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s. There are nearly 200 friendship cities drawing our munities together. American and Chinese scientists cooperate on new research and discovery.And of course, Yao Ming is just one signal of our shared love of basketball I39。m only sorry that I won39。t be able to see a Shanghai Sharks game while I39。m visiting.It is no coincidence that the relationship between our countries has acpanied a period of positive change. China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty an acplishment unparalleled in human history while playing a larger role in global events. And the United States has seen our economy grow along with the standard of living enjoyed by our people, while bringing the Cold War to a successful conclusion.There is a Chinese proverb: Consider the past, and you shall know the future.Surely, we have known setbacks and challenges over the last 30 years. Our relationship has not been without disagreement and difficulty. But the notion that we must be adversaries is not predestined not when we consider the past.Indeed, because of our cooperation, both the United States and China are more prosperous and more secure.We have seen what is possible when we build upon our mutual interests, and engage on the basis of mutual respect.And yet the success of that engagement depends upon understanding on sustaining an open dialogue, and learning about one another and from one another. For just as that American table tennis player pointed out we share much in mon as human beings, but our countries are different in certain ways.I believe that each country must chart its own course. China is an ancient nation, with a deeply rooted culture. The United States, by parison, is a young nation, whose culture is determined by the many different immigrants who have e to our shores, and by the founding documents that guide our democracy.Those documents put forward a simple vision of human affairs, and they enshrine several core principles that all men and women are created equal, and possess certain fundamental rights。 that government should reflect the will of the people and respond to their wishes。 that merce should be open, information freely accessible。 and that laws, and not simply men, should guarantee the administration of justice.Of course, the story of our nation is not without its difficult chapters. In many ways over many years we have struggled to advance the promise of these principles to all of our people, and to forge a more perfect union. We fought a very painful civil war, and freed a portion of our population from slavery. I