趣品中国味，厚植中英情
A Delightful Taste of China, A Closer China-UK Bond
驻英国大使刘晓明出席英国科学博物馆“中国之夜”活动的讲话
Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the China Lates of the Science Museum
2019年1月30日，英国科学博物馆
Science Museum, 30 January 2019
尊敬的英国科学博物馆馆长布莱奇福德爵士，
尊敬的英国数文媒体部国务大臣埃利斯阁下，
尊敬的英国科学博物馆董事会主席阿切尔女爵士，
女士们，先生们：
大家晚上好！
Sir Ian Blatchford,
Minister Ellis,
Dame Mary Archer,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good evening!
很高兴出席英国科学博物馆举办的“中国之夜”活动，与各位新老朋友共度这个蕴含中国风、富有中国韵的美好夜晚。我谨借此机会，对英国科学博物馆长期以来支持中英科技交流合作表示赞赏和感谢！
It is a real delight to join you for the China Lates at the Science Museum. I look forward to a charming and beautiful night of Chinese culture and science with friends old and new! Let me begin by taking this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Science Museum for your continued support for China-UK science and technology exchange and cooperation!
再过5天就是中国农历新年。我们越来越能感受到浓浓的年味。“中国之夜”以传播科学知识的方式庆祝中国春节，既有新意，也别有趣味。中国人过年有吃“年夜饭”的传统，全家人围坐一桌，品尝美味佳肴，共享天伦之乐。我认为，今晚科学博物馆也为大家烹制了一顿特殊的“年夜饭”，让大家能够品尝三道美味的“中国菜”：
Although we are still five days away from the Chinese New Year, we can already feel the festive atmosphere. According to tradition, Chinese families always gather together to have a big “New Year Eve reunion dinner”. Here tonight, the Science Museum is celebrating the Chinese New Year through popular science. China Lates is your innovative and delightful “reunion dinner” that offers three delicious “courses”.
第一道菜是“新鲜劲道”的中国科技。今晚的《天工开物AR展》、《中国航天项目讲座》、《中国中生代化石展》等多个展览，不仅展示了中国古代科技的辉煌成就，也呈现了中国当代科技的最新成果。中国古代科学技术曾长期居于世界领先地位，特别是在数学、天文、医药和农学等领域成就斐然，为世界文明进步做出了重要贡献。如今，中国正大力实施创新驱动发展战略。2017年，中国全社会研发投入达1.76万亿元，占GDP的2.13%，其中企业投入占比高达78%。中国在航空航天、量子通信、高铁、核电等领域取得喜人成绩，为人类科技创新和社会进步贡献了中国智慧。前不久，“嫦娥四号”成功实现人类首次在月球背面着陆，首次实现月背与地球的中继通信，开启了人类探测月球新篇章。
The first course is the original and authentic science and technology of China. Tonight’s exhibitions showcase China’s splendid achievements in science and technology in both ancient and modern times, including “An ancient Chinese scroll in AR”, “China’s space programme” and “Flyers of Mesozoic China”. China had been a world leader in science and technology in ancient times. The achievements were remarkable in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, medicine and agronomy. These had been China’s important contribution to the progress of human civilisation. Today, China is pursuing innovation-driven development. In 2017, overall public and private R&D spending totaled 1.76 trillion RMB yuan, accounting for 2.13% of China’s GDP. Of this, company spending accounted for 78%. In areas such as aerospace, quantum communication, high-speed rail and nuclear energy, China has made gratifying progress. They are China’s contribution to the scientific and technological innovation and social progress of mankind. Early this month, China successfully landed Chang’e-4 on the far side of the moon. It was the first time in human history that a man-made vehicle landed on the far side of the moon and communicated with the earth via a relay satellite. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in mankind’s exploration of the moon.
