Speech by Secretary Defence for Commemoration Ceremony of 100th Anniversary of Communist Party of China and 94th Anniversary of Chinese People’s Liberation Army
斯中友谊无止境——斯里兰卡国防部常秘古纳拉特纳上将在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年暨中国人民解放军建军94周年招待会上的讲话
30 July 2021
2021年7月30日
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
各位来宾，女士们，先生们，
Aayubowan, and a very good evening to all of you!
阿育波万，晚上好！
I consider it as a great honour and a privilege to attend this event organized to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Communist Party of China and 94th Anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army as the Chief Guest and to address this august gathering in this wonderful evening. At the outset, let me have the proud privilege of extending my heartiest congratulations to the Communist Party of China for marking its 100th Anniversary and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for passing its 94th Anniversary on August 1st 2021, in the course of their great endeavour towards safeguarding their sovereignty, territorial integrity ensuring the excellence and prosperity of People’s Republic of China.
我非常荣幸，作为主宾出席今天庆祝中国共产党建党100周年暨中国人民解放军建军94周年招待会，并发表讲话。这是一个美妙的夜晚，首先我要向中国共产党建党 100 周年、中国人民解放军建军94周年表示最衷心的祝贺，祝贺中国人民解放军为维护国家主权和领土完整、保障中华人民共和国的繁荣昌盛所付出的努力。
At this significant moment, I should courteously admire the thoughtful gesture and the efforts endured by the President of the Chinese National Defence University Alumni Association of Sri Lanka in organising an event of this magnitude to commemorate these remarkable milestones which undoubtedly signifies the camaraderie of its Sri Lankan alumnus towards the Chinese NDU, PLA and most importantly People’s Republic of China as a whole.
在这一具有重大意义的历史时刻，我由衷欣赏斯里兰卡中国人民解放军国防大学校友会主席悉心组织这一隆重活动，这无疑标志着斯里兰卡校友对中国人民解放军国防大学、中国人民解放军，以及最重要的，对中华人民共和国的深厚情谊。
Ladies and Gentlemen, as we are well aware, China and Sri Lanka are maintaining a very healthy, cordial relationship throughout the pages of history. Our relationship with China which had been evolving through Buddhism, trade and related assistance has reached a more strategic stature in the recent past through infrastructure development as a measure of global connectivity stemming through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of the People’s Republic of China. Resultantly, our relations have been growing from strength to strength, day by day through the mutual trust built on the pillars of political, economic, cultural, educational, health and most importantly through the defence diplomacy and cooperation.
女士们、先生们，众所周知，中斯两国在历史长河中一直保持着健康、良好的双边关系。斯中友谊以佛教和贸易为纽带，近年来，斯里兰卡又受惠于中国旨在促进全球连通性的“一带一路”倡议，在相关援助下，斯里兰卡基础设施建设不断发展，两国关系也提升到新的高度。基于建立在政治、经济、文化、教育、卫生领域的互信，以及更重要的，通过军事和国防外交与合作，我们的友谊日益增强。
China has always proved the universal phenomenon of friendship “A friend in need is a friend indeed” with Sri Lanka; standing beside Sri Lanka in all odds. The Sri Lankans will never ever forget the military assistance rendered by China during our 3 decades long protracted internal conflict with one of the most ruthless terrorist outfit ever existed in the world. The military assistance extended by China throughout the conflict period and even to date, is being admired by all Sri Lankans with utmost gratitude.
“患难见真情”是放之四海皆准的至理名言，中国总是在斯里兰卡面临挑战时，展现什么叫做雪中送炭。斯里兰卡永远不会忘记中国在斯里兰卡长达三十年内战中、在面临恐怖主义威胁时提供的军事援助。中国在内战期乃至迄今提供的军事援助，令所有斯里兰卡人心怀感激。
Ladies and Gentlemen, China’s assistance in global forums has always been vital for us as Sri Lankans, when the entire western world was standing against us. The support extended against the Human Rights allegations against Sri Lanka being one of the latest strategic endeavours by China is highly admired by the Sri Lankans and we will never ever forget such a great gesture of solidarity as a friendly nation to Sri Lanka. As such, we wish this bond be flourishing in years to come with all possible avenues available to reach unassailable heights in future. In this context, the event which has been organised today by the Chinese National Defence University Alumni Association of Sri Lanka is also a candid example to denote the never ending friendship between the two nations.
