2017年CRI Outgoing US ambassador reflects on time in China, calls for continued cooperation

 

In a video greeting for the upcoming Spring Festival, Max Baucus and his wife Melodee Hanes said they have had some good memories during their time in China.

"Hello everyone, Mel and I know this is a very happy time for Chinese families. It is for us, too. As folks head home to celebrate the New Year holiday, we are getting ready to return home as well," said the Ambassador.

"It's really not easy for us to leave. We have made so many good friends here in Beijing and really throughout all of China," added Hanes.

The Ambassador said encouraging people-to-people exchanges and building mutual¹ trust have been a priority for him during his time here.

Baucus recalled that when he arrived in China in March 2014, he promised Chinese President Xi Jinping that he would visit each of China's provinces, which he did by October last year.

Baucus said that historically, China and the US have proven that working together to overcome challenges can produce mutually beneficial results. He added that he hopes the two sides can continue to do so going forward.

"I hope we don't face a crisis, I hope we don't face a challenge, I don't think we will. But the knowledge that we have many times, the United States and China, worked together is a good reason to believe we can and we will. There is no question in my mind," said Baucus.

Max Baucus lauded² the bilateral³ efforts which led to both China and the US ratifying⁴ the Paris agreement on climate change, as well as joint⁵ initiatives in global health, such as the fight against Ebola.

Meanwhile, Baucus said growth in bilateral tourism flows is another shining spot in China-US relations, and he encouraged more Americans to come to China and see the country for themselves.

"It would help if we would travel more. If Americans would spend more time getting out of America and come over to China, see China, and deflate some of the myths, you know, one way or another about China, and vice⁶ versa. It's good that so many Chinese are coming to the Unites States. We issue about 2.7 million visas a year, Chinese visas coming to America. I wish more Americans are coming over, too," explained Baucus.

Looking forward, Baucus said a lack of understanding about each other could pose threats for bilateral ties, and he encouraged people from both countries to make the worthwhile efforts and build lasting⁷ relationships.

"The biggest potential danger is failure of people in both countries to take the time and effort to learn about the other country. And it's partly because people tend to be a little bit comfortable. It's hard for people to get out of their comfort zones. It takes work, it takes efforts, like all things in life," said Baucus.

US President-elect Donald Trump⁸ has nominated Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to become the next US Ambassador to China.

1 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。

2 lauded   

v.称赞，赞美( laud的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• They lauded the former president as a hero. 他们颂扬前总统为英雄。 来自辞典例句
• The nervy feats of the mountaineers were lauded. 登山者有勇气的壮举受到赞美。 来自辞典例句

3 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。

4 ratifying   

v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• They call their State Assembly a disgrace for ratifying the 35th. 他们把州议会通过的第35号修正案说成是可耻的行为。 来自辞典例句
• The Obama administration, unlike its predecessor, talks of ratifying the test-ban treaty. 该会议五年举办一次，回顾其间发生的事情。 来自互联网

5 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

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 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

8 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。