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尊敬的哈罗公学校长兰德先生，
尊敬的哈罗公学董事会主席巴廷先生，
老师们、同学们：
大家下午好！
很高兴访问久负盛名、人才辈出的哈罗公学。我出使英国9年多来，曾访问过许多知名学府，每次看到这么多青春洋溢、朝气蓬勃的面庞，都感到自己也年轻了许多。
刚才，我参观了贵校旧演讲厅、画廊等标志场所，深切感受到哈罗公学深厚的历史底蕴，领略到这里独具特色的人文环境，也对哈罗公学严谨务实的治学氛围、国际化的办学目标留下了深刻印象。我高兴地得知，近年来哈罗公学不断加大与中国的教育交流合作，取得不少成果。
2015年，习近平主席对英国国事访问期间，曾谈及不少在中国家喻户晓的历史名人，包括英国首相丘吉尔、著名诗人拜伦等。他们都毕业于哈罗公学，还有深受中英两国青年人喜欢的《神探夏洛克》的主演康伯巴奇，也是哈罗杰出毕业生之一。这充分说明了哈罗的魅力与实力，也从一个侧面反映出中英人文交流的活力与潜力。
作为中国驻英国大使，我的一项重要任务就是推进两国人文交流、讲好中国故事，让更多的英国民众了解中国、支持中英合作。9年来，我遍访英国各地，北至最北端的设得兰群岛的耶尔岛，南至英吉利海峡诸岛，远至海外领土。所到之处，我都深刻感受到两国友好日益深入人心，越来越多的英国民众渴望了解中国。那么，中国是一个什么样的国家？如何了解和认识一个真实的中国？我愿从四个方面谈谈中国这个古老又年轻的国家。
第一，中国是一个文明悠久、充满活力的国家。中华民族有着绵延5 000多年、未曾中断的文明史。我曾担任中国驻埃及大使，埃及同样是一个文明古国，有文字记载的历史比中国还要早，但遗憾的是古埃及文明由于外敌的持续入侵而中断了。中国的造纸术、火药、印刷术、指南针、天文历法等文明成果在世界上影响深远。与苏格拉底、柏拉图、亚里士多德等西方哲人大约同一时代的老子、孔子、墨子等中国思想家，曾广泛探讨人与人、人与社会、人与自然关系的真谛，提出了博大精深的思想体系。在哥伦布发现美洲大陆之前数十年，中国明代航海家郑和就率领船队七次远航太平洋和西印度洋，到访30多个国家和地区。
同时，中国也是一个正在发生巨变的年轻国度。2019年是中华人民共和国成立70周年。短短70年间，中国人民用勤劳和智慧取得了举世公认的发展成就，中国从一穷二白成为世界第二大经济体，7亿多贫困人口摆脱贫困。中国现有公共图书馆3 173个，全年出版各类图书95亿册。中国自2013年起成为世界第二大研发经费投入国。中国在载人航天、探月工程、量子科学、深海探测、超级计算、卫星导航等诸多领域均取得重大成果。当然，中国仍是世界上最大的发展中国家，面临的发展不平衡、不充分等挑战依然严峻。虽然GDP总量是英国的6倍，但人均GDP还不到英国的1/4。面对挑战，我们有信心、有能力克服困难，用勤劳的双手苦干加实干，建设好我们的国家，让人民过上更好的生活。
第二，中国是一个饱经苦难、珍爱和平的国家。近代史上，中国人民蒙受外国侵略和内部战乱的苦难。经过前赴后继的抗争，在付出几千万人伤亡的巨大牺牲后，中国人民终于掌握了自己的命运。在第二次世界大战中，中英军民曾并肩作战，抵抗日本法西斯。英国每年8月会举行“战胜日本”纪念日活动，中国则将每年9月3日确定为中国人民抗日战争胜利纪念日，目的就是铭记历史、不忘苦难、珍爱和平。
正是源于对被侵略、被奴役的历史记忆，中国人民格外珍惜今天的和平生活。中国坚定奉行独立自主的和平外交政策，坚定不移走和平发展道路，既通过维护世界和平发展自己，又通过自身发展促进世界和平。中国在国际事务中秉持公平正义，坚持根据事情本身的是非曲直决定自己的立场和政策，绝不把自己的意志强加于人，也绝不允许任何人把他们的意志强加于中国人民。自1990年以来，中国累计派出维和军事人员近4万人次。目前，中国是联合国所有会员国中第二大出资国，也是五个常任理事国中派遣维和人员最多的国家。中国军舰连续10多年在亚丁湾、索马里海域执行护航任务，维护了包括英国商船在内的6 000多艘航船的安全。
第三，中国是一个拥抱世界、勇于担当的国家。近代史上，中国曾因为闭关锁国，落后于时代发展步伐。新中国成立后特别是改革开放以来，我们把对外开放作为基本国策，坚持“引进来”和“走出去”相结合，不断融入经济全球化大潮。2001年加入世贸组织以来，中国忠实、全面地履行自己的义务，已成为120多个国家和地区的最大贸易伙伴。中国还深度参与区域经贸合作，迄今已与25个国家和地区达成了17个自贸协定，有力地促进了贸易投资自由化便利化。中英在基础设施、教育文化、科技创新、金融服务、清洁能源等领域不断深化合作，实现了互利共赢、共同发展。
中国积极融入现行国际体系，参与了当今世界几乎所有重要政府间国际组织，签署了300多项国际公约。我们积极参与应对气候变化、反恐、维护网络安全等领域的国际合作，认真履行国际责任和义务。中国在朝核、伊朗核、阿富汗等国际热点问题上发挥着重要作用，成为维护多边主义、推动国际体系变革的中流砥柱。我们还积极促进南南合作和南北对话，加大对发展中国家的援助力度，通过互利合作带动更多国家共同发展。
第四，中国是一个分享机遇、追求共赢的国家。中国的发展不是自私自利、损人利己、我赢你输的发展，而是始终坚持将维护自身利益和促进人类共同发展相结合，尊重并推动世界文明多样化，践行博施众利、兼济天下的传统理念。中国已连续多年对世界经济增长的贡献率超过30%，成为世界经济增长的主要稳定器和动力源。目前，中国经济正从高速增长向高质量发展转型，中等收入群体已达4亿多人，市场潜力不断释放，投资环境持续优化，中国将给世界带来更多机遇。