女士们，先生们，当整个西方世界站在我们的对立面时，是中国在国际社会对我们进行声援，这一支持至关重要。最近，中国在联合国人权理事会对涉斯里兰卡决议草案提出表决并投反对票，这是体现中国对斯里兰卡支持的最新战略举措之一。斯里兰卡人民对此深怀感恩，我们永远不会忘记来自好朋友中国的这一友善举动，我们希望两国关系在未来几年继续蓬勃发展，提升到新高度。在此背景下，今天由斯里兰卡中国人民解放军国防大学校友会举办的庆典，就是体现“斯中友谊无止境”的一个典范。
Ladies and Gentlemen, since its inception in 1921, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has led the people of China towards a people-centered development concept by implementing an integrated plan to promote economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress of the country. It has been able to build a prosperous society in all aspects, achieved the first centenary goal, and embarked on a new journey of building a modern socialist country. China, having reached its fullest potential in the first centenary, is intended to advance towards the second centenary goal on the basis of the new stage of development, by applying the new development philosophy based on a novel development pattern.
女士们、先生们，中国共产党自1921年成立以来，确立了“以人民为中心”的发展观，统筹谋划，带领中国人民推动经济、政治、文化、社会、生态文明全面进步。中国已全面建成小康社会，实现了第一个百年奋斗目标，并开启了建设社会主义现代化国家的新征程。在第一个百年里，中国已经充分发挥潜能，在新的发展阶段，中国将以新的发展方式，运用新的发展理念，向着第二个百年奋斗目标勇毅迈进。
The CPC all in all has been orchestrating China’s economic achievements which unleashed China’s true potential and has turned it into an economic superpower in the world. Achievement of such a stance by China under the leadership of CPC whilst maintaining a nonaligned, unbiased foreign policy; which abstains the country from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries is quite remarkable.
中国共产党精心设计并实现了中国的巨大经济成就，释放了中国真正的潜力，使中国迈入世界经济强国之列。在中国共产党的领导下，中国坚持不结盟、不偏不倚的外交政策，坚决不干涉别国内政的做法，我们非常欣赏。
Despite an immense level of criticism by the western world, China is blazing a path of peaceful rise distinct from the trajectory of traditional powers under the steadfast leadership of the CPC. Hence, once again I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes for CPC on its centenary achievements and wish all the best for all its future endeavours!
尽管受到西方世界的强烈批评，但在中国共产党的坚定领导下，中国正在走出一条有别于传统强国的和平崛起之路。我再次向中国共产党百年成就致以衷心的祝愿，祝愿中国共产党在未来一切顺利！
Ladies and Gentlemen on the other hand, under CPC’s resolute leadership, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) since its very inception, has consistently answered the great Chinese nation’s call both at home and abroad, fighting with valour to preserve the freedom, territorial integrity and the national interests of People’s Republic of China at all times. Through 94 years of struggle and glory, and 94 years of unwavering pursuit of the original mission, guided by the CPC’s strategy on strengthening the military, the PLA in the new era has fully transformed into a world-class military and has achieved a remarkable stance thus far.
女士们、先生们，中国人民解放军建军以来，在中国共产党的英明领导下，始终响应中华民族在海内外的伟大号召，为维护自由和领土完整英勇作战，始终维护中华人民共和国的国家利益。94年的努力与辉煌，94年不忘初心，在共产党的强军思想指引下，中国人民解放军在新时代奋力全面建成世界一流军队，并取得了世界瞩目的成就。
As an Armed Force created and led by CPC, the PLA will always remain true to its original aspiration safeguarding people’s happiness, supporting national rejuvenation of China and promoting world peace and security. Ultimately, the PLA of China has also undergone an outstanding transformation with the steps taken for its modernization in the recent past and has become the most formidable and an elite military force in the world along with higher technological advancements and sophisticated military equipment.
作为中国共产党创建和领导的武装力量，中国人民解放军始终不忘初心，维护人民幸福，支持中华民族伟大复兴，促进世界和平与安全。中国解放军近年也经历了显著的现代化转型，成为世界上最强大、最精锐的军事力量，拥有更先进的技术和军事装备。
Further, the Chinese PLA has offered a great amount of military training opportunities for other countries. Sri Lanka being one of its oldest friends has always had a lion’s share of such opportunities throughout the history. Such prospects have travelled great lengths to enhance the remarkable defence cooperation between China and Sri Lanka which undoubtedly augmented the time tested relationship between two nations in economic, social, cultural and many other spheres.
不仅如此，中国还为其他国家提供了大量的军事培训，斯里兰卡作为中国的老朋友有幸参与。这极大地促进了中国和斯里兰卡之间的防务合作，进一步夯实了两国历经时间考验的友谊，增强了两国在经济、社会、文化和许多其他领域的互动。
Owing to the quality of training and uniqueness, Sri Lanka is giving the highest priority for the training opportunities extended by the PLA. In return, the Sri Lanka is also providing all possible training opportunities for the PLA. In this context, the recent interactions of the defence hierarchical members of two countries have stemmed out promising prospects towards strong defence cooperation especially between the Chinese PLA and the Sri Lankan military for the future.
