用团结和奋斗照亮前进之路
Light the Way Ahead with Unity and Hard Working
周剑大使在斐济侨社元宵联欢会暨欢迎大使履新晚宴上的讲话
Address by H.E. Ambassador Zhou Jian at the Lantern Festival Celebration with the Chinese Community in Fiji
悦来酒店，2023年2月5日
At Yuelai Hotel, 5 February 2023
尊敬的卡托尼韦雷总统夫妇，
尊敬的各位部长、副部长，
亲爱的同胞们，朋友们：
His Excellency President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Madame First Lady,
Honorable Ministers and Assistant Ministers,
My dear fellow countrymen, friends,
大家晚上好！
Ni sa bula vinaka！Good evening!
很高兴在美丽的苏瓦同卡托尼韦雷总统夫妇和在斐华侨华人一起欢度中华民族的传统佳节元宵节。在中国文化里，元宵节象征着家庭像满月一样团圆，寄托了人们对未来生活的美好愿望。总统阁下夫妇的到来赋予了今年元宵节更加喜庆的意义，象征着斐济各族裔民众的大团圆、大团结。首先，我对总统阁下夫妇、各位部长、副部长等各界人士出席今天的晚宴表示热烈的欢迎和新春的祝福！
It gives me great pleasure to celebrate the Chinese traditional Lantern Festival in the beautiful city of Suva with Mr. President and Madame First Lady and overseas Chinese in Fiji.
In Chinese culture, the Lantern Festival symbolizes people’s aspiration for a brighter future and family reunion like the full moon. The presence of Mr. President and Madame First Lady gives tonight a more festive meaning, which is the reunion and unity of all ethnic groups in Fiji.
So, first of all, please let me extend my warmest welcome and best wishes to His Excellency and his wife, ministers, assistant ministers and all distinguished guests.
每逢佳节倍思亲。借此机会，我谨转达中国党和政府以及14亿中国人民对旅斐侨胞的亲切慰问和新春祝福。这是我第一次出席斐济侨界的活动，非常荣幸认识各位同胞。老乡见老乡，两眼泪汪汪。祝福大家兔年大吉，阖家幸福，恭喜发财！
On festive occasions more than ever, we think of our relatives far away. I would also like to take this opportunity to convey the cordial festival greetings of the CPC Party, the Chinese Government as well as the 1.4 billion Chinese people to my dearest fellow countrymen in Fiji.
This is my first time attending an event of the Chinese community in Fiji after my arrival 5 days ago. I am very pleased to meet all of you present. “Meeting people from hometown brings tears to the eyes”. Wish you all have an auspicious Year of the Rabbit with happiness and prosperity.
今年的元宵节恰逢立春。立春是中国二十四节气之首，标志着冬去春来、万物生长。在美丽的斐济，我们也即将迎来更加凉爽适宜的季节。一元复始，万象更新。这是大自然的启迪，也是一个美好的象征，寓示着各项事业在万物复苏的春天，将迎来新的更大发展。
This year’s Lantern Festival coincides with the Beginning of Spring, which is the first of the 24 Solar Terms of China, marking that winter comes to the end and everything starts to grow. In Fiji, a cooler and more comfortable season is approaching. Nature enlightens us that from now on, all undertakings will usher in new and greater development.
华侨华人的事业将迎来希望的春天。总统阁下在接受我递交国书时，对华人社区给予高度评价。阁下对我说，早在160多年前，华人就远涉重洋，沿着海上丝绸之路来到斐济生活，并最早在当地开展贸易活动，为斐济经济社会发展做出了重要贡献，成为斐中友谊特殊而重要的纽带。我很高兴地看到，华人社区已经成为斐济多元文化和多民族大家庭不可分割的一部分。在疫情肆虐的时候，广大在斐同胞与斐济各界守望相助、患难与共，为抗击疫情贡献了力量。在疫情缓解的今天，大家迅速复工复市，用汗水浇灌希望，用奋斗赢得未来，在实现个人梦想的同时，共同为斐济经济的复苏和发展作出更大贡献。
First, the development of Chinese community will embrace a promising future. In accepting my credentials, His Excellency the President spoke highly of the Chinese community. He told me that as early as over 160 years ago, Chinese people came to Fiji along the Maritime Silk Road and were the first to conduct trade activities here. They have made important contributions to Fiji’s economic and social development and become a special and important bond of friendship between Fiji and China. I’m so happy to see that the Chinese Community has become an inalienable part of the multi-cultural and multi-ethnic local society. They stood together with our Fijian brothers and sisters to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. They also quickly restored business after the epidemic eased, working hard not only for their personal development but also for the brighter future of Fiji.
同胞们，中华民族是崇尚团结和谐的民族。有句古语说得好，“群之所为事无不成，众之所举业无不胜”。团结就是力量，团结就是希望。大家无论来自哪里，来斐时间早晚，都是华人社区的一员，希望同胞们传承好团结和谐的优良传统，像爱护眼睛一样珍视团结，相互帮助、相互支持，共同维护好华人社区的整体利益和形象。希望总统阁下和斐济政府继续关注关心华人社区福祉，为他们的发展提供更多支持。中国驻斐济使馆也将一如既往践行“以人为本、外交为民”宗旨，提供优质领事服务，维护好每一位在斐同胞的合法权益。
My dear compatriots, the Chinese nation values unity and harmony. As an old saying goes, deeds done by all are invincible. Unity means strength and hope. No matter which part of China you are from and no matter when you came to Fiji, it is every one of you who makes the Chinese community. I truly hope all of you may carry forward the traditional Chinese spirit of unity and harmony. Help each other, support each other, safeguard the reputation of Chinese people, and protect the collective interest of the Chinese community, just like protecting your own eyes.
