双语资料:驻英国大使刘晓明在“中英公益”倡议新春招待会的致辞
发布时间:2019年03月14日
发布人:nanyuzi  

以爱行善举,以心促合作

Promote Cooperation Through Charity


驻英国大使刘晓明在中英公益倡议新春招待会的致辞

Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the China-UK Charity Initiative Reception in Celebration of the Year of the Pig


2019年2月8日,伦敦金融城市长官邸

Mansion House, City of London, 8 February 2019

 

尊敬的伦敦金融城市长埃斯特林先生,

尊敬的英国中国商会会长方文建先生,

女士们,先生们,朋友们,

Lord Mayor Peter Estlin,

Chairman Fang Wenjian,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends:


大家晚上好!

Good evening!

 

今天是中国农历大年初四,又称“羊日”,是中国民间迎神的日子,寓意“三羊(阳)开泰”、吉祥如意。很高兴在这个吉祥的日子出席伦敦金融城和英国中国商会共同举办的“中英公益”倡议新春招待会,以善行善举揭开新一年的序幕。

Today is the fourth day of the Chinese New Year, known as the “goat day”. According to Chinese tradition, this is the day to welcome the deity who will bring happiness and good fortune to the house. It is a real delight to joint you on this auspicious day to celebrate the Year of the Pig. I wish to thank the City of London and China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK) for hosting the China-UK Charity Initiative reception. What better way to start the new year than with charity work!

 

去年12月,我在这里出席了“中英慈善之夜”晚宴活动,与各位共同启动“中英公益”倡议。在短短两个月时间里,英国中国商会和“伦敦金融城市长倡议”团队积极推动“中英公益”倡议落地,吸引了更多机构和个人投身中英慈善事业。我给大家的高效和佳绩点赞!

I was present at the dinner last December to witness the launch of this Initiative. Thanks to the concerted efforts of CCCUK and the Lord Mayor’s Appeal Charity, this Initiative has taken shape in a matter of two months and gained the support of many institutions and individuals. I am deeply impressed with your high efficiency and outstanding achievements!

 

今天,我为“中英公益”倡议新春招待会带来的是中国国酒茅台,茅台被赞“风味隔壁三家醉,雨后开瓶十里芳”。据说,茅台酒还有一个“一摔成名”的故事。1915年,巴拿马万国博览会举办国际品酒会,中国代表团携茅台参展。虽然茅台酒品质上乘,但由于首次参展且包装简朴,在展会上遭到冷遇。在品酒会最后一天,中国代表眼看茅台酒得奖无望,情急之中突生一计。他提着酒走到展厅最热闹的地方,装作失手,将酒瓶摔破在地,顿时浓香四溢,宾客们纷纷赶来品尝,使茅台酒一鸣惊人。我希望今天的茅台酒也能抛砖引玉,为“中英公益”倡议做出贡献。我相信,“中英公益”倡议将像醇香的茅台酒一样,在百花齐放的中英合作中一鸣惊人,发挥独特作用:

Tonight, I will contribute to your event a bottle of China’s “national liquor”, Maotai. A poem praising Maotai says its “intoxicating aroma gets neighbours drunk three doors down and reaches as far as ten miles”. Let me share with you an anecdote about Maotai’s smashing success: At the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915, Maotai was entered in a tasting competition. However, it was relatively unknown and modestly packed. So it did not attract much attention. On the last day, someone from the Chinese delegation came up with an idea. He pretended to drop a bottle of Maotai by accident in the middle of the bustling crowds. The place was immediately filled with the aroma of the spilled liquor, which sent guests rushing to the Chinese pavilion to have a taste. Maotai has since made its name. I hope my bottle of Maotai will achieve the same effect for the China-UK Charity Initiative by drawing the attention of potential donors. And I hope this Initiative will help strengthen China-UK cooperation. I believe it will play a unique role in the following three aspects:

 

