The Road to Common Development
通往共同发展之路
Liu Quan, Ambassador of China to the Republic of Vanuatu
驻瓦努阿图大使刘全
23 April 2018
2018年4月23日
Time flies. It has been two years since I came to Vanuatu as Chinese Ambassador. I’m not a stranger to this beautiful land since I worked here as a diplomat from 2001 to 2003. For the last 17 years, I have been following the economic and social development of this country of paradise. In the meantime, I am proud to be the participant and witness of the great achievement of Sino-Vanuatu relations.
时间过的真快，我已出使瓦努阿图两年多。瓦努阿图对我来说并不陌生。2001年至2003年，我曾在瓦工作两年。17年来，我一直关注着瓦努阿图的经济社会发展。可以说，我是中瓦关系的亲历者与见证者。
I still vividly remember that the first important event I attended was the ground breaking ceremony of Korman Stadium in April, 2016. On that occasion, almost all the Ministers and leaders of Opposition were present. In my remarks I mentioned that China has nothing to hide. China and Vanuatu are true friends. We respect each other and support each other. On international arena, China and Vanuatu cooperate very well on regional and international issues of common concerns. I emphasized that my mission here is to strengthen China-Vanuatu Strategic Partnership featuring mutual respect and common development.
记得我担任中国驻瓦大使后出席的首场大型活动，是太平洋小型运动会体育馆开工仪式。当时几乎瓦内阁所有部长和反对党领袖都亲临现场。我在致辞中开门见山地表示，中国的对外政策一向光明磊落。中瓦是相互信任、相互支持的好朋友、好伙伴。两国在共同关心的国际和地区问题上有着良好的合作。我的使命，就是推动中瓦相互尊重、共同发展的战略伙伴关系不断向前发展。
I am pleased to see that with our joint efforts, China-Vanuatu relations are in an excellent shape and it has set a good example for China’s ties with other pacific island countries. China attaches great importance to Sino-Vanuatu ties and “Vanuatu greatly values its relationship with China as an important development partner, friend and global leader.” (quoted from recent statement of Prime Minister’s Office)
我高兴地看到，经过双方的共同努力，中瓦友好合作硕果累累，已成为中国与太平洋岛国关系的典范。萨尔维总理曾强调：“中方是瓦重要的发展伙伴、朋友和全球领导者。”
I am pleased to see that Chinese medical doctors have served the people of Vanuatu for 30 years, alleviating the pains of thousands of patients. Furthermore, in recent years Guangdong Province of China has sent eye doctors to Vanuatu to perform cataract surgeries for the blind people, bringing light to them for a better life. It is worth mentioning that after TC Pam, Chinese Government responded quickly to donate about 5 million US dollars’ worth of humanitarian disaster relief materials to Vanuatu. A friend in need is a friend in deed. China’s great efforts have earned wide appreciation from all walks of life.
我高兴地看到，中国援瓦医疗队30多年来服务瓦当地民众，为百姓解除病痛。近几年，中国广东省每年都来瓦举办“光明行”活动，让白内障患者重见光明。值得一提的是，2015年3月，“帕姆”飓风给瓦造成巨大损失，中方第一时间提供人道主义救灾物资。患难见真情，中方真诚的帮助受到瓦各界人士的交口称赞；
I am pleased to see that over the years, China has funded more than 100 students of Vanuatu to study in China, pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and social science through Chinese Government Scholarship Program. Last year, I launched the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship in USP Emalus Campus, encouraging students to learn Mandarin and Chinese culture.
我高兴地看到，中国政府奖学金项目资助上百名瓦优秀学子赴华求学，帮助瓦培养科学、技术、工程、人文等各方面人才。我还在南太大学埃马路斯分校设立了大使奖学金，鼓励瓦学生学习汉语，推动两国文化互学互鉴；
I am pleased to see that nearly one thousand people of Vanuatu have participated in the training seminars sponsored by China in recent years. These seminars have contributed a great deal to the capacity building of human resources of Vanuatu and at the same time, deepened people to people friendship between our two nations.
我高兴地看到，近几年来，近千名瓦努阿图人赴华参加中方举办的各类培训。中方为瓦人力资源能力建设做出了重大贡献，有力促进了两国人员交流与合作，增进了彼此理解和友谊；
I am pleased to see that a lot of landmark buildings have been erected through China’s aid. These buildings not only improve the level of public infrastructure, but also promote the positive image of Vanuatu at large. Just like Prime Minister said recently in an official statement that “They are buildings of National significance to this country.”
