Good afternoon . It is a great honor for me to be here in Shanghai , and to have this opportunity to speak with all of you. I’d like to thank Fudan University’s president Yang for his hospitality and his gracious welcome . I’d also like to thank our outstanding Ambassador, Jon Huntsman , who exemplifies the deep ties and respect between our nations . I don’t know what he said , but I hope it was good.
What I’d like to do is to make some opening comments , and then what I’m really looking forward to doing is taking questions , not only from students who are in the audience , but also we’re received questions online , which will be asked by some of the students who are here in the audience , as well as by Ambassador Huntsman . And I am very sorry that my Chinese is not as good as your English , but I am looking forward to this chance to have a dialogue.
This is my first time traveling to China , and I’m excited to see this majestic country Here , in Shanghai , we see the growth that has caught the attention of the world—the soaring skyscrapers , the bustling streets and entrepreneurial activity . And just as I’m impressed by these signs of China’s journey to the 21st century , I’m eager to see those ancient places that speak to us from China’s distant past . Tomorrow and the next day I hope to have a chance when I’m in Beijing to see the majesty of the Forbidden City and the wonder of the Great Wall .
Truly , this is a nation that encompasses both a rich history and a belief in the promise of the future.
The same can be said of the relationship between our two countries . Shanghai , of course , is a city that has great meaning in the history of the relationship between the United States and China .
It was here , 37 years ago , that the Shanghai Communique opened the door to a new chapter of engagement between our governments and among our people . However , America’s ties to this city and to this country—stretch back further , to the earliest days of America’s independence.
2015年