妇女占美国选民人口的一半以上，对选举的影响力已有几十年之久。共和党民意调查专家凯莉安妮·康韦(Kellyanne Conway)是设在华盛顿的民意调查公司(the polling company,inc.)的总裁兼首席执行官。她在文章中分析了妇女投票规律，探讨与妇女密切相关的议题，并介绍了在2008年大选中值得注意的几类妇女选民。
美国普通妇女每天早晨醒来要面对一大堆责任以及要解答和要操心的事，虽然这些事本身也许不带政治性，但它们都会受到政治和政府行动的影响。例如：我的孩子是否在学校里学到知识？我的住区是否安全？我如果换工作，会不会失去医疗保险？社会福利够不够让我的父母保住自己的房子而不致耗尽储蓄？
历史回顾
自1964年以来，妇女一直在有资格投票的选民中占多数。但直到1980年，实际投票的妇女比例才开始超过合格男性选民的投票人数(如表一所示)。尽管那些只看数据统计的人对美国仍只有少数妇女谋求或担任公职感到不安(尚未有任何一位女性当选过总统)，但是，妇女选民对选举结果的影响已有80多年，在决定总统和立法的过程中，对公共政策产生了直接和明显的影响。
妇女往往愿意投连任者的票，尤其是在总统选举中；她们比较愿意继续使用货架上已被证明可信的产品，而不是去选择新的、名不见经传的东西。事实上，以往赢得连任的三届总统在其第二次竞选时，得到了更多妇女选民的支持。在国会选举中，妇女对现任议员的支持也呈同样规律，比男性选民显出更大的连贯性。然而，这种倾向却成为向现任官员挑战的很多竞选公职的女性候选人难以获胜的原因之一。
不投票的女性选民往往被政治人士、政党、舆论界人士和专家顾问忽视──他们似乎更关心那些"很有可能的"或"举棋不定的"选民。在2004年的总统选举中，半数以上(54.5%)18岁至24岁的女性选民未参加投票。然而，这个年龄段的女性选民投票率比同年龄段男性选民的投票率(40%)要高。但是，在65岁至74岁的选民中，有29%的的女性选民未参加投票，男性选民未投票的比例为26.1 %。妇女不参加投票的主要原因为"生病/残疾"(19.8%)、"太忙/时间冲突"(17.4%)、"不感兴趣"(10.7%)，以及"不喜欢候选人或竞选议题"(9.7%)。 值得注意的是，如果排除最后两类原因，以上数据说明，将近十分之九的女性不参加投票并不是因为缺乏参与感，而是由于其他原因。
什么是妇女选民的真正希望？
传统上，妇女被认为更关注"SHE"类议题，即社会福利保障(Social Security)、卫生保健(health care)和教育(education)，而男性则更关心"WE"类议题，即战争(war)和经济(economy)。但过去三次全国选举(2002年、2004年和2006)表明，这些原有模式已不再适用。
美国妇女在民意调查中表示，在2004年和2006年，促使她们决定投票以及投谁的票的因素，是非传统的"妇女议题"。在一个含10项议题的选择中，伊拉克局势是促使女性投票的首要问题(22%)，其次是反恐之战(15%)。伦理/家庭价值观和就业/经济问题各占11%。对其余六个关注问题的选择只占一位数字(见表二)。
我与民主党民意调查人莱克(Celinda Lake)在我们的合着《妇女真正要什么：美国妇女在如何悄然抹去政治、种族、阶层和政治界限并改变我们的生活方式》(What Women Really Want: How American Women Are Quietly Erasing Political, Racial, Class, and Religious Lines to Change the Way We Live )中，提出这样的假设：妇女并非单一议题选民，她们在作出最后决定前往往要对大量主张、议题、人物、印象以及意识形态加以考虑。媒体对有争议问题的重点关注使人感到妇女好像在选举日只关心一个问题，只有特别强调那个问题才会促使妇女去投票。但实际上，妇女投票趋势所显示的情况恰好相反。
妇女并不自成一体
妇女对政治或对投票的态度并非整齐划一。在投票问题上，这位妇女可能全部投民主党人的票，那位妇女则可能只投共和党人的票，而第三人则可能像拼沙拉菜盘那样，分别挑选对她最合适的人。妇女选民在决定支持谁当总统时，最终会考虑两个核心问题："我喜欢那个人吗？""那个人与我一样吗？"第一个问题是典型的所谓"起居室"问题：你是否愿意在未来四年或八年里在自家起居室的电视上目睹这人？第二个问题较为复杂，它涉及妇女选民是否认为候选人与她们关心、珍视、应对和担心相同的问题。
美国妇女的生活经历和态度是不可能简单地依共和与民主两党而分类的。由于妇女在投票时所基于的不只是政治意识形态，因此，政治人士必须对妇女的年龄阶段和生活经历类型有所认识。在我的民意调查公司the polling company, inc./WomanTrend，我们经常使用一个所谓"夏娃的三张面孔"(Three Faces of Eve)的概念，即美国一位48岁妇女可能有的三种截然不同的生活状态──她可能是一位蓝领阶层的祖母，可能是一位未婚和没有孩子的专业人士，也可能是有两个幼子的已婚母亲。从理论上讲，她们属于同一年龄和性别分类，但由于生活经历完全不同，她们对现实问题的看法不会一样。对妇女来说，政治不是孤立的，而是包含一切，她们将自己的生活经历、需求和期望带入其中。
2008年值得注意的一些妇女选民类别包括：
-- 妇女企业家：美国妇女拥有的公司有将近1004万家，雇用人数超过1280万。在美国所有公司中，有75%无雇员，而在妇女拥有的公司中，有81%属单人或家庭经营的小企业，即所谓的夫妻店(Mom-and-Pop)。妇女拥有的公司一直在稳步增多，增长率是总增长率的一倍。
-- 未婚妇女：美国妇女推迟婚姻不是因为她们没有选择，而是因为她们有各种选择。目前，在15岁以上女性中有49%的人未婚；其中一半以上(54%)在25岁至64岁之间。
-- 尚未做母亲：随着更多的妇女进入劳动大军，并且有越来越多的妇女是在过了传统生育年龄后才生育，在二十几岁或三十出头的妇女中，"已婚有孩子"类型的人比过去减少。
