刘晓明大使在纪念香港回归20周年舞剧演出活动上的讲话
尊敬的香港驻伦敦经贸办处长杜洁丽女士，
女士们，先生们：
Director-General Priscilla To,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
很高兴出席香港舞蹈团《花木兰》舞剧在伦敦的首场演出。祝贺香港艺术家们的成功首演。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂
It is a real delight to join you for this London premiere of the Legend of Mulan by the Hong Kong Dance Company. Let me begin by extending my warmest congratulations to all the artists from Hong Kong on their most successful and impressive premiere.
“克敌垂成不受勋，凛然巾帼是将军”。花木兰不畏艰险、勤奋拼搏、精忠报国的精神，数千年来深入人心，已经植根于中华民族的血脉与灵魂。在香港即将迎来回归祖国20周年之际，重温艺术经典，再现木兰精神，也是对香港20年历经风雨、砥砺前行最好的诠释。
“Asking for nothing after triumph, the lady warrior deserves no less than the title of general.”
This line is from a poem in praise of the legendary heroine Hua Mulan. Her fearless spirit, bravery and loyalty have taken deep root in the heart of the Chinese people. Over the past millennium the exploits of Hua Mulan have helped define who we are as Chinese people.
This year we celebrate 20 years of Hong Kong’s return to China. As a celebration theme it is highly appropriate to relive the spirit of Mulan. This is the best way to review Hong Kong’s two-decade journey. It also helps us to look into how Hong Kong will continue to forge ahead in the future.
今年对香港而言，是一个重要里程碑。20年前，香港回归祖国，不仅实现了中华民族几代人的夙愿，也为世界树立了和平谈判解决历史遗留问题的典范。
For Hong Kong, this year is truly a milestone. Hong Kong’s return to China 20 years ago marked the fulfillment of a long-cherished wish of the Chinese nation. In addition, the handover from UK to China also set a good example for the world. That is to resolve historical problems through peaceful negotiations.
我们欣慰地看到，20年来，“一国两制”展现出强大生命力，取得巨大成功，举世公认。中国中央政府严格按照宪法和基本法办事，确保“一国两制”在香港的实践不动摇、不走样、不变形，为香港繁荣稳定提供了根本保障。
To our great delight, over the past 20 years, the “One Country Two Systems” policy in Hong Kong has demonstrated great vitality. Its practice has turned out to be a huge and widely recognized success:
· The Central Government of China has all along strictly adhered to the Constitution and the Basic Law.
· In turn, this has made sure that “One Country Two Systems” has been fully and accurately implemented in Hong Kong.
· And this has been the fundamental guarantee for Hong Kong’s continued prosperity and stability over the past two decades.
正如习近平主席最近在会见香港特区第五任行政长官林郑月娥时所讲，中央坚持“一国两制”、“港人治港”、高度自治的决心坚定不移，不会变，不动摇。
In Beijing early this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Madam Lam Cheng Yuet Ngor (Carrie Lam), the fifth Chief Executive of Hong Kong.
President Xi said to her:
“The Central Government’s determination to uphold the ‘One Country Two Systems’, ‘Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong’ and ‘high degree of autonomy’ is firm and will not change or waiver”.
我们欣慰地看到，20年来，在祖国强大后盾支持下，香港成功抵御亚洲金融危机、非典疫情和国际金融危机， 经济持续增长，社会大局稳定，民生不断改善,国际影响日益扩大。香港继续保持国际金融、贸易、商业中心地位，蝉联世界最自由经济体，在全球竞争力排行榜上名列前茅。 微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂
To our great delight, over the past 20 years, Hong Kong has, with the strong backing of the Central Government, withstood the tests of the Asian financial upheavals, the SARS and the international financial crisis.
Despite these challenges, Hong Kong has done well in many aspects:
· It has had sustained economic growth.
· It has maintained social stability.
· It has ensured better lives for its people.
· Hong Kong continues to enjoy global influence as a financial, trade and business centre.
· Hong Kong has continuously been ranked as the world’s top free economy.
· And Hong Kong regained the title this year as the world’s most competitive economy.
我们欣慰地看到，20年来，香港民主政制依法稳步推进，港人享有前所未有的民主权利和更加广泛的自由，香港人类自由指数连续6年位居世界第一。
Also to our great delight, over the past 20 years, Hong Kong has witnessed steady and rule-based advances in its democratic governance.
The Hong Kong people have enjoyed unprecedented democratic rights and more freedom than ever. For six years, Hong Kong has topped the Human Freedom Index.
今年3月26日，香港特别行政区第五任行政长官选举依法公开、公平、公正举行，林郑月娥女士高票当选，不仅成为香港第一位“女特首”，也再次彰显了香港民主发展的成功实践。
On 26 March, in an open, fair and just election, Madam Lam won by a large margin. She became the fifth and the first female Chief Executive of Hong Kong. This speaks to the success of the democratic practice in Hong Kong.
今年对中英关系来说，也具有特殊重要的意义。今年是中英建立大使级外交关系45周年，也是双边关系“黄金时代”深入发展之年。香港在中英关系中一直扮演重要角色。在中英关系“黄金时代”，我们希望香港继续在中英关系中发挥桥梁作用，不断为中英关系的发展贡献正能量。
For China and Britain, this year is also a year of great significance. This year marks 45 years of Ambassadorial diplomatic ties between our two countries. It is also a year for consolidating the “Golden Era” of China-UK relations.
Hong Kong has always played an important part in China-UK relations. Now, in building the “Golden Era” of China-UK relations, we hope Hong Kong will continue to serve as a bridge between China and Britain and contribute more positive energy to China-UK relationship.
女士们，先生们，
Ladies and Gentlemen,
“万里赴戎机，关山度若飞”，香港回归20年的实践充分表明，“一国两制”是中华民族对人类政治文明的独特贡献，也是中华民族伟大复兴的重要组成部分。展望未来，我们相信，在中央政府鼎力支持下、在林郑月娥特首带领下，香港各界将继续发扬自强不息、艰苦奋斗的木兰精神，妥善应对各种挑战，使香港这颗“东方之珠”更加灿烂辉煌，为中英关系“黄金时代”增光添彩！微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂
In the Ballad of Mulan, there are two lines describing Mulan’s life serving in the army:
“She goes ten thousand miles on the business of war,
She crosses passes and mountains like flying.”
These lines are inspirational. Equally inspirational are the past 20 years that Hong Kong has experienced since its return to China.
These two decades witnessed the successful practice of “One Country Two Systems” in Hong Kong. That is the Chinese nation’s unique contribution to the political civilisation of humanity. It is also an indispensable part of the renewal of the Chinese nation.
We are feeling confident as we look ahead into the future:
· With the strong support of the Central Government of China, under the leadership of Chief Executive Lam, the people from all walks of life in Hong Kong will carry on their hardworking and unyielding spirit, just like Mulan, and overcome all kinds of challenges.
· This will enable Hong Kong, the “Pearl of the Orient”, to maintain its attractive shine.
· And Hong Kong will contribute its valuable part to the “Golden Era” of China-UK relations.
谢谢!
Thank you!
