一、乒乓外交
“乒乓外交”是指20世纪70时代初期中华人民共和国与美利坚合众国两国乒乓球队互访的一系列事件。它开启了中美关系缓和的步伐，被形象地比喻为“小球推动大球”。
1971年3-4月，在日本名古屋举行了第31届世界乒乓球锦标赛，为当时尚未建交的中美两国接触提供了便利条件。两国乒乓球队在比赛期间进行了友好的互动。毛泽东主席敏锐地意识到这是中美接触的一个契机，便决定邀请美国乒乓球队访华。尼克松政府很快决定接受邀请。1971年4月10日至17日，美国乒乓球协会代表团访华，受到了周恩来总理的亲切接见。1972年4月11日，中国乒乓球队回访了美国。
“乒乓外交”结束了中美两国20多年来人员交往隔绝的局面，中美和解随即取得历史性突破，推动了中美两国关系正常化的进程，加速了新中国走向世界的步伐。
Ping-Pong Diplomacy
“Ping-pong diplomacy” refers to a series of events involving the exchange of table tennis (ping-pong) teams between thePeople's Republic of China and the United States in the early 1970s. Thesevisits initiated a thaw in Sino-US relations, and are figuratively referred toas a process whereby “a tiny ball set the whole globe in motion.”
The 31st World Table Tennis Championships, heldin Nagoya of Japan, in March and April 1971, provided a convenient venuefor direct contact between China and the United States at a time when the twocountries had no diplomatic ties. There was amicable interaction between thetable tennis teams from China and the United States during the championships.Keenly sensing an opportunity for reengagement between China and the U.S.,Chairman Mao Zedong extended an invitation to the U.S. table tennis team tovisit China which was readily accepted by the Nixon Administration. Adelegation of the USA Table Tennis (USATT) visited China from April 10 to 17,1971, and culminated in a cordial meeting with Premier Zhou Enlai. It wasreciprocated by the Chinese table tennis team’s visit to the U.S. on April 11,1972.
Credited with ending a freeze of more than 20 years onpersonal exchanges between the two countries, “ping-pong diplomacy” heralded ahistoric breakthrough in Sino-US relations, and helped propel the normalizationof Sino-US relations and accelerate New China’s return to the internationalstage.
二、基辛格秘密访华
基辛格秘密访华是指1971年7月9－11日，时任美国总统国家安全事务助理的亨利·基辛格为实现尼克松总统访华和中美关系正常化而对中国进行的秘密访问。
中华人民共和国成立以后，中美两国关系曾长期处于对峙状态。1969年尼克松就任美国总统后，基于美国国内状况和世界政治力量对比的变化，主张同中国改善关系。
1970年10月，尼克松请即将访华的巴基斯坦总统叶海亚·汗转告中国政府，美国准备改善两国的关系。通过巴基斯坦政府的居间斡旋，中美就基辛格访华达成一致。1971年7月8日，基辛格在访问巴基斯坦期间，秘密飞抵北京。
7月9日至11日，周恩来总理同基辛格进行了会谈。基辛格承诺美国将逐步减少驻台的军事力量；不支持“两个中国”或“一中一台”，承认台湾是中国的一部分，不支持台湾独立；美国将在联合国支持恢复中国的席位，保证通过谈判解决越南战争。随后，双方发表了会谈公告，宣布尼克松应邀将于1972年5月之前访问中国。
基辛格访华是打开中美两国关系大门的一次成功的访问。
Henry Kissinger’s Secret Trip to China
Henry Kissinger, National Security Advisor to the USPresident, made a secret trip to China from July 9 to 11, 1971. The visitprepared the ground for President Richard Nixon’s visit to China and thenormalization of Sino-US relations.
China and the United States had been locked in a prolongedconfrontation since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Afterassuming office in 1969， U.S. President Nixon opted for improvedties with China, in response to domestic considerations as well as changeddynamics in the global political arena.
In October 1970, President Nixon asked President Agha Khanof Pakistan, who was about to visit China, to convey to the Chinese governmenthis message that the United States was ready to improve relations with China.Through the intermediary of the Pakistani government, China and the UnitedStates reached agreement on Kissinger’s visit to China. On July 8, 1971,Kissinger made a secret trip to Beijing during his visit to Pakistan.