-- 中老年：年龄在50岁至64岁的妇女群──其中很多人的孩子住在家里──希望得到福利和长期生活保障，同时也寻求解决问题的途径和有内涵的生活。
--少数族裔妇女：少数族裔目前占美国居民人口的三分之一，而在四个州已占人口多数，预期到2025年还将另有五个州跟进。拉美裔将对美国人口产生最显著的影响，但亚裔选民也是值得观察的趋势。
-- Y代女性(Gen Y Women)：如表三所示，民意调查公司和莱克研究所(Lake Research Partners)为Lifetime电视台进行的一项调查发现，Y代女性(即1979年以后出生者)的大多数(54%)认为，对美国政策产生影响力的最佳方式是投票。除政治以外，在另一项问答中，几乎一半的Y代女性(42%)表示，为世界作贡献的最佳方式是"用时间或财力帮助不如我幸运的人"。在向她们提出的另外六项选择中，只有2%的人表示，为世界作贡献的最佳方式是"积极担任政治角色"。排在帮助贫困人口之后的选择依次为："做善良的人"(16%)、"帮助制止暴力和对妇女的性攻击"(9%)、"帮助拯救环境"(8%)，以及"参军保家卫国" (4%)。
如果哪位女性愤愤地说"我讨厌政治"，那就等于说她不在乎由谁管理公立学校以及公立学校的教学，不在乎美国实行什么样的医疗保健制度，不在乎国家是否安全、繁荣和在全球具有竞争力，等等。但是显然，这不会是她的本意。参政与当政是促使上述领域发生变化的途径，但并不一定是妇女参与的反映。
展望2008年
2008年总统候选人可望妇女选民有什么样的参与呢？此次总统选举可能出现一名女性候选人──这已经不再是"是否出现"，而是"何时出现"的问题。这方面的议论已不再是一个围绕假设的女总统， 而是有着具体的指向，即：希拉里·罗德姆·克林顿(Hillary Rodham Clinton)。
即便如此，过去的经验证明，女性选民不一定投女性候选人的票。否则，分别在2000年和2004年竞选政党总统候选人提名的伊丽莎白·多尔(Elizabeth Dole)参议员或莫斯利-布朗(Carol Moseley-Braun))参议员，就应该因妇女在选民中占多数而获得提名了。2008年的竞选与往年竞选的一个不同之处是，在政党提名竞选人中第一次有女性、第一次有非洲裔、第一次有摩门教徒、第一次有拉美裔。
《新闻周刊》(Newsweek)2007年7月进行的一项调查显示，党派忠诚胜于性别认同。调查表明，88%的男性选民和85%的女性选民表示，如果他们的政党提名一名女性候选人，如果她合格，他们会投她的票。但是，美国人对所谓"女性因素"并没有显示同等热情：只有60%的男子和56%的妇女认为，美国已能够接受女总统。至于族裔的选择，有92%的白人和93%的非白人表示愿意选举本党合格的非洲裔候选人。如同他们对待性别的态度一样，只有较少的人认为美国选举非洲裔人当总统的时机已经成熟：59%的白人选民和58%的非白人选民认为美国会选出一位黑人总统。选民在回答民意调查的提问时，有时会将自己的态度说成是朋友、亲人和社区成员的意见，从而一方面掩饰他们自己的、被外界认为是"不可接受"或"不受欢迎"的观点，另一方面也为自己的观点找到后盾。不过，由于2007年出现了一位引人注目的非裔候选人和一位著名的女性候选人，不赞成"非洲裔"或"女性"也有可能是因为这名具体的候选人不合意，而不是出于一般成见。
尽管这将是数十年来最前途未卜的一次总统大选(这是80年来首次没有现任总统或副总统参加的竞选)，有一点可以肯定：如同自1980年以来一样，在决定谁入主白宫的选民中，妇女将占多数。
2009年4月12日星期日
美国国务院就西藏起义50周年发表声明
美国国务院代理发言人伍德(Robert A. Wood)就西藏起义50周年于3月10日发表声明。以下是声明全文，由美国国务院国际信息局翻译。
(全文开始)
美国国务院
发言人办公室
2009年3月10日
代理发言人伍德的声明
西藏起义50周年
今天是1959年西藏起义50周年纪念日。美国尊重中华人民共和国的领土完整，并认为西藏是中国的一部分。但与此同时，我们对藏族地区的人权状况深表关注。
我们在刚刚发布的年度各国人权报告中国部分里表述了我们的关注。我们认为，中国政府在藏族地区严重加剧文化和宗教压制的行为违背了全球人权标准。
我们敦促中国重新考虑在西藏推行的政策，这些政策给西藏的宗教、文化和民生带来了有害影响，并因此造成了紧张局面。我们相信，同达赖喇嘛的代表展开实质性对话，一如达赖喇嘛作出的没有任何意图寻求西藏主权或独立的承诺，能够推动解决问题的进程，并有助于在西藏实现真正与持久的稳定。
(全文开始)
美国国务院
发言人办公室
2009年3月10日
代理发言人伍德的声明
西藏起义50周年
今天是1959年西藏起义50周年纪念日。美国尊重中华人民共和国的领土完整，并认为西藏是中国的一部分。但与此同时，我们对藏族地区的人权状况深表关注。
我们在刚刚发布的年度各国人权报告中国部分里表述了我们的关注。我们认为，中国政府在藏族地区严重加剧文化和宗教压制的行为违背了全球人权标准。
我们敦促中国重新考虑在西藏推行的政策，这些政策给西藏的宗教、文化和民生带来了有害影响，并因此造成了紧张局面。我们相信，同达赖喇嘛的代表展开实质性对话，一如达赖喇嘛作出的没有任何意图寻求西藏主权或独立的承诺，能够推动解决问题的进程，并有助于在西藏实现真正与持久的稳定。
China Modernizing Its Military Power, Pentagon Says
Washington — China’s military modernization program has made considerable progress in building and fielding credible and capable military power with regional and strategic implications, a new Pentagon report says.
