中美兩軍高層擱置爭議友好對話

Tensions may be running high between U.S. and Chinese militaries over cyberspying and shows of force by both sides in the Pacific. But at a security conference in Singapore, American and Chinese commanders set the thorniest issues aside for the moment and embraced a new approach to break down the barriers between them: small talk─about their military careers, spouses and grandkids.

中美兩國軍隊之間因爲網絡間諜活動和雙方在太平洋地區展示軍力的行動產生的緊張局勢可能在升溫。但在新加坡的一場安全會議上，美中兩國指揮官暫時擱置最棘手的問題，雙方都接受一種新方法來消除兩軍之間存在的障礙，這一方法就是閒談。談一談各自的軍旅生涯、配偶和孫子輩。

The charm offensive on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue conference came ahead of a high-stakes summit later this week between President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping in California.

就在中美兩軍高層參加“香格里拉對話”間隙發起這場魅力攻勢的時候，本週晚些時候美國總統奧巴馬(Barack Obama)和中國國家主席習近平將在美國加州舉行一場對兩國來說非常重要的峯會。

Before the summit, U.S. officials say they have seen a marked change, at least in tone, in the new Chinese leadership's approach to the U.S.--a change that was on display in private talks between U.S. and Chinese defense officials who met on the sidelines of the conference this weekend.

在峯會舉行前，美國官員說他們已經看到了中國新一屆領導人對待美國的明顯變化，至少在語氣上如此。從上週末參加“香格里拉對話”間隙相遇的美中兩國國防官員在私下會談的表現可以明顯看出這一變化。

For veterans of Shangri-La, the Chinese delegation at the conference this year appeared to be more engaged and outgoing than in years past. Their delegates not only spoke fluent English but went out of their way to be cordial and courteous in their public and private comments, while still being strident about China's concerns about stepped-up U.S. military deployments in Asia, which visiting Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the conference would continue.

作爲“香格里拉對話”的老面孔，今年參會的中國代表團和往年相比顯得更投入，也更爲友善。中國代表團成員不僅能說流利的英語，且無論在公開還是私下談話場合，他們都竭力做到親切禮貌。但中方仍然對美軍加強在亞洲的軍事部署感到非常擔憂。參會的美國防部長哈格爾(Chuck Hagel)在會上說，美軍將繼續在亞洲的軍事部署。

The change in China's approach, at least so far, has renewed U.S. hope that Beijing will at least be willing to engage in more detailed discussions than they have in the past on thorny issues, including setting standards for cyberspace, tamping down tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea and finding ways to restrain North Korea, the officials said.

有關官員說，至少到目前爲止，中國做法的改變重新燃起美國的希望，即和過去相比，北京至少將願意就一系列問題進行更詳細的討論，其中包括爲網絡空間制定種種標準，爲南中國海（中國稱南海）領土爭端引發的緊張局勢降溫，找到遏制朝鮮的種種方法等。

'There is a lot more hope,' a senior Obama administration official said. 'The previous government was more 20th Century. The new team seems to be more 21st Century.'

奧巴馬政府一名高級官員說，這讓我們看到了更多希望。上一屆中國政府的風格更像20世紀的做派，新一屆政府看上去則更像21世紀。

But the senior Obama administration official said it was unclear based on the limited exchanges that have taken place between top U.S. officials and China's new leadership whether these 'styale differences' will translate into 'a difference in action.'

但那位奧巴馬政府的高級官員說，美國高級官員和中國新領導層之間交流有限，因此還不清楚這種行事風格上的不同是否會體現爲行動上的不同。

Renewed U.S. hopes stem, at least so far, from the fact that the new government has indicated to Washington that it 'is willing to talk about the issues,' including sensitive ones like cyberespionage, the official said.

這位官員說，中國新一屆政府向華盛頓表示，願意討論包括網絡間諜等敏感話題在內的問題，這一點令美國再次燃起希望，至少到目前爲止是這樣。

The new tone was on display, officials said, during Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's brief meeting Friday night with Gen. Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of staff for the People's Liberation Army, at the start of the conference.

官員們說，上週五晚間大會開幕前，美國防長哈格爾與中國人民解放軍副總參謀長戚建國短暫會晤，兩人的見面呈現出一種新基調。

The two weren't scheduled to meet until Saturday afternoon, but Singapore's defense minister introduced them a day earlier.

哈格爾與戚建國的碰面直到5月25日才定下來，不過此前一天新加坡防長已介紹二人認識。

U.S. officials say Mr. Hagel told Gen. Qi that the U.S. hopes for more 'constructive engagements' with Beijing and that Mr. Obama looks forward to hosting Mr. Xi in California later this week and to discussing areas of 'mutual concern.' Mr. Hagel briefly mentioned U.S. concerns about China's alleged role in cyberspying in his exchange with Gen. Qi but didn't go into detail during their brief exchange, senior defense officials said.

美國官員說，哈格爾對戚建國講，美國希望與北京方面展開更有建設性的接觸，並說奧巴馬期待本週晚些時候在加利福尼亞州接待習近平，討論雙方共同關注的問題。美國高級防務官員說，哈格爾在與戚建國的交談中，簡單提及了美國就中國在網絡間諜事件中所扮角色的擔心，但兩人見面時間較短，沒有深入探討這個話題。

U.S. defense officials described Gen. Qi as 'engaging' but didn't provide details about what he told the Pentagon chief. It was their first meeting.

美國防務官員用“有魅力”來形容戚建國，但沒有透露他對哈格爾具體說了些什麼。這是他們兩人的首次會面。

Officials described a similarly 'warm' exchange between the head of the U.S. military's Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Locklear, and Gen. Qi on Sunday.

據美國官員描述，週日美國太平洋司令部司令、海軍上將洛克利爾(Samuel Locklear)與戚建國之間的交流也同樣“熱情”。

During their meeting, Adm. Locklear and Gen. Qi not only discussed the importance of expanding U.S.-Chinese military ties but swapped stories about their personal lives and careers.

洛克利爾和戚建國在會談過程中不僅討論了擴大美中軍事關係的重要性，還分享了各自私人生活和事業上的經歷。

Adm. Locklear told the Chinese general about joining the Navy at age 17 and about his family, including his wife and his four grandsons, officials said. Gen. Qi reciprocated, sharing details about his military career and family.

美國官員說，洛克利爾告訴這位中國將軍，自己17歲參加海軍，還談到了自己的家庭，包括妻子和四個孫子。戚建國於是也談起了自己的軍旅生涯和家庭生活。

'It was about building a relationship between the two commanders,' one U.S. official said.

一位美國官員說，這兩位軍事指揮官主要就是在建立關係。