Keynote Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Icebreakers Chinese New Year Dinner
17 February 2011, The Dorchester, London

尊敬的能源和氣候變化大臣克里斯·休恩先生，
尊敬的前外交大臣道格拉斯·赫德勛爵，
尊敬的前外交大臣戴維·米利班德先生，
尊敬的美國(guó)駐英國(guó)大使路易斯·薩斯曼先生，
尊敬的48家集團(tuán)俱樂(lè)部主席斯蒂芬·佩里先生，
各位來(lái)賓，
女士們、先生們：
The Rt Hon Chris Huhne,
The Rt Hon Lord Hurd,
The Rt Hon David Miliband,
Ambassador Louis Susman,
Mr Stephen Perry,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

我 很高興出席今晚48家集團(tuán)俱樂(lè)部舉辦的如此盛大的春節(jié)晚宴，與大家共度中國(guó)元宵佳節(jié)。
It is my great pleasure to join you at this gracious dinner hosted by the 48 Group Club to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival.

從中國(guó)民俗來(lái)說(shuō)，元宵節(jié)是中國(guó)新春佳節(jié)的收尾。這是我參加的十多場(chǎng)春節(jié)慶祝活動(dòng)的最后一場(chǎng)。辭舊迎新之際，我想再說(shuō)些總結(jié)性的話。
According to Chinese tradition, the Lantern Festival is the last day of the Chinese New Year celebration. Tonight's dinner will be the last one of more than a dozen New Year celebrations I have attended in the past two weeks. As we ring out the Year of the Tiger and ring in the Year of the Rabbit, let me share with you my thoughts about 2010 and hopes for 2011.

2010年是難忘的，中國(guó)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人用“極不平凡”來(lái)形容。我個(gè)人理解，因?yàn)槲覀兘?jīng)歷了大事、難事和喜事。一說(shuō)大事，我們有效應(yīng)對(duì)國(guó)際金融危機(jī)的沖擊，保持了經(jīng)濟(jì)平穩(wěn)較快發(fā)展，經(jīng)濟(jì)結(jié)構(gòu)調(diào)整邁出重要步伐，經(jīng)濟(jì)總量升至世界第二；二說(shuō)難事，我們積極探索發(fā)展民生之道，大力發(fā)展社會(huì)事業(yè)；同時(shí)，我們也經(jīng)受了玉樹(shù)地震、舟曲泥石流等重大自然災(zāi)害的考驗(yàn)；三說(shuō)喜事，我們成功舉辦上海世博會(huì)和廣州亞運(yùn)會(huì)，進(jìn)一步展現(xiàn)了自信、開(kāi)放、包容的現(xiàn)代中國(guó)形象。
2010 was a memorable year, or "exceptional" as the Chinese leaders put it. As I saw it, 2010 was about momentous successes, tough challenges and joyous moments. For China, the biggest success was that we not only weathered the impact of the international financial crisis, but continued steady and fast economic growth. We took major steps to restructure our economy and have now become the second largest in the world. We made active efforts to improve people's living standards and social services. We withstood the tests of the Yushu earthquake in Qinghai Province and the mudslide in Zhouqu, Gansu Province. Our joy came from the success of the Shanghai World Expo and the Guangzhou Asian Games. Both events have presented a confident, open, inclusive and modern China to the world.

今天是元宵節(jié)，對(duì)我來(lái)說(shuō)，也是一個(gè)值得紀(jì)念的日子。就在上個(gè)元宵節(jié)，我來(lái)到倫敦赴任履新。一年來(lái)，感想和體會(huì)很多，最感欣慰的是，在各位英國(guó)朋友的大力支持和共同努力下，中英關(guān)系保持了穩(wěn)定和健康發(fā)展。
The Lantern Festival is also a special day for me, because I arrived in London as the new Chinese Ambassador on the Lantern Festival last year. This has been quite a year for me. I am truly glad and grateful that China-UK relations are in such a good shape today. This wouldn't have been possible without your support and the support of other friends in the UK.

