驻马耳他大使姜江在2019新年招待会上的致辞

Remarks by Ambassador Jiang Jiang at New Year Reception

 

2018年12月22日

December 22, 2018

 

各位来宾，各位侨胞：

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

晚上好。时光如白驹过隙，转眼又是一年。即将过去的2018年对于中国来说是意义非凡的一年。

Good evening and welcome to this new year reception. As we are about to ring out the year 2018, I have to say that for us, 2018 is not just another year.

 

今年是中国改革开放40周年。40年前的12月，以中共十一届三中全会为标志，中国开启了改革开放的伟大征程。在中国共产党领导下，中国人民凭着一股逢山开路、遇水架桥的闯劲，凭着一股滴水穿石的韧劲，成功走出一条中国特色社会主义道路，用双手书写了国家和民族发展的壮丽史诗。

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. Forty years ago this month, the Communist Party of China held the third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee in Beijing and made the decision to launch reform and opening-up in China. Since then, under the leadership of the Communist Party, the Chinese people have forged ahead, fearless and determined, and found a path of development suited to China’s own conditions. This is the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Following this path, we have written a splendid chapter in the history of the Chinese nation.

 

无论身在何处，相信我们每个人都能感受到中国发生的天翻地覆的变化。从1978年到2017年，中国国内生产总值从1750亿美元增长至12万亿美元，年均增速9.5%，中国人均可支配收入增长22.8倍，贫困人口减少7.4亿，占同期全球减贫人口总数70%以上。城乡免费义务教育全面实现，世界上覆盖人口最多的社会保障体系基本建立，中国人民的获得感、幸福感、安全感显著提高。从引进技术到自主创新，中国在一些前沿领域开始领跑，神舟飞天、蛟龙入海、天眼探空、北斗组网，大国重器竞相问世，科技实力明显提升。我本人也经历了从凭票证购买商品到通过电商全球下单、从乘坐每小时几十公里的绿皮列车到时速超过300公里高铁的变化。

Reform and opening-up has brought enormous change to China. This, I believe, is felt by each and every one of us no matter where we are. Between 1978 and 2017, China’s GDP soared from $175 billion to $12 trillion at an average annual growth rate of 9.5%. Per capita disposable income rose by 22.8 times. Seven hundred and forty million people have been lifted out of abject poverty, accounting for more than 70% of global poverty alleviation during the same period. We have achieved free nine-year compulsory education for all and established the world’s biggest social safety net. Thanks to these accomplishments, our people have a stronger sense of fulfillment and greater happiness and feel safer and more secure. Today, China is shifting from a recipient of technology transfer to a country driven by innovation and beginning to lead in some frontier areas. The Shenzhou Space Mission, the deep-sea manned submersible Jiaolong, the FAST (Five-hundred-meter aperture spherical telescope) and Beidou navigation satellite system are just but a few examples of China’s advancement in science and technology. Forty years ago, we had to buy things by using ration coupons. Today, we do global online shopping by using the smart phone. Forty years ago, it took me more than fifteen hours to travel to Beijing from my hometown in the Northeast. With the completion of a new railway line next year, it is going to take me only two hours.

 

改革开放不仅全面改变了中国，也深刻影响了世界。中国连续多年对世界经济增长贡献率超过30%，为应对亚洲金融危机和国际金融危机作出重大贡献，成为世界经济增长的主要稳定器和动力源。中共十八大以来，中国外交更加奋发有为，为应对全球挑战贡献中国智慧。作为一个负责任大国，中国积极倡导自由开放的全球经济，深度参与国际金融体系变革，坚定维护联合国的权威，严格履行国际责任和义务，信守应对全球气候变化的承诺，积极推动共建“一带一路”，构建人类命运共同体。中国用实际行动表明，中国始终是世界和平的建设者、全球发展的贡献者和国际秩序的维护者。

Reform and opening-up has also had a profound impact on the world. For many years now, China has contributed over 30% of global economic growth, and has played a major part in tackling both the Asian financial crisis and the international financial crisis. That is why China is seen as a stabilizer and an engine of the world economy. Since the 18th National Congress of CPC, China has become more active on the diplomatic front, contributing Chinese wisdom to meeting global challenges. As a responsible major country, China advocates a free and open global economy and is deeply involved in the reform of the international financial system. We have firmly upheld the authority of the United Nations, fulfilled our international responsibilities and obligations and honored our commitment to tackling global climate change. We are actively working with other countries to pursue Belt and Road cooperation and build a community with a shared future for mankind. With its concrete actions, China has demonstrated to the world that it is a force for world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order.

 

2018年也是中马关系的丰收年。两国高层和各级别交往密切，全方位务实合作取得积极进展。一个多月前，穆斯卡特总理赴上海参加首届进口博览会期间，中马签署共建“一带一路”合作谅解备忘录。 这为两国进一步拓展和深化各领域合作勾画了蓝图。下一步，中方将同马方携手努力，将意愿落实到行动、转化为成果，为两国和两国人民带来实实在在的好处。

This year has been a fruitful one for China-Malta relations. The two countries have maintained close exchanges at the top and all other levels and achieved good progress in practical cooperation. In early November, the Hon. Prime Minister Muscat attended the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai, and the two governments signed an MOU on Belt and Road cooperation. This document will serve as a blueprint for broader and deeper cooperation between our two countries in the new era. Going forward, the two sides will work closely together to translate this document into concrete action and deliver tangible benefits to people in both countries.

 

积土成山，风雨兴焉；积水成渊，蛟龙生焉。中马关系取得的成就离不开中马两国人民，包括在座各位的长期支持和不懈努力。在这辞旧迎新之际，我谨代表使馆向各位致以节日的问候和衷心的感谢。

As an old saying goes, grains of soil piled up can make a mountain, and drops of water can converge into a mighty river. The steady growth of China-Malta relations would not be possible without the unremitting effort of people from both countries, including all the friends present here. I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to you all.

 

新的一年，中国将以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指引，坚持改革开放，继续致力于推动构建新型国际关系和人类命运共同体。中国驻马耳他大使馆将与马社会各界密切合作，以落实“一带一路”合作谅解备忘录为契机，不断提升中马关系发展水平，丰富两国合作内涵。我们将继续践行以“人民为中心”理念，维护好中国公民和企业合法权益，积极服务旅马同胞，让大家切实感受到祖国就在身边、使馆就是大家的坚强后盾。

In the coming year, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China will stay committed to reform and opening-up and work for a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind. The Chinese Embassy will work closely with people from all sectors in Malta to seize the opportunity provided by the MOU on the Belt and Road cooperation and elevate our relations and cooperation to a higher level. To the representatives of the local Chinese community, I want to say that we will continue to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and enterprises, and serve our compatriots traveling to Malta. China is always by your side and you can always count on the assistance of the Embassy in times of need.

 

现在，让我们共同举杯，为中马两国人民的友谊，为迎接更加幸福美好的一年而干杯！

Now I would like to propose a toast, to the friendship between the people of our two countries and to a happy and prosperous new year. Thank you.