Premier Zhou Enlai met with Kissinger from July 9 to 11.During the talks Kissinger committed to a US gradual reduction of its militarypresence in Taiwan, and not supporting a“two Chinas” solution or a “one China, one Taiwan” solution, or Taiwanindependence, in favor of recognition that Taiwan is part of China. He alsoexpressed the willingness of the United States to support the restoration ofChina’s seat in the United Nations, and committed to a negotiated settlement ofthe Vietnam War. The talks concluded with a communiqué announcing PresidentNixon’s visit to China on some date before May 1972, at the invitation of theChinese government.
Kissinger’s trip to China was a success that helped openthe door for more normal relations between the two countries.
三、邓小平访美
根据中美建交谈判中达成的协议，为了进一步巩固中美关系正常化的成果，增进两国人民和政府间的互相信任和了解，1979年1月28日，应美国总统卡特的邀请，邓小平对美国开启了为期9天的访问。这是中华人民共和国成立以来中国政府高级领导人的首次访美。访问期间，邓小平参加了80多场活动，被形象地称为“旋风九日”。
在此期间，邓小平同卡特等美国领导人就发展中美双边关系等问题举行了5次会谈。中美双方签署了科技合作协定和文化协定，达成了在教育、商业、空间方面进行合作的协议、以及建立领事关系和互设总领馆的协议。
邓小平访美是中美关系打破坚冰后的一次新突破，对发展中美友好关系以及对国际关系格局的变化都产生了巨大的影响，有利于维护世界的和平与发展。
Deng Xiaoping’s Visit to the United States
On the basis of an agreement reached during Sino-USnegotiations on establishing diplomatic ties, Deng Xiaoping’s nine-day visit tothe United States began on January 28, 1979 at the invitation of U.S. PresidentJimmy Carter, with a view to enhancing mutual trust and understanding between thetwo peoples and governments. This was the first time that a senior Chineseleader had visited the United States since the founding of the People’sRepublic of China. During what was dubbed a whirlwind nine-day visit, Dengattended more than 80 functions.
Deng met five times with President Carter and other U.S.officials on issues such as the development of Sino-US bilateral relations. Bothsides signed agreements on cooperation in science and technology, education,commerce, space, and cultural exchanges, and on the establishment of consularrelations and the opening of consulates-general in each other's countries.
Deng’s visit to the United States marked a new breakthroughfollowing the thaw in Sino-US relations. It provided a tremendous boost to thefriendly ties between the two countries and to the shift of global powerdynamics in favor of world peace and development.
四、里根访华
1984年4月26日至５月１日，美国总统罗纳德•里根对中国进行国事访问，与邓小平、李先念等中国领导人举行了会晤。里根是中美建交后访华的首位在任美国总统。
访华期间，里根重申美国将履行在三个联合公报中所承担的义务，执行一个中国的政策。中美签订了避免双重征税和防止偷漏税等四项协定和议定书，并草签了中美和平利用核能合作协定。
1984年里根访华是中美关系好转的重要标志。此后至1988年的几年时间里，中美关系获得相对稳定发展，成为两国关系较好的时期。
Reagan’s Visit to China
U.S. President Ronald Reagan paid a state visit to Chinafrom April 26 to May 1, 1984, and met with Chinese leaders including DengXiaoping and Li Xiannian. This was the first visit to China by a sitting U.S. presidentsince the establishment of Sino-US diplomatic relations.
During his visit Reagan reiterated the U.S. commitment toabiding by the three joint communiqués and to implementing the “one China”policy. Four agreements and protocols were signed, including one on theavoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respectto taxes on income. Also initialed was the agreement on cooperation in peacefuluse of nuclear energy.
Reagan’s 1984 visit to China was an important eventheralding a warming in Sino-US relations, which continued to witness relativelysteady and satisfactory development until 1989.
