江泽民在以色列总统举行的欢迎宴会上的讲话
Jiang's speech at welcoming dinner
MANKIND has created hitherto unknown material and spiritual wealth in the 20th century, but has also been subjected to the scourge of wars and the threat of war. In the Middle East, ethnic conflicts, territorial disputes and endless flames of war have over the years taken countless lives and displaced numerous people. That has severely dampened the economic and social development of the region and affected world peace and stability. At the time when the Old Testament was written over 2 000 years ago on this fertile land, our forefathers in China advanced the doctrine that “ harmony is the best option” . Many stories of “ burying hatchet” have been handed down in the Chinese history. Having gone through the long years, people have come to understand more than ever before how important this doctrine is and how precious peace can be.
在二十世纪里，人类创造了前所未有的巨大物质和精神财富，同时也惨遭战争劫难和战争威胁之苦。中东地区，多年的民族冲突、领土纠纷和战火不断，使地区各国无数生灵涂炭，多少家庭流离失所，严重影响了地区经济和社会的发展，也影响着世界的和平与稳定。当两千多年前《圣经·旧约》在这片沃土上形成之时，中国的先人就提出了“和为贵”的思想，并曾出现过许多“化干戈为玉帛”的历史佳话。经过漫长的岁月，人们更能感受到这一思想的重要，深知和平之弥足珍贵。
At present, the Middle East is at a historic turning point. Peace, stability and development have become a strong and common aspiration of all the peoples in the region. Due to reasons of history and the realities, there is no easy solution to the Middle East question which involves complicated contradictions. Nevertheless, to settle the question at an early date is the unshirkable historical responsibility of the people of all countries in the region as well as all the peace-loving and progressive people in the world. The settlement lies in peaceful negotiations rather than force, in co-operation rather than confrontation, and in mutual understanding rather than mutual exclusion. This has increasingly become a consensus drawn from past experience and lessons. Now thanks to the joint efforts of all the parties concerned, much progress has been made in the Middle East peace process. The relevant UN resolutions and the “ land-for-peace” principle have become the basis for negotiations among the parties. It is gratifying and encouraging to note that leaders of the Middle East countries, with the vision and courage of statesmen, in a historical perspective and bearing in mind the greater interests of peace and development, are working hard for an early settlement of the Middle East question.
现在，中东正在发生历史性的转折。要和平、求稳定、谋发展，已成为该地区各国人民强烈的共同愿望。由于历史和现实的原因，中东问题缠绕着各种复杂矛盾，解决起来难度不小。但尽早解决中东问题，是地区各国人民以及世界上一切爱好和平与进步的人民责无旁贷的历史责任。解决中东问题，需要和谈而不是武力，需要合作而不是对抗，需要相互理解而不是相互排斥。这是大家从以往的经验教训中得到的越来越一致的共识。现在，由于各方的共同努力，中东和平进程已经取得不少进展，联合国的有关决议和“土地换和平”的原则已成为各方谈判的基础。中东各国领导人正以政治家的远见和胆识，站在历史的高度，着眼和平与发展的大局，推动中东问题早日得到解决，这是令人高兴和鼓舞的。
China consistently pursues an independent foreign policy of peace. The Chinese people have always cherished deep sympathy and friendly sentiments towards the people of all the Middle East countries. The Chinese Government has made unremitting efforts to help advance peace in the Middle East and facilitate amicable coexistence of all the peoples in the region. It is my sincere hope that confrontation will come to an end, disputes be settled and hostilities be removed in the Middle East and that concerted efforts will be made so that all the countries in this region will be able to concentrate on economic and cultural undertakings and all the peoples there will enjoy a peaceful and better life.
中国坚持奉行独立自主的和平外交政策。中国人民对中东地区各国人民始终怀有深切的同情和友好的感情。中国政府为推进中东地区的和平事业，促进这一地区各民族和睦相处，做出了不懈的努力。在此，我衷心希望在中东地区能够早日结束对抗，了结争端，消除敌意，携手合作，让地区各国都能集中精力发展经济文化事业，各国人民都能享受和平生活的美好。
Today, peace and development represent the trend of the times. With the accelerated political multi-polarization and economic globalization and the dynamic advances in science and technology, humanity is faced with not only rare opportunities for development but also grave challenges. All in all, opportunities outnumber challenges and hope outweighs difficulties. As long as the people of all countries work together, they will keep advancing the lofty cause of world peace and development. However, we must not fail to see that the world is still far from being tranquil. For this reason, the maintenance of lasting world peace requires greater efforts and that there is still a long way to go before the objective of common development for all countries is attained.
和平与发展是当今时代的潮流。在世界政治多极化和经济全球化趋势加快发展，科技进步日新月异的形势下，人类面临着难得的发展机遇，也面临着严峻挑战。总的看来，机遇大于挑战，希望多于困难。只要各国人民共同努力，就一定能不断推进世界和平与发展的崇高事业。但是也必须看到，天下仍很不太平。所以，维护世界持久和平还需付出更大努力，实现各国共同发展仍将任重道远。