2017年CRI Kevin Rudd on top concerns among Americans over China’s Belt and Road

 

The High-Level Dialogue on U.S.-China Economic Relations, co-hosted by the Asia Society Policy Institute and China Center for International Exchanges, kicks off in New York on June 14th , 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Zhao Xinyu]

The U.S.-China economic relations currently maintain a positive trend of development, and could share a quite promising¹ prospect² in the future, if U.S. and China keep on opening wider to each other and enhancing mutual³ trust and confidence. These views are delivered by participants of the High-Level Dialogue on U.S.-China Economic Relations, which opened Wednesday in New York.

Our reporter Qian Shanming brings back more details from New York.

The High-Level Dialogue on U.S.-China Economic Relations, co-hosted by Asia Society Policy Institute and China Center for International Exchanges, kicked off in New York on Wednesday. Dozens of Chinese and U.S. government officials, experts and scholars, gathered at the event to deliberate on topics concerning the present and future development of U.S.-China bilateral⁴ economic ties, mainly referring to the 100-Day Plan since Mar-a-Lago meeting, and the future cooperation between the two countries in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Kevin Rudd, President of Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), former Australian Prime Minister, addresses a keynote speech at the High-Level Dialogue on U.S.-China Economic Relations in New York on June 14th, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Zhao Xinyu]

Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister and currently President of Asia Society Policy Institute, highlighted the importance of healthy U.S.-China economic relations, both in short term and long term.

To discuss the progress in U.S.-China first 100-Day’s economic dialogue, that which was agreed upon between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump⁵ at Mar-a-Lago. The first 100 days is important in itself, it’s real, live, contemporary commerce and politics. ‘One Belt, One Road’ is not about the 100 days, it’s about the next 100 years.”

Kevin Rudd urged U.S. and China to add more light, instead of more heat to bilateral economic relations, so as to expand the dimensions of trade and investment cooperation.

Cui Tiankai (1st, L), Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Zhao Qizheng (2nd, L), former Director of China’s State Council Information Office, Kevin Rudd (3rd, L), President of Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), former Australian Prime Minister, C. H. Tung, (3rd, R) Vice⁶ Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and former Hong Kong Chief Executive, Josette Sheeran (2nd, R), President and CEO of Asia Society, Guo Weimin (1st, R) Vice Minister of China's State Council Information Office, are present at the High-Level Dialogue on U.S.-China Economic Relations in New York on June 14th , 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Zhao Xinyu]

Talking about the China-initiated Belt and Road Initiative, Kevin Rudd said that many people in the United States are quite interested in learning more about BRI, with major concerns on five aspects, including the real scale of the initiative, how China could cope with possible difficulties brought forth⁷ by this initiative as it is quite new territory in China’s global experience, how will the initiative work in practical implementation⁸, and to what extent the U.S. side, especially U.S. companies, are expected to play a role in the initiative.

As some are questioning about China’s global strategic intent, Tung Chee-hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former Hong Kong chief executive, said on Wednesday that China has always been dedicated⁹ in pursing peace and sharing prosperity with nations around the world.

Zhao Qizheng (L), former Director of China’s State Council Information Office, and Kevin Rudd, President of Asia Society Policy Institute (R) exchanges views during the interim¹⁰ of the High-Level Dialogue on U.S.-China Economic Relations in New York on June 14th , 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Zhao Xinyu]

“You may ask internationally what is China’s strategic intent. China wishes to pursue peace and share prosperity with all nations around the world, particularly with her neighbors. China has no hegemonic or ideological¹¹ ambitions. China does not wish to impose her system or values onto other nations. The truth is that hegemonic aggression¹² is not in the DNA¹³ of Chinese people.”

Tung said that China places great emphasis on seeking to build a constructive¹⁴ relationship with all nations, and a good relationship with the United States is particularly important. But this is not easy.

“After all, the people of the United States and China have different culture, different history, and the two countries are at different stages of development. Our needs are different. At this stage, it is even more important, in my view, for us to understand each other better, and to trust each other’s good will and intentions more.”

Michael Rubens Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York City, Founder¹⁵ and CEO of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, delivers a keynote speech at the High-Level Dialogue on U.S.-China Economic Relations in New York on June 14th , 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Zhao Xinyu]

Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Cui Tiankai also reiterated¹⁶ at the High-Level Dialogue China’s welcoming attitude to all nations to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, including the United States.

“The Belt and Road Initiative is open to all. So we would very much welcome increasing participation¹⁷ by the United States. “

Cui Tiankai said that China and U.S. are taking steps in the right direction to a constructive bilateral relationship since the Mar-a-Lago meeting early this April. The Ambassador said that the four dialogue mechanisms¹⁸ agreed at the summit are being carried out orderly. For instance, the first round of the Diplomatic and Security Dialogue will take place in Washington D.C. within a week, and as to the Comprehensive Economic Dialogue, the two sides have already had some early harvest for the 100-Day Plan.

Cui Tiankai said that in today’s world where there are growing uncertainties¹⁹ and pressing need for economic restructuring, China and the United States should work together and make all the right choices and show the way forward to the world.

“It is a choice between openness and isolation²⁰. China certainly stands for openness, because openness will enable innovation, will lead to new opportunities and create new life for the world economy. It is a choice between connectivity and separation, and China stands for connectivity, as manifested by the Belt and Road Initiative. It is also a choice between win-win and zero-sum game. China stands for win-win approach. As President Xi said in Davos in January, and I quote, when encountering difficulties, we should not complain about ourselves, blame others, lose confidence, or run away from responsibilities. We should join hands and rise to the challenges.”

Roundtable discussions are also held at the High-Level Dialogue to discuss new common ground for U.S-China economic cooperation and the U.S.-China cooperation in global economic governance.

For CRI, this is Qian Shanming from New York.

1 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

2 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

3 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

4 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

5 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

6 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

7 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

8 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

9 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

10 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

11 ideological   

a.意识形态的

参考例句：

• He always tries to link his study with his ideological problems. 他总是把学习和自己的思想问题联系起来。
• He helped me enormously with advice on how to do ideological work. 他告诉我怎样做思想工作，对我有很大帮助。

12 aggression   

n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害

参考例句：

• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。

13 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

14 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

15 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

16 reiterated   

反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• "Well, I want to know about it,'she reiterated. “嗯，我一定要知道你的休假日期，"她重复说。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• Some twenty-two years later President Polk reiterated and elaborated upon these principles. 大约二十二年之后，波尔克总统重申这些原则并且刻意阐释一番。

17 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

18 mechanisms   

n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

19 uncertainties   

无把握( uncertainty的名词复数 )； 不确定； 变化不定； 无把握、不确定的事物

参考例句：

• One of the uncertainties of military duty is that you never know when you might suddenly get posted away. 任军职不稳定的因素之一是你永远不知道什么时候会突然被派往它处。
• Uncertainties affecting peace and development are on the rise. 影响和平与发展的不确定因素在增加。 来自汉英非文学 - 十六大报告

20 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。