驻奥克兰总领事许尔文在第十一届新西兰中学生“汉语桥”中文演讲比赛全国总决赛上的讲话
Remarks by Consul General Xu Erwen at the 11th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition and the Award Ceremony for New Zealand Secondary School Students
奥克兰，西湖男子高级中学，2018年8月4日
Westlake Boys High School, Auckland, 4 August 2018
尊敬的新西兰国会议员霍建强先生、杨健博士，
尊敬的新西兰前驻华大使麦康年，
尊敬的工行新西兰董事长唐·布拉什，
各位同学、老师和家长们，
大家下午好！
Raymond Huo, Dr Jian Yang, Both Members of Parliament,
Mr. John McKinnon, former New Zealand Ambassador to China,
Mr. Don Brash, Chairman of ICBC New Zealand,
Students, teachers, parents, Good Afternoon!
非常高兴今天迎来了第十一届新西兰中学生“汉语桥”中文演讲比赛全国总决赛。刚才听到你们精彩演讲和表现，真是让人惊喜。你们的语言表达能力、对中国文化的热爱以及对中国的深刻了解，令人印象深刻。我衷心地祝贺你们每一个人，祝贺你们在学习汉语过程中所取得的优异成绩，参加比赛的每一个人都是优胜者。也祝贺你们的老师和家人，他们一定都在为你们的精彩表现感到无比的骄傲和自豪。
It is my pleasure to be here today with all of you at the National Final of the 11th “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for New Zealand Secondary School Students. I am so impressed and pleased after watching your wonderful speeches and performances. All the participants have shown high level and ability of Chinese language skills, passions for Chinese culture, profound knowledge and understanding about China. I want to express my sincere congratulation to all of you for your outstanding achievements in learning Chinese language. And to each participant, you are all winners in this competition. My congratulation also goes to the teachers and parents, who must be extremely proud of your students, your boys and girls.
女士们，先生们，
Ladies and gentlemen,
“汉语桥”比赛是新西兰汉语学习者的一件盛事，是世界人文交流领域的知名品牌活动。通过汉语学习，世界各国以及新西兰的青年朋友们可以更加深入地了解中国延绵五千年以上的独特文化与文明，更加深入地了解现代中国的快速发展尤其是改革开放四十年来中国人民通过艰苦奋斗取得的巨大成就，并见证未来中国改革开放的大门越开越大。
“Chinese bridge” has become a big event in NZ, and a well-established brand for people to people exchanges in the whole world. Chinese language learning opens doors for people from different countries and for our young kiwi friends to get to know not only about the fascinating Chinese culture and civilization which is unique and uninterrupted for more than 5000 years, but also about the dynamic development of modern China and progress made by the hard work of more than 1.3 billion Chinese people through reform and opening up over the past 40 years. You will see China’s door opening wider and wider to the outside world in future.
对中新两国而言，“汉语桥”架设了增进中新两国和两国人民之间友谊合作的桥梁。中国是新西兰最大的国际留学生来源地、最大贸易伙伴和第二大海外游客来源国，而出口、旅游和教育是促进新西兰经济增长的三大动力。两国各领域交流合作前景广阔，充满机遇，这也将为你们创造越来越多很好的就业岗位。“一带一路”的主要内容是政策沟通、设施联通、贸易畅通、资金融通、民心相通。我们需要更多像你们这样精通汉语的人才，为中新双边合作和“一带一路”建设贡献力量，呈现合作共赢，造福于两国人民。
To China and NZ, “Chinese Bridge” builds bridges in promotion of relations between our two great nations and two peoples. Now China has become NZ largest source of international students, largest trading partner and second largest source of tourists. Export, tourism and education are three major driving forces of NZ economic growth. In future we are faced with tremendous opportunities in furthering our cooperation and communication in all areas. There will be more and more good job opportunities waiting for you as well. We need more people like you who understand Chinese language to make contribution to the win-win co-operations and push forward the Belt and Road Initiative construction between our two countries to benefit our two peoples. The Belt and Road Initiative is a road of connectivity of policy, trade, finance, infrastructure and people to people.
