A different kind of connection was made nearly 40 years ago when the frost between our countries began to thaw through the simple game of table tennis. The very unlikely nature of this engagement contributed to its success ——because for all our differences, both our common humanity and our shared curiosity were revealed.

　　40年前，我们的两国关系因小小的乒乓球赛开始解冻，并建立起一种新的联系。而两国间几乎不可能实现的接触取得了成功——正是由于我们截然不同，我们人性中共同的一面和对彼此的好奇感才得以体现。 　　As one American player described his visit to China ——"[The] people are just like us…The country is very similar to America, but still very different." 　　正如一名美国乒乓球运动员在讲述其中国之行时所说的那样：“中国人与我们几乎一样……美中两国如此相像，却又如此不同。” 　　Of course this small opening was followed by the achievement of the Shanghai Communiqué, and the eventual establishment of formal relations between the United States and China in 1979. And in three decades, just look at how far we have come.

　　当然，这场小序曲进一步促成了《上海公报》的问世以及美中两国在1979年正式建交。两国关系在过去30年中又取得了长足的进步和发展。