刘晓明大使在谢菲尔德大学孔子学院成立十周年暨示范孔子学院揭牌仪式上的主旨演讲：《知之者，好之者，乐之者》

Keynote Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Sheffield Confucius Institute and Model Confucius Institute Plaque Unveiling Ceremony: Knowledge, Passion, Action

（2017年9月27日，英国谢菲尔德大学）

University of Sheffield, 27 September 2017

尊敬的谢菲尔德大学校长博内特爵士，

Professor Sir Keith,

尊敬的英国议会议员布卢姆菲尔德先生，

Mr. Paul Blomfield,

老师们，同学们，

Teachers and Students,

女士们，先生们，朋友们：

Ladies and Gentlemen,Friends:

很高兴在金秋收获的季节访问谢菲尔德大学，与大家共同庆祝谢大孔子学院成立十周年，并为谢大“示范孔子学院”揭牌。我谨代表中国驻英国大使馆向谢大和谢大孔院表示热烈祝贺！微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

It is a real pleasure to join you here at the University of Sheffield in the golden autumn to unveil the Model Confucius Institute. What better time than this season of harvest to celebrate 10 years of achievements of the Sheffield Confucius Institute!

On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to begin by extending my warmest congratulations to the Sheffield University and the Sheffield Confucius Institute.

这是我第一次访问谢大，但谢大对我一点也不陌生。这不仅因为谢大是罗素集团成员，是英国著名学府，而且因为谢大与孔子很有“缘分”。这种“缘分”，我认为，主要体现在三个方面：

This is my first visit to the Sheffield University. But you are no stranger to me. I know Sheffield well not only because you are a member of Russell Group and a top British university. I know Sheffield also because your ideals have a great deal in common with the philosophy of Confucius.

第一，都强调“平民教育”。谢大在筹建之初，海报上第一句话就宣称自己是“平民大学”（"The University will be for the people"）。我听说谢菲尔德市的工人们因为这句话，每人都为谢大捐了一便士。

The first thing in common is the commitment to educating the wider public and the ordinary people.

When the Sheffield University was established, the first line on the poster said "the university will be for the people". The story goes that it was precisely because of this line that each and every worker of Sheffield gave a penny for your university.

孔子也是中国最早倡导平民教育的先行者，他主张“有教无类”，认为学生无论贵贱、贫富、愚智，都有接受教育的权利。

In China, Confucius was the first to advocate education for the common people. He was known for championing the idea of "providing education for all people without discrimination". He believed that people regardless of their social classes, wealth or intelligence, should all have access to education.

第二，都强调“教学相长”。谢大校徽中间是一本翻开的书，上面书写着“学习，传授”（拉丁文Disce Doce，意即 Learn and Teach）二词。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

Your second thing in common is the attention to mutually reinforcing teaching and learning.

In the middle of the coat of arms of Sheffield University is an open book inscribed with the Latin words meaning learn and teach. That's what Sheffield emphasizes.

孔子也非常重视学习与传授的良性互动，“学而不厌，诲人不倦”是他的核心教育理念。

That was also what Confucius advocated. He attached great importance to the interaction between teaching and learning. The core of his philosophy about education lies in this: "Never be complacent with your learning, and never be impatient with your teaching."

第三，都强调“知其所以然”。谢大校训是“探索真理，知其所以然”（拉丁文Rerum Cognoscere Causas，意即To discover and understand the causes of things）。

The third thing you have in common is the emphasis on studying the causes of things.

The motto of Sheffield University reads, "To discover and understand the causes of things".

孔子十分鼓励探索精神，强调在探索的路上“知之者不如好之者，好之者不如乐之者。”也就是说，首先做“知之者”，要“知其然”；接着做“好之者”，去探究“其所以然”，发现事物后面的规律性；还要做“乐之者”，乐于运用规律性，付诸行动。

Confucius encouraged people to enjoy the process of exploration and discovery. He said, "In learning, knowing the way is good and having a passion for learning is better. But better still is taking a delight in learning."

These words reveal the three stages of learning. The first stage is having the ability to acquire knowledge. The second is to be passionate about the causes of things. And the third is to take delight in putting knowledge to practice.

正是因为谢大与孔子这种“缘分”，谢大也与中国结下不结之缘。谢大早在2006年就同北京语言大学、南京大学开展合作，为谢大孔院建设与发展搭建了良好平台。多年来，谢大孔院在博内特校长带领下，开拓进取，不断取得优异成绩。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

Sheffield's commonality with Confucius is only part of the story. Sheffield's ties with China have grown closer and closer over the past years.

