梦里识中国
Seeing China Through the “DREAM”
驻比利时大使曹忠明在2019年比赴华留学生招待会上的讲话
Speech by H.E. Ambassador Cao Zhongming at the Reception
2019年8月21日
21 August 2019
各位同学，各位家长，
Dear students and parents,
各位朋友，
Friends,
大家好！欢迎来到中国驻比利时使馆。很高兴在数十位比利时青年学子动身赴中国求学前夕与大家在使馆相聚。中国很遥远，对你们中的不少人也很陌生，你们选择赴华留学，相信不仅是因为对中国充满好奇，而且可能在心中怀揣着一个梦想。这个梦想也许会影响着你们一生。今天我就以“梦想”（DREAM）为题，用5个关键词为大家介绍一下怎样认识中国。
Hello everyone! Welcome to the Chinese Embassy in Belgium. I am very happy to join so many Belgian young students at the Embassy on the cusp of their departure for China in pursuit of further studies. China is very far away and may be unfamiliar to many of you. I believe you have chosen to study in China not only because of curiosity, but also because that you have a dream, one that may affect the trajectory of your life. Today I would like to use five key words with the initials making up the word “DREAM” to introduce China.
第一个关键词是D（Diversity）。中国的文化丰富多彩、博大精深。中国是世界四大文明古国之一。中华文明是世界古老文明中唯一未曾中断、延续至今的文明。中华文明之所以生生不息，重要原因就是它能够兼容并蓄，接纳不同文化。中国有56个民族，各民族和谐共处，在长期交流和融合中形成了多姿多彩的中华文化宝库。据2019年最新数据，中国的世界文化遗产总数达到55处,居世界第一。大家去中国后能看到许多气势恢弘的佛寺建筑，佛教正是外来文明传入中国的代表。佛教自印度传入中国后同本土儒、道文化相互交融，形成了儒释道三教和谐共生的传统。公元7至9世纪，欧洲还处于“中世纪黑暗”的时候，中国唐代首都长安已是名副其实的“世界之都”。中华美食也是中华文化的重要体现，著名的中国八大菜系吸收了各地食材、技艺的精华，得到世界人民喜爱。同时也要看到，随着经济全球化和现代化进程的加快，中国的文化多样性也受到一定威胁。欧洲国家文化保护方面起步早、立法完善、经验丰富，中比双方可以加强交流合作。
The first keyword is D (Diversity). China boasts rich and profound culture. China is the only one of the four ancient civilizations that has been uninterrupted and has continued to this day. The Chinese civilization has thrived because it is inclusive and assimilates different cultures. The 56 ethnic groups in China, through long-term exchanges and integration, all live together in harmony, forming a diverse treasure house of Chinese culture. In 2019, China’s total number of world cultural heritage sites reached 55, ranking first in the world. When you go to China, you can see many magnificent Buddhist temples. Buddhism is representative of foreign culture introduced to China. After being introduced from India, Buddhism blended with the Chinese Confucianism and Taoism, forming a harmonious symbiosis. From the 7th to the 9th centuries AD, when Europe was still shrouded in the darkness of the medieval times, Chang’an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty of China, had become arguably the “world capital”. Chinese cuisine is also an important constituent of the Chinese culture. In China, there are eight types of cuisine, each typical of one specific region of the country. The food, using locally sourced ingredients and special cooking methods, have been loved by people around the world. At the same time, we must also see that with the acceleration of economic globalization and modernization, China’s cultural diversity is also under threat. European countries started early in preserving their cultural heritage. Europe has sound legislation and best practices that China can borrow from. China and Belgium could strengthen exchanges and cooperation in this respect.
