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A right balance between order and diplomacy
The US has begun to require Chinese diplomats to report meetings with state, local and municipal officials, official visits to educational institutions and official visits to research institution. The incident is brewing.
美國要求中國外交官在當地開展交流向美國務院報備的事情不斷髮酵。
US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad said on Monday that Washington is considering additional rules for employees of entities controlled by the Communist Party of China. He also said that employees of these entities may be required to register as foreign agents.
美國駐華大使布蘭斯塔德星期一進一步表示，華盛頓正在考慮對在美的中國“黨控機構”(大概是指國企、官方媒體)也推出類似規定。他還說，那些機構可能會被要求註冊為外國代理人。
The US stated that this was due to the "reciprocity action" to force China to lift restrictions on the activities of US embassies and consulates in China.
美方表示，這樣做是出於“對等原則”，目的在於讓中方取消對美國駐華使領館在中國開展活動的限制。
First, the Chinese foreign affairs department has not imposed restrictions on the US embassies and consulates to contact various personnel in China, and American diplomats can see the people they want to see in China. Many people from the liberal camp in China have had contact with US diplomats. Some posted their interaction with US diplomats on the internet, and are proud of the experience.
首先，中國外交部門沒有對美國使領館在華接觸各種人員進行限制，美國外交官在中國是可以見他們想見的人的。中國的“自由派”人士許多都與美國外交官有接觸，他們當中有的人還在互聯網上曬過自己與美外交官聯繫互動的相關信息，並且以此為榮。
However, there is a big difference in the governance in China and the US. When US diplomats reach out, some are wary. This is not what the Chinese government requires. It is how Chinese society usually reacts to such situations.
但是眾所周知，中國社會與美國社會的內在治理有很大區別，美國外交官在尋求接觸各種人員時，有時會受到一些人和他們所屬機構的警惕性反饋，這不是中國政府刻意要求的，而是中國社會的“平均情形”。
This situation is not specific to the Americans. Diplomats from countries that have friendly relations with China also feel that "diplomacy is no small matter" in Chinese society. It is not easy even for the Chinese media or research institutions to get in touch with sensitive people or find someone to explore on sensitive issues. US diplomats have enjoyed some privileges that Chinese diplomats do not have in the US.
這種情況並非專門針對美國外交官，友好國家外交官也會在中國社會里碰到“外交無小事”觀念造成的的各種現象。就是中國媒體人或研究機構想接觸一些敏感人物，或者找人探討一些敏感問題，也不是容易的事。客觀說，美國外交官在中國也享受了一些中國外交官在美享受不到的權利。
Chinese people value diplomacy and give foreign officials and institutions in China some preferential treatment consciously or subconsciously. For example, Beijing and Shanghai adopted a license-plate lottery system, but diplomats do not need to go through the system or bid for high prices for car plates.
中國人重視外交，在社會各個領域都會自覺或不自覺地給外國駐華官員和機構一些優待，比如北京和上海購車限號，但是美國外交官買車就不用搖號或者出高價競拍。
Chinese police attach more importance to cases involving foreigners. The attitude sparked widespread criticism from the Chinese netizens.
軟優待就更多了，有個外國人在中國一個城市丟了一輛自行車，警方很重視，迅速幫助找了回來，還引起了中國網民的廣泛批評。
It is widely acknowledged that foreigners receive privileges in China, and even more so for US diplomats. Perhaps this is also something the US State Department and US embassies and consulates in China should take note of.
外國人在中國受到優待是廣泛的事實，美國外交官受到的優待只會在這種優待的平均線之上，這一點美國國務院和駐華使館也應該說一說？
The US used to be confident and prided itself on its relaxed governance of internal affairs, which the US viewed as part of its soft power. However, it has become calculating in everything it does with China: it complains about "unfair" trade with China and grumbles about "restrictions" on its diplomats and media outlets. This casts a completely different scenario from the time when the US was open-minded about its market and its political and cultural resources.
美國過去很自信，對自己國家內部比較寬鬆的管理蠻驕傲的，把它當成美國軟實力的一部分。現在它變小氣了，斤斤計較，事事都覺得它在與中國的交往中“吃虧了”，抱怨貿易“不對等”，外交人員和媒體機構的活動自由也“不一樣”。這與當年美國開放它的市場、敞開它的政治文化資源，完全是另一番景象。
Regardless of whether the US complains or not, Chinese society needs to further open up. Chinese academic institutions and officials at various levels should embrace communications with foreign diplomats in China, including US diplomats, in a more active manner. Negatively viewing engagement with Americans and other Westerners does no good to enhance mutual understanding and widen consensus.
當然了，不管美方抱不抱怨，我們認為中國社會內部都應進一步開放。中國的學術機構以及各地官員都應更加積極與包括美國外交官在內的外國駐華代表開展交流，這是他們正常學術活動和履職範圍之內的事情。消極對待與美國及西方人員的接觸，不利於彼此增加了解，擴大共識。
China-US relations are at a crossroads. Should the two sides be locked in a tit-for-tat engagement and escalate the conflicts?
中美關係處在一個大的十字路口，雙方要不要一招一式地相互增加摩擦和對抗，輪番出招，相互報復，用“對等原則”把兩國的衝突一級一級地向上推升？
Obviously, the US is the one which continues to strategically provoke China and add uncertainties to the bilateral relationship. Some US political elites are pushing China-US relations back. China shouldn't fall for it. Upholding opening-up needs to be the backbone of China's foreign relations, including with the US.
目前美國顯然是戰略挑釁方，提供了中美關係中的很多變量。我們認為，中國這一邊要跳出美方一些政治精英正在推動形成上述十分消極的發展中美關係的邏輯。我們要把做好自己的事情，堅持擴大對外開放作為處理對美及整體對外關係的主邏輯。
China is sincere in building a favorable relationship with the US, while preserving internal order. Prioritizing national interests is indisputably justified in any country.
中國是坦蕩的，我們搞好對美關係的意願是真誠的，同時我們維護好本國的國內秩序又是必須的，國內利益優先在任何國家都有無可爭辯的正當性。
But China is a major power and its rapid rise has affected the world. Therefore, it is important for China to strike a balance.
與此同時，鑑於中國是大國，我們的快速崛起在外部世界產生了很多觸動，做好各種平衡又十分重要。
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