中英政治關(guān)系更加緊密。卡梅倫首相率領(lǐng)包括休恩大臣在內(nèi)的超強(qiáng)陣容代表團(tuán)成功訪華。兩國(guó)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人在G20峰會(huì)期間舉行良好溝通和合作。外交大臣黑格、財(cái)政大臣奧斯本也分別訪華。我們也不能忘記在座的米利班德先生去年同戴秉國(guó)國(guó)務(wù)委員啟動(dòng)了首次中英高級(jí)別戰(zhàn)略對(duì)話。不久前，中國(guó)國(guó)務(wù)院副總理李克強(qiáng)成功訪英，進(jìn)一步推動(dòng)了兩國(guó)關(guān)系發(fā)展的良好勢(shì)頭。
We have seen closer political ties. These included Prime Minister Cameron's successful visit to China with a senior delegation, including Mr Huhne. Our leaders worked closely together at the G20 summits. Foreign Secretary William Hague and Chancellor George Osborne both visited China. Let us also not forget that it was Mr David Miliband who launched the upgraded Strategic Dialogue with State Councillor Dai Bingguo. The recent visit by Vice Premier Li Keqiang to Britain was another success, keeping up the good momentum for the growth of our relations.

中英各領(lǐng)域合作“百花齊放”。中英雙邊貿(mào)易額實(shí)現(xiàn)新的突破。去年，雙邊貨物貿(mào)易額首次超過(guò)500億美元，雙方還確立了今后五年雙邊貿(mào)易額達(dá)到1000億美元的新目標(biāo)。英國(guó)在上海世博會(huì)上的出色表現(xiàn)，令中國(guó)民眾對(duì)英國(guó)的印象煥然一新。我在英國(guó)也強(qiáng)烈感受到不斷升溫的“漢語(yǔ)熱”，從大學(xué)生到小學(xué)生，學(xué)習(xí)漢語(yǔ)的人數(shù)越來(lái)越多。當(dāng)然，與中國(guó)有近4億人在學(xué)習(xí)英語(yǔ)相比，增長(zhǎng)潛力還很大。中英文化領(lǐng)域的交流也是如火如荼，就在10天前，50萬(wàn)英國(guó)民眾參加了特拉法加廣場(chǎng)中國(guó)春節(jié)活動(dòng)。我也很高興地見(jiàn)證中英簽署大熊貓科研合作協(xié)議，兩只可愛(ài)的大熊貓不久將落戶愛(ài)丁堡動(dòng)物園。
We have seen fruitful cooperation across the board. Our trade in goods hit a record of over 50 billion US dollars in 2010, and a goal was set to double this figure in the next 5 years. Britain's spectacular performance at the Shanghai World Expo has enabled the Chinese public to see and experience what Britain is like today. I am also pleased to find that there is an emerging "mandarin fever" here. More and more people started to learn mandarin, whether as college students, primary school children or adults wanting to learn for business or just pleasure. Of course there is a huge potential to tap, if you look at the number of Chinese learning English – 400 million. Cultural exchanges have been robust. Just 10 days ago, half a million people enthusiastically attended the Trafalgar Square Chinese New Year Celebrations. I also had the pleasure of witnessing the signing of an agreement on joint research, which will soon bring two lovely giant pandas to Edinburgh Zoo.

告別成績(jī)斐然的虎年，我們迎來(lái)充滿希望的兔年。在中國(guó)，“兔”在十二生肖中也被稱為“卯”。“卯”字描繪了草木萌芽出土的形象，代表著春意和黎明，代表著萬(wàn)物復(fù)蘇和無(wú)限生機(jī)。在西方，兔子也象征著春天和再生。兔年寓示著吉祥好兆，我們應(yīng)該抓住機(jī)遇，開(kāi)拓創(chuàng)新，在新的一年，努力實(shí)現(xiàn)中英關(guān)系三個(gè)“超越”：
We waved goodbye to a fruitful Year of the Tiger and entered the hopeful Year of the Rabbit. In the 12 Chinese animal signs, Rabbit goes with one of the 12 earthly branches – "mao", which represents newly sprung buds, and is therefore a symbol of spring, dawn, recovery and dynamism. I know the rabbit also symbolises spring and renewal in Western culture. So let us make full use of this auspicious year to take China-UK relations forward with a pioneering and innovative spirit:

