副总统彭斯在弗雷德里克·马勒克纪念讲座（Frederic V. Malek Memorial Lecture）发表讲话 
白宫
副总统办公室
华盛顿哥伦比亚特区（Washington, D.C.）
2019年10月24日
副总统彭斯在弗雷德里克·马勒克纪念讲座（Frederic V. Malek Memorial Lecture）发表讲话
康莱德酒店（Conrad Hotel）
美国东部夏令时间上午11:51
副总统：感谢诸位的热情欢迎。贵中心新任主席科特沃克（Scott Walker）州长、前国会众议员简·哈曼（Jane Harman）、这个历史性机构的所有董事会成员及所有杰出的学者们：威尔逊中心（Wilson Center）以一位弘扬美国领导作用和在世界舞台上捍卫自由的总统命名，来到这里令人荣幸之至。
本着同样的精神，在我今天上午的讲话开始之际，请允许我带来另一位在国内和世界各地捍卫自由的总统表示的问候。我在此转达美利坚合众国（United States of America）第45任总统唐纳德·特朗普（Donald Trump）总统的问候。（掌声）
这个星期局势严峻，我恰好在这个阶段的后期与诸位会见。在土耳其军队入侵叙利亚后，由于美国总统采取了强大的经济和外交行动，同时与我们的土耳其和库尔德（Kurdish）盟友合作，叙利亚国防部队能够从边界地区安全撤出。目前该地区由土耳其军队控制。
昨天，土耳其国防部长对永久性停火和停止一切攻击性军事行动表示确认。（掌声）
我国军队正在撤回国内。我很高兴报告诸位，通过这次停火，土耳其和我们的库尔德盟友创造了一个机会，有助于国际社会建立一个安全区，我们相信因此可为这个战乱地区所有的人民恢复和平与安全。这是一大进展，事实的确如此。
为此，再次感谢诸位今天给我出席这次活动的荣幸，能够为首次弗雷德里克·马勒克纪念讲座发表讲话特别让我感到无尚荣耀。
众所周知，弗雷德（Fred）可以告诉诸位，他作为值得骄傲的西点军校（West Point）之子，毕生遵循“责任、荣誉和国家”的训诫。据我所知，他为他人提供的忠告经常引用母校的学员祷文（Cadet Prayer），并用这样的话激励他们，“不避艰险敢走正确之路；不图轻松步入人生歧途。”
弗雷德认识到，任何人，更不用说国家，都不能采取背判自身价值观的方式捍卫自己的利益。为了纪念弗雷德，我今天准备在这里谈谈与21世纪的命运有重大关系的话题：美国与中国的关系。
自本届政府执政之初以来，特朗普总统始终坚持以诚意、公平和相互尊重的基本精神与中国发展关系，用他的话来说，要求 “世界更公平、更安全、更和平”。
一年前的这个月，我曾谈到北京采取的很多政策对美国的利益和价值造成了很大的伤害，例如中国的债务外交和军事扩张；对信众的镇压；建立监控型国家；当然还有中国采取各种不符合自由和公平贸易原则的政策手段，包括关税、限额、货币操纵、强制性技术转移和行业补贴等。
过去的历届政府人事更迭，都对这些侵害性行为心知肚明。但没有人愿意打破华盛顿的既定利益，不仅对这些侵害性行为听之任之，而且经常可以从中得利。这个政治建制不仅对中国的经济侵略和侵犯人权的行为保持缄默，而且往往为之推波助澜。年复一年，美国腹地的工厂接二连三地关闭，一座座摩天大楼在北京拔地而起；美国工人越来越灰心丧气，中国则越来愈胆大妄为。
在短短20年不到的时间内，用特朗普总统的话来说，我们看到“全世界有史以来最大规模的财富转移”。过去17年来，中国的国内生产总值（GDP）增长了9倍多，成为世界第二大经济体，增长的大部分由美国在中国投资驱动。
北京的行为造成去年美国对华贸易逆差达4,000亿美元，几占我国全球贸易逆差的一半。特朗普总统多次指出，我们在过去25年重建了中国。此话可谓一针见血。但是这种日子已一去不复返。
唐纳德·特朗普总统在3年不到的时间内就永远改写了这一切，必将成为历史的见证。美国及其领导人不再寄希望于仅通过经济联系改变共产主义的中国专制国家，使之成为尊重私人财产、法治和国际贸易规则的自由和开放的社会。
为此，总统的2017年国家安全战略（National Security Strategy）明确指出，美国现已承认中国是一个战略和经济对手。我可以提供第一手材料证明，美国坚强的大多数人民，不论在城市还是农场，都拥护特朗普总统对美中关系的真知灼见。总统的立场还获得国会（Congress）两党的广泛支持。
一年来，特朗普总统在各方面的支持下采取大胆果断的行动改变过去失败的政策，强调需增强美国的实力，要求北京承担责任，同时使双方的关系走上更公平、稳定和建设性的道路，从而造福于我们两国和全世界。
在本届政府就职之时，中国就已经向全世界最大经济体的方向努力。当时专家预计，中国经济将在短短几年内超过美国。但是由于特朗普总统采取大胆的经济方针，这一切都发生了变化。
在本届政府执政之初，总统就签署了美国有史以来最大规模的减税和税务改革法案。我们比照世界其他地区的公司税率，降低了美国公司的税率。我们以创纪录的水平放宽了联邦监管措施。我们发挥了美国的能量。同时，特朗普总统坚定地支持自由和公平的贸易。