“The United States welcomes the rise of a stable, peaceful and prosperous China, and encourages China to participate responsibly in world affairs by taking on a greater share of the burden for the stability, resilience and growth of the international system,” according to the latest annual assessment of China’s military power. Military Power of the People’s Republic of China 2009 was released March 25.
The report states that “much uncertainty surrounds China’s future course, particularly regarding how its expanding military power might be used.”
China’s People’s Liberation Army — which includes the army, navy and air force — has been changing from a mass army designed for protracted land wars of attrition in China to one that can fight and win short-term, high-intensity conflicts along China’s borders against better-equipped and better-trained armies. China’s effort to make the shift from a revolutionary army to a modern, high-technology armed force has been fueled by the acquisition of advanced foreign weapons, high rates of investment in the domestic defense and science and technology industries, and significant reforms in the armed forces’ organization and doctrine, the report said.
China’s sustained economic growth from a gross domestic product of $1.95 trillion in 2000 to a projected $4.19 trillion in 2008 has enabled the country to focus greater resources on building up its armed forces without overwhelming its economy, the report said. One significant measure of the progress China is making toward modernized armed forces is its annual budget for defense spending. In 2000, China spent an estimated $27.9 billion on defense, and in 2008 that amount increased to $60.1 billion, though the budget does not account for all defense spending, the report said. Some defense spending is included in other budget areas such as science and technology.
“China’s ability to sustain military power at a distance remains limited, but its armed forces continue to develop and field disruptive military technologies,” the report said. In particular, China has made great strides in developing nuclear, space and cyberwarfare technologies, the report said. According to the Pentagon report, China has not fully developed the capability to sustain military or naval forces far beyond its immediate region for long periods of time.
These improvements are changing the regional military balance and have implications across and beyond the East Asia-Pacific region.
Even while relations between Taiwan and China improve, the Chinese armed forces modernization has continued to build up short-range missiles opposite Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait. “In the near term, China’s armed forces are rapidly developing coercive capabilities for the purpose of deterring Taiwan’s pursuit of ... independence,” the report said.
China increasingly has become capable of contributing cooperatively to the international community’s responsibilities in areas such as peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and combating maritime piracy, the Pentagon said.
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said March 25 that the report, which is required by Congress annually, provides some new details, some additional specificity, but no new major strategic insights regarding capabilities.
“Of course, we acknowledge we can’t see all, so we have advocated time and again for more dialogue and transparency in our dealings with the Chinese government and military, all in an effort to reduce suspicions on both sides,” Morrell said. “The objective of this report is to give a clear and factual description of Chinese military capabilities.”
“The United States welcomes the rise of a stable, peaceful and prosperous China, and encourages China to participate responsibly in world affairs by taking on a greater share of the burden for the stability, resilience and growth of the international system,” according to the latest annual assessment of China’s military power. Military Power of the People’s Republic of China 2009 was released March 25.
The report states that “much uncertainty surrounds China’s future course, particularly regarding how its expanding military power might be used.”
China’s People’s Liberation Army — which includes the army, navy and air force — has been changing from a mass army designed for protracted land wars of attrition in China to one that can fight and win short-term, high-intensity conflicts along China’s borders against better-equipped and better-trained armies. China’s effort to make the shift from a revolutionary army to a modern, high-technology armed force has been fueled by the acquisition of advanced foreign weapons, high rates of investment in the domestic defense and science and technology industries, and significant reforms in the armed forces’ organization and doctrine, the report said.
China’s sustained economic growth from a gross domestic product of $1.95 trillion in 2000 to a projected $4.19 trillion in 2008 has enabled the country to focus greater resources on building up its armed forces without overwhelming its economy, the report said. One significant measure of the progress China is making toward modernized armed forces is its annual budget for defense spending. In 2000, China spent an estimated $27.9 billion on defense, and in 2008 that amount increased to $60.1 billion, though the budget does not account for all defense spending, the report said. Some defense spending is included in other budget areas such as science and technology.
“China’s ability to sustain military power at a distance remains limited, but its armed forces continue to develop and field disruptive military technologies,” the report said. In particular, China has made great strides in developing nuclear, space and cyberwarfare technologies, the report said. According to the Pentagon report, China has not fully developed the capability to sustain military or naval forces far beyond its immediate region for long periods of time.
These improvements are changing the regional military balance and have implications across and beyond the East Asia-Pacific region.
Even while relations between Taiwan and China improve, the Chinese armed forces modernization has continued to build up short-range missiles opposite Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait. “In the near term, China’s armed forces are rapidly developing coercive capabilities for the purpose of deterring Taiwan’s pursuit of ... independence,” the report said.
China increasingly has become capable of contributing cooperatively to the international community’s responsibilities in areas such as peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and combating maritime piracy, the Pentagon said.
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said March 25 that the report, which is required by Congress annually, provides some new details, some additional specificity, but no new major strategic insights regarding capabilities.
“Of course, we acknowledge we can’t see all, so we have advocated time and again for more dialogue and transparency in our dealings with the Chinese government and military, all in an effort to reduce suspicions on both sides,” Morrell said. “The objective of this report is to give a clear and factual description of Chinese military capabilities.”