第二道菜是“余味回甘”的中国文化。在中国古代学术体系中，文化和科技密不可分。中国最早的诗歌总集《诗经》、讲变化之道的《易经》、讲礼乐制度的《礼记》等典籍都包含了丰富的数学、天文、地理、农林知识。春节不仅是中国的传统节日，也是重要的文化符号。例如今天是腊月二十五，中国家庭有用剪纸等装饰窗户迎接新年的传统。今晚的活动也充分体现了文化与科技融合的独特魅力，除了科技知识，我们还能欣赏到舞狮、书法、手工、故事会等丰富的中华文化元素，这些都是几千年来中国百姓欢庆春节的文化习俗。
The second course is the luscious Chinese culture. In China’s traditional academic system, culture, science and technology are interconnected. Classic books of Chinese culture such as the Book of Songs, the Book of Changes and the Book of Rites all contain knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, geography, agriculture and forestry. Tonight, China Lates offers the public an opportunity to appreciate the unique charm of Chinese culture through displays of science and technology. The Chinese New Year itself is not only a folk festival but also a cultural symbol. There are many cultural and artistic elements in the celebrations of this festival. Take today for example. It is the 25th day of the last month of Chinese lunar calendar. On this day, Chinese families decorate their windows with paper cutting, an exquisite form of folk art. I am delighted that China Lates also presents colorful displays of Chinese culture, such as lion dance, calligraphy, crafts and legends. These will offer a glimpse into the arts and customs with which the Chinese people have celebrated the Chinese New Year for thousands of years.
第三道菜是“历久弥香”的中英友谊。中国有句古语，“以利相交，利尽则散；以势相交，势去则倾；惟以心相交，方成其久远”。人文交流就是“以心相交”最生动的体现，也是中英两国关系中最具活力、最富成果的领域。今天科学博物馆举办的“中国之夜”就是最好的例证。还有，去年“秦始皇和兵马俑展”在利物浦国家博物馆成功举办，观展人数超过60万，创该馆举办特展记录；再有，每年在特拉法加广场举办的盛大春节庆典吸引超过70万英国民众和各国游客，成为亚洲以外规模最大的春节庆典，我诚挚欢迎大家2月10日出席今年的庆典活动。我也衷心希望，“中国之夜”这样的活动越办越多、越办越好，使英国民众特别是青少年更好地了解中国的历史、现状和未来，为中英关系长远发展奠定更加深厚的民意基础。
The third course is China-UK friendship with an enduring fragrance. A Chinese adage goes, “Interests wane and power withers; Relations endure for those who stay heart-to-heart.” Cultural exchanges between China and the UK have been keeping us heart-to-heart. It is the most vigorous and productive elements in China-UK relations. A good example is the exhibition “China’s First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors” hosted by the World Museum of Liverpool last year. It was a great success, drawing more than 600,000 visitors and setting a record for special exhibitions at the Museum. Another example is the annual Chinese New Year Celebration in Trafalgar Square. More than 700,000 British people and tourists from all over the world gather to mark the Chinese New Year, making it the largest celebration outside Asia. This year’s celebration will take place on 10 February. I hope to see you all in Trafalgar Square. Tonight, at the Science Museum, China Lates is also a fine example of such cultural exchanges. It is my sincere hope that there will be more and more such high-standard events to help the British people, especially the young people, to gain a better understanding of China’s past, present and future. This will cement public support for the sustained development of China-UK relations.
2019年是“猪年”，在中国传统文化里，“猪”是幸运、福气和财富的象征。按照中国古代五行学说，今年的猪年属“土”。“土”在传统中国哲学中意味着生养孕育，犹如希腊神话中的大地之母。“土猪年”的寓意是勤奋耕耘、真诚合作，为未来奠定坚实的基础，我想这也正是中英关系的应有之义。
The new year will be the Year of the Pig. In the Chinese tradition, pig symbolizes happiness and good fortune. According to the ancient Chinese theory of “Five Elements”, 2019 is Year of “Earth” Pig. Earth is a symbol of productiveness, as Gaia is in Greek mythology. Therefore, in the “Year of Earth Pig”, we have every reason to work hard and work together to lay a solid foundation for a brighter future of China-UK relations.
最后，我祝愿各位在猪年吉祥如意、幸福安康！
In conclusion, I wish everyone present tonight a happy and healthy Year of the Pig!
谢谢大家！
Thank you!