结果如何呢？美国创造了全世界有史以来最强盛的经济。（掌声）达到我国经济有史以来最强盛的时期。
今天的失业率达到50年来的最低点。今天美国参加工作的人数达到前所未有的水平。两年半以来家庭收入中位数增加了5,000美元。这一切甚至未计入总统对工作家庭的减税或能源改革获得的结余。
由于总统实施的有关政策，美国为国民经济增加了数万亿美元的财富，同时中国经济继续落在后面。
为了帮助美国工人创造对抗不道德贸易行为的公平环境，2018年特朗普总统对2,500亿美元的中国产品征收关税。今年早些时候，总统宣布，如果到今年12月双方的贸易关系中的重要问题未能得到解决，将对另外3,000亿美元的中国产品征收关税。
为了保护知识产权和我国公民的隐私及我国的国家安全，我们已采取强有力的步骤制止华为和中兴等中国公司的非法行为。我们已要求我们在世界各地的盟友建造安全的5G网络，不让北京控制我们最敏感的基础设施和数据。
在我国经济日益强盛之际，特朗普总统还签署了一个多世代以来最大幅度增加国防经费的法案：过去3年为我国国防的新投资拨款2.5万亿美元。我们已经使全世界有史以来最强大的军队愈益强盛。
为了向北京明确表示任何国家都没有权利声称海上共同疆域为领海，去年美国增加了我国自由航行作业的频率和范围，加强了我国在印度-太平洋（Indo-Pacific）地区的军事存在。
为了捍卫每年[各地]爱好自由的人民秉持的价值观，我们还敦促中国共产党停止压制中国人民的宗教自由。中国数百万少数民族和宗教少数派正在进行艰苦的斗争，努力抗击共产党试图消灭他们的宗教和文化特征的行动。
中国共产党逮捕基督教牧师，禁止出售圣经（Bibles），拆毁教堂并监禁了100多万维吾尔族穆斯林。
我们要求北京为其对待新疆少数民族穆斯林的方式承担责任。就在上个月，特朗普总统对一些中国共产党官员施加签证限制，并对20名中国公安局人员和8个中国公司实施制裁，因为他们参与对维吾尔族和中国其他穆斯林的迫害。（掌声）
与此同时，我们支持台湾捍卫来之不易的自由。在本届政府执政后，我们已授权更多的对台军售，并承认台湾是全世界最伟大的贸易经济体之一，也是中国文化与民主的灯塔。
随着数百万人上街和平示威，我们替香港人民大声疾呼。特朗普总统很早就明确表示，必须采取和平解决，尊重在1984年《中英联合声明》（Sino-British Joint Declaration）中所规定的香港人民的权利。
这些都是有历史意义的行动。此前没有任何总统在我们同中国的关系中如此大力地推进美国的利益。
面对美国的行动和决心，一些跨国公司说，我们的经济政策过于强硬，推进我们的利益和我们的价值观与改善与中国的关系背道而驰。
毋庸赘言，我们的观点非常不同。尽管当下存在着大国竞争，而且美国不断强大，但是我们希望中国更好。这就是为什么几十年来第一次，在唐纳德·特朗普总统的领导下，美国正在以对待任何世界大国领导人完全应有的方式对待中国领导人——给予尊重，对，但也始终如一并且坦率直言。
本着坦率直言的精神，我必须告诉各位，自从我发表哈德逊（Hudson）讲话一年来，北京仍然没有为改善我们的经济关系采取重大行动。在我们提出的许多其他问题上，北京的行为甚至变得更加张扬和影响稳定。
在贸易方面，今年5月，经过几个月的艰苦谈判在许多关键事务上达成共识后，中国在最后一刻后退——从一个150页的协议中后退，使双方回到原点。
特朗普总统仍然相信北京希望达成协议。我们欢迎在新的第一阶段协议中对美国农业的支持，并且希望这项协议能够尽快在本周在智利举行亚太经合组织峰会（APEC Summit）时签署。但是中国知道，还必须解决我们两国间存在的一系列结构性和重要的问题。
例如，中国继续协助和怂恿盗窃我们的知识产权，尽管中国领导人2015年在玫瑰园（Rose Garden）承诺停止和不再这样做。
7月，联邦调查局（FBI）局长告诉国会，该机构正在进行的1,000项知识产权盗窃调查中，大部分涉及中国。美国企业每年继续因知识产权被盗而损失成千上万亿美元。
这些数字背后不仅是公司企业，而是还有人、家庭和梦想，他们都受到权利被践踏，天才创造被窃取的威胁。自由创业有赖于公民能够为追求自己的雄心壮志而承担风险，并能够因自己付出的代价而得到回报。当他们的劳动成果被人窃取，当他们的汗水付诸东流时，我们自由创业的整个体系受到损害。
仅去年一年，出现了一个又一个涉及中国的知识产权盗窃案。3月，特斯拉（Tesla）起诉了一名前工程师，指控他在跳槽到一家中国的自动驾驶汽车公司前，窃取了30万个与特斯拉自身的美国开发的自动驾驶系统相关的文件。
去年12月，司法部（Justice Department）透露，破获了中国国家安全部内一个臭名昭著的骇客团伙进行了将近四年的操作。这些中国政府官员盗窃了美国海军10万人的姓名和资料，以及舰船保养信息，对我们国家安全有重大影响。
中国虽然承诺中国的芬太尼和其他合成阿片给予打击，但事实是，这些致命药品仍在继续大量流入我国国境，每月造成数以千计美国人死亡。
今天，中国共产党正在建设一个世界不曾见过的监控国家。千百万个监控头从各个角度盯视。少数民族人必须要经过一个个任意的检查岗，警察在这些地方要求提供血样，指纹，录声，拍摄多角度头像，甚至进行虹膜扫描。
