侯丹娜代总领事在国庆73周年招待会上的讲话
Speech by Acting Consul General Mme Hou Danna at the Online Event Celebrating the 73rd Chinese National Day
2022年9月30日
30 September 2022
尊敬的罗伯森内阁部长，
尊敬的阿尔德里奇市长，
各位贵宾，各位侨胞，
女士们，先生们，朋友们，
Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson MSP,
Lord Provost Robert Aldridge,
Distinguished guests,
Representatives from the Chinese community,
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
大家上午好！今天我们相聚“云端”，共同庆祝中华人民共和国成立73周年，庆祝中国驻爱丁堡总领馆建馆25周年。首先，我谨代表总领馆向大家表示热烈欢迎，向心系中英、中苏友好的各界朋友表示衷心感谢。
Good morning! A very warm welcome for joining us to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Consulate-General in Edinburgh. I’m grateful for everyone who cares for and supports the China-UK and China-Scotland relationship.
新中国成立73年来，中国共产党带领中国人民砥砺奋进，把一个一穷二白的旧中国建设成为独立自主的国家。特别是中共十八大以来，中国经济增速年均达6.5%，对世界经济增长的平均贡献率超过30%。中国坚持创新发展，2021年通过《专利合作条约》（PCT）提交的国际专利申请量近7万件，连续第3年位居世界第一。脱贫攻坚战取得全面胜利，使近1亿农村人口摆脱绝对贫困，提前10年实现联合国在全球消除极端贫困的愿景，并建成了世界上规模最大的社会保障体系，人均预期寿命增长到78.2岁。中国坚持56个民族一律平等，实现共同繁荣，包括新疆、西藏等民族地区经济社会实现跨越式发展，居民人均可支配收入年均增长高达10%。中国坚持性别平等，不断完善保障妇女权益的法律体系，消除针对妇女的偏见、歧视、暴力。中国坚持宗教信仰自由，依法进行宗教事务管理。
Since the founding of the PRC, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Chinese people united as one and worked very hard to transform China from poor and backward to independent and self-reliant. In particular in the last decade, the average economic growth of China is 6.5%, contributing to over 30% of the global growth. China is committed to innovation-driven development. In 2021 alone, China submitted nearly 70 thousand patent applications through the International Patent System, the most applications worldwide for the consecutive 3 years. China has succeeded in eradicating extreme poverty all over the country with almost 100 million being lifted out of destitution. That also saves China 10 years to meet United Nations’ ending poverty goal. As China has established world’s largest social security system, our average life expectancy reached 78.2 years. All 56 ethnic groups in China are equally eligible for common prosperity. Ethnic regions including Xinjiang and Xizang have made great strides economically and socially. Their average disposable income grow 10% on a yearly basis. China is committed to gender equality and women’s empowerment. The legal system has been constantly improved to protect women from discrimination and abuse. China is also committed to freedom of religious belief and manages religious affairs in accordance with the law.
中国始终奉行独立自主的和平外交政策，始终发挥负责任大国作用，累计向120多个国家和国际组织提供了22亿剂疫苗。坚持绿色发展，相继出台多项配套政策举措，助力实现“双碳”目标。中国在过去10年增加了9.6亿亩的森林，相当于8个苏格兰的面积，目前水电、风电、太阳能发电、生物质发电装机总量均居世界第一。
China firmly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and plays its due role as a major responsible country. In global response to the pandemic, we have offered 2.2 billion vaccine doses to over 120 countries and international organizations. China adheres to green development. In order to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, we have come up with a series of key policies and measures. China leads the world in hydro, wind, solar and biomass power capacity. For the past decade, China becomes greener with an additional forest area covering almost 640 thousand square kilometers, which is 8 times as big as Scotland.
2022年，世界进入新冠大流行第三年。中国与世界各国一样正加紧努力抗击疫情，我们坚持以生命权为最大的人权，实施“动态清零”防疫总方针，有效控制新冠发病率和死亡率；加紧恢复生产生活，上半年中国经济顶住压力实现正增长，国内生产总值超7万亿英镑，增长2.5%，货物贸易增长9.4%。
In the third year of the pandemic, China as well as the whole international community is continue to combat the impacts of COVID. China always put people’s lives first as it is the most important human right. Thanks to the dynamic-zero policy, we keep the infection rate and death rate as low as possible. In terms of the recovery, China’s economy managed to secure a positive growth against tough headwinds with 2.5% growth in the first half of this year. China’s GDP expanded to £7 trillion pounds and the total trade volume grew by 9.4%.
九万里风鹏正举，新征程扬帆远航。中共二十大召开在即，将为未来五年乃至更长时期中国的发展擘画蓝图，也将为促进世界和平与发展贡献智慧。
In about two week’s time, the CPC’s 20th National Congress is to be held in Beijing. It will draw blueprint for the development of China in the next five or more years and will also draft plans for making greater contribution to the world peace and development.
