传承历史文明，践行未来梦想
Pass on the Torch of Civilization to Realize the Dream for the Future
驻英国大使刘晓明在英国利物浦世界博物馆兵马俑展开幕式上的讲话
Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition “China’s First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors” at the World Museum of Liverpool
2018年2月8日，英国利物浦世界博物馆
World Museum, Liverpool, the UK, 8 February 2018
尊敬的默西塞德郡女王代表布伦德尔先生，
尊敬的英国数字文媒体部政务次官埃利斯先生，
尊敬的利物浦市长马尔科姆·肯尼迪先生，
尊敬的利物浦国家博物馆董事会主席大卫·亨肖先生，
尊敬的中国陕西省副省长魏增军先生，
女士们，先生们：
Lord Lieutenant Mark Blundell,
Parliamentary Under Secretary Michael Ellis,
Lord mayor Malcolm Kennedy,
Sir David Henshaw,
Vice Governor Wei Zengjun,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
大家下午好！
Good afternoon!
很高兴来到著名的利物浦世界博物馆出席“秦始皇和兵马俑”展览开幕式。
It is a real delight to join you at the famous World Museum of Liverpool to open the exhibition “China’s First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors”.
秦兵马俑是中国的国宝，被誉为“世界第八大奇迹”。2007年《秦始皇帝——中国兵马俑》文物展在大英博物馆成功举办，吸引85万观众，盛况空前。时隔11年，兵马俑再次穿越时光、跨越重洋、登陆英伦，成为今年中英人文交流又一件盛事。我谨对为此展付出辛劳的两国各界人士表示衷心感谢。我认为，此次兵马俑展恰逢其时，具有“三重意义”：
The terracotta warriors are China’s national treasures. They are also the Eighth Wonder of the World. This is not their first visit to Britain. Eleven years ago in 2007, the British Museum hosted them. “The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta Army” attracted 850 thousand visitors and was a resounding success. Now, once again, these ancient warriors have come through thousands of years and crossed boundless oceans to reach the shores of the British Isles. This exhibition is a definite highlight of the cultural and people-to-people links between China and the UK in 2018. Please allow me to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone from both our countries who have worked so hard for so long to make this exhibition possible. I believe this exhibition is well-timed and significant in the following three ways.
第一，架起了一座中英了解与友谊之桥。今年是中英关系“黄金时代”加速推进之年。上周，我刚有幸陪同梅首相首次正式访华。访问期间，两国领导人就推进中英各领域交流合作达成重要共识，为中英人文交流大发展注入了新动力。梅首相还特意向习近平主席介绍了利物浦世界博物馆这次“秦始皇和兵马俑”展览。我想，这不仅是因为利物浦是梅先生的故乡，更因为利物浦文化多元、活力四射，被称为“欧洲文化之都”。利物浦与中国渊源深厚，拥有欧洲最古老的中国社区，利物浦大学也是最受中国留学生青睐的英国大学之一。相信利物浦将借力此次兵马俑展，为增进中英两国人民之间的了解与友谊、推进两国人文交流与合作发挥独特作用。
First, this exhibition serves as a bridge of understanding and friendship in the “Golden Era” of China-UK relations. Last week, I had the honor to accompany Prime Minister May on her first official visit to China. During this visit, the leaders of our two countries reached important agreement on exchanges and cooperation across the board. This has injected new impetus to China-UK cultural and people-to-people exchanges. In their meeting, the Prime Minister specifically mentioned to President Xi this exhibition in Liverpool. Why is it? I think the reason is more than that Liverpool is the hometown of Mr. May. Being a culturally diverse and vibrant city, Liverpool is well known as European Capital of Culture. Liverpool’s historic connection with China has given the city the oldest Chinese community in Europe. It is also home to one of the favorite British universities for Chinese students - the University of Liverpool. I am sure this exhibition of terracotta warriors will be a good opportunity for Liverpool to continue its special connection with China. With this connection, Liverpool will play a unique role in advancing cultural and people-to-people links between China and the UK, which is key to understanding and friendship between the people of our two countries.