中国现在正在把其专制政权使用的这些同样的技术工具出口到非洲、拉丁美洲和中东地区：就像它在新疆等地使用的工具；往往通过美国公司的帮助而采用的工具。
北京还打破了民用和军用技术领域之间的界限——中国的“军民融合”之说。根据法律和国家领导指示，在中国的公司——无论是私营，国营还是外国公司——都必须将其技术与中国军方分享。
中国军方在该地区的行动及其对待邻国的方式过去一年来越来越具挑衅性。
虽然中国领导人2015年站在玫瑰园说，中国对南中国海（South China Sea）——我引述原话——“没有任何军事化意图”，但是北京向它建造在人工岛上的军事基地列岛部署了先进反舰导弹和防空导弹。
北京加大了对他们所说的“海上民兵”船只的使用，经常威吓菲律宾和马来西亚海员和渔民。中国海警试图强力阻止越南在越南本国沿海开采石油和天然气。
在东中国海（East China Sea）， 2019年，我们的紧密盟友日本，需要越来越多地紧急出动空战机，应对中国比历史上任何一年都多的挑衅。中国海警连续60多天派舰船进入日本管辖的尖阁列岛（Senkaku Islands）附近水域。
中国还通过其“一带一路”计划，在全球港口立足，名义上是为商业目的，但最终可能是为军事目的。现在我们看到，代表中国所有权的旗帜今天飘扬在从斯里兰卡到巴基斯坦到希腊的港口。
今年早些时候，有报道说，北京签署了一项秘密协议，在柬埔寨建立海军基地。据报道，北京甚至将目光瞄向大西洋（Atlantic Ocean）的一些可被作为海军设施的地方。
虽然我们的政府将继续尊重一个中国的政策（One China Policy）——正如在三个联合公报和《台湾关系法》（Taiwan Relations Act）中所体现的，但中国在过去一年里，通过金援外交，又使两个国家从在外交上承认台北转为承认北京，使台湾民主受到更大压力。
国际社会永远不能忘记，它与台湾往来不威胁和平；这保护台湾和整个地区的和平。美国永远相信，台湾接受民主是一条对所有华人都更好的道路。（掌声）
但是，过去一年里没有任何情形能比香港的动荡更充分展示了中国共产党对自由权的反感。
香港150年来一直是中国和更广大世界之间的重要门户。香港是全球最自由的经济体之一，拥有强大的、独立的法律机制和活跃的自由媒体，有几十万外国人居住在这里。
香港是说明中国在实行自由时可以出现何种景象的生动实例。然而，过去几年来，北京加强了对香港的干涉，采取行动限制香港人的权利和自由——而这些是通过具有法律约束力的“一国两制”国际协定所保证的权利和自由。
但是特朗普总统很明确，正如他的话所说，“美国支持自由。”（掌声）我们尊重国家主权。但是美国期待北京遵守它的承诺，特朗普总统一再清楚表示，如果当局对香港示威者使用暴力，我们达成贸易协议就将更困难得多。（掌声）
自那时以来，我欣慰地看到，香港当局撤回了最初引发抗议的逃犯条例法案，北京也表现出某种克制。
在未来日子里，我可以向各位肯定，美国将继续敦促中国表现克制，遵守其承诺，尊重香港人民。对数百万近几个月来为维护自己的权利而举行和平示威的香港人：我们与你们站在一起。（掌声）你们让我们受到激励，我们敦促你们坚持走在非暴力示威的道路上。（掌声）但是请知道，有千百外美国人在为你们祈祷并敬仰你们。
随着中国在整个地区和世界各地施加影响，如同我去年所说，中国共产党也在继续以奖励和胁迫的方式，通过美国商企、电影制片公司，高校，智库，学者、新闻工作者，以及地方、州和联邦政府官员对美国的公共辩论施加影响。
今天，中国不仅在向美国出口成千上万亿美元的不公平贸易商品，而且近来还在试图出口新闻审查——这是其政权的著名标志。北京试图通过利用企业贪欲，影响美国公众舆论，胁迫美国工商界。
而且有太多的美国跨国公司屈从于中国的金钱和市场的诱惑，不仅钳制对中国共产党的批评，甚至还压制肯定美国价值观的表述。
耐克（Nike）宣称自己是所谓的“社会正义捍卫者”，但在香港问题上，却把社会良知抛在脑后。耐克在中国的门店甚至下架了休斯顿火箭队（Houston Rockets）的相关商品，同中国政府一起对火箭队总经理的7字推文表示抗议。这条推文是：“Fight for Freedom.  Stand with Hong Kong”（力争自由。力挺香港）。
NBA名气最大的一些球员和老板经常行使他们的自由来批评这个国家，却在事关中国民众的自由与权利的问题上纷纷噤声。NBA与中国共产党为伍并压制自由言论，其行为方式就像是那个专制政权全权所有的一个附属体。
一种对践踏人权的行径视而不见的进步主义企业文化并不是进步主义，而是压制主义。（掌声）
当美国公司、职业运动联盟、职业运动员甘愿接受审查时，这不仅仅是错误的，而且是违背美国特性的。美国公司应当在国内这里以及世界各地挺身捍卫美国的价值观。（掌声）
而且北京的经济和战略行为及其试图左右美国公众舆论的做法证实了我一年前说过的话，这在今天仍然同样准确：中国希望美国总统另有他人，而这正是特朗普总统的领导作用在发挥效力的最终证明。
