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.

　　一位美國朋友問我：“中國為什么會成功？今年夏天我去浙江度假，這里是中國最具活力的地方。我問導游，如果用一個詞來概括家鄉人，會是哪個詞。他說‘奮斗’。”沒錯，這個詞大概勾畫了我們這個民族的特質。

　　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.

　　近四十年來中國勞動生產率每年以9%的速度增長。中國的勞動力隊伍堅實可靠，女性參加工作的比例很高。今年，中國首次躋身全球最具創新力經濟體20強。美國跨國公司通用電氣早在1906年便開始在中國開展業務，其口號是“在中國，為中國”。通用雇傭了2500名中國工程師，他們的研發讓通用電氣更上層樓。

　　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，中國在鄧小平領導下開始改革開放。改革開放不僅解放了中國的經濟，還解放了中國人的思想。

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

　　農民不再被束縛于土地，工人的勞動激情迸發，企業家充滿進取之心。

　　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.

　　一批批中國人成為搬運工、建筑工人、制造工人、工程師或者科學家。他們都是中國經濟持續發展的動力，他們是有志向的中華民族的脊梁。就像美國西部拓荒者一樣，這一代中國人的聰明才智和堅強決心理當贏得世界的尊重。他們展示了中國人最優秀的一面，也是人類至善的典范。

　　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.

　　你可能會問，政府在這里中扮演什么角色呢？我想說，中國的變革是數億中國人用勤勞的雙手雙腳帶動的化學反應，政府只是催化劑而已。

　　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.

　　我知道有些美國人把中國看成是小偷、強盜和陰謀家，因為中國比過去更好、更富有、更強大，而且中國與眾不同。這種看法不僅看錯了答案，也看錯了問題。

　　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.

　　中國就像一輛高速奔馳的賽車，它一馬當先靠的是強勁的動力，而不是投機取巧、搶占賽道。沒有人應該指責一位勤勉的新秀，尤其是當他正努力擁抱世界的時候，從這個意義上說，無論中國、非洲、歐洲或美洲，我們擁有共同的夢想。

　　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.

　　美國前國務卿鮑威爾曾說，外交就是聆聽對方的聲音。一個偉大的政治家登高望遠，是因為他看到人性的光輝，不論和朋友還是和對手。

　　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.

　　中美兩國人民正站在一個新的十字路口。有人說讓兩國聯系在一起的只是利益罷了。我不敢茍同。把中美兩國聯系起來的東西比利益更深刻，那就是：我們的創造力、對未來的期望和對自己的認知。我們看待彼此的方式不僅會影響他人，還會塑造我們自己。

　　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."

　　英國作家吉卜林說過，“東西各有道，兩廂永不遇。”但他也說過，“將遇良才時，無人問東西。”