“汉语桥”在不同国家、不同文化和不同信仰的人民之间架起了心灵沟通的桥梁，为中国和世界各国不同背景的年轻人交流思想、增进了解和友谊提供了有益的平台。中国愿与世界各国携手构建人类命运共同体，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。语言是人类沟通的桥梁，“汉语桥”将助力中国与各国友好交流合作的发展，为我们的子孙后代创造一个更加美好的世界。
Chinese bridge connects the hearts of the peoples from different countries, different cultures and different religions. And it provides a very useful platform for young people from different backgrounds to exchange ideas, to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between China and the rest of the world. China is looking forward to working together with other countries to build a community of shared future for mankind, featuring lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, clean and beautiful world. Language is a bridge of communication for mankind. Chinese bridge will serve as a driving force to develop our friendly exchanges, communication and cooperation, and make the world a better one for the future and for our younger generations.
过去的十年里，在各方共同努力下，“汉语热”在新西兰方兴未艾。开设汉语课程的新西兰中小学越来越多。根据最新统计数字，学习汉语的新西兰中小学学生人数由十年前的107所学校6200余人发展到现在的453所学校7万余人。更重要的是，通过汉语学习，越来越多的新西兰人增进了对中国的了解。
In the past decade, with the joint efforts, we have witnessed a growing enthusiasm for learning Chinese language and culture in New Zealand. More and more primary schools and secondary schools have set up Chinese language programs. According to the latest statistics, the Chinese language learners in New Zealand primary and secondary schools have reached over 70,000 in 453 schools compared with 6200 in 107 schools ten years ago. Moreover, through the language learning, more and more students have a deeper understanding about China.
孔子说：“学而时习之，不亦说乎！”因此，我希望大家继续学习，勤加练习，不断提高。除了在课堂上学、从书本中学之外，也同身边的中国同学和朋友、同生活在新西兰的中国人、同来新西兰旅游的中国游客用中文进行交流。希望大家有机会多去中国走一走、看一看，在中国工作、学习和生活，亲身体验中国文化，与更多的中国人交朋友。
As Confucius said: “After learned skill, it would be a pleasure to practice it timely and regularly.” Therefore, I hope that all the participant present here or other Chinese language learners will continue working hard and practicing more in future. In addition to the studies in the classrooms and from the books, I encourage you to take every opportunity to communicate with your classmates and Chinese friends around you, with the Chinese people who live in New Zealand, and with the Chinese tourists who travel in New Zealand. Furthermore, sometime in the future, you are most welcome to cross the bridge to visit China, work in China, enjoy the Chinese culture and make more Chinese friends there.
最后，我也向负责主办比赛的驻惠灵顿、克赖斯彻奇、奥克兰三个使领馆的教育处组，以及承办之前预赛和今天决赛的惠灵顿维多利亚大学孔子学院、克赖斯彻奇坎特伯雷大学孔子学院和奥克兰孔子学院致以诚挚的感谢！感谢慷慨赞助和支持本届比赛的中国工商银行新西兰分行、西湖男子高中和新中关系促进会！感谢全体评委和工作人员！再次祝贺你们！祝大家的汉语学习取得更大的成绩！
Last but not least, I would like to express my appreciation to the Education Offices of the Chinese Embassy in Wellington, and Consulate-Generals in Christchurch and Auckland who are in charge of hosting this competition. Our appreciation goes to the Confucius Institutes at Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Canterbury, and the Confucius Institute in Auckland for organizing the competitions. Without their hard work, today’s event would not be possible. Our deepest thanks also go to the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, New Zealand, Westlake Boys High School and New Zealand China Council for their generosity to sponsor and support this competition! Thanks to all the judges and staffs! Once again, my congratulations to all participants in this competition. Wish all of you immense progress in the journey of Chinese language study.
谢谢大家！
Thank You!