五、中美三个联合公报
中美三个联合公报，即《中美联合公报》（上海公报）、《中美建交联合公报》和《八一七公报》，是中美关系发展的重要基础。
1972年2月，美国总统尼克松应周恩来总理的邀请访华，中美交往的大门重新打开，中美双方于28日在上海发表了《中美联合公报》，标志着中美关系开始走向正常化。1978年12月16日，中美两国发表了《中美建交联合公报》，决定自1979年1月1日起互相承认并建立外交关系。1982年8月17日，中美两国政府就分步骤直到最后彻底解决美国向台湾出售武器问题发表了联合公报，即《八一七公报》。美国方面作出三点承诺：美向台出售的武器在性能与数量上不超过美中建交后近几年供应的水平；美国准备逐步减少对台的武器出售；经过一段时间使这个问题得到最终解决。美国在三个联合公报中均强调坚持一个中国原则，这是中美关系健康发展的政治基础。
Three Sino-US Joint Communiqués
The three Sino-US joint communiqués, namely the 1972communiqué (the Shanghai communiqué), the 1979 communiqué on the establishmentof diplomatic relations, and the 1982 communiqué, provided a crucial basis forthe development of Sino-US relations.
U.S. President Nixon’s visit to China in February 1972 atthe invitation of Premier Zhou Enlai opened the door for Sino-US reengagement,which culminated in the signing on February 28 in Shanghai of the Sino-US JointCommuniqué, ushering in the process of normalizing Sino-US relations. OnDecember 16, 1978, China and the United States issued the Joint Communiqué onthe Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, announcing both countries’ decisionto recognize each other and to establish diplomatic relations as of January 1,1979. Subsequently, on August 17, 1982, a third communiqué was issued focusingon a step-by-step approach with the ultimate aim of resolving the issue of U.S.arms sales to Taiwan. The United States declared that its arms sales to Taiwan wouldnot exceed, either in qualitative or in quantitative terms, the level of thosesupplied in the years since the establishment of diplomatic relations betweenthe United States and China, and that it intended to reduce gradually its sales of arms to Taiwan, leading over a period of time to a final resolution. In allthree communiqués the United States emphasized its acceptance of the “oneChina” principle, which provided a political basis for the healthy developmentof Sino-US ties.
六、银河号事件
1993年7月23日，美国以获得情报为由，指控中国“银河号”货轮向伊朗运输制造化学武器的原料，并威胁要对中国进行制裁。“银河号”在印度洋的国际公海海域上被美军军舰截停并扣留长达三周之久，史称“银河号事件”。
事件发生后，中国政府在第一时间内对美国蛮横无理的行为提出了严正交涉。为消除国际社会的疑虑，中国政府以极大的耐心同意美国政府登船检查的要求，9月4日，“银河号”货轮被检查完毕，但并没有发现任何化学武器，“银河号”被迫中止正常航运长达33天。
“银河号事件”是美国霸权主义和强权政治的表现，它给中国政治和经济上造成了重大损失，中方要求美方公开道歉，并赔偿中方蒙受的一切经济损失。美国政府坚持拒绝道歉，给中美关系产生了严重的负面影响。
The Yinhe Incident
The Yinhe incident occurred on July 23, 1993, when the United States alleged that the Yinhe, a Chinese cargo freighter, wascarrying materials for chemical weapons to Iran. It cited what it claimed to beintelligence reports it had received, and threatened to impose sanctions onChina. The Yinhe was intercepted anddetained by the U.S. Navy in the international waters of the Indian Ocean forthree weeks.
The Chinese government immediately raised serious concerns with the United State over its brazen and brutal act. In order to dispel any possible misgivings on the part of some members of the international community, however, the Chinese government ultimately exercised self-restraint in agreeing to a request by the U.S.government for an inspection of the vessel. Completed on September 4, the inspection did not find any materials for chemical weapons on board the ship,which had been forced to suspend its scheduled voyage for 33 days.
The Yinhe incident was a display of American hegemonism and power politics. It causedsignificant political and economic damage to China. In response, the Chinesegovernment demanded a public apology and compensation for all economic lossesincurred. The U.S. government however refused to apologize, resulting inserious strain to Sino-US relations.