美国的经济实力与日俱增，而中国的经济正在付出代价。总统的方略是正确的。他正在以前所未有的力度为美国人民而奋斗，为美国的就业机会和美国的劳动者而奋斗。而且我向你们承诺，本届政府绝不会退缩。（掌声）
尽管如此，总统也已明确表示，美国不寻求与中国对抗。我们寻求一个公平竞争的环境、开放的市场、公平的贸易以及对我们价值观的尊重。
我们不寻求遏制中国的发展。我们希望和中国的领导人有一种建设性的关系，就像我们和中国人民延续了几代人的关系一样。如果中国迈步向前并抓住这个独一无二的历史机遇以重新开始，终止那些占美国人民的便宜已为时太久的贸易行为，我知道唐纳德·特朗普总统已准备好并愿意开启一个新的未来——（掌声）——就像美国过去做过的那样。
当邓小平的“改革开放”政策鼓励与外部世界接触与交流时，美国张开双臂予以回应。我们欢迎中国的崛起。我们欢庆6亿人民让自己摆脱贫困的卓著成就。美国对中国的经济复兴的投资比其他任何国家都多。
美国人民希望中国人民生活得更好。但为了寻求实现这一目标，我们必须认清中国的现状，而不是凭我们的想象或者希望它某一天可能成为的样子。
人们有时会问特朗普政府是否寻求与中国“脱钩”。回答是一个响亮的“不”字。美国寻求与中国接触以及中国与更广大的世界的接触，但接触的方式要与公平、相互尊重以及国际商贸规则相符。
然而，到目前为止，中国共产党似乎继续抗拒一种真正的开放，或是与全球规范接轨。
北京今天的所作所为，从共产党的网络防火长城到南中国海的沙筑长城，从他们不信任香港的自治到镇压有宗教信仰的民众，都显示出正是中国共产党几十年来一直都在与更广大的世界“脱钩”。
我得知，习主席本人在升任共产党总书记后不久的一次曾一度保密的讲话中说，中国必须“认真做好两种社会制度长期合作和斗争的各方面准备”。他当时还对其他领导人说，不要低估西方的自我调节能力。这些话有其明智之处。
中国永远都不应当低估热爱自由的美国人民的自我调节能力，或是美国总统的决心。（掌声）中国应当知道，美国的价值观根深蒂固，我们对这些价值观的承诺始终与我们的开国先贤一样坚定，而且美国明亮的民主与自由之光绝不会有熄灭的那一天。（掌声）
美国是在抗击压迫和暴政中诞生的。我们的国家是那些具有非凡的勇气、顽强的决心、信念以及强烈的独立性和钢铁般意志的男男女女创建的，他们在这里定居、开拓。在过去的几个世纪里并没有什么改变。
美国人相信，人人生而平等，造物主赋予我们特定的不可剥夺的权利：生命、自由和追求幸福的权利。任何东西都不会改变这些信念。（掌声） 这是我们的本色。我们将永远保持这种本色。
而且我们将始终相信民主价值观——个人自由、宗教和良心自由以及法治——有利于美国和全球的利益，因为它们现在是而且将永远是实现人类的抱负并指导全世界各国和人民之间的关系的最佳政府模式。
尽管我们在美中关系中面临诸多挑战，但我可以向你们保证，在唐纳德·特朗普总统的领导下，美国不会允许这些挑战阻止与中国的务实合作。
我们将继续本着诚意与中国谈判，以实现我们的经济关系中早该实现的结构性改革。而且正如我今天早晨再次听到特朗普总统所说的，他对能够达成协议依然保持乐观。
我们将继续通过教育、旅行和文化交流来增进我们两国人民之间的纽带。
中国和美国还将继续本着接触的精神共同努力，确保北韩实现全面、最终以及可验证的去核化。
而且我们将寻求就军备控制以及实施美国在波斯湾（Persian Gulf）的制裁措施加大合作。
美国将继续寻求改善与中国的关系。我们在这样做的过程中，将会坦率直言，因为这是一种美国和中国都必须正确应对的关系。
美国将继续寻求从根本上重新构建我们与中国的关系。在唐纳德·特朗普总统的领导下，美国将坚定不移。美国人民和他们的两党民选官员都将保持坚定的决心。我们将捍卫我们的利益。我们将捍卫我们的价值观。而且我们将本着对所有人的慈善心怀和善良意愿来这样做。（掌声）
特朗普总统与习主席建立了牢固的个人关系。在这个基础上，我们将继续寻求有关途径来加强我们的关系，以造福于我们两国人民。
而且我们热诚地相信，美国和中国可以而且必须努力，共享一个和平与繁荣的未来。但只有坦诚的对话和有诚意的谈判才能使这种未来付诸实现。
因此，我今天结束讲话时要重申我一年前结束讲话时所说的话：美国正向中国伸出双手，我们希望北京能很快作出回应，这次是用行动而非言辞，并且重新尊重美国。
中国有句古话告诉我们:“ 人见目前，天见久远。”在前进的道路上，让我们秉持决心和信念追求一个和平与繁荣的未来。坚信特朗普总统的领导力以及他对我们的经济和我们的世界地位的远见，坚信他与中国的习主席所建立的关系，坚信美国人民和中国人民之间持久的友谊。坚信上苍能够看到未来——上帝赐福，美国和中国将共同迎接这一未来。
谢谢大家。上帝保佑各位。上帝保佑美利坚合众国。 （掌声）
讲话结束
美国东部夏令时间中午12:28

Remarks by Vice President Pence at the Frederic V. Malek Memorial Lecture
FOREIGN POLICY
October 24, 2019
Conrad Hotel
Washington, D.C.
