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北京大学英语新闻网/Peking University News
General started his speech with a flashback over his first trip to China in June, 2000
as the superintendent of the West Point and several other military communications in
which he‘s been involved in ever after. Among his long and distinguished list of
positions he‘s been taking through out his 60-year-life ranging from West Point to
CNN political commentator, we can find a focus on strategic leadership. He stressed
―principle of values: duty, honor and country‖ should always be put above anything
else. Now that he is working for the Chamber of Commerce of the U.S., he engages
his time and energy into dealing with business-relating issues, including helping
Baghdad and Kabul rebuilt their economy.
As to the China‘s entry to the WTO, General Christman stated that China‘s gone well
but incomplete, especially over the issue of intellectual property. However, over the
much discussed topic of whether China is agreed to the WTO terms, the Chamber of
Commerce of the U.S. has always ―strongly advocated for China‖ and has done
substantial works resolving disputes relating to this matter.
At the end of his speech, General commented the changes happened to the
relationships between China and the U.S. over the last decades as ―truly
revolutionary‖, that these two countries has grown into ―respectful friends‖ with
―partnership‖ in that they are very close in strategic issues. He ended his speech with
an English translation of one famous saying of Confucius, which brought his
audience much closer to him.
General‘s well cultivated manner, quick-witted but nevertheless well-thought view
point was even more unveiled during the Q&A part. When being asked about
whether his two kinds of experience, from army to business, will apply to each other,
General Christman answered that many values apply equally in commercial arena,
among which the quality of being trusted and respecting your subordinate is very
much observed in the West Point and so will they in business competition. When
discussing the conflict between one‘s moral principle and official orders, General
raised two examples. He illustrated that if in this conflict one‘s moral principle is
fundamental, then his choice much follow his moral obligation. However, especially
in the case of Viet Nam war, he himself saw many officials chose to resign during
that specific period of time.
As part of his visit to China this time, General Christman‘s speech at Peking
University was successful in that his idea, his sense of value and moral principles
were successfully conveyed, both in military combating as well as business
competition.
Edited By : Hu Xianhong
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