第一，超越差異分歧，增進(jìn)政治互信。中英兩國(guó)歷史文化、社會(huì)制度、價(jià)值觀念不同，但中英關(guān)系幾十年發(fā)展的歷史進(jìn)程告訴我們兩國(guó)完全可以做到和平、和諧共處。雙方應(yīng)從兩國(guó)關(guān)系大局出發(fā)，相互尊重、平等相待，增進(jìn)了解、加強(qiáng)信任。上個(gè)月，胡錦濤主席訪美時(shí)，中美一致同意要建設(shè)相互尊重、互利共贏的合作伙伴關(guān)系，我認(rèn)為這一共識(shí)同樣適用于發(fā)展中英關(guān)系。
Let us rise above differences and increase political mutual trust. Despite the differences in our historical and cultural heritage, social system and values, China and Britain have shown that we can live with each other in peace and harmony. We have learnt to respect each other as equals and increase mutual understanding and trust. During his visit to the United States last month, President Hu Jintao and President Obama pledged to build a China-US partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. I believe this also applies to China-UK relations.

第二，超越買(mǎi)賣(mài)關(guān)系，促進(jìn)共同增長(zhǎng)。中英經(jīng)貿(mào)合作不應(yīng)停留于傳統(tǒng)貨物貿(mào)易領(lǐng)域，停留在簡(jiǎn)單的互通有無(wú)式的“易貨貿(mào)易”，而應(yīng)在經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展理念上相互借鑒學(xué)習(xí)，在技術(shù)創(chuàng)新上加強(qiáng)交流合作，在發(fā)展新興產(chǎn)業(yè)上實(shí)現(xiàn)資本、技術(shù)和市場(chǎng)的良好結(jié)合，在相互投資上創(chuàng)造更加便利條件。卡梅倫首相和黑格外交大臣提出中英建立“共同促進(jìn)經(jīng)濟(jì)增長(zhǎng)的伙伴關(guān)系”，中方也期待著中英通過(guò)加強(qiáng)經(jīng)貿(mào)全方位合作，促進(jìn)兩國(guó)經(jīng)濟(jì)增長(zhǎng)和調(diào)整轉(zhuǎn)型。
Let us go beyond a mere business relationship of buying and selling and work together for common growth. In addition to traditional trade in goods, China-UK business cooperation should extend to draw upon each other's ideas of economic development and closer exchanges on technological innovation. We should encourage a synergy of capital, technology and market between the two countries and facilitate mutual investment in emerging industries. Just as Prime Minister Cameron and Foreign Secretary Hague proposed a China-UK "partnership for growth", we in China look forward to a comprehensive partnership with the UK in trade and investment, which will serve economic growth and restructuring of both countries.

第三，超越雙邊范疇，發(fā)揮全球影響。從近年應(yīng)對(duì)國(guó)際金融危機(jī)、解決國(guó)際熱點(diǎn)問(wèn)題、促進(jìn)二十國(guó)集團(tuán)發(fā)展、應(yīng)對(duì)氣候變化等進(jìn)程中可以得出一個(gè)結(jié)論：中英加強(qiáng)合作至關(guān)重要。中英都是在國(guó)際上舉足輕重的大國(guó)，雙方共同利益越來(lái)越多，合作需要越來(lái)越強(qiáng)。我們?cè)概c英方進(jìn)一步加強(qiáng)在全球事務(wù)中的協(xié)調(diào)與合作，共同加強(qiáng)“積極力量”（forces for good），使中英關(guān)系的發(fā)展不僅造福兩國(guó)人民，而且促進(jìn)世界的穩(wěn)定與繁榮。
Let us go beyond the bilateral scope and play a global role. We are very much committed to closer cooperation with Britain on the global stage, from working through the international financial crisis and climate challenge, to addressing international hotspot issues and promoting a greater role of the G20. This is a necessity for both countries, given our international influence and growing common interests. Together, we will strengthen the forces for good. And our relationship will not only benefit our own people, but also contribute to world stability and prosperity.

