驻安提瓜和巴布达大使王宪民在2019年春节招待会上的讲话

Remarks at the Reception in Celebration of the 2019 Chinese Lunar New Year by Wang Xianmin, Chinese Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda

 

2019年2月4日

February 4, 2019

 

女士们、先生们，

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

在中华民族传统佳节——春节到来之际，我们欢聚一堂、辞旧迎新，感到格外高兴。我谨代表驻安提瓜和巴布达使馆，并以我和我夫人的名义，向旅居安巴的华侨华人、中资机构人员及致力于两国友好的安巴社会各界朋友致以新春的祝福！祝大家猪年吉祥，万事如意！

It is a real delight for us to be here, celebrating the Chinese lunar new year. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy and in the name of my wife and myself, I would like to extend my New Year greetings to the local Chinese community and the Chinese company, as well as friends from all sectors of Antigua and Barbuda. Please accept my best wishes for the Spring Festival and happy the Year of the Pig!

 

过去的2018年，我们隆重庆祝改革开放四十周年，在习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想指引下，我们党和国家的各项事业都取得了新的重大成就。

2018 witnessed the grand celebration of the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. Guided by the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Chinese people made great achievements in all the aspects of national building.

 

2018年，中国国内生产总值总量达到90万亿元人民币（约合13.6万亿美元），中国稳居世界第二大经济体。中华民族迎来了从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃。

In 2018 China remained as the world’s second largest economy, with its GDP reaching a record high of 90 trillion RMB (some 13.6 trillion US dollars). The Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation from standing-up, growing-rich to becoming strong.

 

2018年中国创新发展又有新的突破。嫦娥四号首登月球背面，创造人类历史。全世界最长的55公里港珠澳跨海大桥建成通车，被称为现代世界七大奇观之一。随着北斗3号基本系统星座部署完成，中国的北斗导航卫星系统已开始为全球提供服务。时速300公里以上的中国高铁已达2.9万公里运程，极大地改变了人们的生活和工作时空观，被誉为“中国速度”。14亿中国人民用自己勤劳的双手，在最短的时间内，创造了人类发展的伟大奇迹。

In 2018, China registered new breakthroughs in the innovative development. The Chang’ e-4 spaceship explored a huge area on the far side of the moon, leaving a shining chapter in human history. Boasting a length of 55 kilometers, the world’s longest cross-sea bridge linking Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao, opened to traffic, which is credited among the seven wonders in the contemporary world. With its primary deployment, China’s Beidou Satellite Navigation System began to provide global service. The mileage of China’s high speed trains at the speed of over 300 kilometers per hour reached 29,000 kilometers. Known as an epitome of “the Chinese Speed”, the high-speed trains had transformed our concept of time and space. Through hard working, the 1.4 billion Chinese people had created a miracle in the development of humanity within the shortest period of time.

 

2018年，中国外交在习近平外交思想指引下，不断开创大国外交新局面。人类社会正面临“百年未有之大变局”，中国坚决维护国家主权、安全和发展利益，坚定维护世界和平、促进共同发展，坚定维护以规则为基础的多边贸易体制，反对贸易保护主义。中国积极推动共商共建共享的“一带一路”，构建人类命运共同体，中国的朋友圈越来越大。

In 2018, guided by the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, we had been opening up new prospects for China’s major country diplomacy. As the world is facing a period of major changes never seen in a century, China had been firm in its resolve to uphold China’s sovereignty, security and development interests; safe-guard world peace and promote common development; support a rule-based multilateral trading system and oppose trade protectionism. Following the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration, China had made new headway with the “Belt and Road” Initiative and the development of a community of shared future for mankind. To be short, China’s circle of friends is getting larger and larger.