五角大楼指出中国正在实现军力现代化
美国国务院国际信息局《美国参考》Merle David Kellerhals Jr.于华盛顿报道，据五角大楼一份有关中国军力的最新年度评估报告指出，中国军事现代化计划在建设和部署具有区域及战略意义的能力方面已取得可观进展。
这份于3月25日发布的《中华人民共和国2009年军力报告》(Military Power of the People’s Republic of China 2009)说："美国欢迎一个稳定、和平及繁荣的中国的崛起，并鼓励中国以负责的方式参与世界事务，更多地分担维护国际体制的稳定、活力及发展的重任。"
报告说，围绕中国未来走向，特别是其不断壮大的军事力量的可能用途方面，存有许多不确定因素。
包括海、陆、空三军在内的中国人民解放军本来是一支仅仅适合在国内开展消耗型持久地面战的庞大军队，但目前正在发展成一支能够在中国边界地区与装备更精良和训练更有素的敌方部队作战并能打赢高强度短期战争的军队。
报告还说，由于获得先进外国武器、对国防及科学技术领域进行了大量投资、以及对武装部队的建制和军事理论实施重大改革，解放军由一支革命军向现代高科技武装力量发展的进程大大加强。
报告说，中国经济持续增长，其国内生产总值由2000年的1.95万亿美元上升至2008年的4.19万亿美元(预测数字)，从而使中国能够投入更多的资源，在不影响经济发展的前提下加强军队建设。
中国为实现军队现代化而取得的进展明显体现在其每年的国防开支预算上。2000年，中国的防务开支大约为279亿美元，2008年则增加到601亿美元，但其预算并没有包括所有防务开支。 一些防务开支被列入其他预算领域，如科技研发。
报告说："中国维持远程军事力量的能力仍然有限，但其武装部队继续研发和部署干扰性军事技术。" 报告说，中国尤其在发展核战、太空战、网络战技术方面取得巨大进展，但至今尚未完全具备在远离其邻近地区长时间维持陆军和海军力量的能力。
中国的军力加强正在改变地区军事平衡，对整个东亚-太平洋地区及其他地区产生了影响。
尽管台湾与中国的关系获得改善，中国军队在现代化进程中继续以台湾为目标部署短程导弹。报告说："在近期内，中国武装部队出于吓阻台湾寻求......独立的目的，正在迅速发展压制性军事能力。"
五角大楼的报告说，随着实力增强，中国军队在维和、人道援助、救灾以及打击海盗活动等方面能够更多地分担国际责任。
五角大楼新闻秘书杰夫∙莫雷尔(Geoff Morrell)3月25日表示，国会要求每年提交的这份报告提供了一些新的细节以及一些新增加的具体内容，但没有提出任何新的战略性分析结果。
"当然，我们承认我们无法看到一切，因此我们一再提倡在与中国政府和军队交往时需要增加对话和提高透明度。这一切都是为了减少双方的相互猜疑而作的努力。这份报告的目的是要对中国军事能力作出清楚的、符号事实的陈述。"
这份于3月25日发布的《中华人民共和国2009年军力报告》(Military Power of the People’s Republic of China 2009)说："美国欢迎一个稳定、和平及繁荣的中国的崛起，并鼓励中国以负责的方式参与世界事务，更多地分担维护国际体制的稳定、活力及发展的重任。"
报告说，围绕中国未来走向，特别是其不断壮大的军事力量的可能用途方面，存有许多不确定因素。
包括海、陆、空三军在内的中国人民解放军本来是一支仅仅适合在国内开展消耗型持久地面战的庞大军队，但目前正在发展成一支能够在中国边界地区与装备更精良和训练更有素的敌方部队作战并能打赢高强度短期战争的军队。
报告还说，由于获得先进外国武器、对国防及科学技术领域进行了大量投资、以及对武装部队的建制和军事理论实施重大改革，解放军由一支革命军向现代高科技武装力量发展的进程大大加强。
报告说，中国经济持续增长，其国内生产总值由2000年的1.95万亿美元上升至2008年的4.19万亿美元(预测数字)，从而使中国能够投入更多的资源，在不影响经济发展的前提下加强军队建设。
中国为实现军队现代化而取得的进展明显体现在其每年的国防开支预算上。2000年，中国的防务开支大约为279亿美元，2008年则增加到601亿美元，但其预算并没有包括所有防务开支。 一些防务开支被列入其他预算领域，如科技研发。
报告说："中国维持远程军事力量的能力仍然有限，但其武装部队继续研发和部署干扰性军事技术。" 报告说，中国尤其在发展核战、太空战、网络战技术方面取得巨大进展，但至今尚未完全具备在远离其邻近地区长时间维持陆军和海军力量的能力。
中国的军力加强正在改变地区军事平衡，对整个东亚-太平洋地区及其他地区产生了影响。
尽管台湾与中国的关系获得改善，中国军队在现代化进程中继续以台湾为目标部署短程导弹。报告说："在近期内，中国武装部队出于吓阻台湾寻求......独立的目的，正在迅速发展压制性军事能力。"
五角大楼的报告说，随着实力增强，中国军队在维和、人道援助、救灾以及打击海盗活动等方面能够更多地分担国际责任。
五角大楼新闻秘书杰夫∙莫雷尔(Geoff Morrell)3月25日表示，国会要求每年提交的这份报告提供了一些新的细节以及一些新增加的具体内容，但没有提出任何新的战略性分析结果。
"当然，我们承认我们无法看到一切，因此我们一再提倡在与中国政府和军队交往时需要增加对话和提高透明度。这一切都是为了减少双方的相互猜疑而作的努力。这份报告的目的是要对中国军事能力作出清楚的、符号事实的陈述。"
Statement on Obama, Chinese President Hu Bilateral Meetings
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
April 1, 2009
STATEMENT ON BILATERAL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT HU OF CHINA
On 1 April 2009, President Barack Obama of the United States and President Hu Jintao of China met on the sidelines of the G20 Financial Summit in London, the United Kingdom. The two heads of state had an extensive exchange of views on U.S.-China relations and global issues of common interest, and reached the following points of agreement:
I. Toward Enhanced U.S.-China Relations
The two sides agreed to work together to build a positive, cooperative, and comprehensive U.S.-China relationship for the 21st century and to maintain and strengthen exchanges at all levels. President Hu Jintao invited President Obama to visit China in the second half of this year, and President Obama accepted the invitation with pleasure.
The two sides decided to establish the “U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.” U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo will chair the “Strategic Track” and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan will chair the “Economic Track” of the Dialogue, each as special representatives of their respective presidents. The two sides will hold the first round of the dialogue in Washington DC this summer. The two sides stated that they will continue to advance mutually beneficial cooperation in economics and trade through the mechanism of the high-level Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.
The two sides agreed to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in a wide range of areas, including economy and trade, counterterrorism, law enforcement, science and technology, education, culture and health. They also agreed to resume and expand consultations on non-proliferation and other international security topics. They welcomed further exchanges between the national legislatures, local authorities, academics, young people and other sectors. The two sides agreed to resume the human rights dialogue as soon as possible.
Both sides share a commitment to military-to-military relations and will work for their continued improvement and development. The two sides agreed that Admiral Gary Roughead, U.S Chief of Naval Operations, will visit China upon invitation in April to attend events marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The U.S. looks forward to visits by senior Chinese military leaders this year.