当今世界面临很多挑战，应该构建一个什么样的世界是时代之问。中国的答案是——构建人类命运共同体。人类只有一个地球，各国共处一个世界，地球是人类目前唯一的共同家园。我们生活在同一个地球村，越来越成为你中有我、我中有你的命运共同体。中国将与各国一道，努力建设持久和平、普遍安全、共同繁荣、开放包容、清洁美丽的世界。
怎样构建这样的世界？中国的答案之一就是“一带一路”。大家知道，历史上曾有一条古丝绸之路，连接东西方，绵亘万里，延续千年，打开了各国友好交往的窗口，书写了人类交融发展的历史篇章。中国于2013年提出共建“丝绸之路经济带”和“21世纪海上丝绸之路”，也就是“一带一路”倡议。这一倡议就是要赋予古丝绸之路以全新的时代内涵，继承和发扬和平合作、开放包容、互学互鉴、互利共赢的丝路精神，把中国的发展与世界其他国家的发展结合起来，共同促进地区及全球发展振兴。“一带一路”就像一对腾飞的翅膀，引领沿线各国飞向和平、发展、合作、共赢的未来。短短6年来，“一带一路”倡议已成为全球最受欢迎的公共产品和规模最大的合作平台，正迈入高质量发展的新阶段。中国已经同166个国家和国际组织签署了共建“一带一路”合作协议，在沿线国家建设了82个境外经贸合作区，为东道国上缴税收20多亿美元，创造近30万个就业岗位。英国两次参加“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，是“一带一路”的天然合作伙伴。英国的经验、设计、创意与中国的智慧、技术、市场完全可以优势互补，形成“1+1＞2”的效果。
老师们、同学们，
2019年是中英建立代办级外交关系65周年。65年来，中英关系历经风雨、砥砺前行。特别是2015年习近平主席的国事访问，开启了中英关系“黄金时代”，两国各领域合作稳步推进。展望未来，中英合作前景广阔。大家都是中英同龄人中的佼佼者，也是两国关系的未来。正如习近平主席所说：“青年是人民友谊的生力军。”我愿就如何建设中英友谊桥梁谈几点希望。
第一，要珍惜韶华，练就过硬的本领。据我了解，哈罗的校训是“虔诚和笃学”，蕴含着勇气、荣誉感、谦虚、归属感等丰富的价值内涵。希望大家秉持校训，努力学习，脚踏实地，求真学问，练真本领，使自己学有所成，成为各行各业的栋梁之材。
第二，要加强沟通，筑牢互信的根基。中英两国社会制度和文化传统不同，在一些问题上存在不同看法很正常，有时还会有误解，关键是要相互尊重、增进了解。希望大家通过互访和交流学习，多了解彼此的历史和现实，加深对自身文明和其他文明的对比认知，努力做促进东西方文明交流互鉴、美美与共的使者。
第三，要勇于开拓，涵养创新的活力。创新是一个国家和民族发展进步的灵魂。人类正经历第四次工业革命，人工智能、大数据、石墨烯技术等将深刻改变人类生活。近年来，中英在教育、科技、文化、创意等领域的合作方兴未艾，为广大青年人才脱颖而出、建功立业提供了广阔舞台。希望大家今天努力学习，将来积极参与中英创新合作，勇当创新创业的弄潮儿。
第四，要放眼全球，培养开放的视野。当今世界正处于百年未有之大变局，人类面临是开放还是封闭、是前进还是倒退的重大抉择。中英都致力于维护多边主义，促进自由贸易和开放合作，实现世界经济强劲、可持续、平衡、包容增长。希望大家把握历史前进的正确方向，为全球合作共赢、共同发展贡献正能量。
最后，我希望大家能多到中国走走看看，更加全面地了解中国、认识中国、喜爱中国，做中英友谊的传承者，用青春和智慧书写人生华章，为两国民心相通添砖加瓦，为中英关系“黄金时代”增光添彩，使我们生活的这个星球变得更加美好！
谢谢！
下面我愿回答同学们的提问。
Headmaster Alastair Land,
Chairman John Batting,
Teachers and Students,
Good afternoon!
It is a real delight to visit Harrow, a prestigious school and home to numerous talents.
In my more than nine years as Chinese Ambassador to the UK, I have visited many well-known schools in this country. Every time I meet students like you with all your youthful vigour, I feel young myself.
Just now I visited Harrow’s historical buildings, including the Old Speech Room Gallery. I was deeply impressed with the profound history, unique culture, academic achievements and global presence of Harrow School. I am also pleased to learn about the increasingly close exchanges and cooperation between Harrow and China, and the fruitful results of such endeavour.
Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the UK in 2015. During that visit,he mentioned a number of famous names well-known in China. They include Winston Churchill and Lord Byron, both Harrovians. Another outstanding Harrovian, Benedict Cumberbatch, is popular among both Chinese and British young people for his rendition of Sherlock .
