美国对中国提出的许多指控并非基于可靠事实，这表明，在美国关于中国和中国的目标和利益方面的信息是缺失的。有些指控也许是基于个别情况或事件，被故意用来作为抹黑或抨击中国的理由。例如，如果某些中国个人或媒体以公开合法的方式对美国政治发表评论，那么由此被指为官方干涉美国内政是很牵强的。中国对外国干涉自己的内政高度敏感，因此不会允许对别国采取这样的做法。在缺乏有效证据的情况下，对中国进行这样的指责，如果不是故意妖魔化中国，那么只能被当作一种天真的笑话来看待。

　　That many of the charges the US has leveled against China aren't based on solid facts indicates there is lack of sufficient information about China and its aims and interests. Some of the accusations may be based on individual cases or mishaps, which are being deliberately used to give China a bad name. For example, if a Chinese individual or a member of the news media comments on American politics in a transparent and lawful manner, it should not be misportrayed as official interference. China has been highly sensitive about foreign interference in its domestic affairs and therefore condones no behavior for such purposes. Accusing China of interference without hard evidence, for any Chinese, is no more than a naïve joke - if not a deliberate demonization.

　　中国人也可以做更多努力来消除这类伤害形象的误解，官员和学者可以更积极地与美国公众和更广泛的国际社会进行沟通。举例来说，2008年发生了三聚氰胺婴儿配方奶粉事件，现任白宫贸易顾问纳瓦罗曾在他的书中将此事渲染和扭曲，根据他的描述，中国人如此不道德，不仅给外国消费者下毒，也给自己下毒。但如果中国人能主动向外界进行全面通报，说明事件如何得到彻查，相关人如何被惩处，法律法规如何得到严格执行以避免再发生，这样的胡扯就不会轻易传播。10年过去了，挑战仍然存在，但食品安全已成为中国政府的头等大事。

　　For its part, the Chinese can do more to dispel such corrosive misconceptions. Chinese officials and scholars can be more active in engaging the American public. Take for example, the 2008 melamine-laced baby formula scandal. Peter Navarro, now a White House trade adviser, twisted the tragic episode in his book, using it to portray the Chinese as so immoral that they would poison foreign customers and themselves. Such distortions wouldn't spread if China had proactively given the world a fuller picture of the episode, making clear that the problem was investigated, that the people responsible were punished and that laws and regulations were put in place to prevent future such occurrences. Ten years have passed and challenges remain, but food safety is a top priority of the Chinese government.

　　中国有权在其政治体制受到攻击时捍卫政治主权。同时，对美方提出的具体问题也可以做出说明和给予回应。举例来说，美国人批评中国在应对气候变化上努力不够，而实际上中国为改善环境付出巨大经济代价，一些工厂不得不关闭，下岗工人需要再培训和安置。中国人为维护一个健康的地球所经历的种种困难应该让世人所知晓。

　　Although China has a right to defend its sovereignty when its political system is under attack, it can also do a better job of responding to specific US complaints. Take, for instance, the empty American contention that we haven't done enough to fight climate change. To safeguard the environment, China is paying a stiff economic cost. We have closed polluting factories, which has led to layoffs and workers in need of retraining. The difficulties China is going through in service to a healthier planet need to be shared with the entire world.

　　如果美方提出的诉求有合理的地方，中国人可以坦然接受，并且通过加快改革来解决这类问题。例如，中国已宣布采取措施进一步开放金融服务业，全面降低关税等。为了更好地保护知识产权，全国人大常委会刚作出决定，涉及知识产权专业技术性较强的二审案件，今后将直接提交最高法院审理，以利于统一专利等知识产权司法裁判标准。

　　Where there are reasonable requests from the US, the Chinese can candidly acknowledge and try to address them through accelerating reforms. For example, China has announced further steps to open up the financial service sector and bring down tariffs across the board. To better protect intellectual property, the Standing Committee of National People's Congress has just approved changes that the second-instance intellectual properties cases with strong technical elements will be submitted directly to our Supreme Court so as to unify the standards of adjudication.

　　自2014年以来，在北京、上海和广州设立的知识产权法院处理了越来越多的涉及专利、商标和版权等方面的案件。目前知识产权领域的侵权和纠纷仍不少见，须进一步提高人们的意识和加强从严执法。如果美国真关心中国的知识产权保护，那就应该成为中国应对挑战的伙伴。

　　Since 2014, specialized intellectual property courts in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have handled a growing number of patent, trademark and copyright cases. Violations and disputes are not uncommon, however a strong emphasis is given to broadening people's awareness and reinforcing the execution of laws. If the US cares for China's IP improvement, it should be China's partner in addressing the challenges.

　　此刻，中国人需要了解中美关系所面临的问题及其原因。虽然新的形势令人担忧，但人们没有放弃重返稳定和发展的希望，并且愿为实现这一目标而努力。即便“修昔底德陷阱”是存在的，但并不意味着我们必须踏进去。

　　At this moment, it is important for the Chinese people to understand what is confronting us in our relationship with the US and why. Although events of late have increased apprehensiveness, we have not given up the hope of returning to a place of progress and stability, and we are willing to work toward this goal. Just because the Thucydides Trap is set, doesn't mean we have to walk into it.

　　This article was previously published on Bloomberg.

　　作者：傅莹，全国人大外事委员会主席，中国社科院国家全球战略智库首席专家，清华大学兼职教授，中国外交部前副部长