The two sides agreed to maintain close communication and coordination and to work together for the settlement of conflicts and reduction of tensions that contribute to global and regional instability, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue, Sudan humanitarian issues, and the situation in South Asia.
The two sides agreed to intensify policy dialogue and practical cooperation in energy, the environment and climate change building on the China-U.S. Ten Year Energy and Environment Cooperation Framework, carry out active cooperation in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean energy technologies and work with other parties concerned for positive results at the Copenhagen conference.
II. Strengthening Economic and Financial Cooperation
The two presidents discussed challenges facing the global economy and financial system. They pledged that, as two major economies, the U.S. and China will work together, as well as with other countries, to help the world economy return to strong growth and to strengthen the international financial system so a crisis of this magnitude never happens again.
The two presidents welcomed the fiscal stimulus measures taken by the other, and agreed that these measures were already playing a stabilizing role for the global economy. They also agreed that strong financial systems were essential for restoring growth, and they welcomed the commitment of both countries to address issues in this area. President Obama underlined the commitment of the United States to implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Financial Stability Plan. He underscored that once recovery is firmly established, the United States will act to cut the U.S. fiscal deficit in half and bring the deficit down to a level that is sustainable. President Hu emphasized China’s commitment to strengthen and improve macroeconomic control and expand domestic demand, particularly consumer demand, to ensure sustainable growth, and ensure steady and relatively fast economic development.
The two presidents agreed the international financial institutions should have more resources to help emerging market and developing nations withstand the shortfall in capital, and the two countries will take actions toward this goal. China and the United States agreed to work together to resolutely support global trade and investment flows that benefit all. To that end, they are committed to resist protectionism and ensure sound and stable U.S.-China trade relations.
President Hu and President Obama discussed regulatory and supervisory changes needed to reform and strengthen the global financial system, including regulatory standards. President Hu welcomed the recent U.S. announcement of a comprehensive financial regulatory reform agenda. President Obama welcomed the commitment of China to continue the development and reform of its financial system.
The Presidents agreed on the need for sweeping changes in the governance structure of international financial institutions. President Obama underscored that such changes were needed so that these organizations better reflect the growing weight of dynamic emerging market economies in the global system
President Hu and President Obama concluded that continued close cooperation between the United States and China was critical at this time to maintain the health of the world economy and would remain so in the future. They both recognized that as major economies, the United States and China have a need to work together, as well as with other countries, to promote the smooth functioning of the international financial system and the steady growth of the world economy. To this end, the two sides will exchange views and intensify coordination and cooperation on global economic and financial issues, climate change and energy, and other important issues through the Strategic and Economic Dialogue that the two countries have decided to establish.Read more: Statement on Obama, Chinese President Hu Bilateral Meetings -
Office of the Press Secretary
April 1, 2009
STATEMENT ON BILATERAL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT HU OF CHINA
On 1 April 2009, President Barack Obama of the United States and President Hu Jintao of China met on the sidelines of the G20 Financial Summit in London, the United Kingdom. The two heads of state had an extensive exchange of views on U.S.-China relations and global issues of common interest, and reached the following points of agreement:
I. Toward Enhanced U.S.-China Relations
The two sides agreed to work together to build a positive, cooperative, and comprehensive U.S.-China relationship for the 21st century and to maintain and strengthen exchanges at all levels. President Hu Jintao invited President Obama to visit China in the second half of this year, and President Obama accepted the invitation with pleasure.
The two sides decided to establish the “U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.” U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo will chair the “Strategic Track” and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan will chair the “Economic Track” of the Dialogue, each as special representatives of their respective presidents. The two sides will hold the first round of the dialogue in Washington DC this summer. The two sides stated that they will continue to advance mutually beneficial cooperation in economics and trade through the mechanism of the high-level Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.
The two sides agreed to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in a wide range of areas, including economy and trade, counterterrorism, law enforcement, science and technology, education, culture and health. They also agreed to resume and expand consultations on non-proliferation and other international security topics. They welcomed further exchanges between the national legislatures, local authorities, academics, young people and other sectors. The two sides agreed to resume the human rights dialogue as soon as possible.
Both sides share a commitment to military-to-military relations and will work for their continued improvement and development. The two sides agreed that Admiral Gary Roughead, U.S Chief of Naval Operations, will visit China upon invitation in April to attend events marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The U.S. looks forward to visits by senior Chinese military leaders this year.
The two sides agreed to maintain close communication and coordination and to work together for the settlement of conflicts and reduction of tensions that contribute to global and regional instability, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue, Sudan humanitarian issues, and the situation in South Asia.
The two sides agreed to intensify policy dialogue and practical cooperation in energy, the environment and climate change building on the China-U.S. Ten Year Energy and Environment Cooperation Framework, carry out active cooperation in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean energy technologies and work with other parties concerned for positive results at the Copenhagen conference.
II. Strengthening Economic and Financial Cooperation
The two presidents discussed challenges facing the global economy and financial system. They pledged that, as two major economies, the U.S. and China will work together, as well as with other countries, to help the world economy return to strong growth and to strengthen the international financial system so a crisis of this magnitude never happens again.
The two presidents welcomed the fiscal stimulus measures taken by the other, and agreed that these measures were already playing a stabilizing role for the global economy. They also agreed that strong financial systems were essential for restoring growth, and they welcomed the commitment of both countries to address issues in this area. President Obama underlined the commitment of the United States to implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Financial Stability Plan. He underscored that once recovery is firmly established, the United States will act to cut the U.S. fiscal deficit in half and bring the deficit down to a level that is sustainable. President Hu emphasized China’s commitment to strengthen and improve macroeconomic control and expand domestic demand, particularly consumer demand, to ensure sustainable growth, and ensure steady and relatively fast economic development.
The two presidents agreed the international financial institutions should have more resources to help emerging market and developing nations withstand the shortfall in capital, and the two countries will take actions toward this goal. China and the United States agreed to work together to resolutely support global trade and investment flows that benefit all. To that end, they are committed to resist protectionism and ensure sound and stable U.S.-China trade relations.