七、“五·八事件”
“五·八事件”是指1999年5月8日科索沃战争期间发生的中华人民共和国驻南斯拉夫联盟共和国大使馆被北约军机轰炸的事件。此次轰炸造成三名中国记者牺牲，数十人受伤，大使馆建筑严重损毁。该事件造成原定的中美两国元首互访中断，中美两国关系骤然恶化。
对于蓄意轰炸中国驻南联盟使馆的粗暴行为，北约辩称是“误炸”。事件发生后中国向以美国为首的北约提出了最强烈的抗议，要求必须严惩凶手并赔礼道歉，并声明保留采取进一步措施的权力。国际社会也纷纷对以美国为首的北约严重违反国际法的粗暴行为以予强烈谴责。
经过中国政府的不懈交涉，美国政府就此公开道歉，赔偿中方伤亡人员赔偿金450万美元、使馆财产损失赔偿金2800万美元。
The May 8th Incident
The May 8th incident refers to the bombing of the embassyof the People's Republic of China in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on May8, 1999 by NATO military jets during the Kosovo War. Three Chinese journalistswere killed, and scores of others injured. The embassy complex suffered seriousdamage. As a result, previously scheduled reciprocal visits by the heads ofstate between China and the United States were stalled, and bilateral relationsplunged to a new low.
The bombing of the Chinese embassy in the Federal Republicof Yugoslavia was a deliberate and brutal act, although NATO insisted that itwas an “accident.” After the attack, China lodged a protest in the strongestterms with the American-led NATO, and demanded punishment of the perpetratorsand an apology. China also stated that it reserved the right to take additional measures. The attack violated international law, and was strongly condemned bythe international community.
Faced with unremitting pressure by the Chinese government,the U.S. government finally issued a public apology, and paid US$4.5 million tothose injured and to the families of those killed in the bombing, and another US $28million in compensation for damage to the Chinese embassy property.
八、中美南海撞机事件
2001年4月1日，美国EP-3侦察机在中国海南岛附近海域上空进行侦查，中国海军航空兵派出2架战斗机进行监视和拦截，其中一架僚机在中国专属经济区上空被美军机撞毁，致使中国飞行员王伟牺牲，后美方飞机未经允许，迫降海南岛陵水机场。
对于美国侦察机在中方专属经济区非法侦查并与中方战斗机相撞，又在没有通知和许可的情况下降落于中国领土的无理行径，中国向美方提出了严正交涉和抗议。美国政府最初拒绝就此事道歉，并提出EP-3侦察机自行飞离中国的无理要求。
在中国政府的坚持下，时任美国驻华大使普理赫代表美国政府向时任中国外交部部长唐家璇递交了“关于美国军用侦察机撞毁中国军用飞机的致歉信”，之后美国侦察机24名机组人员获准离境，肇事侦察机经拆解后由第三方运输机运离中国。
China-US Aircraft Collision Incident
A mid-air collision occurred on April 1, 2001, when a U.S.EP-3 plane carrying out illegal reconnaissance activities within China’sexclusive economic zone near Hainan Island bumped into one of two Chinese Navy fighter jets on a monitoring and interception operation. The collision causedthe death of Wang Wei, the pilot of the jet that crashed. The U.S. planesubsequently made an emergency landing without permission at Lingshui Airporton Hainan Island.
In response to the reckless conduct of the U.S.surveillance aircraft and its illegal landing on Chinese territory without permission, China expressed its serious concern, and lodged a stern protestwith the United States. At first the U.S. government not only refused toapologize, but also made an unreasonable demand that the EP-3 be allowed to flyout of China.
At the insistence of the Chinese government, U.S.Ambassador Joseph Prueher delivered to the Chinese Foreign Minister TangJiaxuan a letter of regret on behalf of the U.S. government, expressing sorrow over the collision. The 24 crew members of the U.S. aircraft were subsequently permitted to leave China, and the stranded plane was shipped out of China inpieces by a third party transport plane.