一是做中英公益合作的催化剂。伦敦金融城是英国的经济心脏,也是全球领先的金融、商业中心。金融城不仅拥有完善的金融基础设施和专业服务机构,还积极投身慈善事业,投资各种文化教育项目。当前,中国慈善事业蓬勃发展,相关法制建设稳步推进,慈善信托、社会企业、社会影响力投资等现代慈善概念和运作模式方兴未艾。2018年《福布斯》中国慈善榜上榜的100位企业家现金捐赠总额为173.1亿人民币,同比上涨66%。仅2017年“腾讯99公益日”就吸引1000多万人参与,捐赠量突破13亿人民币。“中英公益”倡议是伦敦金融城和英国中国商会强强联合项目,一定能为两国公益事业发展注入新活力。

First, it will be a catalyst for China-UK cooperation on charity work. The City of London is the economic heart of the UK. It is also an international financial and business centre. With its advanced financial institutions and professional services, the City of London has been a strong supporter of charity. It has already invested in many cultural and education projects. In China, charity work is thriving. The relevant laws and regulations are in place. Modern charity concepts and operation models, such as charitable trust, social enterprise and social influence, are emerging. According to the 2018 Philanthropy List released by Forbes China, the most generous 100 entrepreneurs in China donated a total of 17.31 billion RMB yuan. That was 66% more than the previous year. Tencent’s “99 Charity Day” 2017 drew the participation of more than 10 million people and raised over 1.3 billion RMB yuan. The China-UK Charity Initiative combines the strengths of the City and CCCUK. I am sure it will give a fresh boost to the charity work in both our two countries.

 

二是做中英经济合作的稳定剂。当前,中英关系总体向前发展,经贸合作日益深入。英国中国商会和在英中资企业既是促进两国合作的主力,也是履行社会责任、回馈当地社会的模范。“中英公益”倡议对中英两国企业共同履行社会责任、服务两国民众提供了一个平台,也为双方深化互利合作开辟了一个新渠道。我同时希望英方继续为中资企业营造公平、透明、非歧视性的营商环境。

Second, this Initiative will be a stabiliser for China-UK economic cooperation. Currently, the overall China-UK relations continue to grow and our trade and economic cooperation continues to deepen. CCCUK and Chinese companies in the UK are the main force behind this. They have also set good examples in fulfilling their corporate responsibilities and serving the local community. I hope they could continue to benefit from a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment here in the UK. With the China-UK Charity Initiative, Chinese and British companies now have a new platform, where they can join hands in fulfilling their corporate responsibilities and provide public services. This is also a new channel for the two sides to deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation.

 

三是做中英人心相通的粘合剂。世界上最远和最近的距离都是心与心的距离。公益事业用慈善搭建心灵的桥梁,用爱传递生命的力量。我衷心希望,“中英公益”倡议在中英两国民众心中,播下更多慈善的种子,不断扩大慈善的“裂变效应”,以慈善传爱心,以公益促合作,以合作增友谊,共同建设一个更加美好的世界。

Third, this Initiative will be a bond between the people of China and the UK. The longest distance in the world is between two hearts. But this could also be the shortest distance in the world. Charity work helps shorten the distance between two hearts by building a bridge of love. I sincerely hope that the China-UK Charity Initiative will sow the seeds of charity and encourage more people to join in. Through charity, we can spread love, promote cooperation, deepen friendship and build a better world together.


女士们,先生们,朋友们,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends:

 

中国古代哲学家孟子曾说,“老吾老以及人之老,幼吾幼以及人之幼”。英国哲学家罗素也说过:“在一切道德品质中,善良的本性是最需要的。”让我们记住中英先贤们的名言,把“中英公益”倡议越办越好!

Bertrand Russell said, “In all moral qualities, good nature is the most needed.” The value of good nature was also advocated by Mencius, who said, “Care for the elderly as if they were your parents, and care for the children as if they were your own.” Let us remember the teachings of these great philosophers and work together to make the China-UK Charity Initiative a great success!


最后,我祝大家新春快乐、猪年吉祥、阖家幸福!

In conclusion, I wish you and your family a happy and prosperous Year of the Pig!

 

谢谢!

Thank you!