A translation of Chinese President Hu Jintao's remarks at Yale

Let me begin by thanking you, Mr. Levin, for your kind invitation and the opportunity to come to Yale to meet young friends and teachers of this world-renowned university.

Coming to the Yale campus, with its distinctive academic flavor, and looking at the eager young faces in the audience, I cannot but recall my great experience studying at Qinghua University in Beijing 40 years ago. Indeed, what happens during one's school year will influence his whole life. I still benefit greatly from the instruction and my interaction with other students.

Yale is renowned for its long history, unique way of teaching and excellence in academic pursuit. If time could go back several decades, I would really like to be a student of Yale just like you.

Yale's motto “Light and Truth,” which is a calling for human progress, represents the aspiration of every motivated young man and woman. Over the past three centuries, Yale has produced a galaxy of outstanding figures, including 20 Nobel laureates and five American presidents. The words of Nathan Hale, an American hero and Yale alumnus, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” have also inspired me and many other Chinese. I sincerely hope that Yale will produce more talent and contribute further to the social and economic development of the United States and the cause of human progress.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends.

The Chinese and Americans have always had an intense interest in and cared deeply about each other. The Chinese admire the pioneering and enterprising spirit of the Americans and their proud achievement in national development. As China develops rapidly and steady headway is made in China-U.S. cooperation, more and more Americans are following with great interest China's progress and development.

Understanding leads to trust. Today, I would like to speak to you about China's development strategy and its future against the backdrop of the evolution of the Chinese civilization and China's current development endeavor. I hope this will help you gain a better understanding of China.

In a history that spans more than five millennia, the Chinese nation has contributed significantly to the progress of human civilization. But its course of national development has been an arduous one. In particular in the 160 years and more since the Opium War in 1840, the Chinese people have fought courageously and unyieldingly to rid themselves of poverty and backwardness and to realize national rejuvenation, thus profoundly changing the destiny of the Chinese nation. Ninety-five years ago, the Chinese people launched the Revolution of 1911 that overthrew the feudal autocracy which had ruled China for several thousand years and opened the door to China's progress.

Fifty-seven years ago, the Chinese people succeeded in winning liberation after protracted and hard struggle and founded New China in which people became their own masters. Twenty-eight years ago, the Chinese people embarked upon the historic drive of reform, opening-up and modernization and have made phenomenal progress through unremitting efforts.

Between 1978 and 2005, China's GDP grew from $147.3 billion to $2.2257 trillion. Its import and export volume went up from $20.6 billion to $1.4221 trillion and its foreign exchange reserve soared from $167 million to $818.9 billion. During this period, the number of its poor rural population dropped from 250 million to 23 million. The above review of the profound changes in these 160 years shows one thing, namely, by carrying out persistent and hard struggle, the Chinese people have both changed their own destiny and advanced the cause of human progress.

On the other hand, I need to point out that, despite the success in its development, China remains the world's largest developing country, with per capita GDP ranking behind the 100th place. The Chinese people are yet to live a well-off life and China still faces daunting challenges in its development endeavor. Therefore it requires sustained and unremitting efforts to transform the country and make life better for its people. In the next 15 years, we will strive to make new progress in building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way that will benefit China's one billion and more population.

We aim to raise China's GDP to $4 trillion by 2020, averaging $3,000 per person. By then, China's economy will be better developed and its democracy will be further enhanced. More progress will be made in science and education. Its culture will be further enriched, the society will become more harmonious and the people will lead a better life.

To realize these goals, China has adopted a new concept of development in line with its national conditions and the requirement of the times. That is, to pursue a scientific outlook on development that makes economic and social development people-oriented, comprehensive, balanced and sustainable. We will work to strike a proper balance between urban and rural development, development among regions, economic and social development, development of man and nature, and domestic development and opening wider to the outside world. Greater emphasis will be put on addressing issues affecting people's livelihood, overcoming imbalances in development and resolving key problems that have occurred in the course of development. We will pursue a new path to industrialization featuring high technology, good economic returns, low resource-consumption, low environment pollution and full use of human resources. We will bring about coordinated economic, political, cultural and social development. And we will endeavor to ensure sustainable development by boosting production, improving people's life and protecting the environment.