11:51 A.M. EDT
THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you all for that warm welcome.  And to your new chairman, Governor Scott Walker; former Congresswoman Jane Harman; and to all the members of the board at this historic center; and to all the fine scholars: It is an honor to be here at the Wilson Center, named after a President that was a great champion for America leadership and for freedom on the world stage.
And in that same spirit, allow me to begin this morning by bringing greetings from another President who’s a champion for freedom here at home and across the wider world.  I bring greetings from the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump.  (Applause.)
I come before you today at the end of a momentous week.  In the wake of Turkish forces invading Syria, thanks to the strong economic and diplomatic action of the President of the United States, and thanks to the cooperation by our Turkish and Kurdish allies, Syrian Defense Forces were able to safely withdraw from the border area that’s currently under Turkish military control.
And yesterday, Turkey’s Ministry of Defense confirmed a permanent cease-fire and a halt of all offensive military operations.  (Applause.)
Our troops are coming home.  And I am pleased to report that through this ceasefire, Turkey and our Kurdish allies have now created an opportunity that the international community can create a safe zone that we believe will restore peace and security for all the peoples of this war-torn region.  It is progress, indeed.
So thank you again for the honor of being here today, and it’s a particular honor to deliver the inaugural Frederic V. Malek Memorial Lecture.
Anyone who knew Fred would tell you that he was a proud son of West Point and that he lived his life by the words “duty, honor, and country.”  When counseling others, I’m told, he often quoted his alma mater’s Cadet Prayer and urged them to, as he would say, “Choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.”
Fred understood that no one — least of all, nations — can defend their interests by forsaking their values.  So in honor of Fred’s memory, I come here today to discuss a subject on which much of the destiny of the 21st century will hinge: the United States relationship with China.
Since the earliest days of this administration, President Trump has been determined to build a relationship with China on a foundation of candor, fairness, and mutual respect, in order to achieve, in his words, “a more just, secure, and peaceful world.”
One year ago this month, I spoke about many of Beijing’s policies most harmful to America’s interests and values, from China’s debt diplomacy and military expansionism; its repression of people of faith; construction of a surveillance state; and, of course, to China’s arsenal of policies inconsistent with free and fair trade, including tariffs, quotas, currency manipulation, forced technology transfer, and industrial subsidies.
Past administrations have come and gone, and all were aware of these abuses.  None were willing to upset the established Washington interests who not only permitted these abuses, but often profited from them.  The political establishment was not only silent in the face of China’s economic aggression and human rights abuses, but they often enabled them.  As each year passed, as each factory closed in the heartland of America, as each new skyscraper went up in Beijing, American workers grew only more disheartened, and China grew only more emboldened.
In less than two short decades, we’ve seen, as President Trump has said, “the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of the world.”  Over the past 17 years, China’s GDP has grown more than nine-fold; it has become the second-largest economy in the world.  Much of this success was driven by American investment in China.
Beijing’s actions have contributed to the United States’ trade deficit with China that last year ran to more than $400 billion — nearly half of our global trade deficit.  As President Trump has said many times, we rebuilt China over the last 25 years.  No truer words were spoken, but those days are over.
As history will surely note, in less than three years, President Donald Trump has changed that narrative forever.  No longer will America and its leaders hope that economic engagement alone will transform Communist China’s authoritarian state into a free and open society that respects private property, the rule of law, and international rules of commerce.
Instead, as the President’s 2017 National Security Strategy articulated, the United States now recognizes China as a strategic and economic rival.  And I can attest firsthand, a strong majority of the American people, in the city and on the farm, are behind President Trump’s clear-eyed vision of the U.S.–China relationship.  And the President’s stand also enjoys broad bipartisan support in the Congress as well.
Over the past year with that support, President Trump has taken bold and decisive action to correct the failed policies of the past, to strengthen America, to hold Beijing accountable, and to set our relationship on a more fair, stable, and constructive course for the good of both of our nations and the world.