President Hu and President Obama discussed regulatory and supervisory changes needed to reform and strengthen the global financial system, including regulatory standards. President Hu welcomed the recent U.S. announcement of a comprehensive financial regulatory reform agenda. President Obama welcomed the commitment of China to continue the development and reform of its financial system.
The Presidents agreed on the need for sweeping changes in the governance structure of international financial institutions. President Obama underscored that such changes were needed so that these organizations better reflect the growing weight of dynamic emerging market economies in the global system
President Hu and President Obama concluded that continued close cooperation between the United States and China was critical at this time to maintain the health of the world economy and would remain so in the future. They both recognized that as major economies, the United States and China have a need to work together, as well as with other countries, to promote the smooth functioning of the international financial system and the steady growth of the world economy. To this end, the two sides will exchange views and intensify coordination and cooperation on global economic and financial issues, climate change and energy, and other important issues through the Strategic and Economic Dialogue that the two countries have decided to establish.Read more: Statement on Obama, Chinese President Hu Bilateral Meetings -
白宫就美中两国领导人会晤发表声明
白宫新闻秘书办公室(Office of the Press Secretary)于4月1日就美国总统奥巴马和中国国家主席胡锦涛在英国伦敦出席20国集团金融峰会(G20 Financial Summit)期间举行双边会晤发表声明。以下是声明全文的译文，由美国国务院国际信息局(IIP)翻译
_______________________________________
白宫新闻秘书办公室
即时发表
2009年4月1日
关于与中国国家主席胡锦涛举行双边会晤的声明
2009年4月1日，巴拉克·奥巴马总统与中国国家主席胡锦涛在英国伦敦出席20国集团金融峰会期间举行双边会晤。两位国家元首就美中关系和共同关心的全球问题广泛地交换了意见并达成以下一致意见：
I. 加强美中关系
双方同意共同努力，构建21世纪积极、合作和全面的美中关系，保持并加强各个层次的交流。胡锦涛主席邀请奥巴马总统在今年下半年访问中国，奥巴马总统愉快地接受了邀请。
双方决定建立"美中战略和经济对话"(U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue)。美国国务卿希拉里·克林顿(Hillary Clinton)和中国国务委员戴秉国将共同主持战略对话部分("Strategic Track")，美国财政部长蒂莫西·盖特纳(Timothy Geithner)和中国国务院副总理王岐山将共同主持经济对话部分("Economic Track")，主持对话的官员均分别以两国元首特别代表的身份与会。双方将于今年夏天在华盛顿哥伦比亚特区举行首次对话。双方申明将继续通过高级别的美中商贸联合委员会(Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade)的机制继续推动在经贸领域的互利合作。
双方同意进一步深化在经济贸易、反恐怖主义、执法、科学技术、教育、文化和卫生等广泛领域的互利合作。双方还同意恢复和扩大在防扩散和其他国际安全问题上的磋商。双方欢迎两国立法机构、地方当局、学术界和青年等各界人士间开展进一步的交流。双方同意尽快恢复人权对话。
双方共同致力于军方对军方的关系，并将为继续改善和发展这种关系而努力。双方同意，美国海军作战部部长(U.S Chief of Naval Operations)加里·拉夫黑德(Gary Roughead)上将应邀于4月对中国进行访问，参加纪念中国人民解放军海军建立60周年的纪念活动。美国也期待中国高层军事官员年内访美。
双方同意保持密切的沟通和协调，共同努力化解及缓和危害全球和地区稳定的冲突和紧张局势，包括朝鲜半岛(Korean Peninsula)无核化、伊朗(Iran)核问题、苏丹(Sudan)人道危机以及南亚(South Asia)局势等。
双方同意增进在能源、环境和气候变化方面的政策对话和实际合作，以《中美能源环境10年合作框架》(China-US Ten Year Energy and Environment Cooperation Framework)为基础，在节能、可再生能源和清洁能源技术方面积极合作，为哥本哈根会议(Copenhagen conference)取得积极成果同其他有关各方共同努力。
II. 加强经济和金融合作
两国领导人讨论了全球经济和金融体制面临的挑战。双方坚定地表示，美国和中国作为两个经济大国，将相互合作并与其他国家共同努力，促使世界经济恢复强劲增长，加强国际金融体制，防止这类严重危机再度发生。
两国领导人表示，欢迎对方采取的财政刺激措施，并一致认为这些措施已开始为稳定全球经济发挥作用。双方还一致认为，稳固的金融体制是恢复增长的关键。双方对两国为解决该领域存在的问题做出的承诺表示欢迎。奥巴马总统重申美国实施《美国复苏与再投资法》(American Recovery and Reinvestment Act)和《金融稳定计划》(Financial Stability Plan)的坚定立场。他强调指出，复苏一旦达到稳固的程度，美国将着手削减本国财政赤字，使赤字降低到目前的一半，达到可持续的水平。胡锦涛主席则强调，中国致力于增强并改善宏观经济调控及扩大国内需求，特别是消费需求，以确保可持续增长，并保障经济以稳定的、相对较快的速度发展。
两位领导人一致认为，国际金融机构应有更多的资源帮助新兴市场和发展中国家解决资本短缺的问题，美中两国将为实现这个目标采取行动。中国和美国同意，双方将共同努力，坚定支持有利于所有各方全球贸易和投资的流通。为此，双方坚决反对保护主义，并将维护美中贸易关系的健全和稳定。
胡锦涛主席和奥巴马总统讨论了为改革和加强全球金融体系，在监督和管理方面必须实施的变革，其中包括监管标准。胡锦涛主席欢迎美国最近宣布的综合性金融监管改革措施。奥巴马总统欢迎中国为继续发展和改革其金融体系表示的承诺。