This concept of scientific development is based on the experience China has gained in its modernization drive and put forth in response to the trends of the times. It is also rooted in the cultural heritages of the Chinese nation.

The Chinese civilization is one that has continued uninterrupted for more than 5,000 years. The distinct cultural tradition of the Chinese nation that developed in the long course of history has exerted a strong influence on contemporary China, just as it did on ancient China. Putting people first, keeping pace with the times, maintaining social harmony and pursuing peaceful development: these values that are being pursued in China today are derived from its tradition. But they also give expression to the progress of the times.

The Chinese civilization has always given prominence to the people and respect for people's dignity and value. Centuries ago, the Chinese already pointed out that “people are the foundation of a country; when the foundation is stable, the country is in peace.” Nothing is more valuable in the universe than human beings. The ancient Chinese emphasized the value of serving the people, enriching them, nourishing them, and benefiting them. We are pursuing today a people-oriented approach toward development because we believe that development must be for the people and by the people and its benefit should be shared among the people.

We care about people's value, rights and interests and freedom, the quality of their life, and their development potential and happiness index because our goal is to realize the all-around development of the people. Ensuring the right to survival and development remains China's top priority. We will vigorously promote social and economic development, protect people's freedom, democracy and human rights according to law, achieve social fairness and justice and enable the 1.3 billion Chinese people to live a happy life.

The Chinese civilization has always given prominence to unremitting self-improvement, reform and innovation. As an ancient Chinese motto puts it, “As Heaven keeps vigor through movement, a gentleman should unremittingly practice self-improvement.” Throughout its 5,000-year history, it is thanks to their perseverance, determination, stamina and innovation that the Chinese nation has grown after surviving numerous setbacks and adversity. The Chinese people have shown enterprising spirit and reform and opening-up creativity in national development and great tenacity in overcoming difficulties on the road to progress. And all this gives expression to the spirit of unremitting self-improvement embodied in China's cultural tradition.

The Chinese civilization has always given prominence to social harmony, unity and mutual assistance. Back in the early days of the Chinese nation, the Chinese already advocated that “harmony is most valuable.” They strove for harmony between man and nature, among people and between man's body and soul, and yearned for an ideal society where “everyone loves everyone else, everyone is equal and the whole world is one community.”

Today, China is endeavoring to build a harmonious society. It is a society of democracy and rule of law, fairness and justice, integrity, fraternity, vitality, stability, order and harmony between man and nature. It is a society where there is unity between the material and the spirit, democracy and rule of law, fairness and efficiency, and vitality and order.

The Chinese people takes [sic] the maintenance of ethnic unity and harmony as their bounden duty and the defense of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity their sacred mission.

Any act that promoted ethnic harmony and national unity will receive the warm welcome and support of the Chinese people. On the other hand, any act that undermines China's ethnic harmony and national unity will meet their strong opposition and resistance.

The Chinese civilization has always given prominence to good neighborliness. The Chinese nation cherishes peace. In foreign relations, the Chinese have always believed that “the strong should not oppress the weak and the rich should not bully the poor” and advocated that “all nations live side by side in perfect harmony.”

The Chinese held that “one should be as inclusive as the ocean, which is vast because it admits hundreds of rivers” and called for drawing upon the strength of others. Today, China holds high the banner of peace, development and cooperation. It pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and commits itself firmly to peaceful development.

It seeks to accelerate its development by upholding world peace. The world peace is, in turn, enhanced by China's development. China firmly pursues a strategy of opening-up for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. It genuinely wishes to enter into extensive cooperation with other countries. It is inclusive and is eager to draw on the strength of other civilizations to pursue peace and development through cooperation and play its part in building a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends.

China and the United States are both countries of vast territory where many ethnic groups coexist and different cultures intermingle. Both our two peoples are hard-working and talented. Due to different historical backgrounds and national conditions, there are differences between China and the United States. But this enables us to learn from each other and draw on each other's strengths. Closer China-U.S. cooperation serves the fundamental interests of our two countries and peoples and is also of far-reaching significance for peace and development of the whole world.

