牢记祖国重托，发扬优良风气
Remember Your Mission Entrusted by Your Motherland and Carry on the Fine Traditions
刘晓明大使在“2018年国家优秀自费留学生奖学金”颁奖仪式上的讲话
Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Conferring Ceremony of 2018 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad
2019年4月10日
10 April 2019
老师们、同学们：
Dear Professors and Students:
大家上午好！
Good morning!
很高兴出席“2018年国家优秀自费留学生奖学金”颁奖仪式。首先，我谨代表中国驻英国大使馆向喜获嘉奖的同学们表示热烈祝贺！
It is a real delight to join you at the Conferring Ceremony of 2018 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, let me begin by extending my warmest congratulations to today’s awardees!
今年是我连续第九次参加这个活动，今年也是历年获奖人数最多的一次。共有41名同学赢得“优秀自费留学生”这项荣誉，还有一位同学获得 “特别优秀奖”，全球只有10位同学获此殊荣，这充分显示出在英留学生的实力，我为你们感到骄傲和自豪！
This is the tenth time that I attended the conferring ceremony. I am glad to see that this year, there are 41 awardees, more than the previous years. Worldwide, ten students have won the Extraordinary Potential Prize, and I am delighted that one of them is here among you. This fully demonstrates the academic strength of Chinese students in the UK. I am so proud of you!
英国是近现代高等教育体制的发源地，多家高等学府享誉全球，科研实力世界领先。目前在英中国留学生已达19万人，是英国最大的海外学生群体，也是中国在海外的第二大留学生群体。近代以来，大批中国留学人员为了追求民族独立和复兴负笈英伦，这一进程一直伴随着中国从“站起来”到“富起来”再到“强起来”的伟大历史性跨越。在留英学生中诞生了一大批为祖国发展做出卓越贡献的栋梁之才，他们中有李四光、谭铁牛、黄昆、黄大年等。希望在座同学们以这些前辈们为榜样，将留英学子的优秀品质和气概发扬光大。
Britain is the birth place of modern higher education. It has some of the best universities in the world. It also leads the world in scientific research capability. As of today, 190,000 Chinese students are studying here in Britain. They are the largest international student community in the UK, and the second largest Chinese student community overseas. Since modern times, generations of Chinese students have come to Britain not only to study but also to look for the way to the independence and rejuvenation of their country. They made extraordinary contribution to their motherland in its historic leap from gaining independence to growing prosperous and strong. Among them were Li Siguang, Tan Tieniu, Huang Kun and Huang Danian. I hope you will take over their baton and carry on their fine traditions.
第一，要坚守中华民族的“骨气”。中华民族是一个有骨气的民族，历经沧桑而不倒，屡受磨难而不屈，始终屹立于世界民族之林。中华民族5000多年的文明史，中国人民近代以来170多年的斗争史，中国共产党人近100年的奋斗史，新中国70年的发展史，激荡着每一个中国人的爱国情怀。中华民族千百年来传承下来的骨气，是一代代中国人砥砺前行的不竭动力。希望广大留英学子继承留学报国的光荣传统，始终把国家富强、民族振兴、人民幸福作为自己的努力方向，将个人事业与祖国发展结合起来，把自己的梦想融入实现中国梦的奋斗之中。
First, I hope you will carry forward the pride of the Chinese nation. The Chinese nation is a proud nation. We have been standing tall and firm despite numerous difficulties and setbacks. For thousands of years, this national pride has been driving generations of Chinese to be forever better. And our history, the 5,000-year glory of the Chinese civilization, the 170 years of struggle in modern history, the nearly 100 years of strenuous efforts of the Communist Party of China, and the 70 years of progress since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, has inspired the patriotic feeling in the heart of every Chinese. It is my hope that you will carry on this glorious tradition of patriotism; that you will always work for the prosperity of the country, the rejuvenation of the nation and the wellbeing of the people; and that you will live your own dreams as you strive for the Chinese Dream.