第二个关键词是R（Reform）。改革开放为中国经济发展提供了源源不断的动力。今年是中华人民共和国成立70周年。大家可能不知道，70年前的中国是个山河破碎、积贫积弱的国家,贫困发生率高达97.5%，全国80%以上人口是文盲。1978年中国实施改革开放，经济得到飞速发展。1979年至2018年中国经济年均增长9.45%，经济总量位居世界第二，7亿多人脱贫。中国的制度优势就是在中国共产党领导下，中国政治方向明确，政策稳定连续，我们一茬接着一茬干，而且讲究集中力量办大事。从建国之初，中国就注重发展规划，制定国民经济和社会发展“五年规划”，到目前已发布十三个五年规划，大部分既定目标都已高效完成。中国的基础设施建设能力世界闻名，世界高难度、创纪录的桥梁很多由中国建造。刚刚竣工的北京大兴机场被誉为“魔幻未来”机场，从动工到建成仅用了3年多时间。中国经济也面临地区差别较大、老龄化加剧、产能过剩等问题。上海地区生产总值人均已超过2万美元，而甘肃省仅不到5000美元。中国65岁及以上老年人口数量占总人口近10%，远超联合国7%的老龄化标准。正因如此，中国加快改革步伐，深化供给侧结构性改革，告别高污染、高能耗的传统生产方式，由高速发展转向高质量发展。
The second keyword is R (Reform). Reform and opening up have become a steady force driving China’s economic development. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. You may not know that 70 years ago, China was a disintegrated and impoverished country. The poverty rate was as high as 97.5%. More than 80% of the country’s population was illiterate. In 1978, China implemented reform and opening up and the economy developed rapidly. From 1979 to 2018, China’s economy grew at an average annual rate of 9.45%, in the process becoming the second largest economy in the world and lifting over 700 million people out of poverty. China has advantages embedded in our political system. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the country makes continuous efforts towards clear-cut goals. Policy consistency is ensured. The system enables us to move on to the next goal upon reaching an old one, and allows us to concentrate on most important tasks. Since the founding of the country, China has always made plans for our future development. Back then we formulated the first “five-year plan” for national economic and social development. Up to now, we have issued 13 five-year plans, and most of the targets have been met efficiently. China has world acclaimed infrastructure construction capabilities. Many of the world’s most difficult and record-breaking bridges are built by China. The newly completed Beijing Daxing International Airport has been hailed as a magical and futuristic airport, and it took only three years to complete. The Chinese economy is also facing problems such as regional disparity, aging, and industrial overcapacity. Shanghai’s per capita GDP has exceeded 20,000 US dollars, while that of Gansu Province is less than 5,000. The number of elderly people aged 65 and over in China accounts for nearly 10% of the total population, far exceeding the UN’s aging threshold of 7%. In order to overcome these challenges, China has accelerated the pace of reform, deepened supply-side structural reform, bid farewell to high pollution and energy-intensive conventional sectors, and is shifting gear from high-speed to high-quality development.
第三个关键词是E（Efficiency）。讲究务实高效是中国人的一大特点。中国是由中国共产党领导的实行中国特色社会主义的国家，中国特色社会主义道路不同于西方资本主义道路，因为中国拥有世界上最多的人口，有着最复杂的国情和地区差异，要想这样的国家长期保持稳定和发展，必须选择符合人民利益的最真实管用的政治制度。中国特色社会主义道路，是中国人民长期奋斗走出来的，是最符合中国国情的正确道路。中国式民主其实是一种协商式民主。国家重大决策不仅在党内讨论，同时征求各民主党派和社会各界意见，最大限度减少社会内耗，保证人民民主的实现。中国巨大的发展成就既得益于党和政府高效的决策力，也体现了中国特色社会主义政治体系强大的组织力。中美贸易摩擦中国不想打，但也不怕打。“不怕打”的底气既来自于我们的经济韧性，也来自于自身的政治优势。世界上找不到两片完全相同的树叶，也没有完全一样的政治模式。相信你们到了中国后就会发现，中国特色的理论、道路、制度、文化在中国就像完全适合的鞋子和脚，很适应、很管用。
The third keyword is E (Efficiency). Pragmatism and high efficiency is a major feature of the Chinese people. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China implements socialism with Chinese characteristics, which is different from capitalism. China has the largest population in the world. It has the most complicated national conditions and large regional differences. To maintain stability and development for a long time, we must employ the most effective political system that is in the interest of our people. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the path blazed by the Chinese people after long-term exploration and one that best fits China’s national conditions. The Chinese-style democracy is actually a kind of consultative democracy. Major decisions are made not only after internal discussion within the party, but also after soliciting opinions from all democratic parties and different sectors of the society, a model that minimizes internal frictions and truly realizes people’s democracy. China’s development has benefited not only from the efficient decision-making of the party and the government, but also the efficacy of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. China does not want to fight the China-US trade war, but it is not afraid either. Our confidence and courage takes root in China’s economic resilience and the advantages of our political system. Just like there are no two identical leaves in the world, there are no political models that are exactly the same. I believe that after you stay in China for some time, you will find out that the political theories, paths, systems, and cultures with Chinese characteristics are very applicable and effective, just like shoes and feet that are perfectly fit together.