女士们，先生们，朋友们，
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
伊丽莎白二世女王为中英关系发展作出积极贡献。习近平主席特别代表王岐山副主席不久前应邀出席了女王国葬仪式，向英王室、政府和人民致以诚挚慰问。查尔斯三世国王向中方转达口信，重申英王室重视英中关系发展，英副首相科菲亦表示希与中国加强经贸、环保、气变及多边事务等领域的合作。这些高层交往，有利于中英关系克服困难，重回健康稳定发展轨道。总领馆为女王逝世降半旗。9月18日晚我同全英人民一道为女王默哀。我本人有幸参加了在圣吉尔斯教堂举办的追思活动，向女王表达哀悼和敬意，现场感受到苏民众对女王的深深爱戴。
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made important contribution to Sino-UK relations. President Xi Jinping’s Special Representative Vice President Wang Qishan attended the state funeral for Her Majesty last week, and extended sincere condolences to the British royal family, government and people. His Majesty King Charles III sent a verbal message to the Chinese side, reiterating the British royal family attaches importance to the development of UK-China relations. Deputy Prime Minister Coffey also emphasized that the UK is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in economy and trade, environment, climate change and multilateral affairs. These high-level interactions are helpful in overcoming difficulties and bringing the bilateral relations back to track. As a mark of respect, the national flag was flown at half-mast at the Consulate-General and I observed the national moment of reflection on the evening of 18 September. I had the privilege to attend the thanksgiving service held at St Giles’ Cathedral to pay my respect and tribute. I felt firsthand Scottish people’s love and admiration for the Queen.
驻爱丁堡总领馆建馆25年来，我们见证了双方在政治、经贸、文化、科技、教育等广泛领域务实合作的快速发展。2006年至2018年间，苏政府连续出台3份对华合作战略文件，表明中苏合作契合苏国际化发展方向。中国已成为苏三文鱼、威士忌等主要出口市场和最大进口来源国。绿色发展成为中苏务实合作的鲜明底色，比亚迪与亚历山大·丹尼斯电动大巴合作项目、以及投资总额高达20亿英镑的陆上和海上风电项目成为新能源合作典范。6对结好省市体现了中苏人民间的友好感情。5所孔子学院、44个孔子课堂承载中苏语言文化交流重要职能，助力苏教育部门培养出更多具有全球视野的人才。
In the past 25 years since the establishment of the Consulate General, pragmatic cooperation in politics, trade, culture, technology, energy, education and other areas have witnessed rapid development. The Scottish government has issued 3 strategic documents on cooperation with China, with the latest titled Scotland’s Commitment To A Strong, Long-term, Bilateral Partnership with China in 2018, which indicates Sino-Scotland cooperation fits Scotland’s schedule of internationalization. Thanks to market complementarity, China is now a major importer of Scottish salmon and whisky and the largest exporter to Scotland.
I have to point out that green development is the predominant feature of our engagement, with the zero-emission electric bus partnership between Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and China’s BYD and 2 billion pounds Chinese investment into Scottish onshore and offshore wind power sector.
At the local level, 6 pairs of sister cities have been connected, an epitome of our friendly relations. 5 Confucius institutes and 44 Confucius Classrooms are hubs for language learning and exchange of cultures, which also facilitates the training of talents with international vision by the Scottish education sector.
我这里还有一组亮眼的数据，现在约2万名中国留学生在苏学习深造，与20年前相比增加了数十倍，其中近1万名在爱丁堡留学，他们把这座美丽城市宠称为“爱堡（宝）”。数据显示，2021年中国留学生为英教育产业贡献了21亿英镑的直接收入。尽管尚无具体数据，但我相信中国留学生也推动了苏教育、旅游、餐饮等产业发展。
I have got another impressive data. As many as 20 thousand Chinese students are studying in Scotland, an increase of dozens of times, compared to 20 years ago. Among them ten thousand are based in Edinburgh. They call Edinburgh as “loveburgh”, meaning the city of love. Statistics shows that in 2021, Chinese students contributed £2.1 billion pounds, which was 7% of all revenue to the UK’s education sector. Although I have no further data, I believe Chinese students here also boost local education, tourism and catering sectors.
今年，中苏关系继续克服疫情影响，保持良好发展势头。一是人员往来增多。6月，郑泽光大使访问苏格兰，同罗伯森内阁部长等政商学界人士就巩固双方友好关系，深化务实合作达成广泛共识。中国农业部副部长访苏，文化部副部长视频出席第六届爱丁堡国际文化峰会。二是互联互通实现突破。赴华签证服务总体恢复，中英间直航复飞，双方人员往来更加便利。8月，中苏间首条集装箱海运直航正式开通，超过100万瓶威士忌已从苏西海岸直达中国，为中苏经贸合作注入新动能。今年中国出现一种月饼新吃法，那就是边吃月饼边品威士忌，苏格兰威士忌或许因此在中国更加受欢迎。三是绿色合作取得进展。6月，中国昆明市正式加入“爱丁堡进程”。四是人文交流持续回暖。很高兴看到第75届爱丁堡国际艺术节恢复举办，中方愿继续推动高水平艺术团组参演，促进双方民心相通。
As for this year, Sino-Scotland relations has been on the right track, despite the impact of covid-19.