九、台湾海峡导弹危机
“台湾海峡导弹危机”是指1995年至1996年间，中国政府为震慑“台独”势力、反击美国的外交挑衅而进行的系列军事演习行动。
1995年6月7日至11日，“台独”分子李登辉访美，美国政府打破了将近17年不准台湾最高层领导人访美的“禁令”，严重损害了中美关系的政治基础。同时还为台湾当局推行“两个中国”、“一中一台”政策打气撑腰，助长了台湾当局和国际反华势力的嚣张气焰。为维护地区和平、震慑台独分子、反击美国的外交挑衅，1995年7月和1996年3月，中国进行了两次大规模导弹实弹发射演习，台海局势骤然紧张，因此被称为“台湾海峡导弹危机”。
“台湾海峡导弹危机”有力地震慑了“台独”势力，充分表明了中国政府维护国家统一的坚定意志和决心，也使得克林顿政府清楚地认识到台湾问题的敏感性以及中美关系的重要性。
TheTaiwan Strait Missile Crisis
The Taiwan Strait missile crisis was triggered by a seriesof military exercises conducted by the Chinese government in 1995 and 1996 to detera visible display of separatist ambitions on Taiwan and to counter U.S.diplomatic provocation.
Lee Teng-hui, a proponent of Taiwan independence, visitedthe United States from June 7 to 11, 1995, after the U.S. government revoked a17-year ban on visits by high-level Taiwanese officials to the United States ina policy reversal that seriously undermined the political basis for Sino-USrelations. The U.S. government also gave its backing to the Taiwaneseauthorities in promoting the “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” policy, encouragingthe Taiwanese authorities and international anti-China forces to launch furtherand more egregious initiatives. In order to maintain regional peace, deterfurther moves by Taiwanese separatists, and respond to U.S. diplomaticprovocation, China conducted two large-scale live-firing missile exercises inJuly 1995 and March 1996. The rapid escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Straitthat followed was called the “Taiwan Strait missile crisis.”
A potent deterrent against attempts to spit the nation, the“Taiwan Strait missile crisis” demonstrated the firm resolve of the Chinesegovernment to preserve national unity, and sent an unequivocal message to theClinton administration that it should be clear about the sensitive nature ofthe Taiwan question and the importance of Sino-US relations.
十、“与台湾关系法”
“与台湾关系法”是美国为干预台湾问题而制定的一部美国国内法。
1979年，美国在与台湾当局“断交”而与中华人民共和国政府建交后，企图继续插手台湾问题，干预中国的统一进程，为此美国国会于1979年4月10日制定了“与台湾关系法”，以此取代遭废除的“中美共同防御条约”（美国与台湾当局1954年签订）。美国政府依据“此法”不断向台湾出售武器，粗暴干涉中国内政。根据“该法”，美国得以在台湾设立具备使领馆功能的“美国在台协会”。 “与台湾关系法”是美国单方面制定的，是与中美三个联合公报精神背道而驰的，中国政府对此明确、坚决地反对。
The Taiwan Relations Act
The Taiwan Relations Act is a domestic law of theUnited States designed to enable U.S. interference in the Taiwan question.
After breaking off relations with the Taiwanese authoritiesand establishing diplomatic ties with the government of the People’s Republicof China in 1979, the United States continued to meddle in the Taiwan questionand interfere with China’s unification process. To this end, the U.S. Congress hadenacted the Taiwan Relations Act on April 10, 1979 to replace the defunctSino-American Mutual Defense Treaty, signed in 1954 between the United Statesand the Taiwanese authorities. This act authorized the U.S. government tocontinue its arms sales to Taiwan, a move that amounts to gross interference inChina’s internal affairs. It also authorized the establishment of an “AmericanInstitute in Taiwan” with diplomatic and consular functions.
The Chinese government is unequivocally and resolutelyopposed to the Taiwan Relations Act, which is unilateral in nature, and runscounter to the spirit of the three Sino-US joint communiqués.
十一、中美战略与经济对话
中美战略与经济对话是中美双方就事关两国关系发展的战略性、长期性、全局性问题而进行的战略对话，是由中美战略对话与中美战略经济对话两大机制升级而来的。
随着中美关系不断发展和国际形势的变化，双方认识到须要进行不断提升对话层次、丰富对话内容。2009年4月1日，中国国家主席胡锦涛与美国总统奥巴马在伦敦参加二十国集团金融峰会期间举行会晤，双方就建立中美战略与经济对话机制达成一致，将之前的中美战略对话和中美战略经济对话合二为一，升级为由双方元首特使领衔的中美战略与经济对话机制。
中美战略与经济对话机制的议题不仅涉及双边，也包括国际金融体系改革、全球经济平衡增长、气候变化、地区安全等多边议题。它为促进中美关系发展和两国高层战略互动发挥了重要作用，有利于中美新型大国关系的构建。
Sino-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue（S&ED）
The Sino-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue is a forum forChina and the United States to discuss a wide range of strategic, long-term,and global issues that bear on the relations between the two countries. It isan upgrade from two previous mechanisms, namely the China-US Senior Dialogue (also known as the China-US Strategic Dialogue) andthe China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue.
