Continuing Success Requires Unremitting Efforts
百尺竿头须进步
H.E. Ms. Sun Baohong’s Article Published on the Daily Nation Newspaper
驻肯尼亚大使孙保红在肯第一大报《民族日报》发表署名文章
8 June 2018
2018年6月8日
The following article written by H.E. Ms. Sun Baohong, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, was published on the Daily Nation newspaper of Kenya on 8th June, 2018.
2018年6月8日，肯尼亚第一大报《民族日报》刊登驻肯尼亚大使孙保红题为《百尺竿头须进步》的文章。全文如下：
On May 13th, I arrived in Nairobi, the “green city in the sun”, and started my tenure as the 15th Chinese Ambassador to Kenya and Permanent Representative to the UNEP and the UN-Habitat. After presenting my credentials to H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta on June 5th, I officially began to perform the full duty of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. It is a glorious mission and weighty responsibility, especially when China-Kenya relations have reached a historical high. And I am well prepared and full of confidence.
今年5月13日，我来到“阳光下的绿城”内罗毕，出任第十五任中国驻肯尼亚大使，并兼任中国驻联合国环境署、人居署代表。6月5日，我向肯雅塔总统递交了国书，正式开始履行特命全权大使的神圣职责。当前，中肯关系处于历史高点，我此时来肯工作，倍感使命光荣、责任重大，同时又充满信心。
My confidence comes from my great motherland. China, with over 5000 years of remarkable history and splendid civilization, had gone through grave sufferings since the 19th century. The Chinese people, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), have fought fearlessly, achieved national liberalization and independence, blazed a new trail of socialism with Chinese characteristics and successfully carried out the reform and opening-up policy. The 19th National Congress of the CPC held last October has ushered in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, marking a new chapter of fulfilling the Chinese dream of great rejuvenation. As a witness and participant in this great era, I feel so lucky and proud of being appointed ambassador, not for the first time, to the beautiful continent of Africa and making my contribution to the China-Kenya friendship and cooperation.
我的信心来自于身后伟大的祖国。中国拥有五千多年的辉煌历史和灿烂文明，也经历了近代以来的深重苦难。中国共产党领导全国人民进行了艰苦卓绝的斗争，实现民族独立与人民解放，开辟中国特色社会主义道路，引领改革开放宏伟实践。去年10月召开的中共十九大宣告中国特色社会主义进入新时代，开启了实现中华民族伟大复兴的新篇章。身为这一伟大时代的亲历者和参与者，再度受命出使非洲，为深化中肯友谊与合作贡献力量，我感到生而有幸、万分自豪。
My confidence comes from the vigorously developing Kenya. This wonderful land is full of hope and vitality with favourable natural and geographical conditions, where the diligent and brave Kenyan people have created a unique culture of diversity. Since its independence, Kenya has gradually grown into a hub of trade, finance, transportation and international communication of East Africa, and has been playing an increasingly essential role in regional and international affairs. Nowadays, the Kenyan government and people are striving to achieve the Vision 2030 and the Big Four plan. The Kenyan people from all sectors are making efforts to seek for national development while narrowing differences. I believe that Kenya will keep the momentum of social and economic development in the coming years.
我的信心来自于蓬勃发展的肯尼亚。这是一个充满生机与希望的美丽国度，拥有得天独厚的自然和地理条件。这里的人民勤劳勇敢，创造了交融荟萃的多元文化。自独立以来，肯尼亚已发展成为东非地区的贸易、金融、国际交往中心和交通枢纽，在国际和地区事务中发挥着越来越重要的作用。当前，肯尼亚政府和人民正在为实现“2030年远景规划”和“四大发展目标”而奋力前行，肯社会各界正在朝着弥合分歧、共谋发展的方向而不懈努力。我们有理由相信，肯尼亚经济社会将继续保持旺盛的发展活力。
My confidence comes from the solid foundation and strong driving force of China-Kenya relations. Over 600 years ago, the fleets led by the great Chinese navigator Zheng He visited Kenyan coast several times and started the friendly exchanges between China and Kenya. Since China and Kenya established diplomatic ties in 1963, especially in recent years, China-Kenya relations have undergone a leapfrog development. The two sides enjoy frequent exchanges of high level visits, with political trust being further strengthened and friendship between our people and dynamic cooperation in all fields being deepened. The China-Kenya cooperation has set an example for the China-Africa cooperation. Last year, H.E. President Xi Jinping and H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta agreed to upgrade China-Kenya relations to the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership (CSCP). The Nairobi-Mombasa SGR, as one of the important and earliest harvest of the Belt and Road Initiative, has been successfully completed and operated. We celebrated its first anniversary on the Madaraka Day. Just like the Madaraka Express, the China-Kenya cooperation is entering a golden era of high-speed development.