Vast as it is, the Pacific Ocean has not stood in the way of exchanges and cooperation between our two peoples over the past two hundred years, and many moving episodes of mutual learning and mutual help between our two peoples who represent different civilizations have been recorded. In the 27 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979, China-U.S. relations have maintained steady momentum of growth despite twists and turns on the way, bringing tremendous benefits to both countries and peoples.

Entering the 21st century, the world has continued to undergo profound changes. Peace and development remain the calling of our times. On the other hand, factors causing instability and uncertainty are increasing and new challenges and threats are looming. Against this backdrop, the common interests between our two countries are increasing and the areas of our cooperation widening. Global peace and security now face new challenges, such as fighting international terrorism, preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, protecting the environment and human habitat and combating transnational crimes. And it is exactly in these fields that we share important strategic interests. China has a huge market and its development has generated strong demand, while the United States has advanced technology and high quality products. This has created enormous opportunities for economic and technical cooperation between our two countries. Indeed, there is a broad prospect for the growth of constructive and cooperative China-U.S. relations in all fields.

Yesterday morning, President Bush and I had an in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S. relations and major international and regional issues of common interest and reached broad and important agreement. We are both of the view that the two sides should approach our relations from the strategic and long-term perspective and that we should enhance dialogue, expand common ground, increase mutual trust, deepen cooperation and promote the overall growth of the constructive and cooperative China-U.S. relations in the 21st century.

When we focus on the overall interest of China-U.S. relations, respect and show understanding to each other, I am confident that our relations will move ahead in a healthy and steady manner, and contribute to the well-being of our two peoples and bring greater hope to people around the world.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends.

A composer cannot write enchanting melody with one note, and a painter cannot paint landscape with only one color. The world is a treasure house where the unique cultural achievements created by people of all countries are displayed. The culture of a nation tells a lot about the evolution of the nation's understanding of the world and life, both past and present. Culture thus embodies a nation's fundamental pursuit of mind and dictates its norms of behavior. The historical process of human development is one in which different civilizations interact with and enrich each other and all civilizations in human history have contributed to human progress in their own unique way.

Cultural diversity is a basic feature of both human society and today's world and an important driving force for human progress. As history has shown, in the course of interactions between civilizations, we not only need to remove natural barriers and overcome physical isolation, we also need to remove obstacles and obstructions of the mind and overcome various prejudices and misunderstandings. Differences in ideology, social system and development model should not stand in the way of exchanges among civilizations, still less should they become excuses for mutual confrontation. We should uphold the diversity of the world, enhance dialogue and interaction between civilizations, and draw on each other's strength instead of practicing mutual exclusion. When this is done, mankind will enjoy greater harmony and happiness and the world will become a more colorful place to live in.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends.

Exchanges in culture and education and among young people serve as a bridge for increasing mutual understanding between our two peoples. They are also a major driving force for the healthy and stable growth of China-U.S. relations. Yale is a forerunner in conducting China-U.S. educational exchanges and provides an important platform for cultural exchanges between our two countries. One hundred and fifty-six years ago, a Chinese young man named Rong Hong entered Yale Campus [sic]. Four years later, he graduated with distinction and received a bachelor of arts degree, making him the first ever Chinese graduate of an American university. Later, group after group of young Chinese followed his footsteps and studied in Yale. Over the past 20 years, Yale has accepted over 4,000 Chinese students and undertaken more than 80 cooperation projects in culture, science and technology, and education with China. Last summer, Yale sent the first group of students to China for internships and some among them became the first foreign interns to work with China's Palace Museum. I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to you, Mr. Levin, and Yale for the efforts you have made to promote exchanges between our two peoples.

To enhance mutual understanding between young people and educators of the two countries, I announce with pleasure here that we have decided to invite 100 Yale faculty members and students to visit China this summer. I'm sure you can look forward to an enjoyable experience in China.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends.