As early as 2006, the University of Sheffield started its cooperation with Beijing Language and Culture University and Nanjing University. The establishment and development of the Sheffield Confucius Institute should be attributed to such cooperation dating back more than a decade ago. Over the years, thanks to the strong leadership of Professor Sir Keith, the Sheffield Confucius Institute has made a number of remarkable achievements.

在今年第十六届“汉语桥”世界大学生中文比赛全英大区赛中，谢大学生吉伟仁（David Geary）以绝对实力拔得头筹，并在全球总决赛中获得一等奖。在刚刚落幕的“汉语桥·2017全球外国人汉语大会”中，谢大孔院代表队成为晋级全球36强唯一的英国队伍。

At this year's UK Final of the 16th Chinese Bridge - Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students, David Geary from the University of Sheffield won the first place.  His performance was convincing and his rap in Chinese dialects was more than impressive. It was not at all surprising that he went on to take the first place at the World Final.  At the just concluded Chinese Bridge Competition for Foreigners across the Globe, the Sheffield Confucius Institute was the only UK team that made it to the top 36.

上述成绩来之不易，既归功于老师们“诲人不倦”，也得益于同学们“学而不厌”，谢大孔院获得全球“示范孔院”的殊荣的确实至名归。要知道，目前在全球140多个国家中的511所孔院中，只有31所获得“示范孔院”称号，足见这块牌子的含金量。那么英国“示范孔院”应该发挥什么样的示范作用呢？我认为，可以在三方面发挥示范作用：

These are quite some accomplishments. They are achieved because the Sheffield teachers are "never impatient with your teaching". They are achieved because the Sheffield students are "never complacent with your study". It is your hard work that has led you to the award of Model Confucius Institute.

Out of 511 Confucius Institutes in over 140 countries around the world, only 31 are awarded this title. Sheffield is one of them. I must say, this title says a lot about your achievements.

Now the question is how to live up to this title? Let me share with you my thoughts along the line of Confucius' three stages of learning.

首先是做汉语教学的“知之者”。我一直致力于在英国推广汉语教学。因为汉语是全世界母语人口最多的语言，也是中国最传统、最精美、影响最大的文化产品。汉语已成为不少英国学校的首选外语，汉语教学也成为当前中英两国人文交流最活跃的领域之一。在我担任驻英国大使的7年多时间里，在英孔子学院和孔子课堂从7年前的13所和57个猛增至今天的29所和145个。随着中英关系“黄金时代”深入发展，英国“汉语热”还将不断升温，无论是工商界精英，还是青年才俊，甚至是冲龄幼童，都在学习汉语、感知中国。面对如此巨大的需求，提升汉语教学水平是“示范孔院”义不容辞的责任。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

First, to know the way to advance Chinese language teaching and learning. There is a great deal the Sheffield Confucius Institute could do.

I myself have long been an advocate for Chinese language learning in the UK. Chinese language is spoken as a mother tongue by the world's largest number of population. It is a carrier of the Chinese culture.  Its beauty and influence has made itself a Chinese heritage.

I am most delighted that, at many British schools, Chinese has become the first choice of foreign language. I am also excited that Chinese language teaching is one of the most vibrant fields of cultural exchanges between China and Britain.

Over the seven years and more since I came to Britain as Chinese Ambassador, the number of Confucius Institutes in Britain increased from 13 to 29 and Confucius Classrooms from 57 to 145. As China and Britain continue to build the "Golden Era", the enthusiasm for learning the Chinese language is expected to grow further. From business leaders to young talents and even small children, more and more people want to learn Chinese. The demand is huge.

It is incumbent upon the Sheffield Confucius Institute as a Model Confucius Institute to keep improving the quality of its teaching and learning.

其次是做讲述中国故事的“好之者”。作为一种语言，汉语传承的是五千年延绵不绝的中华文明。作为一种工具，汉语服务的是当代中西方文明的交融互鉴。学会汉语，就意味着获得了开启中华文明宝库的钥匙，成为中西方文化交流的纽带。

　　学习语言只是了解中国的第一步，更深层次的是了解中华文明的特性。简言之，中华文明有三个突出特性：

　　其一，中华文明强调和谐与中庸，注重人与人、人与社会、人与自然的统一与和谐。

　　其二，中国哲学注重整体思维，处理问题从宏观着眼，从大局出发。

其三，中华民族崇尚和平。中国历史上长期处于世界领先地位，但从未因强大侵略他国。明朝郑和的船队，足迹远至印度、东非，沿途通商结好，没有侵占别国一寸土地。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

Second, be passionate about telling the story of a real China.