These famous names show Harrow’s charm and strength. Their popularity in China reflects the vitality and potential of China-UK cultural and people-to-people exchange.
As Chinese Ambassador to the UK, I regard it as my mission to advance such exchanges and to tell the stories of China. My goal is to help the British people learn more about China and win more support for China-UK cooperation.
Over the past nine years, I visited many places in this country, from Yell of the Shetland Islands in the North to the Channel Islands in the South. I have even been to the British oversea territories far away. Wherever I went, I could feel the deep friendship towards China, and I could see that more and more British people want to learn more about China.
What kind of a country is China? China is an ancient civilisation. Yet it is also a young country. Now I would like to share my views with you about the real China.
First, China is a time-honoured civilisation that is full of vitality.
The Chinese civilisation has more than 5,000 years of uninterrupted history.
I had been Chinese Ambassador to Egypt. Ancient Egypt had a recorded history that dated back to earlier than that of China. But unfortunately, the civilisation of ancient Egypt was interrupted by foreign invasion.
The Chinese civilisation has made contribution to the world with far-reaching impact, including papermaking, gunpowder, printing, compass, astronomical findings and calendar.
China is also known for its ancient philosophers, such as Lao-tse, Confucius and Mo-tse, who lived at roughly the same time as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. These ancient philosophers had established a profound philosophical system and explored extensively into the relations between individuals, between man and society, and between man and nature.
Decades before Columbus discovered the Americas, Chinese navigator Zheng He had led his fleet on seven voyages down the coast of the Pacific and the Western coast of the Indian Ocean. He reached more than 30 countries and regions.
China is also a young country which is experiencing profound changes.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. In merely seven decades, the Chinese people, with their wisdom and hard work,have achieved remarkable success.
