崔天凯接受CGTN专访：中美关系的韧性在于双方总能解决问题、克服困难

12月27日，崔天凯大使接受中国国际电视台“薇观世界”主持人田薇连线采访，主要情况如下：

崔大使说，2019年是中美建交40周年。40年来，两国关系取得很大成就，对全球和平与繁荣带来重要、强有力和积极的影响。当然，我们也遇到一些问题。坦率讲，中美关系中从不缺问题和挑战。过去几十年来，双边关系是在克服困难、解决问题以及加强合作中不断前行的。未来仍将如此。我认为纪念中美建交40周年最佳的方式是迎接挑战并构建更稳固、持久的关系。

2019 has seen no shortage of pessimistic views on the China-U.S. relationship. However, for those standing on the diplomatic frontline, this particular relationship has never been a cakewalk.

"The China-U.S. relationship is never short of challenges and problems," said Ambassador Cui. Over the past 40 years, as Cui sees it, this relationship has developed because both countries kept forging ahead through the difficulties.

关于下一步，我们对经贸磋商团队抱有信心。双方团队正为两国国家利益而努力，他们的工作也是在两国元首指导下开展的，应让他们做好自己的工作。祝他们成功。同时，正如我所说的，中美关系从来不是一帆风顺的，在政治、经贸等领域都面临挑战和困难。但中美关系的韧性在于双方总有能力解决问题、克服困难。今后也会是如此。

As Ambassador Cui points out, presidents of the two countries have set a goal to build a relationship based on "coordination, cooperation and stability". "By definition, a goal is something you have to work towards. It's not what you already have in hand," said the ambassador.

This could take a lot of work. The growing anti-China hardliners in Washington are causing tension between the two countries.

崔大使表示，双方经贸磋商团队正就签署有关协议共同努力，会适时以适当方式对外公布消息。至于中美对协议的描述，不同人有不同的风格，但事实很清楚，即中美经贸关系应基于互惠互利，过去几十年的实践就是这样的，双边贸易迅猛发展，中美双方都从中受益。任何问题都应在平等和相互尊重基础上加以解决，并以能让双方进一步受益为目标。双方团队在过去一段时间里正是这么做的。他们努力工作，体现了诚意，我们应对他们就第一阶段协议达成一致表示赞赏。

谈到协议落实，中方会信守和履行承诺，这一点毋庸置疑。我们已为协议投入大量精力和时间，当然希望达成的任何协议都能得到有效落实。如有分歧或问题，双方应通过紧密合作加以解决。协议得到履行符合双方利益。

Despite the announcement of the Phase One deal, skepticism still remains about whether the trade war between China and the U.S. is on a path towards a resolution. As Tian Wei pointed out, China and the U.S. have described the trade war differently. The U.S. is eager to focus on the specifics as reasons for celebration, while China heralds the significance of the deal but remains vague on the details.

"Maybe people have different styles, but the fact is very clear that trade relations between the two countries should be for mutual benefit", Ambassador Cui explained. China and the U.S. have both benefited from the booming trade relations in the past decades. Cui says that two sides should work together to solve problems in the trade deal, and that China honors commitments that it makes. Any trade deal should take a step further in providing mutual benefit for China and the United States.

There is also the Taiwan issue.

崔大使说，必须明确，台湾地区的选举是中国台湾省的地方选举。至于美方，已在中美三个联合公报中承诺一个中国政策，希望他们恪守这一承诺。一个中国原则的含义非常清楚，即世界上只有一个中国，大陆和台湾同属一个中国，都是中国的一部分，中国的主权和领土完整不容分割。

The upcoming election in Taiwan is set to be a thorny issue in January 2020. The U.S. has exploited the cross-Strait ties in the past for its own interests. Beijing has already accused Washington of interfering in Hong Kong, Tibet, and Xinjiang. The pending Taiwan election is likely to have a stormy plot if history is of any reference.

Ambassador Cui is adamant. The "local election in Taiwan is (a) local election in Taiwan Province of China," said the ambassador. He pointed out that China's bottom line is that there is only one China in the world, and both Taiwan and Chinese mainland are parts of China. This principle is about sovereignty and territorial integrity, and cannot be violated.

崔大使表示，中美关系中历来不乏挑战和问题，但这组重要双边关系的韧性在于我们始终有能力克服困难，解决问题，直面挑战，勇往直前。正是这一点令我们毫不畏惧。不论问题有多大、多严重，我作为大使以及我们驻美使馆的职责就是直面挑战，竭尽所能解决问题。

The ambassador also emphasized that U.S. has made a commitment to the one-China policy. China is a country that honors its commitments. He hoped the U.S. would do the same by carrying out the promises it made in the Three Joint Communiqués.

崔大使说，在美国这些年我认识到，当谈到美国，谈到美国人民对一些事务的看法与感受时，不能只关注华盛顿特区，还应关注全美50个州，关注美国人民，倾听他们的声音，了解其所思所想。我确实听到了许多不同的声音，美国人民普遍并有力地支持建立更稳定更健康的中美关系。很多美国人，包括政府官员、学者和来自不同州市县的普通百姓在内，仍支持同中国建立更好的和互利的关系，而且这样的人是占多数的。

Many have focused on hardliners in Washington as being representative of the U.S.' attitude towards China. But, based on Ambassador Cui's experience in the U.S., Washington does not monopolize U.S.' stance towards China.

"When you talk about how American people think or feel about something, don't focus just on Washington," said the ambassador, "you have to look at the 50 states". By listening to people's concerns, particularly those outside Washington D.C., Ambassador Cui found that there was widespread support among regular people for a better bilateral relationship between China and the U.S.

我认为谈论甚至倡导“新冷战”、“脱钩”与“科技战”或其他什么新的“战”是极不负责任的言行。这样的说法违背历史潮流。过去几十年的事实表明，稳定、互惠的中美关系符合两国利益，也符合国际社会追求和平与繁荣的更广泛利益，我们当然应予继续推进。刚才你说到乐观，我认为我们所说的乐观应是建立在对两国人民真正和长远利益的认识和理解基础上的。因此，如果大家都承认两国人民间存在长远的共同利益，那么怎么选择就很清楚了：合作是我们唯一正确的选择。

Those who are hyped up about the new Cold War and decoupling are deemed irresponsible by the ambassador. For him, such rhetoric is against the "tide of history". Four decades of history have proven that a "stable and mutually beneficial relationship" serves the interests of not only the two countries, but also the international community.

"Cooperation is the only choice that we should make", Ambassador Cui said.

崔大使并致以新年祝福，祝愿祖国和人民在新的一年里取得更大成功。他说，中国人民最是勤劳肯干，相信在我们的共同努力下，能把国家建设得更好，早日实现中国梦。让我们一起奋斗吧！

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