第二，讲述了一堂生动的中国历史课。中国是四大文明古国中唯一不间断传承5千年文明的国家，重要原因之一就是公元前221年，秦朝完成统一大业，使中国成为一个多民族统一国家。从那以后，对统一与稳定的追求、对和平与繁荣的向往，就深深烙入中华民族的基因，流淌在中华民族的血液中代代相传。历史照进现实，去年10月召开的中共十九大绘制了中国发展的宏伟蓝图，明确提出推进祖国和平统一进程，推动构建相互尊重、公平正义、合作共赢的新型国际关系，构建人类命运共同体，这正是对中国传统文化最好传承与弘扬。希望英国民众在徜徉中国历史、领略中国古代文化魅力的同时，也能加深对中国传统思想和文明底蕴的了解。
Second, this exhibition is a vivid lesson on Chinese history. Of the four ancient civilizations in the world, the Chinese civilization has the longest continuous history of 5,000 years. One important reason for this is that China has basically remained a united nation. The First Emperor of Qin Dynasty, who ordered the creation of the terracotta army, brought different ethnic groups under a united China in 221 BC. Since then, the yearning for unity and stability, and the pursuit of peace and prosperity have been deep in the vein of generations of Chinese nation. Today, the best expression of this aspiration is the blueprint for China’s future development outlined at the 19th Party Congress last October. According to the blueprint, China will strive to achieve peaceful reunification of the country. China will work for a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation. China will join hands with other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind. These goals reflect China’s determination to carry forward our fine heritage. I hope the exhibition of the terracotta warriors will offer a glimpse into the Chinese history and heritage. As you appreciate the charm of ancient China, I hope you could have a deeper understanding of the Chinese philosophy and civilization.
第三，打开了一扇了解“一带一路”的窗户。兵马俑埋藏之地古称长安，今为西安，是历史上“丝绸之路”东部起点。抚今追昔，我们不仅感受到“丝绸之路”曾经的辉煌兴盛，更体会到“新丝绸之路”焕发出的勃勃生机。“一带一路”倡议开创的“新丝绸之路”，为欧亚大陆发展注入了新动力，也给世界发展提供了新机遇。自“一带一路”倡议提出4年多来，中国对“一带一路”沿线国家投资累计超过500亿美元。中国企业已经在20多个国家建设56个经贸合作区，为有关国家创造近11亿美元税收和20万个就业岗位。中英作为“一带一路”的东西两端，应抓住“一带一路”带来的新机遇，为中英关系“黄金时代”打造更多“黄金成果”。
Third, this exhibition isn’t just about history. It opens a window on today’s Belt and Road Initiative. The terracotta warriors were unearthed in Xi'an, the current name for Chang’an, which was the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road. The relics from the past remind us of the glory of the ancient Silk Road. Their display here in Liverpool, thousands of miles away from home, is a fresh testament to the vitality of the new Silk Road. This new Silk Road opened under the Belt and Road Initiative has become a source of driving force for the development of countries from Asia to Europe. It has also created new opportunities for the whole world. Since this Initiative was proposed four years ago, China has invested over 50 billion dollars in countries along the route. Chinese companies have set up 56 economic and trade cooperation zones in over 20 countries. This has generated some 1.1 billion dollars of tax revenue and created 200 thousand jobs locally. China at the eastern end of the Belt and Road, and the UK at the western end should seize the new opportunities created by this Initiative. Together, we could harvest more “golden fruits” for China-UK “Golden Era”.
女士们，先生们，
Ladies and Gentlemen,
中英都是拥有悠久历史和灿烂文化的伟大国家，两国人民都是执着追求、自强不息的伟大人民。习近平主席提出了“中国梦”，梅首相提出了“英国梦”，两个梦想都将各自发展与世界发展紧密融合，都将本国“梦想”与促进人类和平发展的“世界梦”紧密相连。出生在利物浦的甲壳虫乐队主唱约翰·列侬曾说过，“一个人的梦只是一个梦，而一群人怀揣着同一个梦想，便会梦想成真。”让我们一起从两国优秀传统文化中汲取营养，从历史深处书写未来的光荣与梦想，共同为实现人类命运共同体的“世界梦”贡献力量！
China and the UK are both great nations. We both have time-honored history and splendid culture. The great people of our two countries are in persistent pursuit of self-improvement. President Xi proposed the Chinese Dream, and Prime Minister May expounded a lot on the British Dream. Both dreams see the development of our respective countries in the larger picture of global development. Both align our national dreams with the world dream of peace and development. John Lennon, who was born in this city, once said, “A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” If we draw strength from our splendid past, we can write a glorious chapter of the future. If we dream together the World Dream of a community with a shared future, we can make it a reality.
再过8天，就是中国农历新年狗年。在中国文化中，狗象征着忠诚、勇敢、勤劳、吉祥。我祝大家狗年吉祥如意、梦想成真！祝此次兵马俑展取得圆满成功！
In eight days’ time, it will be the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dog. In Chinese culture, dog stands for loyalty, courage, diligence and good fortune. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you good fortune in the Year of the Dog! I wish all your dreams come true! In conclusion, I wish the exhibition “China’s First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors” a complete success!