我的信心来自于中肯关系发展的深厚基础和强劲动力。600多年前，中国伟大的航海家郑和七下西洋，四抵肯尼亚，留下传唱至今的美好故事。1963年中肯建交以来特别是近年来，两国关系实现跨越式发展，双方高层交往密切，政治互信不断增强，民意基础持续巩固，各领域务实合作的广度和深度日益拓展，堪称中非合作的典范。去年，习近平主席和肯雅塔总统共同决定将中肯关系提升为全面战略合作伙伴关系，“一带一路”的重要早期收获——蒙内铁路提前建成通车并顺利运营。我们刚刚在肯尼亚自治日庆祝了蒙内铁路运营一周年。中肯合作的列车正快速驶入强劲发展的“黄金时代”。
My confidence also comes from the indissoluble bond between Africa and myself. During my diplomatic career, I have spent more than 20 years on China-Africa relations. I have visited more than 30 African countries and witnessed the notable changes of this ancient continent. I fully understand African people’s aspiration for peace and development. I feel more than honored to continuously get involved in the historical process of African development. As the first Chinese female ambassador to Kenya, I will try my best to carry forward Chinese women’s traditional virtue of amity and perseverance, demonstrate the features of self-confidence and exceptional bravery, spare no efforts to perform my solemn duty, and push forward the China-Kenya cooperation to a new high.
我的信心还来自于我和非洲的不解情缘。从事对非外交工作20多年来，我走过30多个非洲国家，对非洲大陆感情深厚，亲眼见证了这片古老土地的巨大变化，也深刻理解非洲人民对和平与发展的渴求。我非常荣幸能够继续见证和参与非洲发展的历史进程。作为首位中国驻肯女大使，我既要发扬中国女性善良亲和、坚韧不拔的优秀品质，也要展现新时代女外交官自信干练、不让须眉的良好形象，以时不我待、只争朝夕的精神，不负重托、不辱使命，全力以赴地推进中肯各领域交流与合作。
Since the first day of taking office, I have been engaged in busy work and embraced by the hospitality of Kenyan people. This year marks the 55th anniversary of China-Kenya diplomatic relations, which is another memorable year for our two countries. The Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing in September. The leaders of China and African countries will get together again to map out the blueprint for the new era and discuss the significant measures to enhance our mutual cooperations and common development. Kenya is China’s strategic partner in pushing forward the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Africa industrial capacity cooperation. China highly values Kenya’s role in the China-Africa relations. China and Kenya are working together to make joint contributions to the success of the historic summit. We will definitely expect more achievements on China-Kenya cooperation brought by this summit.
到任后，我立刻投入紧张而繁忙的工作，也切身感受到肯尼亚人民对中国人民的友好和热情。今年是中肯建交55周年，是中肯关系发展史上值得铭刻的年份。中非合作论坛峰会将于9月举行，中非领导人再次齐聚北京，规划新时代合作蓝图，共商引领合作发展的重大举措。中方高度重视肯尼亚在中非关系中的重要作用，将肯作为推进“一带一路”倡议和中非产能合作的战略伙伴。现在距峰会只有不到3个月时间，中方将与肯方紧密配合，为峰会的成功举办作出积极贡献。通过此次峰会，中肯务实合作必将结出新的累累硕果。
The first China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai this November. It is not just another Expo in an ordinary sense, but a major policy initiative and commitment to the opening-up of the Chinese market. Kenya, as a major exporting country in Africa, has been invited and thus Kenyan coffee, tea, flowers and tourism attractions will be showcased and promoted in the Chinese market. As H.E. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasizes, China will continue to adhere to its fundamental national policy of opening-up and pursue development with its door open even wider.
今年11月，首届中国国际进口博览会将在上海举办。这次博览会不是一般意义上的会展，而是中国主动开放市场的重大政策宣示和具体行动。作为非洲大陆的重要出口国之一，肯尼亚已被邀请参会，其主要出口商品如咖啡、茶叶、花卉以及旅游产品都将有机会参展，并向中国市场推广。正如习近平主席强调的那样，中国将继续坚持改革开放的基本国策。中国开放的大门不会关闭，只会越开越大。
In a few days, H.E. Mr. Wang Yang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), will lead a delegation to visit Kenya at the invitation of Honorable Mr. Justin Muturi, Speaker of Kenyan Parliament. H.E. Mr. Wang will exchange views with Kenyan leaders on deepening mutual cooperations and share governance experience. I believe this important visit will give a vigorous boost to China-Kenya relations. We are working closely with Kenyan friends to ensure fruitful deliverables and a big success of this high level visit.
再过几天，中共中央政治局常委、全国政协主席汪洋阁下将应穆图里议长邀请访肯，同肯方领导人就深化中肯各领域合作交换意见，并就治国理政经验进行交流。这次重要访问将有力推动中肯关系向前发展。我们正在与肯方同事们加紧工作，全力确保此访取得重要成果和圆满成功。
There is an ancient Chinese proverb which says, “Continuing success requires unremitting efforts”. China-Kenya relations are standing at a new starting point with an even brighter future. The better future requires efforts from both sides. As Chinese ambassador to Kenya, I will adhere to the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith and uphold the values of friendship, justice and shared interests. On the basis of mutual respect, equality and shared benefits, I will roll up sleeves and work together with my Kenyan brothers and sisters, to further tap our cooperation potential and foster new growth areas, with the aim of enriching the China-Kenya CSCP and maintaining the healthy and fast development of our bilateral relations, thus bringing more benefits to the people of both countries.
“百尺竿头须进步”，中肯关系已经站在新的历史起点上，并展现出广阔而光明的发展前景。中肯关系更加美好的未来需要双方携手创造。作为大使，我将秉持真实亲诚合作理念和正确义利观，本着相互尊重、平等互利原则，与肯尼亚兄弟姐妹们共同努力，撸起袖子加油干，深入挖掘合作潜力，精心培育新的增长亮点，不断丰富中肯全面战略合作伙伴关系的内涵与外延，保持两国关系健康快速发展，更多更好地造福中肯两国人民。