中美关系是世界上最重要的双边关系之一。维护和稳定中美关系事关两国人民和世界各国人民福祉，也关乎世界和平、稳定、发展。习近平主席2014年即指出，历史和现实都表明，中美两国合则两利、斗则俱伤。中美合作可以办成有利于两国和世界的大事，中美对抗对两国和世界肯定是灾难。双方应该登高望远，加强合作，坚持合作，避免对抗，既造福两国，又兼济天下。在两国元首庆祝建交40周年互致贺信时，习近平主席指出，中美建交40年来，两国关系历经风雨，取得了历史性发展，为两国人民带来了巨大利益，也为世界和平、稳定、繁荣作出了重要贡献。历史充分证明，合作是双方最好的选择。美方也表示，多年来，中美关系取得了巨大发展。

The relations between China and the United States are among the most important bilateral relationships in the world. To safeguard and stabilize China-US relations concerns the welfare of the Chinese and American people and people in the world. It also bears on peace, stability and development in the world. President Xi Jinping pointed out, back in 2014, that past and current experiences show that China and the US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. China and the US working together can make great things happen for the two countries and the world at large, while China and the US stuck in confrontation spells disaster for the two countries and beyond. It is important for both China and the US to stand high and look far, and work together to increase cooperation. Commitment to cooperation and non-confrontation between China and the US brings benefit to both countries and to all in the global community. In the exchange of congratulatory messages between the two Presidents on the 40th anniversary of China-US diplomatic ties, President Xi Jinping pointed out that over the past four decades, the bilateral relations have made historic progress despite twists and turns, delivering tremendous benefits to their peoples and contributing significantly to world peace, stability, and prosperity. History has made it abundantly clear that there is no better option than cooperation for both countries. The US side also recognized the enormous progress in US-China relations achieved over the decades.

但是，近一个时期以来，美国一些政客接连抛出种种谬论，恶毒攻击中国共产党和中国政治制度，蓄意歪曲并全盘否定近50年来中美关系的历史。他们试图用谎言蒙蔽美国人民，欺骗国际舆论。国际社会有目共睹，是美执政当局单方面挑起事端，采取一系列干涉中国内政、损害中方利益、严重破坏中美关系的错误言行，导致两国关系出现建交以来异常复杂严峻的局面。对此，中国政府已经全面阐明了中方立场，予以坚决回应，坚定不移维护国家主权安全发展利益，坚定不移维护和稳定中美关系。

Nonetheless, for some time, some politicians in the US have kept making false statements and groundless remarks against China. They have viciously attacked the Communist Party of China (CPC) and China's political system. They have deliberately distorted and even attempted to write off the history of China-US relations for the past nearly 50 years. What they are up to is to stitch up lies to blind the American people and fool international public opinion. For the international community, it is clear that the US Administration has chosen unilaterally to be provocative. The erroneous words and moves by the US Administration constituted interference in China's internal affairs. They undermined China's interests and seriously disrupted China-US relations, putting the relationship in a most complex and grave situation since the establishment of diplomatic ties. In response to the US move, the Chinese Government has expounded its position in a comprehensive manner and reacted resolutely to firmly defend China's sovereignty, security and development interests and firmly safeguard and stabilize China-US relations.

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I

新中国成立后，中国在平等互利、相互尊重主权和领土完整的基础上同一批又一批国家建立了外交关系。然而，由于美方对中华人民共和国采取拒绝承认的错误政策，致使中美陷入长期相互隔绝、彼此敌对状态。历史总是要前进，时代总是要进步，这是不可阻挡的历史潮流。中美两国人民对彼此始终怀有友好的感情，双方寻求友好交往和互利合作的努力从未停息。1970年，毛泽东主席在会见美国记者斯诺时表示：“中美两国总要建交的。中国和美国难道就一百年不建交啊？”尼克松总统在1970年也指出：“我们改善同北京的实际上的关系，这肯定是对我们有益的，同时也有利于亚洲和世界的和平与稳定”。毛泽东主席、周恩来总理高瞻远瞩，亲自决策并推动实施了中美“乒乓外交”，基辛格博士1971年7月秘密访华，中美实现关系正常化渐成大势所趋。

After the founding of New China, diplomatic relations were established between China and countries after countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, and mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, the wrong US policy not to recognize the People's Republic of China kept the two countries long in mutual estrangement and hostility. Yet, the trend of progress of history and the advancement of the times could not be stopped. The Chinese and American people had always cherished friendly sentiments toward each other, and had never stopped making efforts to seek friendly exchanges and cooperation for mutual benefit. In 1970, in his meeting with the US journalist Edgar Snow, Chairman Mao Zedong said, "China and the US will establish diplomatic relations anyway. How can the two countries stay out of diplomatic ties for 100 years?" President Nixon observed in the same year that "it is certainly in our interest, and in the interest of peace and stability in Asia and the world, that we take what steps we can toward improved practical relations with Peking". Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai demonstrated strategic insight with their decision and personal commitment to launch the "ping-pong diplomacy", and Dr. Henry Kissinger made a secret visit to China in July 1971. The momentum was built toward normalization of China-US relations.

中美双方在尼克松总统访华期间发表“上海公报”，在肯定两国共同点的同时，如实列出双方存在的分歧，明确指出中美两国的社会制度和外交政策有着本质的区别，同意各国不论社会制度如何，都应根据尊重各国主权和领土完整、不侵犯别国、不干涉别国内政、平等互利、和平共处的原则来处理国与国之间的关系。双方还声明，中美关系走向正常化是符合所有国家利益的。这一历史性文件载明了中美双方愿意秉持相互尊重、平等相待、求同存异原则处理两国关系的重要共识。“上海公报”充分体现了联合国宪章宗旨和原则的精神，符合国际关系基本准则。

The Shanghai Communiqué, issued during President Nixon's visit, acknowledged the common ground between the two sides while spelling out the differences as they stood. It pointed out clearly that "there are essential differences between China and the United States in their social systems and foreign policies. Yet, the two sides agreed that countries, regardless of their social systems, should conduct their relations on the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, non-aggression against other states, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence". The two sides stated that progress toward normalizing China-US relations served the interest of all countries. This historic document kept explicit account of the important common understanding that the two sides were ready to approach their relations on the principles of mutual respect, equality and seeking common ground while shelving differences. The Shanghai Communiqué fully reflected the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and conformed to the basic norms of international relations.