I also hope His Excellency the President and the Fijian government could continue taking care of the Chinese community, and providing more support for their development. The Chinese Embassy will continue to follow the principle of “putting people first and serving the people with diplomacy”, provide quality consular services, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of every Chinese compatriot in Fiji.
中国的发展将迎来希望的春天。同胞们，我知道大家都时刻关心着祖（籍）国的发展。改革开放以来，特别是过去十年，中国的发展取得了历史性成就。去年，我们召开了中国共产党第二十次全国代表大会，擘画了以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的时间表和路线图。中国将坚持走和平发展道路，坚持深化改革、扩大开放，积极推动构建人类命运共同体。一个拥有14亿多人口的国家实现现代化，将形成人类发展史上前所未有的超大规模市场，为包括斐济在内的世界各国提供巨大机遇。
Secondly, China’s development will embrace a promising future. My dear compatriots, I know you always care about the development of the motherland. Ever since China adopted the reform and opening-up policy, especially during the last decade, we have made historical achievements. Last year, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was successfully convened and rolled out the timetable and roadmap for advancing the great rejuvenation of our nation through a Chinese path to modernization. China will stay committed to the path of peaceful development, deepen reform, open wider to the world, and actively promote building a community with a shared future for mankind. The modernization of a country with over 1.4 billion people, will create an unprecedented super-scale market in human history and provide great opportunities for the world including Fiji.
同胞们，中华文明蕴含着统一安定之道，绵延数千年从未中断。回顾中国历史，国家分裂都源于民族弱乱。台湾问题因民族弱乱而产生，必将跟随民族复兴而解决。今天的中国，比历史上任何时期都有决心、有能力解决台湾问题。希望广大在斐同胞继续坚定支持祖国统一大业，积极为促进两岸和平统一贡献力量。
My dear compatriots, Chinese culture embodies the philosophy of unity and stability, which is crucial for the civilization to thrive thousands of years without interruption. Looking back in history, national secession occurred when the nation was weak and in disorder. The Taiwan question arose as a result of weakness and chaos in the nation. It will be resolved as national rejuvenation becomes a reality. Today’s China is more determined and capable than ever before, to resolve the Taiwan question. I hope all overseas Chinese in Fiji could continue to firmly support and contribute to the great cause of national reunification across the Taiwan Straits.
中斐关系将迎来希望的春天。斐济是最早同中国建交的太平洋岛国。中斐两国友谊深厚、文化相融、经济互补，合作潜力巨大，是天然的合作伙伴。中国对斐济政策始终是面向全体斐济人民。当前，斐济新一届政府刚刚就职，中国政府不久也将换届，中斐关系正站在新的历史起点上。作为第14任中国驻斐济大使，我将竭尽全力，履职尽责，同广大在斐同胞以及斐济新政府一道，共同推动中斐各领域交流合作加快发展，用新的合作成果更好惠及两国和两国人民。
Thirdly, China-Fiji relations will embrace a promising future. Fiji was the first Pacific Island country to establish diplomatic ties with China. China and Fiji are natural partners of cooperation with profound friendship, integrated culture, complementary economy and great potentials. China’s policy towards Fiji has always been orientated towards all Fijian people. At the moment, Fiji’s new government has taken office and China will elect a new government leadership this March. Our bilateral relations are standing at a new historical starting point. As the 14th Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Fiji, I will spare no efforts to fulfill my duty and work with my compatriots and the Fijian government, to accelerate the development of China-Fiji exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and deliver more benefits to our two countries and peoples.
中斐关系的发展离不开两国人民的相知相亲。希望广大华侨华人发挥融通中斐的优势，为两国人民深化理解和友谊积极发声，为两国深化各领域交流合作搭桥铺路，做新时代中斐友谊的建设者和贡献者。
The development of China-Fiji relations cannot be achieved without mutual understanding and amity among the people. I hope all overseas Chinese in Fiji would leverage advantages of integration, give full play to the role of bridges, deepen the cooperation in all respects, and become builders and contributors of China-Fiji friendship in the new era.
朋友们，今年是中国兔年，代表着机智敏捷、纯洁善良、平静美好。在这一美好的年份，希望中斐双方精诚合作、团结奋进，共同开辟中斐两国和两国关系更加美好的未来。
Dear friends, the Year of the Rabbit carries all beautiful meanings, cleverness, agility, purity, kindness and peace etc. I hope both of our countries can work together in good faith and unity to open up an even better future in this beautiful year ahead!
最后，再次感谢总统阁下和夫人同我们共度佳节。衷心祝愿大家元宵佳节快乐！祝福中斐关系的明天更加美好！
At last, but not the least, thank you again Mr. President and Madame First Lady for joining in today’s celebration. I wish all of you a Happy Lantern Festival, and a joyous evening!
谢谢大家！
Thank you! Vinaka vakalevu!