由于训练的优质和独特性，斯里兰卡对中国人民解放军提供的训练机会给予最优先考虑。作为回报，斯里兰卡也为中国人民解放军提供一切可能的训练机会。在此背景下，斯中两军各级成员的互动交流，为未来继续加强两军防务合作带来了广阔前景。
Hence, as the Chinese PLA celebrates its 94th anniversary, once again I respectfully extend my profound well wishes towards its future endeavours. Furthermore, I also take this opportunity to courteously honour and remember those soldiers of the Chinese PLA who have made the ultimate sacrifice for liberty and good order of the People’s Republic of China and celebrate the warrior spirit of all Officers and Soldiers serving in the Chinese PLA today.
在庆祝中国人民解放军建军94周年之际，我再次向中国人民解放军未来的征程致以深切的祝愿。此外，我也借此机会，向那些为了中华人民共和国的自由、健康秩序而牺牲的解放军官兵，向他们展现的勇气表示缅怀和敬意。
That being said, I believe that I must speak few words regarding the National Defence University of the PLA as this event is solely organised by its Alumni Association of Sri Lanka. The NDU of PLA is considered to be the key agency within the PLA that is responsible for staffing the PLA senior leadership on foreign and security policy issues. This prestigious institution also carries out in-depth practical cooperation in specialised personnel training and military professional education, which has laid foundation to broaden its students’ international strategic vision and cultivate talents in joint combat command.
我有必要提及中国人民解放军国防大学，因为这次庆典活动是由其斯里兰卡校友会独家策划组织的。中国人民解放军国防大学是中共中央军事委员会直属的中国最高军事学府，负责在外交和安全政策方面，培养解放军高级领导人才。这所知名学府就专业人才培养、军事专业教育和我们开展了深入的务实合作，为学生开阔了国际战略视野，也为培养联合作战指挥人才奠定了基础。
All these Senior Officers who are the members of this prestigious Defence University should feel proud for being graduates of this renowned military education centre; which has created a number of future military strategists, the world over. Creation of such an Alumni in Sri Lanka; as I said at the inauguration ceremony of this Alumni Association, is therefore a great initiative steered by this group, which will create a formidable resource base affiliated to its mother organ in China. I strongly recommend, the establishment of such Alumni Associations in all other countries would be quite productive and benevolent for all serving and retired officers of the armed forces from various nations all around the globe.
国防大学的所有高级军官校友都应该为毕业于这所著名军事学府而自豪，它为世界各地培养了许多未来的军事战略家。在斯里兰卡创建这一校友会，正如我在校友会成立仪式上所说的：是国防大学校友主导的一项伟大举措，它建立了一个基于其母校组织的在斯交流资源网络。我强烈建议，其他国家和学校也应该建立类似组织，这对全球各国的现役和退役军官校友来说，都将大有裨益。
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my earnest belief that this event which was organised by the President of the Chinese National Defence University Alumni Association of Sri Lanka, Major General Vijitha Ravipriya (Retd) and his team today is to be considered as a remarkable milestone in enhancing the bilateral relations among two countries that had stood against all odds. Such events in whatsoever the magnitude, will be a great opportunity afforded to Sri Lanka to strengthen the bond with China and will undoubtedly prosper our cooperation towards a healthier future.
女士们，先生们，我深信，今天由斯里兰卡中国人民解放军国防大学校友会会长，已退役的维吉塔•拉维普里亚少将和他的团队组织的这次活动是一场非凡的盛会，将成为加强两国双边关系的里程碑，进一步巩固历经考验的斯中友谊。此类活动，无论规模大小，都将是斯里兰卡加强与中国联系的绝佳机会，将推动斯中合作走向更健康的未来。
Finally, on behalf of His Excellency the President and all the citizens of Sri Lanka let me have the privilege to extend our best wishes towards His Excellency the President of People’s Republic of China, the Communist Party of China, People’s Liberation Army of China and His Excellency the Ambassador and the Members of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka for their future endeavours and I sincerely wish that all good health, wealth and happiness may prevail for all the citizens of the People’s Republic of China at this time of concern.
最后，我谨代表总统阁下和斯里兰卡全体人民，向中华人民共和国主席、中国共产党、中国人民解放军、中华人民共和国驻斯里兰卡大使阁下以及使馆的所有成员，为未来付诸的努力致以最美好的祝愿，我衷心祝愿所有中国人民健康、繁荣、幸福。
Thank you very much and have a wonderful evening.
非常感谢，祝您度过一个美好的夜晚。