As an old Chinese saying goes: “As in the Yangtze River where the waves behind drive on those before, so a new generation always excels the last one.” Young people represent the hope and future of the world. They are full of vitality, new ideas and creativity. I sincerely hope that the young people in China and the United States will join hands and work to enhance friendship between our two peoples, and, together with people of other countries, create a better world for all.

Thank you!

尊敬的理查德·莱文校长，同学们，老师们，女士们，先生们：
　　首先，我感谢莱文校长的邀请，使我有机会来到世界著名学府耶鲁大学，同青年朋友和老师们相聚在一起。
　　进入耶鲁大学的校园，看到莘莘学子青春洋溢的脸庞，呼吸着书香浓郁的空气，我不由回想起40年前在北京年老师们对我的教诲，同学们给我的启发，我至今仍受用不尽。
　　耶鲁大学以悠久的发展历史、独特的办学风格、卓著的学术成就闻名于世。如果时光能够倒流几十年，我真希望成为你们中的一员。
　　耶鲁大学校训强调追求光明和真理，这符合人类进步的法则，也符合每个有志青年的心愿。300多年来，耶鲁大学培养出一大批杰出人才，其中包括20位诺贝尔奖获得者、5位美国总统。美国民族英雄内森·黑尔是耶鲁校友，他的名言——“我唯一的憾事，就是没有第二次生命献给我的祖国”，深深感染了我和许多中国人。我衷心祝愿贵校培养出更多英才，为美国经济社会发展、为人类进步事业作出更大贡献！
　　女士们、先生们、朋友们！
　　长期以来，中美两国人民一直相互抱有浓厚的兴趣和友好的感情。中国人民欣赏美国人民的开拓进取精神，钦佩美国人民在建设国家中取得的骄人业绩。随着中国的快速发展和中美合作的不断拓展，越来越多的美国人也把目光投向中国，更加关注中国的发展进步。
　　了解是信任的基础。今天，我愿从中华文明历史流变和现实发展的角度，谈谈当代中国的发展战略和前进方向，希望有助于美国人民更全面、更深入地了解中国。
　　在5000多年的历史长河中，中华民族为人类文明进步作出了巨大贡献，同时也走过了曲折艰辛的道路。特别是从1840年鸦片战争以来的160多年间，中国人民为摆脱积贫积弱的境遇，实现民族复兴，前仆后继，顽强斗争，使中华民族的命运发生了深刻变化。95年前，中国人民通过辛亥革命推翻了统治中国几千年的君主专制制度，为中国的进步打开了闸门。57年前，中国人民经过长期浴血奋斗实现了民族独立和人民解放，建立了人民当家作主的新中国。28年前，中国人民开始了改革开放和现代化建设的伟大历史进程，经过艰苦创业取得了举世瞩目的巨大成就，从1978年到2005年，中国国内生产总值从1473亿美元增长到22257亿美元，进出口总额从206亿美元增长到14221亿美元，国家外汇储备从1.67亿美元增加到8189亿美元，农村贫困人口由2.5亿人减少到2300多万人。回顾这160多年来中国发生的沧桑巨变，可以说，中国人民经过艰苦探索和顽强奋斗，既改变了自己的命运，也推动了人类进步事业。
　　必须看到，中国尽管取得了巨大的发展成就，但仍是世界上最大的发展中国家，人均国内生产总值仍排在世界100名之后，中国人民的生活还不富裕，中国的发展还面临着不少突出的矛盾和问题。要彻底改变中国的面貌和改善中国人民的生活，需要继续持之以恒地艰苦奋斗。中国将在未来15年集中力量全面建设惠及十几亿人口的更高水平的小康社会。具体来说，就是要使中国国内生产总值到2020年达到40000亿美元左右，人均达到3000美元左右，使经济更加发展、民主更加健全、科教更加进步、文化更加繁荣、社会更加和谐、人民生活更加殷实。
　　为了实现我们的发展目标，中国根据本国国情和时代要求明确了自己的发展理念，这就是树立和贯彻以人为本、全面协调可持续发展的科学发展观，统筹城乡发展、统筹区域发展、统筹经济社会发展、统筹人与自然和谐发展、统筹国内发展和对外开放，更加注重解决民生问题，更加注重克服发展的不平衡性，更加注重解决发展中存在的突出矛盾，致力于走科技含量高、经济效益好、资源消耗低、环境污染少、人力资源优势得到充分发挥的新型工业化道路，推进经济建设、政治建设、文化建设、社会建设协调发展，努力实现生产发展、生活富裕、生态良好的文明发展格局。