When our administration took office, China was on track to become the largest economy in the world.  Experts predicted that China’s economy would surpass the United States’ economy in just a few short years.  But thanks to bold economic agenda advanced by President Trump, all that has changed.
From early on in this administration, this President signed the largest tax cuts and tax reform in American history.  We lowered the American corporate tax rate to mirror other corporate rates around the world.  We rolled back federal regulation at record levels.  We unleashed American energy.  And President Trump has stood strong for free and fair trade.
The result?  America has the strongest economy in the history of the world.  (Applause.)  And the strongest economy in our own history.
Unemployment today is at a 50-year low.  There are more Americans working today than ever before.  Median household income in the last two and half years has risen by more than $5,000.  And that doesn’t even account for the savings from the President’s tax cuts or energy reforms for working families.
Because of the President’s policies, America has added trillions of dollars of wealth to our economy while China’s economy continues to fall behind.
To level the playing field for the American worker against unethical trade practices, President Trump levied tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese goods in 2018.  And earlier this year, the President announced we would place tariffs on another $300 billion of Chinese goods if significant issues in our trading relationship were not resolved by December of this year.
To protect intellectual property rights and the privacy of our citizens and our national security, we’ve taken strong steps to curtail illegal behavior of Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE.  And we’ve urged our allies around the world to build secure 5G networks that don’t give Beijing control of our most sensitive infrastructure and data as well.
And as we’ve grown stronger economically, President Trump has also signed the largest increases in our national defense in more than a generation: $2.5 trillion of new investment in our national defense just in the last three years.  We’ve made the strongest military in the history of the world stronger still.
And to make it clear to Beijing that no nation has a right to claim the maritime commons as territorial seas, the United States, in the last year, has increased the tempo and scope of our freedom of navigation operations and strengthened our military presence across the Indo-Pacific.
To uphold the values of freedom-loving people every year [everywhere], we’ve also called out the Chinese Communist Party for suppressing freedom of religion of the Chinese people.  Millions of ethnic and religious minorities in China are struggling against the Party’s efforts to eradicate their religious and cultural identities.
The Communist Party in China has arrested Christian pastors, banned the sale of Bibles, demolished churches, and imprisoned more than one million Muslim Uighurs.
We’ve held Beijing accountable for its treatment of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang when, just last month, President Trump imposed visas restrictions on Chinese Communist Party officials, as well as sanctions on 20 Chinese public security bureaus and 8 Chinese companies for their complicity in the persecution of Uighurs and other Chinese Muslims.  (Applause.)
And we’ve stood by Taiwan in defense of her hard-won freedoms.  Under this administration, we’ve authorized additional military sales and recognized Taiwan’s place as one of the world’s great trading economies and beacons of Chinese culture and democracy.
And as millions have taken to the streets in peaceful protest, we’ve spoken out on behalf of the people of Hong Kong.  And President Trump has made it clear from early on that there must be a peaceful resolution that respects the rights of the people of Hong Kong, as outlined in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.
These are all historic actions.  And no President before has so vigorously advanced America’s interests in our relationship with China.
In response to America’s actions and resolve, some multinational corporations say our economic policies are too tough and that advancing our interests and our values runs contrary to better relations with China.
Needless to say, we see it very differently.  Despite the great power competition that is underway, and America’s growing strength, we want better for China.  That’s why, for the first time in decades, under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the United States is treating China’s leaders exactly how the leaders of any great world power should be treated — with respect, yes, but also with consistency and candor.
And in that spirit of candor, I must tell you that in the year since my Hudson speech, Beijing has still not taken significant action to improve our economic relationship.  And on many other issues we’ve raised, Beijing’s behavior has become even more aggressive and destabilizing.
On the trade front, this past May, after months of painstaking negotiations resulted in mutual agreement on many key matters, at the last moment, China backed away — backed away from a 150-page agreement, sending both sides back to square one.
Now, President Trump still believes Beijing wants to make a deal.  And we welcome the support for American agriculture in the new phase one agreement and hope it can be signed as soon as the APEC Summit in Chile this week.  But China knows there’s a whole range of structural and significant issues between our two countries that also must be addressed.
For instance, despite a 2015 promise in the Rose Garden by China’s leader to cease and desist, China continues to aid and abet the theft of our intellectual property.
Last July, the director of the FBI told Congress that of his agency’s 1,000 active investigations into intellectual property theft, the majority involve China.  American enterprises continue to lose hundreds of billions of dollars each year in intellectual property theft.
Behind these statistics are not just businesses, but people, families, and dreams threatened by the violation of their rights and the theft of their genius.  Free enterprise depends on the ability of risk-taking citizens to pursue their ambitions and reap the rewards of their sacrifice.  When the product of their labor is stolen, when the sweat of their brow is made futile, it undermines our entire system of free enterprise.
Last year alone, there’s been case after case of intellectual property theft involving China.  In March, Tesla filed suit against a former engineer who’s been accused of stealing 300,000 files related to its own American-developed autopilot system, before bolting for a job at a Chinese self-driving car company.
And last December, the Justice Department revealed that it had broken up a nearly four-year operation by a notorious hacking group within China’s Ministry of State Security.  These Chinese government officials stole the names and data of 100,000 U.S. Navy personnel, as well as ship maintenance information, with grave implications for our national security.