China has grown from an impoverished country to the second largest economy in the world.
More than 700 million people are lifted out of poverty.
There are 3,173 public libraries in China. 9.5 billion books of various types are published each year.
Since 2013, China has ranked second in the world in terms of R&D spending.
China has also made remarkable achievements in manned space flight, lunar exploration, quantum science, deep-sea exploration, supercomputing and satellite navigation.
That being said, China is still the world’s largest developing country. It is faced with daunting challenges due to imbalanced and inadequate development. Although China’s total GDP is five times more than that of the UK, in per capita terms, China is less than a quarter of the size of Britain.
Despite of these challenges, China has the confidence and capabilities to overcome all the dificulties, build a better future for our country and create a better life for our people.
Second, China has experienced untold suferings and cherishes peace.
In modern times, the Chinese people endured foreign invasions and civil wars.Through relentless fights, in which tens of millions of people sacrificed their lives, the Chinese people finally took their destiny in their own hands.
During the Second World War, the military and people of China and the UK fought side by side against the fascists. The UK celebrates“Victory over Japan”Day, or VJ Day, every August, and China celebrates the victory of the war of the Chinese people’s resistance against Japanese aggression on September 3rd every year. Our goal is the same, that is, to remember history, keep in mind past suferings and cherish peace.
It is because of such experience of being invaded and enslaved that the Chinese people especially cherish the peaceful life today; that China resolves to follow an independent foreign policy of peace, and stays committed to the path of peaceful development; that China upholds world peace in order to achieve development, and also promotes world peace through its development.
In international afairs, China upholds fairness and justice. It takes its position and makes policies in accordance with the merits of the issue. The Chinese people never impose their will on others. Nor will they bend to the will of anyone.
Since 1990, China has sent close to 40,000 military personnel on peacekeeping missions of the United Nations. China is now the second largest contributor to the UN regular budget, and the biggest contributor of peacekeeping personnel among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
The Chinese Navy has carried out escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and of the coast of Somalia for more than ten consecutive years. They have ensured the safe passage of more than 6,000 ships, including British merchant ships.
Third, China embraces the world and takes up its responsibilities.
After the 18th century, China had lagged behind due to the closed-door policy. Since the founding of New China, especially since the beginning of reform, China has made opening-up its basic national policy. China has welcomed foreign investment and explored the global market. In this process, China has become part of the economic globalisation.
Since acceding to the World Trade Organisation in 2001, China has fulfilled its duty faithfully and fully. It is now the largest trading partner of more than 120 countries and regions.
China also engages deeply in regional trade and economic cooperation. It has signed 17 free trade agreements with 25 countries and regions, which have efectively promoted trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation.
Between China and the UK, we have deepened cooperation on infrastructure,education, culture, science, technology, innovation, financial services and clean energy.This has delivered win-win results and promoted common development.
China actively integrates with the existing international system. It has joined almost all important intergovernmental international organisations and signed more than 300 international conventions.
China shoulders its international responsibilities and performs its duty faithfully by taking an active part in international cooperation on climate change, counter-terrorism and cyber security.
China also plays an important role on international hot-spot issues such as the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Iran nuclear programme and Afghanistan issue. It has become a staunch force for upholding multilateralism and promoting reform in the international system.
Moreover, China has vigorously promoted South-South Cooperation and North South dialogue, increased assistance to fellow developing countries and engaged in mutually-beneficial cooperation for common development.
Fourth, China is ready to share development opportunities with the world and pursue win-win results for all.
China’s approach to development is not the selfish,“beggar-thy-neighbour”,“I-win you-lose”way. While we safeguard our own interests, we also believe in the need for common development of all mankind. And we work to promote that. Because the Chinese traditional philosophy values generosity and social responsibility, we respect and encourage diversity of civilisations.
For many years in a row, China has contributed more than 30% of world economic growth. It is now a major stabiliser and powerhouse for world economic growth. As its economy shifts from high-speed growth to high-quality growth, and with a 400 million middle-income population, an expanding market and a friendly environment for investment, China will ofer more opportunities to the world.
In face of the numerous challenges in the world, everyone should ask this question:What kind of a world do we want? China’s answer is this: We should build a community with a shared future for mankind.
The Earth is our only home. Everyone is a member of our global village, a community where countries are interdependent and share the same future.