我高兴地看到，中方援助的一座座标志性建筑拔地而起。这些项目不仅提高了瓦公共基础设施水平，也提升了瓦国家形象。正如萨尔维总理所说；“中方援建的建筑已成为瓦国家的象征。”
I am pleased to see that Tanna-Malekula road and Santo wharf have significantly facilitated the export of local products and tourism industry, bringing tangible benefits to people of Vanuatu.
我高兴地看到，塔纳—马勒库拉公路和桑托卢甘维尔码头有力地促进了瓦农产品出口和旅游业发展，为百姓带来了实实在在的利益；
Especially, I am pleased to see that under the all-around support from China, 2017 Pacific Mini Games has achieved great success. For this project, Chinese Government not only provided the Stadium, vehicles and all sports equipment, but also funded 190 athletes to receive training in China for five months. In addition, 15 Chinese coaches also came to Port Vila for intensive training and site coaching. I would like to once again congratulate Vanuatu to win 76 medals, which is an unprecedented achievement in its history. I shared the joys, pride and happiness with the people of Vanuatu.
我特别高兴地看到，中国政府支持的2017年太平洋小型运动会项目取得圆满成功。中方不仅帮助瓦建设了运动会场馆，还资助了190名瓦运动员赴华训练5个月，15名中国教练来瓦为运动员进行赛前训练和现场指导。瓦运动健儿不负众望，勇夺76枚奖牌，创下瓦历史最好成绩。在这里，我再次向瓦政府和人民致以诚挚的祝贺！我为中瓦友好合作成果点赞，为瓦努阿图人民骄傲与自豪！
Most of the projects mentioned above are funded by Chinese grants, including National Convention Center, Prime Minister’s Office, Korman Stadium and Malapoa College, etc. Only a fraction of projects are funded by concessional loans from China.
（此处无译文）
Facts speak louder than words. China’s aid assistance has made great contributions to the development of Vanuatu and has earned wide recognition and appreciation from both the government and its people.
事实胜于雄辩，中方的援助为瓦经济社会发展做出了巨大贡献，得到瓦各界的高度评价。
About the concessional loan, I need to point out that China always bears in mind the debt-paying ability and solvency of Vanuatu, avoiding heavy debt burden to the Government. All those relevant projects have been conducted with careful feasibility study and market research, so that they would deliver the desired economic and social benefits. China’s experience tells us that “To be rich, one has to build road first.” I believe that, at the request of Vanuatu Government, China’s infrastructure loan projects will lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of Vanuatu in the future.
我特别要指出的是，中方在对瓦提供优惠贷款时，始终充分考虑瓦的负债情况和偿还能力，避免瓦政府承受过大债务负担。所有相关援建项目都要经过认真的可行性研究和市场化论证，以确保瓦方能够取得应有的经济和社会收益。中国的发展经验告诉人们，“要致富，先修路”。我相信，应瓦政府请求，中方援建的基础设施项目将为瓦未来实现经济社会可持续发展提供有力的基础设施保障。
Meanwhile, I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you a piece of good news. Several days ago, China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) was established. The launch of CIDCA is a landmark event in the history of China’s foreign aid. It is a strong signal that China will further strengthen its cooperation with developing countries, and increase its aid to the least developed countries.
我想借此机会告诉大家一个好消息，几天前中国成立了国家国际发展合作署。这是中国对外援助历史上的一个重大事件。国际发展合作署的成立，标志着中方将继续秉持正确义利观和真实亲诚理念，加强同发展中国家团结合作，加大对发展中国家特别是最不发达国家援助力度，为人类社会的共同繁荣和进步作出更大贡献。
It is well known that when providing foreign assistance, China adheres to the principles of not imposing any political conditions, not interfering in the internal affairs of the recipient countries and fully respecting their right to independently choosing their own paths and models of development. The basic principles that China upholds in providing foreign assistance are mutual respect, equality, keeping promise, mutual benefits and win-win. China always listens to what Vanuatu wants and fully respects the wishes and needs of the Government of Vanuatu. Just as Prime Minister said in an official statement, “Most of the projects that the Chinese people have provided to Vanuatu through their Government are aid assistance based on the requests by the Government of Vanuatu. These projects are important with no strings attached.”