Despite China’s promises to crack down on Chinese fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, the truth is, those deadly drugs also continue to flood across our borders, claiming the lives of thousands of Americans every month.
And today, China’s Communist Party is building a surveillance state unlike anything the world has ever seen.  Hundreds of millions of surveillance cameras stare down from every vantage point.  Ethnic minorities must navigate arbitrary checkpoints where police demand blood samples, fingerprints, voice recordings, and multiple angle head shots, and even iris scans.
And China is now exporting to countries in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East the very same technological tools that it uses in its authoritarian regime: tools that it’s deployed in places like Xinjiang; tools that it’s deployed often with the help of American companies.
And Beijing has also smashed the barriers between civilian and military technological domains — a doctrine that China calls “military-civilian fusion.”  By law and presidential fiat, companies in China — whether private, state-owned, or foreign — must share their technologies with the Chinese military.
And China’s military action in the region and its approach to its neighbors over the past year has also remained increasingly provocative.
While China’s leaders stood in the Rose Garden in 2015 and said that its country had, and I quote, “no intention to militarize” the South China Sea, Beijing has deployed advanced anti-ship and anti-air missiles atop an archipelago of military bases constructed on artificial islands.
And Beijing has stepped up its use of what they call “maritime militia” vessels to regularly menace Filipino and Malaysian sailors and fishermen.  And the Chinese Coast Guard has tried to strong-arm Vietnam from drilling for oil and natural gas off of Vietnam’s own shores.
In the East China Sea, in 2019, our close ally, Japan, is on track to scramble more fighter aircraft sorties in response to Chinese provocations than in any previous year in history.  And China’s Coast Guard has sent ships for more than 60 days in a row into the waters around the Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan.
China is also using its “One Belt, One Road” Initiative to establish footholds in ports around the world, ostensibly for commercial purposes, but those purposes could eventually become military.  We see now the flag of Chinese ownership flying today in ports from Sri Lanka to Pakistan to Greece.
And earlier this year, it was reported that Beijing had signed a secret agreement to establish a naval base in Cambodia.  And it is reported that Beijing is even eyeing locations on the Atlantic Ocean that could serve as naval facilities.
And while our administration will continue to respect the One China Policy — as reflected in the three joint communiqués and the Taiwan Relations Act — through checkbook diplomacy, over the past year China has induced two more nations to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, increasing pressure on the democracy in Taiwan.
The international community must never forget that its engagement with Taiwan does not threaten the peace; it protects peace on Taiwan and throughout the region.  America will always believe that Taiwan’s embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people.  (Applause.)
But nothing in the past year has put on display the Chinese Communist Party’s antipathy to liberty so much as the unrest in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has served as an important gateway between China and the wider world for 150 years.  Hong Kong is one of the freest economies in the world, with strong, independent legal institutions and a lively free press, and it’s home to hundreds of thousands of foreign residents.
Hong Kong is a living example of what can happen when China embraces liberty.  And yet, for the last few years, Beijing has increased its interventions in Hong Kong and engaged in actions to curtail the rights and liberties of its people — rights and liberties that were guaranteed through a binding international agreement of “one country, two systems.”
But President Trump has been clear, as he said in his words, “The United States stands for liberty.”  (Applause.)  We respect the sovereignty of nations.  But America expects Beijing to honor its commitments, and President Trump has repeatedly made it clear it would be much harder for us to make a trade deal if the authorities resort to the use of violence against protestors in Hong Kong.  (Applause.)
Since then, I’m pleased to observe that Hong Kong authorities have withdrawn the extradition bill that sparked the protests in the first place, and Beijing has shown some restraint.
In the days ahead, I can assure you, the United States will continue to urge China to show restraint, to honor its commitments, and respect the people of Hong Kong.  And to the millions in Hong Kong who have been peacefully demonstrating to protect your rights these past months, we stand with you.  (Applause.)  We are inspired by you, and we urge you to stay on the path of nonviolent protest.  (Applause.)  But know that you have the prayers and the admiration of millions of Americans.
As China has exercised its influence across the region and across the world, as I said last year, the Chinese Communist Party is also continuing to reward and coerce American businesses, movie studios, universities, think tanks, scholars, journalists, and local, state, and federal officials to influence the public debate here in America.
Today, China is not only exporting hundreds of billions of dollars in unfairly traded goods to the United States, but lately China has also been trying to export censorship — the hallmark of its regime.  By exploiting corporate greed, Beijing is attempting to influence American public opinion, coercing corporate America.
And far too many American multinational corporations have kowtowed to the lure of China’s money and markets by muzzling not only criticism of the Chinese Communist Party, but even affirmative expressions of American values.
Nike promotes itself as a so called “social justice champion,” but when it comes to Hong Kong, it prefers checking its social conscience at the door.  Nike stores in China actually removed their Houston Rockets merchandise from their shelves to join the Chinese government in protest against the Rockets general manager’s seven-word tweet, which read: “Fight for Freedom.  Stand with Hong Kong.”
And some of the NBA’s biggest players and owners, who routinely exercise their freedom to criticize this country, lose their voices when it comes to the freedom and rights of the people of China.  In siding with the Chinese Communist Party and silencing free speech, the NBA is acting like a wholly owned subsidiary of the authoritarian regime.