第二，要增强知行合一的“底气”。“知行合一”是中国传统文化的重要思想。马克思说过，“哲学家们只是用不同的方式解释世界，而问题在于改变世界”。习近平主席也强调，“学懂弄通做实，落脚点在做实”。同学们在英国读书，学习是首要任务，既是大家安身立命的基础，也是报国为民的手段。学就要学英国先进的知识技术和管理经验，掌握真才实学，练就过硬本领。同时切忌不能死读书，既读有字之书，也读无字之书，一切学习都要在实践中检验成果。只有不断实践，才能在关键时刻挺身而出，才有“舍我其谁”堪当大任的底气。
Second, I hope you will carry forward the down-to-earth tradition. Knowledge and action are one. This is an important element in the Chinese traditional philosophy. Marx said, “The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; The point, however, is to change it.” In the same down-to-earth spirit, President Xi Jinping said, “One should study, believe and deliver; the ultimate goal is to deliver.” Here in Britain, study is your primary task. Knowledge is the basis for further pursuit. Knowledge strengthens your capability to work for your country and people. I encourage you to learn advanced knowledge, technology and management expertise, and strengthen your capability. But you should not only learn from books. You must also learn from life and put knowledge to practice. Practicing your knowledge in real life will give you the courage to face formidable missions at critical moments.
第三，要弘扬敢为人先的“锐气”。创新是科研的生命，是民族的灵魂，是国家兴旺发达的关键力量。中国发展现在所处的，是一个船到中流浪更急、人到半山路更陡的时候，是一个愈进愈难、愈进愈险而又不进则退、非进不可的时候，在这个时候，中国要实现高质量发展，必须走向世界科技前沿，全面提升自主创新能力，力争在关键核心技术领域取得重大突破，才能在发展中攻坚克难、迎难而上。希望同学们弘扬锐气，找准专业优势和国内发展的结合点，找准先进知识和当前实际的结合点，争做行业科技前沿的高端人才，争做打破陈旧教条勇于创新的领军者。
Third, I hope you will carry forward the creative spirit. Innovation is the lifeline of research, the soul of a nation, and the force behind the prosperity of a country. After years of rapid growth, China has come to a stage where development is faced with increasingly severe challenges. To use a metaphor, climbing becomes harder when you are half way up the mountain. However, there is no going back. The only way forward is improving the quality of development, and to do that, China needs to master cutting-edge technologies, encourage independent innovation, and strive for major breakthroughs in key areas. This will enable us to overcome the difficulties in our development. I hope that the Chinese students in Britain will find the right match between your field of study and the demand in China, dovetail advanced knowledge with China’s reality, and strive to be a leader in your areas of research and a pioneer in innovation.
第四，要发扬改革开放的“正气”。中国的发展离不开世界，世界的繁荣也需要中国。当前，世界上保护主义沉渣泛起之时，中国庄重承诺，开放的大门不会关闭，只会越开越大。改革开放已成为新时代坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的强大精神动力。同学们成长于改革开放年代，对中国改革开放的巨大成就感同身受，现在又有丰富的海外生活体验和英国人脉资源，希望你们继续发挥优势，讲好中国故事，发扬改革开放精神，给世界传播更多正能量。正如习主席引用古诗所说，“不要人夸颜色好，只留清气满乾坤”。
Fourth, I hope you will carry forward the proactive attitude and be the ambassador for your country. China could not achieve development in isolation from the world, and the world needs China in realizing global prosperity. Amid surging protectionism, China has made the solemn pledge to open its door wider to the world. Reform and opening are the powerful impetus behind socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Your generation has grown up with reform and opening up. You have seen with your own eyes the remarkable achievements of this great endeavour. Now you are overseas and have connections in Britain. You are best positioned to tell the real stories of China and about China’s reform and opening up to the British people and to the world. This is not to win applause for yourselves but to contribute more positive energy to the world. Just as a poem quoted by President Xi Jinping goes, “Not angling for compliments, I’d be content to let my integrity fill the universe.”
最后，希望大家一定要注意身体，劳逸结合。驻英使领馆就是同学们在英国的家，大家遇到困难就找使领馆，我们将不断改进工作，为大家提供更优质服务。
In conclusion, I hope you will take good care of yourselves and keep fit. The Chinese Embassy is your home in Britain. We are there for you as always. And we will continue to improve our service as always.
谢谢大家！
Thank you!