大家都知道，中国提供对外援助，坚持不附带任何政治条件，不干涉受援国内政，充分尊重受援国自主选择发展道路和模式的权利。相互尊重、平等相待、重信守诺、互利共赢是中国对外援助的基本原则。中方所有援助项目，都充分考虑并尊重瓦政府意愿，并且是在瓦政府的请求下展开的。萨尔维总理不久前在政府声明中也强调：“中方从不附加任何政治条件，基于瓦政府的要求，向瓦提供各类援助。”
Some friends may notice that China’s aid towards Vanuatu has been increasing year by year. This is because the fast economic growth of China has enabled itself to provide more foreign aid. Chinese people believe that China will do well only when the world does well. As the second largest economy and permanent member of UN security council, China is determined to fulfill its international responsibilities and obligations. Within its ability, China provides its assistance to other developing countries under the framework of South-South cooperation, to help other developing countries, especially the least developed countries, to achieve UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. China’s aid to the developing countries is an important part of those great efforts. I believe the aspirations of the people for a better life should be the goal of all of us.
细心的朋友会发现，近些年中国对瓦的援助不断增多。这是因为随着中国经济快速发展，其综合国力不断增强，中方愿与广大发展中国家分享更多发展成果。中国人民始终认为，世界好，中国才会好。作为世界第二大经济体，联合国安理会常任理事国，中国积极履行国际责任，以南南合作为框架，在能力范围内尽最大努力帮助发展中国家早日实现联合国2030年可持续发展目标。
The year 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up. Over the past four decades, China has become the second largest economy, the largest industrial producer, the largest trader of goods, and the holder of the largest foreign exchange reserves in the world. 700 million people have been lifted out of poverty, which is unprecedented in the history of mankind. Not long ago, at the Boao Forum President Xi Jinping made it clear to the world that China’s door of opening-up will not be closed and will only open even wider. In terms of foreign policy, China firmly upholds the international order and the system underpinned by the purposes and principles of UN Charter and dedicates itself to build a shared future for mankind. What’s important is that China insists on abiding by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, namely, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. Based on those principles, China will never seek hegemony, expansion or sphere of influence. China has no geopolitical calculations and has no intention to build its own backyard garden, but to build a garden shared by all. We are now living in 21st century, the zero-sum game and Cold War mentality should be totally discarded.
今年是中国改革开放40周年。经过40年的艰苦奋斗，中国已经成为世界第二大经济体、第一大工业国、第一大货物贸易国、第一大外汇储备国。7亿多贫困人口成功脱贫，为世界减贫事业做出前所未有的重大贡献。在今年的博鳌论坛上，习近平主席强调，“中国坚持对外开放的基本国策，坚持打开国门搞建设。中国开放的大门不会关闭，只会越开越大”。在对外政策方面，中国坚定维护以联合国宪章宗旨和原则为核心的国际秩序和国际体系，致力于推动构建人类命运共同体，统筹应对传统和非传统安全挑战。中华文明历来崇尚“以和为贵”，坚持和平共处五项原则。中国永远不会称霸、不扩张、不谋求自己的势力范围。中国不打地缘博弈小算盘，不会营造自己的后花园，而是要建设各国共享的百花园。我们身处在21世纪，零和博弈和冷战思维应该遭到时代的摒弃。
30 years of diplomatic career give me the privilege to work in different countries. I notice that more and more people begin to learn and understand China. I recommend people to read the book “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China”. I am quite sure that through this book one could find out the secret of China’s success and better understand China’s foreign policy. I also encourage the people of Vanuatu to visit China and see it through their own eyes. Seeing is believing. They would be amazed to discover a true picture of China.
30多年的外交生涯让我有机会在许多国家工作。我感到，越来越多的人们开始认识和理解中国。但仍有一些人对中国知之甚少。我建议大家读一读《习近平谈治国理政》一书，相信你可以在那里找到中国发展的成功秘诀，也可以从中了解中国的外交原则、政策和理念。我也希望大家有机会多去中国走走看看，实地了解中国的经济社会发展，这将有助于你认识一个真实的中国。
There is a Chinese saying that “as distance tests a horse’s strength, so time reveals one’s heart.” I believe in the judgement and wisdom of the people of Vanuatu and I am convinced that rumors and speculations will never prevent China-Vanuatu relations from moving forward. What I know for sure is that with our joint efforts, the road to common development will be even wider!
路遥知马力，日久见人心。瓦努阿图人民的眼睛是雪亮的。猜疑和谣言阻挡不了中瓦关系前进的步伐。我坚信，在两国政府和人民的共同努力下，中瓦相互尊重，共同发展之路必将越走越宽广。