驻东帝汶大使肖建国在中东友谊足球场竣工交付仪式上的讲话
Speech of H.E. Ambassador Xiao Jianguo on the Handover Ceremony of the China-Timor-Leste Friendship Football Field
2022年8月31日
31 August 2022
尊敬的东帝汶教育、青年和体育部长马亚，
尊敬的东帝汶青年和体育国务秘书阿布朗，
尊敬的帝力市长吉尔赫米娜，
尊敬的帝力市警察局长恩里克，
女士们，先生们，朋友们：
H.E. Mr. Armindo Maia, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports,
H.E. Eng. Abrão Saldanha, Secretary of State for Youth and Sport,
H.E. Ms. Gilhermina Filonmena Saldanha Ribeiro, Administrator of Dili Municipality,
H.E. Mr. Henrique da Costa, Commander of Dili Municipal Police Station,
Ladies and gentlemen,
下午好！
Good afternoon.
非常荣幸出席这个仪式，今天是东帝汶独立公投日，在这个特殊的日子，我们向东政府正式交付中东友谊足球场,并在这个新建的场地上举行第一场比赛，我觉得特别有意义。首先感谢教育、青年和体育部，青年和体育国务秘书处对足球场项目的关心支持，感谢帝力市及帝力警局组织足球队现场举行开球比赛，也感谢承建方上海建工在短时间内完成足球场建设，此外，该项目还包括一个篮球场，不久也将完工。
It is a great honor to attend this ceremony. Today is the Timor-Leste Popular Consultation Day. On this special day, we have this special ceremony to officially handover the China-Timor-Leste Friendship Football Field to the Timor-Leste Government and kick off the first game after this rehabilitated project. I think it has a significant meaning. I would like to thank the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports for their concern and support for the football field project. I would like to thank Dili Municipality and Dili Police for organizing the football teams to hold the first match on the newly-built pitch. I also thank the contractor Shanghai Construction Group for completing the project in a short time. In addition, the project also includes a basketball pitch, which will be completed shortly.
今年6月初，王毅国务委员兼外长成功访问东帝汶，同东领导人达成广泛共识，访问取得丰硕成果，对两国关系发展发挥重要推动作用。访问中，我与青年和体育国务秘书阿布朗阁下共同为中东友谊足球场揭牌，王毅国务委员兼外长与东外交部长亲自见证。本次足球场建成并正式转交东方，正是落实王毅国务委员兼外长访问成果的具体体现。
In early June, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a successful visit to Timor-Leste and reached broad and significant common understanding with Timor-Leste state leaders. The visit delivered fruitful outcomes and played an important role in promoting the development of bilateral relations. During the visit, I unveiled the plate of China-Timor-Leste Friendship Football Field with the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, which was witnessed by Foreign Ministers of our two countries. The completion and handover of the football field to Timor-Leste is a concrete embodiment of the implementation of the achievements of State Councilor Wang Yi’s visit.
今年是东帝汶恢复独立20周年和中国同东帝汶建交20周年，20年来，中国与东帝汶平等相待、守望相助、共谋发展，中东关系已成为大小国家平等相待、相互支持、合作共赢的典范，足球场竣工也是向20周年献礼，是中东传统友谊的见证。
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Timor-Leste’s resumption of independence and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Timor-Leste and China. Over the past 20 years, the two sides have supported and trusted each other, and jointly pursued common development. Ties between Timor-Leste and China have grown into a model for equal treatment, mutual support and win-win cooperation between large and small countries. The football field is also a tribute to the 20th anniversary, a manifestation of our traditional friendship.
足球是东年轻人普遍喜爱的一项体育运动。东国家足球队在今年的东南亚U23足球锦标赛中更是取得了季军的傲人成绩。2022年卡塔尔世界杯举行在即，今年6月11日大力神杯抵东进行了巡回展览，在东球迷群体掀起热潮。中东友谊足球场是东目前唯一的人工草坪足球场，相信中东友谊足球场会为东足球爱好者提供新鲜、特殊的比赛体验，提高东民众足球运动参与度，促进东足球事业发展。
Football is a popular sport among young Timorese. I am glad to hear that Timor-Leste National Football Team took the third place in this year’s ASEAN Football Federation U-23 Championship. The 2022 Qatar World Cup is about to be held. On June 11, the FIFA World Cup Trophy arrived Timor-Leste for a touring exhibition and set off an upsurge among the Timorese fans. The China-Timor-Leste Friendship Football Field is currently the only artificial turf football pitch in Timor-Leste. I believe it will give the football fans a new different sport experience, and will attract more participation of Timorese people in football, and promote the development of Timor-Leste’s football cause.
事实上，包括体育在内的教育文化合作是中东友好关系的重要组成部分。2006年以来，中国已向近300名东学子颁发“中国政府奖学金”，供他们前往中国留学。2019年以来，中国使馆共向185名来自贫困家庭的东优秀学生颁发“中国大使奖学金”。不久前，随着防疫政策的调整，中国政府已同意包括东帝汶在内的所有留学生返华复学，已有8名东学生回到中国。我相信，疫情的阴霾终将散去，中东各领域包括文化、体育等交流将恢复正常并将迎来更大发展。
In fact, educational and cultural cooperation including sports is an important part of friendly relations between Timor-Leste and China. China has awarded “Chinese Government Scholarships” to nearly 300 Timorese students since 2006, for them to study in China, and “Chinese Ambassador Scholarships” to 185 outstanding Timorese students from the local poor families since 2019. Not long ago, with the relaxing pandemic prevention measures in China, all international students including Timor-Leste can return to China to continue their studies, and 8 Timorese students have already gone back to China. I believe the haze of the pandemic will eventually dissipate, and exchanges between China and Timor-Leste in various fields, including culture and sports, will be back to normal and eventually usher in greater development.
青年代表希望，青年创造明天。希望中东友谊足球场能够成为东青年锻炼身体、传承中东友谊的平台。期待中东青年秉持友好传统、增进交流沟通，携手为两国共同发展、开创美好未来作出新的贡献！
Youth represents hope, youth creates tomorrow. It is hoped that the China-Timor-Leste Friendship Football Field becomes a platform for Timorese youth, not only to do physical exercises but also to inherit our traditional friendship. I’m looking forward to the youths from both countries upholding the long-term friendship, enhancing exchanges and working together to make more contributions to the common development of the two countries for a better future!
再次祝贺足球场的建成和移交。谢谢大家！
Again, my congratulations to the completion and handover of the China-Timor-Leste Friendship Football Field. Thanks!