秦刚大使在“大熊猫之夜”招待会上的致辞
Remarks by Ambassador Qin Gang at the Pandaversary Night
2022年8月25日
25 August 2022
史密森学会首席运营官帕克女士、动物园园长史密斯女士，
朋友们，
欢迎大家来使馆做客，和我们共度“大熊猫之夜”。
Ms. Park, Dr. Smith,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to welcome you to the Embassy for the Pandaversary Night.
首先我想感谢美国史密森学会国家动物园多年来为促进中美大熊猫繁育与保护合作及两国人民友好交往作出的杰出贡献。
Let me first thank the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for its longstanding contribution to China-U.S. cooperation on giant panda breeding and conservation, and also to the friendly exchanges between the two peoples.
大熊猫人见人爱，是国家动物园的招牌和明星，它们的一举一动在网上24小时直播并广受欢迎。大熊猫是当之无愧的“大使”，它们的任期比历任中国驻美大使要长得多，“大熊猫粉”也比我们这些大使的粉丝多很多。
Giant pandas are so adorable, that they are people’s favorite and a go-to choice when they visit the Zoo. Numerous people watch them on PandaCam with great interest every day. Giant pandas are worthy ambassadors. They have much longer tenures than each of the Chinese Ambassadors here, and they have much more fans than us.
大熊猫的故事注定充满深意。50年前，玲玲和兴兴加入国家动物园大家庭。年复一年，大熊猫承载着中美两国人民对彼此的欣赏和友好感情。特别是两年前“小奇迹”的降临给我们带来了惊喜，它的名字就寄托了大家的赞许和美好愿望。上周日我们刚给它过了2岁生日，这周六还要给它爸爸添添庆祝25岁生日。从大熊猫身上，我们永远可以汲取积极向上的力量，感受到希望和喜悦。
The story of giant pandas carries great significance. 50 years ago, Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing joined the big family of the National Zoo. Year by year, giant pandas have become an icon of mutual appreciation and friendship between the two peoples. In particular, the arrival of Xiao Qi Ji two years ago has brought us a happy surprise. The name Xiao Qi Ji itself, which literally means “little miracle”, shows how much we appreciate it and what best wishes we have for it. Last Sunday, we just celebrated his 2nd birthday, and this coming Saturday will be his dad Tian Tian’s 25th birthday. From giant pandas, we are always inspired to get onward and upward, and we always find a source of joy and hope.
令人高兴的是，得益于在大熊猫保育方面的不懈努力，中国野生大熊猫从50年前的几百只增加到了目前1800多只，已经不再是“濒危”物种了。然而令人遗憾的是，“熊猫拥抱者”却成了亟需“保育”的“濒危物种”。
To our delight, thanks to unremitting efforts of protection and conservation, the number of giant pandas in the wild in China has increased from several hundred 50 years ago to over 1,800. Giant pandas are not an “endangered” species any more. But sadly, “panda-huggers” are endangered. Now they need protection and conservation.
事实上，美国制造的大熊猫不仅仅有“小奇迹”，还有“功夫熊猫”。这是我最喜欢的电影之一，我记得其中有这么一段台词，昨天是历史，明天是个谜团，而今天是天赐的礼物，要像珍惜礼物那样珍惜今天！今天，我们因珍爱大熊猫这份馈赠而相聚在一起。我们不仅需要更多大熊猫，也需要更多的“熊猫拥抱者”。
Actually, pandas made in the U.S. are not only limited to Xiao Qi Ji. We also have Kung Fu Panda. Kung Fu Panda is one of my favorite movies. I still remember a line from it: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it’s called present! At present, we get together to cherish the wonderful gift of panda. We need more pandas, and we also need more “panda-huggers”.
谢谢！祝大家度过一个愉快的夜晚。
Thank you very much. Wish everyone a wonderful Pandaversary night!