两国领导人一致同意应全面改革国际金融机构的管理结构。奥巴马总统强调，这类改革必不可少，可使有关组织更好地体现充满活力的新兴市场在全球体系中日益增长的作用。
胡锦涛主席和奥巴马总统最后指出， 当前美中两国继续密切合作对维持世界经济的健全至关重要，未来也将如此。双方均认识到，作为经济大国，美国和中国有必要进行合作，也有必要与其他国家合作，共同促进国际金融体系的顺利运转，推动世界经济稳定增长。为了实现这一目标，双方将通过两国已决定建立的战略和经济对话(Strategic and Economic Dialogue)，在全球经济和金融问题、气候变化和能源及其他重要问题上交换意见，加强协调与合作。
_______________________________________
白宫新闻秘书办公室
即时发表
2009年4月1日
关于与中国国家主席胡锦涛举行双边会晤的声明
2009年4月1日，巴拉克·奥巴马总统与中国国家主席胡锦涛在英国伦敦出席20国集团金融峰会期间举行双边会晤。两位国家元首就美中关系和共同关心的全球问题广泛地交换了意见并达成以下一致意见：
I. 加强美中关系
双方同意共同努力，构建21世纪积极、合作和全面的美中关系，保持并加强各个层次的交流。胡锦涛主席邀请奥巴马总统在今年下半年访问中国，奥巴马总统愉快地接受了邀请。
双方决定建立"美中战略和经济对话"(U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue)。美国国务卿希拉里·克林顿(Hillary Clinton)和中国国务委员戴秉国将共同主持战略对话部分("Strategic Track")，美国财政部长蒂莫西·盖特纳(Timothy Geithner)和中国国务院副总理王岐山将共同主持经济对话部分("Economic Track")，主持对话的官员均分别以两国元首特别代表的身份与会。双方将于今年夏天在华盛顿哥伦比亚特区举行首次对话。双方申明将继续通过高级别的美中商贸联合委员会(Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade)的机制继续推动在经贸领域的互利合作。
双方同意进一步深化在经济贸易、反恐怖主义、执法、科学技术、教育、文化和卫生等广泛领域的互利合作。双方还同意恢复和扩大在防扩散和其他国际安全问题上的磋商。双方欢迎两国立法机构、地方当局、学术界和青年等各界人士间开展进一步的交流。双方同意尽快恢复人权对话。
双方共同致力于军方对军方的关系，并将为继续改善和发展这种关系而努力。双方同意，美国海军作战部部长(U.S Chief of Naval Operations)加里·拉夫黑德(Gary Roughead)上将应邀于4月对中国进行访问，参加纪念中国人民解放军海军建立60周年的纪念活动。美国也期待中国高层军事官员年内访美。
双方同意保持密切的沟通和协调，共同努力化解及缓和危害全球和地区稳定的冲突和紧张局势，包括朝鲜半岛(Korean Peninsula)无核化、伊朗(Iran)核问题、苏丹(Sudan)人道危机以及南亚(South Asia)局势等。
双方同意增进在能源、环境和气候变化方面的政策对话和实际合作，以《中美能源环境10年合作框架》(China-US Ten Year Energy and Environment Cooperation Framework)为基础，在节能、可再生能源和清洁能源技术方面积极合作，为哥本哈根会议(Copenhagen conference)取得积极成果同其他有关各方共同努力。
II. 加强经济和金融合作
两国领导人讨论了全球经济和金融体制面临的挑战。双方坚定地表示，美国和中国作为两个经济大国，将相互合作并与其他国家共同努力，促使世界经济恢复强劲增长，加强国际金融体制，防止这类严重危机再度发生。
两国领导人表示，欢迎对方采取的财政刺激措施，并一致认为这些措施已开始为稳定全球经济发挥作用。双方还一致认为，稳固的金融体制是恢复增长的关键。双方对两国为解决该领域存在的问题做出的承诺表示欢迎。奥巴马总统重申美国实施《美国复苏与再投资法》(American Recovery and Reinvestment Act)和《金融稳定计划》(Financial Stability Plan)的坚定立场。他强调指出，复苏一旦达到稳固的程度，美国将着手削减本国财政赤字，使赤字降低到目前的一半，达到可持续的水平。胡锦涛主席则强调，中国致力于增强并改善宏观经济调控及扩大国内需求，特别是消费需求，以确保可持续增长，并保障经济以稳定的、相对较快的速度发展。
两位领导人一致认为，国际金融机构应有更多的资源帮助新兴市场和发展中国家解决资本短缺的问题，美中两国将为实现这个目标采取行动。中国和美国同意，双方将共同努力，坚定支持有利于所有各方全球贸易和投资的流通。为此，双方坚决反对保护主义，并将维护美中贸易关系的健全和稳定。
胡锦涛主席和奥巴马总统讨论了为改革和加强全球金融体系，在监督和管理方面必须实施的变革，其中包括监管标准。胡锦涛主席欢迎美国最近宣布的综合性金融监管改革措施。奥巴马总统欢迎中国为继续发展和改革其金融体系表示的承诺。
两国领导人一致同意应全面改革国际金融机构的管理结构。奥巴马总统强调，这类改革必不可少，可使有关组织更好地体现充满活力的新兴市场在全球体系中日益增长的作用。
胡锦涛主席和奥巴马总统最后指出， 当前美中两国继续密切合作对维持世界经济的健全至关重要，未来也将如此。双方均认识到，作为经济大国，美国和中国有必要进行合作，也有必要与其他国家合作，共同促进国际金融体系的顺利运转，推动世界经济稳定增长。为了实现这一目标，双方将通过两国已决定建立的战略和经济对话(Strategic and Economic Dialogue)，在全球经济和金融问题、气候变化和能源及其他重要问题上交换意见，加强协调与合作。
Entrepreneur Shares Business Tips with African Women
Washington — The ability to manage effectively, work hard and continue to hold a sincere passion for your business are the three most important traits for any entrepreneur, according to a business consultant.
Rachel Allgood, entrepreneur and chief creative officer of Isocurve, a consulting firm she founded in 1996, made that point in a U.S. Department of State webchat with women entrepreneurs March 19. Many of the webchat participants were from Africa. Allgood was one of three women business owners who recently represented the United States at the 2009 International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge in New Delhi.
“I think it is imperative to love what you do,” Allgood told women entrepreneurs in Zambia and Uganda. “That is first and foremost for me. Money has never been a driving force. … It is the excitement of working in new technologies and being a part of innovative branding programs that promote one’s particular brand of products,” she said.
