Top US, China officials appeal for closer ties
Top US and Chinese officials have appealed for closer ties. President Barack Obama did so by quoting a Chinese philosopher, while China's top diplomat said "yes, we can," borrowing Obama's signature phrase.
The officials were attending a ceremony in Washington on Monday to mark the start of the first meeting of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.
In his speech, President Obama quoted the ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius who said that "a trail through the mountains, if used, becomes a path in a short time, but, if unused, becomes blocked by grass in an equally short time." Obama said the United States and China face the task of forging a path to the future that they seek for their children.
In response, China's State Councilor, Dai Bingguo, noted that the 2 countries have different social systems, histories, cultures and traditions.
He asked whether better relations are possible despite the differences, and then replied, in English, "Yes, we can." He drew a big applause.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also appealed for close ties by referring to the
words of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner cited a proverb in Chinese.
President Obama launched the Strategic and Economic Dialogue by expanding a forum started by the Bush administration that focused on economic talks. The inaugural talks will last for 2 days.
最終更新：2009年07月29日 07:27
