刘晓明大使在英国伦敦特拉法加广场中国春节庆典开幕式上的讲话
Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Opening Ceremony of Festival of Spring, Chinese New Year Celebration
2019年2月10日, 伦敦特拉法加广场
Trafalgar Square, London, 10 February 2019
尊敬的大伦敦市市长卡恩先生，
尊敬的英国外交国务大臣菲尔德先生，
尊敬的英国国际发展部国务大臣贝茨勋爵，
尊敬的西敏市市长霍尔女士，
尊敬的西敏市议会领袖艾肯女士，
尊敬的伦敦华埠商会主席邓柱廷先生，
女士们，先生们，朋友们：
Mayor Sadiq Khan,
Minister Mark Field,
Lord Bates,
Lord Mayor Lindsey Hall,
Councillor Nickie Aiken,
Chairman Chu Ting Tang,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends:
大家过年好！
Happy Chinese New Year!
很高兴在这春回大地、万象更新的时节，再次出席特拉法加广场中国春节庆典。
It is a real delight to join you again on this beautiful spring day here in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
春节对中国人而言，始终是一年中最重要的节日。我们张灯结彩，赶会看戏，欢庆新春；我们举家团圆，走亲访友，共享天伦；我们感恩长辈，祝福亲朋，祈求好运。春节是吉利的象征，是祥和的符号，更是对美好的向往。
The Chinese New Year is the most significant festival of the Chinese people.
It is celebrated with lantern display, folk fair and opera performance.
It is a time for families to get together, express thanks to the elders and make best wishes for the new year.
It is a season for relatives and friends to connect and enjoy each other’s company.
It is a symbol of good fortune and harmony.
It embodies our best wishes for a beautiful life.
今年是我担任驻英国大使以来第9次出席特拉法加广场春节庆典。
This is my ninth Trafalgar Square celebration since becoming Chinese Ambassador to the UK.
9年来，我欣喜地看到，春节已日益成为中国人民和英国人民共同的节日。自2003年首次举办以来，特拉法加春节庆典规模越来越大，近年来每年参与人数都超过70万人，成为亚洲之外规模最大的春节庆祝活动。英国女王伊丽莎白二世陛下和梅首相都向本次庆典发来贺辞，春庆活动遍布全英各地，春节已走进英国的千家万户，深受英国民众特别是孩子们的喜爱。
I am glad that, over the past nine years, the Chinese New Year has become a festival for both the Chinese and British people.
Since its debut in 2003, this annual extravaganza has been drawing an ever-larger crowd. In recent years, more than 700,000 people have taken part in this celebration every year, making Trafalgar Square the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside Asia. Her Majesty The Queen and Prime Minister May have both sent messages of congratulations to this celebration. Across the UK, Chinese New Year is celebrated in every corner of the land and become popular among British families, especially children.
9年来，我欣喜地看到，春节已成为中西方文明互学互鉴的展会。英国的春庆活动带来了中国民俗展示、文艺表演和各种美食，受到英国民众及各国游客欢迎；在中国的春节庆祝活动则伴有“洋庙会”、“西方音乐会”和“西方美食节”，东西方文化在春庆活动中相互交融、相映成辉。今年，英国的小猪佩奇走红中国，成为猪年的“代言人”就是最好例证。春节已成为增进中英了解、促进中西方互鉴的桥梁。
I am glad that, over the past nine years, the Chinese New Year celebrations have set the stage for east to meet west.
Here in the UK, we celebrate with Chinese folk customs, art performances and traditional cuisine.
In China, western-style temple fair brings foreign culture, music and food to the Chinese public.
In both places, Chinese New Year celebrations have made it possible for different cultures to learn from each other and thrive together. They are building bridges of mutual understanding and mutual learning.
The best example is Peppa Pig. This British cartoon character has gained such popularity in China that it has become the “mascot” of the Year of the Pig.
9年来，我欣喜地看到，春节已成为中英友谊日臻拓展的盛会。近年来，随着中英关系“黄金时代”深入发展，两国文化、教育、旅游交流合作日益深化。春节期间，大批中国游客来英旅游，不仅给英国带来了就业和发展机遇，更促进了两国人民相知相近，增进了两国人民之间的友谊。
I am also glad that, over the past nine years, the Chinese New Year has borne witness to ever deeper friendship between China and the UK.
In recent years, as the China-UK “Golden Era” continued to develop, bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education and tourism have gone deeper.
More and more Chinese tourists coming to the UK during the Chinese New Year holiday season promises not only jobs and business but also opportunities for better mutual understanding and stronger friendship.
女士们，先生们，朋友们，
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends:
在我们共迎新春的欢庆时刻，我要特别感谢大伦敦市政府和西敏市政府对庆典活动的重视和支持，感谢主办单位伦敦华埠商会以及所有志愿者的辛勤工作，感谢从中国专程而来的“四海同春”艺术团和“欢乐春节”艺术团，正是由于他们的辛劳付出，我们才能享受今天的庆典。让我们把最热烈的掌声送给他们！
As we enjoy the performance and festive atmosphere, let us not forget those who have worked hard to make it possible.
I would like to express my special thanks to the Greater London Authority and the Westminster City Council.
My thanks also go to the organiser – the London Chinatown Chinese Association – and all the volunteers.
Last but not least, I want to thank the Festival of Spring Ensemble and the Happy Spring Festival Ensemble. They have traveled all the way from China to bring us the exciting performances.
Let us give them a big hand!
玉犬辞岁守平安，金猪拱福送祥瑞。猪在中国文化中代表富裕、旺福，猪年是富贵多多、福气满满的年份。我衷心祝愿大家，猪年吉祥如意、幸福安康、万事顺遂！
As we say goodbye to the Year of the Dog, we have high expectation for the Year of the Pig.
In the Chinese culture, pig symbolises happiness and good fortune. The Year of the Pig promises greater prosperity. Let me conclude my remarks by wishing all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Pig!
谢谢！
Thank you!