It is also important, she said, “to be willing to mentor and nurture employees and allow them to take the spotlight whenever possible. That is what will allow you to step into new areas and allow the business to grow. If you try to control every detail, the business will stagnate. So, you have to be willing to make mistakes yourself and let others do the same. That is how we all learn.”
Asked about starting a business, Allgood said any entrepreneur first must ask a series of questions: “What do you want to do? And is there a market need for it? Do you have funding in place? Once you figure out the nuts and bolts of your business model, then you will find your answer. You need to put pen to paper and write down all of your pros and cons, what you have in place and what you need to do. This is not a decision you make effectively without doing the basic homework first,” she said.
Asked for some tips on how to run a business and keep it healthy, Allgood said business owners must ensure they have enough cash on hand to operate and be able to maintain an educated, well-trained staff. “A business is similar to the human body,” she said. “When one component is out of balance, the rest tends to suffer.”
She continued: “I think the reason many business fail is the inability to be agile. Nothing is absolute. The world is constantly changing as is technology, as is business — the ability to move swiftly and adapt allows for survival.”
Asked what prompted her to start her own business, Allgood said “Entrepreneurship takes a certain kind of optimism. Not fake but real. There are challenges every day, from lack of cash to an employee with personal problems. Each has to be tended to. At the end of the day, we have to find a purpose in what we do — that helps light the way.”
Many women entrepreneurs face significant challenges when balancing home and business responsibilities, Allgood said. “Some women seem to do this very well. They have extremely supportive families, husbands, and co-workers. Others struggle and get caught in the cycle of being overwhelmed and not truly succeeding at anything. This is a choice that each woman has to make for herself.
“Each person has to examine her internal and external resources and also her business choices — does the work require enormous amounts of travel, long hours, employees, or is it an idea that can be brought to fruition part-time from home?”
Asked what women entrepreneurs have contributed to the world, Allgood told her audience, “I think it is not just women entrepreneurs but women in all lines of work” who have made such contributions. “Women have had to work under the radar for centuries — funneling scientific ideas through their brothers and husbands. These women have paved the way for all of us.
“Women entrepreneurs,” she continued, “have found a way to make money and affect community in unique ways — just look at Anita Roddick, the founder of The Body Shop International [seller of soaps and beauty products] and all the work she does to help disadvantaged communities. And Mary Kay Ash [the founder of Mary Kay Inc., a cosmetics company] who has helped millions of women find a way to own their own businesses.
“We all, men and women, need to remember that our businesses are intrinsically connected to our communities and it is our responsibility to give back and help those who may just need a helping hand,” she said.
Asked how women in business can function during an international economic crisis, Allgood said, “Crisis always brings opportunity. It is not just about working hard, but smart. What do people need that you can offer? … Also crisis is a great time for innovation. People are more willing to listen when they are in need of good solutions.”
Rachel Allgood, entrepreneur and chief creative officer of Isocurve, a consulting firm she founded in 1996, made that point in a U.S. Department of State webchat with women entrepreneurs March 19. Many of the webchat participants were from Africa. Allgood was one of three women business owners who recently represented the United States at the 2009 International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge in New Delhi.
“I think it is imperative to love what you do,” Allgood told women entrepreneurs in Zambia and Uganda. “That is first and foremost for me. Money has never been a driving force. … It is the excitement of working in new technologies and being a part of innovative branding programs that promote one’s particular brand of products,” she said.
It is also important, she said, “to be willing to mentor and nurture employees and allow them to take the spotlight whenever possible. That is what will allow you to step into new areas and allow the business to grow. If you try to control every detail, the business will stagnate. So, you have to be willing to make mistakes yourself and let others do the same. That is how we all learn.”
Asked about starting a business, Allgood said any entrepreneur first must ask a series of questions: “What do you want to do? And is there a market need for it? Do you have funding in place? Once you figure out the nuts and bolts of your business model, then you will find your answer. You need to put pen to paper and write down all of your pros and cons, what you have in place and what you need to do. This is not a decision you make effectively without doing the basic homework first,” she said.
Asked for some tips on how to run a business and keep it healthy, Allgood said business owners must ensure they have enough cash on hand to operate and be able to maintain an educated, well-trained staff. “A business is similar to the human body,” she said. “When one component is out of balance, the rest tends to suffer.”
She continued: “I think the reason many business fail is the inability to be agile. Nothing is absolute. The world is constantly changing as is technology, as is business — the ability to move swiftly and adapt allows for survival.”
Asked what prompted her to start her own business, Allgood said “Entrepreneurship takes a certain kind of optimism. Not fake but real. There are challenges every day, from lack of cash to an employee with personal problems. Each has to be tended to. At the end of the day, we have to find a purpose in what we do — that helps light the way.”
Many women entrepreneurs face significant challenges when balancing home and business responsibilities, Allgood said. “Some women seem to do this very well. They have extremely supportive families, husbands, and co-workers. Others struggle and get caught in the cycle of being overwhelmed and not truly succeeding at anything. This is a choice that each woman has to make for herself.
“Each person has to examine her internal and external resources and also her business choices — does the work require enormous amounts of travel, long hours, employees, or is it an idea that can be brought to fruition part-time from home?”
Asked what women entrepreneurs have contributed to the world, Allgood told her audience, “I think it is not just women entrepreneurs but women in all lines of work” who have made such contributions. “Women have had to work under the radar for centuries — funneling scientific ideas through their brothers and husbands. These women have paved the way for all of us.
“Women entrepreneurs,” she continued, “have found a way to make money and affect community in unique ways — just look at Anita Roddick, the founder of The Body Shop International [seller of soaps and beauty products] and all the work she does to help disadvantaged communities. And Mary Kay Ash [the founder of Mary Kay Inc., a cosmetics company] who has helped millions of women find a way to own their own businesses.
“We all, men and women, need to remember that our businesses are intrinsically connected to our communities and it is our responsibility to give back and help those who may just need a helping hand,” she said.
Asked how women in business can function during an international economic crisis, Allgood said, “Crisis always brings opportunity. It is not just about working hard, but smart. What do people need that you can offer? … Also crisis is a great time for innovation. People are more willing to listen when they are in need of good solutions.”
订阅：
博文 (Atom)