We see increase of visits. This June, during his visit to Scotland, Chinese Ambassador to UK, Mr. Zheng Zeguang reached broad consensus on consolidating friendly relations and pragmatic cooperation with Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson and other partners from government, business community and universities. Chinese Vice Minister of Agriculture visited Scotland (Highland). Our Vice Minister of Culture virtually attended the Edinburgh International Culture Summit.
We have more connectivity. Travels are more convenient with visa service to China largely restored to normality and direct fight between China and UK resumed. The first direct China-Scotland shipping route was launched by bringing over 1 million bottles of whisky and other goods to China. This year there is a new way to eat Chinese mooncakes with whisky, which is believed to make whisky even more popular in China.
We made progress in green partnership. This June, Kunming has become a signatory to the Edinburgh Declaration.
We support people to people exchange. The Edinburgh International Festival was back this summer after 2 years suspension and celebrated its 75th anniversary. Many congratulations on that! We will encourage more Chinese art troupes to join the Festival and promote culture exchange.
总领馆自建馆伊始就十分关心广大旅苏侨胞的生活事业发展，心系侨界的团结进步。我们将始终坚持“以人为本，外交为民”的初心，不断提高服务水平。在苏华侨华人发挥桥梁纽带作用，在中苏之间架起理解之桥、合作之桥、友谊之桥。同时苏方为广大旅苏侨胞融入当地社会、实现安居乐业提供了大力支持和帮助，苏民众与侨社在疫情期间互施援手，共克时艰，谱写了一段新的友谊佳话。
Since its establishment, the Consulate-General has been caring for the local ethnic Chinese and Chinese nationals, and advocating solidarity and prosperity. With people’s interests prioritized, we have been constantly bettering our service. The Chinese community here plays an important role in enriching mutual understanding, fostering friendship and linking cooperation between China and Scotland. At the same time, the Scottish side also help ethnic Chinese and Chinese nationals integrate into the society. During the pandemic, they reciprocated assistance and support to tide over the difficulties, and compose a new chapter of friendship.
总领馆建馆时，得到了旅苏侨胞，特别是港胞们在馆舍购置、后勤等方面的大力支持。今年也是香港回归祖国25周年。香港回归后通过实行“一国两制”，各方面事业全面进步，生产总值从1997年的1.3万亿港币增长至2021年的2.9万亿港币，翻了一倍多。香港国安法针对的是极少数反中乱港分子及外部敌对势力，他们支持策动的非法暴乱活动与合法的示威游行完全是两回事，是不能被允许的，也绝不会得逞。民调显示，72%的香港居民认为国安法的实施增强了他们对未来的信心。
When the Consulate-General was opened in 1997, local Chinese, especially those from Hong Kong, offered indispensable support in terms of purchase of premises and logistics. This year also marks the 25th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Return to the Motherland. With the “One country, Two systems” principle, Hong Kong has been moving forward in all aspects, with GDP growing from 150 to 340 billion Pounds. The Hong Kong National Security Law only targets those who attempt to split the country, subvert state power, and organize and carry out terrorist activities, as well as foreign and external forces seeking to interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs. Their activities are different from lawful demonstrations, thus not permitted and will not achieve anything. Opinion polls show 72% of Hong Kong residents have stronger confidence for future development with National Security Law in effect.
女士们，先生们，朋友们，
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
作为最大的发展中国家，中国的发展目标是不断满足人民对美好生活的向往。中国不谋求任何势力范围，不扩张、不称霸，也从未侵占过别国一寸领土。中方坚决反对所谓“中国威胁论”。事实证明，中国的发展是机遇绝非挑战。
As the biggest developing country, China’s target is to meet people’s aspiration for a better life. Other than this, China has no other agenda. China never seeks expansion, hegemony or spheres of influence. Never had China occupied any inch of foreign territory. We absolutely oppose the so-called China threat spin. Facts have proven that China is an opportunity, not a threat.
抚今追昔，尽管我们在语言、文化、社会和政治制度上存在巨大差异，中苏各领域交流合作结下的累累硕果给双方人民带来了实实在在的利益。展望未来，中方愿同苏方共同克服疫情困难，在平等相待、相互尊重基础上扩大互利合作，实现共同发展，也为全球治理贡献力量。
In retrospect, despite the huge differences in language, culture, social and political system, Sino-Scottish cooperation has brought tangible benefits to the people. Looking ahead, China stands ready, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, to work with Scotland to overcome difficulties brought by the pandemic and expand bilateral cooperation to achieve common development and to make contribution to global governance.
最后，祝愿伟大祖国繁荣昌盛！祝中苏友谊长存！祝各位来宾身体健康，生活幸福！
To close my speech, I wish my motherland thriving prosperity and long live China-Scotland friendship. I wish each and everyone of you good health and happiness.
谢谢大家！
Thank you all!