 

女士们、先生们,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

2018年对于中安巴关系具有里程碑意义。以两国建交35周年为契机，以共建“一带一路”为引领，双边关系步入平等、互利、创新、开放、惠民的发展快车道。政治上，两国相互尊重，互信加深。双方就双边关系和重大国际和地区问题保持密切沟通，在涉及彼此重大利益问题上相互理解和支持，是大小国家一律平等、和平相处的典范。经济上，两国互利合作，共同发展。格雷斯社区中心圆满竣工，圣约翰港改扩建工程、两个新社区中心及廉价住房等一批合作项目正在如火如荼实施。双方务实合作的累累硕果惠及两国人民。人文上，两国交流互鉴，往来频繁。“光明行”、和平方舟海军医院船相继到访安巴，传递了国际人道主义和奉献精神，赢得了安巴人民交口称赞。安巴赴华参加短期培训人员数量全年首次突破300人，赴华留学生每年保持在15人左右，两国签署联合开办孔子学院协议，民心之间的距离越拉越近。正如布朗总理所讲，两国关系正处于历史上最好时期。

2018 constituted another milestone in the relationship between China and Antigua and Barbuda. Together we celebrated the 35th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, signed the agreement of the Belt and Road, and ushered in an age of fast-track cooperation featuring equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and people-orientedness. Politically, the two countries followed the line of respect and mutual trust, keeping close consultation over issues concerning bilateral relations and international and regional situations. We rendered strong support to each other on matters bearing on our vital national interests. Our relations had been upheld as a model of big and small countries holding each other on the equal footing and in peaceful coexistence. Economically, our two countries had worked for common development through mutually beneficial cooperation. The Grace Greene Community Center was successfully completed. Another batch of projects were initiated on the China’ fund, such as the renovation of the St. John’s deep water port, two new polyclinics and the affordable housing construction. Our practical cooperation has brought tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. On the cultural and people-to-people exchanges, our two countries had strengthened interactions and mutual enrichment. The Brightness Journey and the visit by the Chinese Navy hospital ship Ark Peace delivered international humanitarianism and won acclaim from the people of Antigua and Barbuda. The local beneficiaries of China's short-term training program exceeded 300 for the first time, and the degree education sponsored through the Chinese government scholarships program stood at 15 annually. Above all, the two governments signed the agreement to jointly establish the Confucius Institute in Antigua and Barbuda, which will significantly bridge the hearts of the two peoples. As Prime Minister Gaston Browne put it, our bilateral relationship is at the highest level in the history.

 

女士们、先生们，

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

2019年，我们将隆重庆祝中华人民共和国70周年华诞，这是中华民族伟大复兴进程中的一个重要节点。

In 2019, we will embrace the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. This is a key juncture in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

 

我们将矢志不渝地致力于开创中国特色大国外交新局面，推动构建新型国际关系和人类命运共同体，让中国改革发展的红利与世界共享。

We will remain resolute in advancing China’s major country diplomacy, promoting the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for humanity. We will share the benefits of China’s reform and development with the whole world.

 

我们将深入学习贯彻习近平总书记在《告台湾同胞书》发表40周年纪念会上的重要讲话精神，继续团结广大台湾同胞在内的全体中华儿女，坚持一个中国原则，共同致力两岸关系和平发展、中华民族伟大复兴，早日完成祖国统一大业。

We will implement President Xi Jinping’s speech in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. We will continue to encourage all Chinese people, including the Taiwan compatriots, to adhere to the one-China principle and work towards the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, so as to achieve an earliest possible re-unification of the motherland.

 

女士们、先生们，

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

不久前，中国驻安巴使馆新馆舍举行了开工仪式，是两国关系发展史上的又一座里程碑，彰显了中安友好更加美好的未来。我们将继续贯彻“外交为民”方针，全力为旅安华侨华人、中资企业、中国公民提供周到、热情服务。让我们携手努力，为中安巴友谊做出新的贡献。

Not long ago, we hosted the ground-breaking ceremony of the new diplomatic premises of the Chinese Embassy, marking another milestone in the history of our relations, and heralding a better future for our friendship. Upholding the principle of practicing “diplomacy for the people”, the Chinese embassy will continue to provide considerate and warm service to overseas Chinese and Chinese enterprises in Antigua and Barbuda. Let's work together to make new contributions to the friendship between our two countries.

 

现在，我提议

为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦，

为两国关系更加美好的前景和真挚的友谊，

为在座的各位嘉宾、各位朋友、各位同胞的健康幸福，

干杯！

Now, I propose a toast,

For the Chinese Dream of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation,

For the better future and more sincere friendship between our two countries,

For the wellness and happiness of the distinguished guests and friends sitting here today,

Cheers!