中英關(guān)系的持續(xù)發(fā)展需要社會(huì)各界的大力支持。因此，我要借此機(jī)會(huì)深切感謝和高度贊賞48家集團(tuán)俱樂(lè)部長(zhǎng)期以來(lái)為中英關(guān)系發(fā)展做出的突出貢獻(xiàn)。你們經(jīng)歷了中英關(guān)系50多年的風(fēng)風(fēng)雨雨，始終不渝地致力于促進(jìn)中英友好合作，迎來(lái)了中英關(guān)系發(fā)展的春天。你們不僅接過(guò)了當(dāng)年“破冰者”們所奉行的“推動(dòng)中英貿(mào)易、促進(jìn)平等互利”的使命，而且將這一重任又傳遞給了承載未來(lái)和希望的“青年破冰者”一代。你們盡管仍然沿用“48家集團(tuán)”的舊稱，但今天你們?cè)缫褜?shí)現(xiàn)了“超越”，匯聚了英國(guó)各行各業(yè)、成百上千的社會(huì)精英，壯大了支持和發(fā)展中英關(guān)系的力量。我也衷心地祝愿48家集團(tuán)俱樂(lè)部在新的一年里，在佩里先生的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)下，新年新氣象，兔年有飛躍。
An ever growing China-UK relationship counts on the support of people from all sectors. I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to the 48 Group Club for its outstanding contribution to this relationship. Your commitment to the friendship and cooperation between our two countries has not faltered despite ups and downs in our relations in the last 5 decades. You have not only stayed true to the mission of advancing China-UK trade for equality and mutual benefit, but also passed it on to the Young Icebreakers. Your club has far out-grown the original 48 companies, extending into all sectors of British industry and commerce and bringing in talents in all areas. These are what we rely on to grow China-UK relations. I wish the 48 Group Club continued success in the Year of the Rabbit, under Stephen's leadership.

就在上個(gè)月，我出席了蘇格蘭首席部長(zhǎng)在愛(ài)丁堡城堡為李克強(qiáng)副總理舉行的歡迎晚宴，席間優(yōu)美的女高音唱起了彭斯的名詩(shī)《我的愛(ài)像一朵紅紅的玫瑰》，唱到了“縱使大海干枯水流盡，太陽(yáng)將巖石燒作灰塵”（Till a' the sea gang dry, And the rock melt wi' the sun），我一下子想到了同樣比喻堅(jiān)定意志不變、且已使用千年的一句中國(guó)成語(yǔ)：“海枯石爛”（Till the sea runs dry and the rocks crumble）。兩個(gè)比擬是如此驚人一致，可見(jiàn)兩國(guó)文化是相近的，思想是相通的。
Last month at the Scottish First Minister's welcoming dinner for Vice Premier Li Keqiang in Edinburgh Castle, I heard a soprano singing a beautiful song. It was based on Robert Burns's famous poem My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose. One line reads "Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear, and the rock melt wi' the sun". This reminded me of a Chinese saying that has been used for a millennium to describe firm commitment of love– "Hai Ku Shi Lan", which literally means "till the sea runs dry and the rocks crumble". This is yet another example of how close our cultures are and how similar our thoughts can be.

祝愿中英友好合作持續(xù)發(fā)展！
祝愿中英人民友誼亙古長(zhǎng)青！
In closing, I wish the China-UK partnership greater success in the Year of the Rabbit and our two peoples an ever-lasting friendship!
謝謝