A progressive corporate culture that willfully ignores the abuse of human rights is not progressive; it is repressive.  (Applause.)
When American corporations, professional sports, pro athletes embrace censorship, it’s not just wrong; it’s un-American.  American corporations should stand up for American values here at home and around the world.  (Applause.)
And Beijing’s economic and strategic actions, its attempts to shape American public opinion, prove out what I said a year ago and it’s just as true today: China wants a different American President, which is the ultimate proof that President Trump’s leadership is working.
America’s economy is growing stronger by the day, and China’s economy is paying the price.  The President’s strategy is correct.  He’s fighting for the American people, for American jobs and American workers like no one has before.  And I promise you this administration will not stand down.  (Applause.)
That said, the President has also made it clear the United States does not seek confrontation with China.  We seek a level playing field, open markets, fair trade, and a respect for our values.
We are not seeking to contain China’s development.  We want a constructive relationship with China’s leaders, like we have enjoyed for generations with China’s people.  And if China will step forward and seize this unique moment in history to start anew by ending the trade practices that have taken advantage of the American people for far too long, I know President Donald Trump is ready and willing to begin that new future — (applause) — just as America has done in the past.
When Deng Xiaoping’s “Reform and Opening” policy encouraged engagement and exchange with the outside world, the United States responded with open arms.  We welcomed China’s rise.  We celebrated the remarkable accomplishment of 600 million people lifting themselves out of poverty.  And America invested more than any other nation in China’s economic resurgence.
The American people want better for the people of China.  But in pursuit of that end, we must take China as it is, not as we imagine or hope it might be someday.
And people sometimes ask whether the Trump administration seeks to “de-couple” from China.  The answer is a resounding “no.”  The United States seeks engagement with China and China’s engagement with the wider world, but engagement in a manner consistent with fairness, mutual respect, and the international rules of commerce.
But, so far, it appears the Chinese Communist Party continues to resist a true opening or a convergence with global norms.
All that Beijing is doing today, from the Party’s great firewall in cyberspace or to that great wall of sand in the South China Sea, from their distrust of Hong Kong’s autonomy, or their repression of people of faith all demonstrate that it’s the Chinese Communist Party that has been “de-coupling” from the wider world for decades.
President Xi himself, I’m told, said in a once-secret speech shortly after his rise as Party General Secretary that China must “conscientiously prepare for all aspects of long-term cooperation and struggle between the two social systems.”  He also told his colleagues at that time not to underestimate the resilience of the West.  And there was wisdom in those words.
China should never underestimate the resilience of the freedom-loving people of America or the resolve of the President of the United States.  (Applause.)  China should know that the United States’ values run deep, that our commitment to these values remains as strong as it was for our Founding Fathers, and that there will never be a day when the bright light of democracy and freedom goes out in America.  (Applause.)
America was born out of rebellion against repression and tyranny.  Our nation was founded, settled, and pioneered by men and women of extraordinary valor, rugged determination, faith, and fiery independence and an iron will.  And nothing has changed much in the centuries that have passed.
Americans believe that all men and women are created equal and we’re endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And nothing will change these beliefs.  (Applause.)  They are who we are.  They are who we will always be.
And we will continue to believe that the values of democracy — of individual liberty, of freedom of religion and conscience, the rule of law — serve American and global interests because they are, and will ever be, the best form of government to unleash human aspirations and guide the relations between all the world’s nations and peoples.
Despite the many challenges we face in the United States-China relationship, I can assure you that under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the United States will not allow these challenges to foreclose practical cooperation with China.
We will continue to negotiate in good faith with China to bring about long-overdue structural reforms in our economic relationship.  And as I heard again from him this morning, President Trump remains optimistic that an agreement can be reached.
We’ll continue to forge bonds between our two peoples through education, travel, and cultural exchange.
China and the United States will also continue in a spirit of engagement to work together to secure the full, final, and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea.
And we will seek greater cooperation on arms control and the enforcement of U.S. sanctions in the Persian Gulf.
America will continue to seek a better relationship with China.  And as we do so, we will speak plainly, because this is a relationship that both the United States and China have to get right.
America will continue to seek a fundamental restructuring of our relationship with China.  And under the leadership of President Donald Trump, America will stay the course.  The American people and their elected officials in both parties will stay resolved.  We will defend our interests.  We will defend our values.  And we will do so in a spirit of charity and good will for all.  (Applause.)
President Trump has forged a strong personal relationship with President Xi.  And on that foundation, we will continue to look for ways to strengthen our relationship for the betterment of both of our peoples.
And we fervently believe the United States and China can and must work to share a peaceful and prosperous future together.  But only honest dialogue and good-faith negotiations can make that future a reality.
And so, as I closed my speech a year ago, so I close today: America is reaching out our hand to China.  And we hope that, soon, Beijing will reach back, this time with deeds, not words, and with renewed respect for America.
There is an ancient Chinese proverb that reads, “Men see only the present, but Heaven sees the future.”  As we go forward, let us pursue a future of peace and prosperity with resolve and faith.  Faith in President Trump’s leadership and vision for our economy and our place in the world, and faith in the relationship that he has forged with President Xi of China and in the enduring friendship between the American people and the Chinese people.  And faith that Heaven sees the future — and by God’s grace, America and China will meet that future together.
Thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)
END
12:28 P.M. EDT