科学发展的理念，是在总结中国现代化建设经验、顺应时代潮流的基础上提出来的，也是在继承中华民族优秀文化传统的基础上提出来的。
　　中华文明是世界古代文明中始终没有中断、连续5000多年发展至今的文明。中华民族在漫长历史发展中形成的独具特色的文化传统，深深影响了古代中国，也深深影响着当代中国。现时代中国强调的以人为本、与时俱进、社会和谐、和平发展，既有着中华文明的深厚根基，又体现了时代发展的进步精神。
　　——中华文明历来注重以民为本，尊重人的尊严和价值。早在千百年前，中国人就提出“民惟邦本，本固邦宁”、“天地之间，莫贵于人”，强调要利民、裕民、养民、惠民。今天，我们坚持以人为本，就是要坚持发展为了人民、发展依靠人民、发展成果由人民共享，关注人的价值、权益和自由，关注人的生活质量、发展潜能和幸福指数，最终是为了实现人的全面发展。保障人民的生存权和发展权仍是中国的首要任务。我们将大力推动经济社会发展，依法保障人民享有自由、民主和人权，实现社会公平和正义，使13亿中国人民过上幸福生活。
　　——中华文明历来注重自强不息，不断革故鼎新。“天行健，君子以自强不息。”这是中国的一句千年传世格言。中华民族所以能在5000多年的历史进程中生生不息、发展壮大，历经挫折而不屈，屡遭坎坷而不馁，靠的就是这样一种发愤图强、坚忍不拔、与时俱进的精神。中国人民在改革开放中表现出来的进取精神，在建设国家中焕发出来的创造热情，在克服前进道路上的各种困难中表现出来的顽强毅力，正是这种自强不息精神的生动写照。
　　——中华文明历来注重社会和谐，强调团结互助。中国人早就提出了“和为贵”的思想，追求天人和谐、人际和谐、身心和谐，向往“人人相亲，人人平等，天下为公”的理想社会。今天，中国提出构建和谐社会，就是要建设一个民主法治、公平正义、诚信友爱、充满活力、安定有序、人与自然和谐相处的社会，实现物质和精神、民主和法治、公平和效率、活力和秩序的有机统一。中国人民把维护民族团结作为自己义不容辞的职责，把维护国家主权和领土完整作为自己至高无上的使命。一切有利于民族团结和国家统一的行为，都会得到中国人民真诚的欢迎和拥护。一切有损于民族团结和国家统一的举动，都会遭到中国人民强烈的反对和抗争。
　　——中华文明历来注重亲仁善邻，讲求和睦相处。中华民族历来爱好和平。中国人在对外关系中始终秉承“强不执弱”、“富不侮贫”的精神，主张“协和万邦”。中国人提倡“海纳百川，有容乃大”，主张吸纳百家优长、兼集八方精义。今天，中国高举和平、发展、合作的旗帜，奉行独立自主的和平外交政策，坚定不移地走和平发展道路，既通过维护世界和平来发展自己，又通过自身的发展来促进世界和平。中国坚持实施互利共赢的对外开放战略，真诚愿意同各国广泛开展合作，真诚愿意兼收并蓄、博采各种文明之长，以合作谋和平、以合作促发展，推动建设一个持久和平、共同繁荣的和谐世界。
　　女士们、先生们、朋友们！
　　中美都拥有辽阔的国土，都是多个民族并存、多种文化融合的国家，都生活着勤劳智慧的人民。中美因不同的历史背景和现实国情而存在着差异，这有利于我们相互借鉴，取长补短。中美加强合作，符合两国和两国人民的根本利益，对世界的和平与发展也具有重大影响。
　　200多年来，浩瀚的太平洋并未阻断中美两国人民的交流合作，中美两国人民相互学习、相互帮助，谱写了世界不同文明相互借鉴的美好篇章。1979年中美建交27年来，两国关系曾历经曲折，但总体上保持了稳定发展的大方向，给两国和两国人民带来了巨大利益。
　　进入21世纪，国际形势继续深刻变化。和平与发展仍然是当今时代的主题，但不稳定不确定因素在增多，新挑战新威胁在增加。在新的国际形势下，中美两国共同利益在增多，合作领域在扩大。世界和平与安全面临的新课题，特别是反对国际恐怖主义、防止大规模杀伤性武器扩散、保护人类生存环境、打击跨国犯罪等，使我们两国拥有重要的共同战略利益。中国的巨大市场和发展需求，美国的先进科技和优质产品，使两国具有巨大的经济技术合作空间。中美全面发展建设性合作关系前景广阔。

