际社会的普遍共识、坚定立场和共同意志，不容歪曲、篡改，更不容否定。在事关中国主权和领土完整问题上，中国没有任何妥协余地，谁都不要指望中国吞下损害自身核心利益的苦果。

In recent months, a disturbing trend may have caught your attention. Some forces in certain countries are trying to contain China by playing the “Taiwan card”. Publicly and covertly, they are encouraging separatist forces on the island to challenge the red line of “one China”. Let me make this very clear: the one-China principle is the political foundation of China’s relations with other countries. It is also the shared consensus, firm position and common will of the international community. The principle is not to be distorted or altered, still less overturned. On issues concerning China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, we have no room for compromise. No one should ever expect China to accept any damage to its core interests.

第二个关键词是和平发展，这是中国外交的底色。“亲仁善邻，国之宝也”。我们发展的目标只有一个，就是让中国人民过上好日子。中国坚持走和平发展道路，既通过维护世界和平发展自己，又通过自身发展维护世界和平。国际上有些人以己度人，老拿“国强必霸”说事，只能暴露他们的霸权心态和阴暗心理。中国的历史智慧认为“国霸必衰”，    无论中国发展到哪一步，都永远不称霸，不扩张，不输出意识形态。

The second watchword is peaceful development. This is the defining feature of China’s diplomacy.

Amity and good-neighborliness are invaluable to a country. China’s development has only one goal: to deliver a better life for our people. China is committed to the path of peaceful development. It is developing itself by securing a peaceful global environment and, at the same time, contributing to world peace with its own development.

Some people, though, keep peddling the theory that a rising power is bound to seek global hegemony. They are judging others based on their own experience. What they are doing only lays bare their hegemonic habit and twisted mentality. If history is any guide, itis that a hegemonic country invariably goes into decline. So no matter what stage of development China reaches, it will never seek hegemony or territorial expansion, or export its ideology.

第三个关键词是合作共赢，这是中国外交的原则。“同心合意，庶几有成”。中国始终将自身发展寓于世界发展潮流之中，通过开放扩大共同利益，通过合作共享机遇。坚决维护以世贸组织为核心的多边贸易体制，推动全球化朝着更加开放、包容、普惠、平衡、共赢的方向发展。志同道合是朋友，求同存异也是伙伴。我们提出全球发展倡议，推动实现更加强劲、绿色、健康的全球发展，不断做大互利合作的蛋糕。

The third watchword is win-win cooperation. This is the guiding principle of China’s diplomacy.

As a Chinese proverb goes, “When people are united with one heart and one mind, success is assured.” Seeing its development as part of the global development, China has opened up to the world in pursuit of common interests and shared opportunities with the world through cooperation. We are committed to upholding the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its heart, and to making economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all.

In our view, people who share the same goal can become friends, and people who seek common ground despite their differences can be partners. China has recently put forward a Global Development Initiative. It is designed to foster more robust, greener and more balanced global development and make bigger the pie of mutually beneficial cooperation.

第四个关键词是公平正义，这是中国外交的追求。“立己达人，兼善天下”。中国始终站在人类进步一边，担当作为，为解决全球性问题贡献中国智慧、中国方案、中国力量。践行共商共建共享理念，主张国际上的事情大家商量着办，致力于提升发展中国家代表性和发言权，推动国际关系民主化和法治化，共同建设新型国际关系。践行真正的多边主义，坚决反对“小圈子”、“新冷战”，始终维护以联合国为核心的国际体系，以国际法为基础的国际秩序，以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为基础的国际关系基本准则。

The fourth watchword is fairness and justice. This is the aspiration of China’s diplomacy.

Ancient Chinese philosophy teaches us to “both strengthen ourselves and help others where possible”. China is always on the side of human progress. We try to do our best for the world, and contribute Chinese wisdom, initiative and resources to help solve global problems. In the spirit of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, we believe that global affairs should be discussed by all. We are committed to increasing the representation and voice of developing countries, advancing democracy and rule of law in international relations, and fostering a new type of international relations.