With deepening Sino-US relations and a shiftinginternational political landscape, both China and the United States becameaware of the need for a higher-level and more substantive mechanism for dialogue.On April 1, 2009 at the G-20 London summit, President Hu Jintao of China andPresident Barack Obama of the United States reached agreement on the creationof a new mechanism for Sino-US strategic and economic dialogue. Combining theformer China-US Senior Dialogue and Strategic and Economic Dialogue, theupgraded forum comprises a “Strategic Track” and an “Economic Track” co-chairedby special representatives of the heads of state of both countries.
The dialogue covers not only bilateral issues, but alsomultilateral topics such as financial sector reform, balanced growth of theworld economy, climate change, and regional security. It plays an importantrole in strengthening Sino-US ties, facilitating high-level strategicinteraction between the two countries, and contributing to the building of anew model of major-power relationship.
十二、瀛台会晤
2014年11月11日晚，中国国家主席习近平同美国总统奥巴马在北京中南海瀛台就中美关系及共同关心的重大国际和地区问题，进行了坦诚、轻松的非正式会晤。
两国元首以瀛台漫步的轻松形式展开了长时间的会晤。习近平借古喻今，向奥巴马讲述了古老瀛台的历史由来。他说，当代中国人的思维、中国政府的治国方略，浸透着中国传统文化的基因。中美国情各异，历史文化、发展道路、发展阶段不同，应该相互理解，相互尊重，聚同化异，和而不同。奥巴马总统对此回应道，会谈加深了他对中国的国情以及中国政府和领导人执政理念的了解，更加理解中国人民为何珍惜国家统一和稳定，美国无意遏制或围堵中国，愿意同中方坦诚沟通对话，增进相互了解，欢迎中国在国际事务中发挥建设性作用，愿同中方携手应对各种全球性挑战，共同促进亚太和世界和平与安全。
瀛台会晤是继中美两国元首在美国加州安纳伯格庄园举行“不打领带”的非正式会晤后，中美首脑外交的又一创新安排，有利于双方在战略层面理解彼此意图，增进战略互信，进一步显示了中美两国构建中美新型大国关系的必要性。
The Xi-Obama Meeting at Yingtai
Chinese President Xi Jinping had a candid, relaxed, andinformal meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama on the evening of November 11,2014 at Yingtai, an island with ancient palace buildings within the Zhongnanhaicompound. They discussed issues concerning Sino-US relations and other major global and regional issues of mutual concern.
The two heads of state had a long, relaxed conversationwhile strolling at Yingtai. Xi briefed Obama on the history of Yingtai whichcould be seen as a mirror to reflect today’s reality. The DNA of traditionalChinese culture is, in Xi’s words, embedded in contemporary Chinese thinkingand in the governance strategies of the Chinese government. Diverging national contexts of the two countries with regard to history, culture, development paths,and stages of development, he noted, underscore the importance of mutualunderstanding, mutual respect, and tolerance for differences in the search forcommon ground and lasting peace. In response Obama acknowledged that the talk hadenabled him to gain a better insight into China’s realities and the governancephilosophy of the Chinese government and its leaders, and a betterunderstanding of the aspirations of the Chinese people for national unity andstability. Rejecting the notion that the United States seeks to constrain China’sdevelopment, he reiterated his willingness to have a candid dialogue with Chinaso as to foster mutual understanding, and welcomed China as a constructiveplayer in international affairs in the shared endeavor to address globalchallenges and promote peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
The talk at Yingtai, a continuation of the open-neckedinformal summit at the Sunnyland estate in California, represented anotherinnovative diplomatic engagement at the most senior level between China and theUnited States. The event helped both sides foster mutual trust and better gaugeeach other’s intentions at a strategic level, and further demonstrated theimperative for both governments to work towards a new model of major-powerrelationship.
来源：中国译协官方微博
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