昨天上午，我同布什总统就中美关系及共同关心的重大国际和地区问题深入交换看法，达成了许多重要共识。我们都认为，双方应该坚持从战略高度和长远角度审视和处理中美关系，加强对话，扩大共识，增进互信，深化合作，全面推进21世纪中美建设性合作关系。
　　我相信，只要我们从中美关系发展的大局出发，彼此尊重，相互理解，两国关系就能够健康稳定地向前发展，给两国人民带来更多利益，给世界各国人民带来更大希望。
　　女士们、先生们、朋友们！
　　一个音符无法表达出优美的旋律，一种颜色难以描绘出多彩的画卷。世界是一座丰富多彩的艺术殿堂，各国人民创造的独特文化都是这座殿堂里的瑰宝。一个民族的文化，往往凝聚着这个民族对世界和生命的历史认知和现实感受，也往往积淀着这个民族最深层的精神追求和行为准则。人类历史发展的过程，就是各种文明不断交流、融合、创新的过程。人类历史上各种文明都以各自的独特方式为人类进步作出了贡献。
　　文明多样性是人类社会的客观现实，是当今世界的基本特征，也是人类进步的重要动力。历史经验表明，在人类文明交流的过程中，不仅需要克服自然的屏障和隔阂，而且需要超越思想的障碍和束缚，更需要克服形形色色的偏见和误解。意识形态、社会制度、发展模式的差异不应成为人类文明交流的障碍，更不能成为相互对抗的理由。我们应该积极维护世界多样性，推动不同文明的对话和交融，相互借鉴而不是相互排斥，使人类更加和睦幸福，让世界更加丰富多彩。
　　女士们、先生们、朋友们！
　　文化、教育和青年交流是中美两国人民增进相互了解和友谊的重要桥梁，也是推动中美关系健康稳定发展的重要力量。耶鲁大学是中美教育合作的先行者和文化交流的重要平台。156年前，一位名叫容闳的中国青年走进了耶鲁大学校园，4年后他以优异的成绩获得了文学士学位，成为毕业于美国大学的第一个中国留学生。此后，一批又一批中国青年来到耶鲁大学求学。近20年来，耶鲁大学吸引了4000多名中国留学人员，同中国文化界、科技界、教育界的合作项目超过80个。去年夏天，耶鲁大学派遣首批学生到中国实习，其中一些人成为中国故宫博物院的第一批外国实习生。借此机会，我对莱文校长和耶鲁大学为增进中美两国人民的交流所做的积极努力表示赞赏。
为增进中美两国青年以及教育界的相互了解，我高兴地宣布，中方决定邀请100名耶鲁大学师生今年夏天访问中国。我相信，你们的访问将是一次十分愉快的经历。
女士们、先生们、朋友们！
“长江后浪推前浪，世上新人换旧人。”青年人是世界的希望和未来，青年人有着蓬勃向上的生命活力和无穷的创造力。我衷心希望，中美两国青年携起手来，以实际行动促进中美两国人民友好，同世界各国人民一道，共创世界美好的明天。
谢谢各位。