We stand for true multilateralism, and oppose the creation of exclusive blocs or “a new Cold War”. We are committed to safeguarding the international system that centers around the United Nations, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

个别国家不愿正视、不去解决自身存在的严重人权问题，却以人权代言人和法官自居，纠集所谓“民主峰会”，是谁给了它授权？它凭什么替世界200多个国家和地区作主？这样的峰会与民主没有半点关联，而是赤裸裸的霸权胁迫和虚张声势，是转嫁国内矛盾的幌子，服务地缘政治的工具，是制造新的分裂，挑动意识形态对抗，只会给世界带来冲突和动荡。国际社会应该擦亮眼睛，识别并拒绝这种“假冒伪劣产品”。

Our approach is different from some country, which refuses to face and address its own human rights record, and tries instead to pose as an advocate and judge of human rights around the world. As a most recent example, it will convene a so-called “summit for democracy”. People cannot help but wonder: who has given it such mandate? And on what ground can it decide for the over 200 countries and regions in the world? A summit like this is anything but democratic. It is a clear act of hegemony, a futile bluff, a pretext for deflecting attention from its domestic problems, and a tool to serve its geopolitical agenda. The summit will only create new divisions and fuel ideological confrontation, and bring turbulence and instability to the world. The international community must be clear-eyed and say no to this sham.

女士们，先生们：

Ladies and Gentlemen,

党的十八大以来，习近平主席牢牢把握时代潮流和世界大势，以深厚的天下情怀倡导推动构建人类命运共同体，为新时代的中国外交树立了旗帜和目标。人类是一个整体，地球是一个家园。任何人、任何国家都无法独善其身，应该和衷共济、和合共生。我们推动构建人类命运共同体，就是要超越历史、文化、民族、宗教、制度等差异，弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值，凝聚不同国家人民对美好生活向往的最大公约数，共同呵护人类唯一赖以生存的地球家园。

Since the 18th Party Congress in 2012, President Xi Jinping has shown a keen understanding of the global trends and dynamics and kept the common good of humanity in mind. He has called for building a community with a shared future for mankind, which set the direction and goal for China’s diplomacy in the new era.

President Xi’s vision is based on the recognition that humanity is an integral community and Earth is our common homeland. No person or country can thrive in isolation. That is why we need to live in peace and can only prosper together. To build a community with a shared future for mankind, all countries must rise above their differences in history, culture, ethnicity, religion and social system, and promote peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, which are common values of humanity. We must make the best possible efforts to meet the shared aspirations of people around the world for a better life, and work together to preserve the planet Earth, the one and only home we have.

女士们，先生们：

Ladies and Gentlemen,

两周前，习近平主席和美国总统拜登举行了坦诚深入、富有成效的会晤，在关键时刻再次为中美关系把舵引航。习近平主席高瞻远瞩，在会晤中阐释了新时期中美正确的相处之道，即相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢。相互尊重，这是国家间相处的前提；和平共处，这是中美关系的必由之路；合作共赢，这是两国关系发展的正确方向。在此基础上，习近平主席进一步提出中美应当着力推动的四方面优先事项，都是中美两国应当做、需要做、可以做而且做了以后对两国和世界都有益的事情。

Two weeks ago, President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden had a candid, in-depth and productive virtual meeting and charted the course of China-US relations at a crucial moment. With the future of this important relationship in mind, President Xi set forth the right way for China and the United States to get along in the new era, namely mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. To be specific, mutual respect is the precondition for interactions between countries, peaceful coexistence is the only choice available to the two countries, and win-win cooperation is the surest path to better China-US relations. President Xi also laid out four priority areas where China and the US should, need to and can work together for the benefit of both countries and the world at large.

希望美方与中方相向而行，将两国元首会晤的共识和精神转化为行动，推动中美关系逐步回到健康稳定的发展轨道，让两国人民安心，让国际社会放心。

It is our hope that the United States will work with China to act on the common understanding and strategic guidance of our presidents, and bring China-US relations back to the track of sound and steady growth. This will provide reassurance to our two peoples and set the rest of the world at ease.

再次预祝本届“读懂中国”国际会议圆满成功！

In closing, I wish your conference a full success!

谢谢大家！

Thank you!