第四个关键词是A（Active）。中国是国际事务的积极参与者和贡献者。70年来，中国形成了以独立自主、和平发展、合作共赢为鲜明特色的外交传统。中国主张大小国家一律平等，反对以强凌弱。比利时的人口只有中国的1/122，但中国从来就把比利时作为平等的伙伴。不论是过去穷的时候还是现在有了一定能力，中国都一如既往地向广大发展中国家提供援助。中国还积极提供与自身实力相匹配的国际公共产品，是联合国维和行动第二大出资国和“五常”中派遣维和军事人员最多的国家。习近平主席提出的“一带一路”倡议为促进共同发展搭建了新的重要国际平台，100多个国家积极参与。当今世界不稳定、不确定因素增多，人类面临诸多共同挑战。“起风的时候，有人筑高墙，有人造风车。”有些国家严重威胁国际法原则和多边主义精神，甚至挑起不得人心的贸易战。这种做法损人不利己，注定失败。而习近平主席提出构建人类命运共同体倡议，强调坚持多边主义，倡导国际公平正义，为人类发展进步开辟了一条康庄大道。因为中国块头大、发展快，有些人就把中国视为威胁。我想强调的是，中国发展的目的不是为争霸或同其他国家争座次。增进民生福祉是中国发展的根本目的，也是中国共产党执政为民的本质要求。中国没有对外扩张的基因，中国威胁论毫无道理。
The fourth keyword is A (Active). China is an active participant and contributor on the world stage. Over the past 70 years, China’s diplomacy has focused on independence, peace, development, and win-win cooperation. China advocates equality among all countries, and opposes the strong bullying the weak. Belgium has a population of only 1/122 that of China, but China has always regarded Belgium as an equal partner. Be it in the past when we were poor or in the present when China is economically better off, China will continue to provide assistance to developing countries. China is also actively providing international public goods within its capabilities. China is the second largest donor of UN peacekeeping funds and the largest contributor of peacekeeping forces among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. The Belt and Road Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping has established a new international platform for promoting common development, and more than 100 countries have already gotten on board. “When the wind starts to blow, some people build high walls and others windmills.” At a time of rising instability and uncertainty, in the face of common challenges faced by mankind, some country is threatening to sabotage the principles of international law and the spirit of multilateralism, and even provoked trade wars. Such practice serves no one’s interests and is doomed to failure. President Xi Jinping, on the other hand, proposed the establishment of a community with a shared future for mankind, which advocates multilateralism, international equality and justice, pointing a new path for human development and progress. Some people regard China as a threat because China is a big country and is growing fast. What I want to emphasize is that the purpose of China’s development is not to seek hegemony or to out-compete others. The ultimate goal for China’s development is to deliver better lives for its people, which is also in line with the governing philosophy of the Communist Party of China. The Chinese threat theory is unfounded, as the urge for external expansion is simply not in our DNA.
第五个关键词是M（Master）。Master（专家/硕士）的培养离不开教育。中国是以教育为本的国家，讲究尊师重道。“为什么选择来中国留学”，不同的学生可能有不同的答案，但我相信大家都做出了正确的选择。中国自古重视教育。2600多年前，孔子就提出了有教无类和因材施教等教育理论。中国延续千年的科举制度被誉为古代世界最公平的选拔制度，是近代考试制度的雏形。近年中国高等教育水平取得长足进步。在最新的泰晤士高等教育世界大学排名中，中国共有11所高校进入世界百强，计算机、土木工程、人工智能等专业排名领先。在QS公司全球毕业生就业能力排名中，共有5所中国高校跻身世界前50位。中国高校国际化程度也在不断提升，2017年共有48.92万名外国留学生在中国高校学习，增速连续两年保持在10%以上，中国已成为亚洲最大留学目的国。当前中国已成为世界创新发明中心。随着“一带一路”建设推进，中国对外贸易、合作和人际交流机遇仍将不断增加，懂汉语、懂中国的国际化人才将越来越受到青睐。
The fifth keyword is M (Master). Masters’ cultivation is inseparable from education. The Chinese culture values education and emphasizes respect for teachers. You may have chosen to study in China for different reasons, but I believe you have made the right choice. China attaches great importance to education since ancient times. More than 2,600 years ago, Confucius proposed education theories such as “teaching without discrimination” and “teaching students in accordance with their aptitude”. China’s imperial examination, which continued for millennial, is arguably the fairest civil service examination in the ancient world and is the prototype of the modern academic tests. In recent years, China’s higher education has made great progress. In the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 11 universities in China have entered the top 100; Computer, civil engineering and artificial intelligence and other majors are ranked among the top of the world. In the QS Graduate Employability Ranking, five Chinese universities rank among the top 50. Chinese universities also have more international students than before. In 2017, a total of 489,200 foreign students studied in Chinese universities, and the growth rate has remained above 10% for two consecutive years. China has become the most popular Asian destination for overseas students. As China becomes the world’s innovation center, and with the Belt and Road Initiative being steadily advanced, foreign trade, cooperation and personnel exchanges between China and other countries will continue to increase, giving international talents who speak Chinese and understand China an edge in the job market.
2012年习近平主席提出了“中国梦”。“中国梦”是和平、发展、合作、共赢的梦，与包括比利时在内的世界各国人民的美好梦想相通。很高兴今天以“梦想”为题，为大家勾勒了一幅简单的中国形象。相信大家到中国后，会用自己的眼睛发现广阔美丽的中国和热情友好的中国人民，同时把比利时的优秀文化和理念同中国学生分享。希望我今天所讲的对你们认识中国有所帮助，在你们学成回国的时候，至少有一部分同学会这样说，我喜欢上中国，爱上了中国！
In 2012, President Xi Jinping proposed the “Chinese Dream”. The “Chinese Dream” is a dream of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefits. It resonates with the beautiful dreams of people of all countries in the world including Belgium. I am very happy to use the theme of “DREAM” today to give you a sketch of what China is like. I believe that when you are in China, you will use your own eyes to discover the vast and beautiful country and the warm and friendly Chinese people, while sharing the culture and ideas best representing Belgium with your Chinese peers. I hope that what I said today will help you know some first things about China. When you return to Belgium, at least some of you will say, I fell in love with China!
谢谢！
Thank you.