China stands ready to work with other countries to build an open, inclusive,clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.
If we want to build such a world, what should we do? China gave its answer by proposing the Belt and Road Initiative.
You may have all heard about the ancient Silk Road. It started from China, extended to Europe, connected the East and West, and covered tens of thousands of miles. For thousands of years, it had been a trade route enabling friendly exchanges between China and the countries along the route. It had been a splendid chapter in the annals of the exchanges between civilisations.
In 2013, China proposed to build a new silk road, that is the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which have since been known as the Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI.
This Initiative enriches and gives a new look to the ancient Silk Road. It carries forward the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness,mutual learning and mutual benefits. It is aimed at achieving common development of China and all other participating countries, and realising regional and global revitalisation. It gives wings to countries along the routes as they strive to achieve economic take-off. It enables them to move ever closer towards a future of peace,development and win-win cooperation.
In merely six years, BRI has become the most popular public goods and the largest cooperation platform in the world. It is stepping onto a new stage of high-quality development.
China has signed agreements on BRI cooperation with 166 countries and international organisations. It has also set up 82 economic and trade cooperation zones in countries along the routes. These zones have paid more than 2 billion dollars in tax to host countries and created close to 300,000 jobs.
The UK government has twice sent a special representative of the Prime Minister to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. It is a natural partner of China in building BRI. In BRI cooperation, Britain’s experience, design expertise and creative ideas, and China’s development concept, technology and market make a perfect match.By pooling the strengths of our two countries, we will realise a multiplying efect in our cooperation and contribute our wisdom and strength to BRI.
Teachers and Students,
This year marks the 65th anniversary of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the chargé d’afaires level. In the past 65 years, China-UK relationship has forged ahead despite wind and rain. President Xi Jinping’s state visit in 2015 ushered in the China UK Golden Era. Since then, cooperation between our two countries across the board has been advanced steadily. Looking ahead, China-UK cooperation enjoys a bright future.
You are among the best and brightest. You represent the future of China-UK relationship. President Xi Jinping said,“Young people are the mainstay of friendship between our people.”I would like to share my hopes for you to build the bridge of friendship between our two countries.
First, I hope you will cherish the time of youth and strengthen your capability.
The founder of Harrow School established the principles of“Godliness and good learning.”They contain the core values of“Courage, Honour, Humility and Fellowship.”
I hope you would live up to these principles and values, work hard, take a down to-earth attitude, learn the knowledge and strengthen your capability, so as to achieve academic success and grow to be the pillars of society in various fields.
Second, I hope you will learn to communicate and cement the foundation of mutual trust.
China and the UK difer in social system and cultural heritage. It is natural that we do not always see eye to eye. Sometimes there might even be misunderstanding. The key is to respect and learn more about each other.
Through mutual visits and exchanges, you will have a deeper understanding of each other’s history and current situation, and learn to appreciate the diferences between civilisations. I am sure you will grow to be envoys for closer exchanges, mutual learning, and harmonious coexistence between the Eastern and Western civilisations.
Third, I hope you will have the courage to be innovative and explore new frontiers.
Innovation is the spirit behind the progress of a country or nation. As the fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds, new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and graphene will bring profound change to our life.
In recent years, China and the UK have engaged in close cooperation on education,science, technology, culture and creative industries. This provides a broad stage for the young people to excel and succeed.
I encourage you to study hard today, engage actively in the future in China UK cooperation on innovation, and take the lead in the trend of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Fourth, I hope you will adopt a global perspective and have a broad vision.
The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Mankind is faced with the crucial choice between openness and isolation, between progress and retrogression.
Both China and the UK are committed to upholding multilateralism, promoting free trade and open cooperation, and ensuring the robust, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth of the world economy.
It is important to keep to the right direction of history. I hope you will make your contribution in the years to come to the win-win cooperation and common development of the world.
In conclusion, I hope you will visit China and see the country with your own eyes. I hope you will have a more comprehensive understanding of China, and I am sure you will fall in love with the country.
I also hope that with your youth and wisdom, you will carry forward the friendship between China and the UK, live your life to the fullest and help build a closer bond between the peoples of our two countries.
I look forward to your contribution to the China-UK Golden Era. I am sure the world can count on your generation to build a better future!
Thank you!
Now I will be happy to take your questions.