The Chinese language carries five thousand years of Chinese civilization. It is a bridge of mutual learning between China and the West. Therefore, being able to speak Chinese is like holding the key to discover the gems of the Chinese civilization. It is like building a bond between the Chinese and Western cultures. But learning to speak the language is only the first step. To understand the Chinese civilization, one needs to be passionate about the stories in it.

There are three elements at the heart of the Chinese culture.

· The first element is harmony: harmony between people,  harmony between individuals and the society, and harmony between man and nature.

· The second element is holistic thinking. In dealing with specific problems, the Chinese people always give priority to the larger picture and always take a long-term perspective.

· The third element is the aspiration for peace. For many years in its history, China had been strong and leading the world in many areas. But we had never invaded others because of our strength. A most convincing example is Zheng He of the Ming Dynasty. More than half a century before Columbus discovered the Americas, Zheng He's fleet had already reached the coast of India and East Africa. But he was there for trade and friendship, not land or resources.

当代中国仍受传统中华文明的影响。比如中国政府提出的“中国梦”、“两个一百年”目标等，都是源自中国哲学的整体观，主张从大局和长远来思考问题。中国外交主张通过谈判、对话等手段解决国际争端，反对使用武力，这也是对中华文明和平属性的最好传承。

Today's China follows the same philosophy. Our goal of "Chinese dream" and the "two centenary goals" originate from the holistic thinking in the Chinese philosophy. These goals focus on the larger picture. They are long-term strategies. In diplomacy, we stand for resolving international disputes through dialogue and negotiation. We firmly oppose to the use of force. This is also due to the peaceful nature of the Chinese civilization.

当代中国发展的精彩故事一个接着一个，但令人遗憾的是，一些英国民众对中国的认识还很肤浅，甚至偏颇。最近，一个英国朋友告诉我，他第一次访华时，“现场真实版”中国和“英媒报道版”中国反差很大。他原来以为中国是一个僵化封闭、缺乏活力、只生产廉价商品的国家，而亲眼看到的却是一个发展日新月异，民众活力四射，文化开放包容的国度。无论是正式会议，还是私下交流，中方人士在谈及中国制度和治理能力时，都乐观豁达，富有激情，充满自信。一位中方与会者告诉他，中国体制注重选贤用能，官员讲话不像西方那样滔滔不绝，但更重视执政实绩。官员如果不能给民众带来实实在在的好处，就只有“下课”。他总结说，中国取得巨大成就的“所以然”，在于富有远见的领袖、务实能干的官员和勤劳睿智的人民。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

China's fast development is full of exciting stories. Regrettably, here in Britain some people's knowledge about those stories remains superficial or sometime even biased.

Recently, a British friend shared with me his first experience in China. He was there for a business conference. He said the "live version" of China is a sharp contrast to the "British media version".

The "British media version" depicts China as a closed, rigid country that only produces cheap products. But what he saw in China with his own eyes was the exact opposite. China is a fast developing, vigorous nation with open and inclusive culture.

In his meetings, either private or public, he has found the Chinese people to be always optimistic, passionate and confident when talking about China's system and governance capabilities.

He learned from a fellow Chinese participant at the conference that the Chinese selection of officials is based on performance and competence. They may not be eloquent orators, but they care about delivery. Any official in China who cannot deliver tangible benefits to the people will have to go.

In his summary of his first ever trip to China, my friend attributed China's huge success to the far-sighted leaders, competent officials and the industrious, hard-working people.

这位英国朋友的经历的确有一定代表性。如果仅通过西方媒体的视角去认识今日的中国，难免以偏概全。“示范孔院”可以用好的语言、人脉资源等优势，帮助英国民众深入了解中国故事的“所以然”，向英国民众展现一个更加真实、更加丰富、更加生动的中国。变革的时代孕育伟大的故事，真实的中国需要精彩的讲述。我希望孔院肩负起时代的责任，把“中国故事”讲得更好。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

The change of perception about China, which this British friend went through, is not an isolated case. Many more people share his experience. If one tries to understand China through the western media alone, he or she could easily lose sight of the whole picture.

I think this is a gap that the Model Confucius Institute can help to mend. You have the language advantage and local connections. You can share with the British people the story about a real China. You can help them see the bigger, colorful and vivid picture of China.

In a time of drastic changes, there are always great stories to tell. The story of a real China needs a better narrative. The Confucius Institutes have on your shoulders the responsibility to tell a good story about today's China.

最后是做促进中英关系的“乐之者”。谢大孔院是中英两国三校合作的结晶，经过多年实践，走出了一条特色发展道路，不断创新和丰富孔院工作内涵，促进孔院与当地社区协同发展，为推动中英人文交流做出了重要贡献。谢大与中国高校丰富的校际合作就是很好例证，谢大与北京大学、清华大学、中国人民大学、浙江大学、南京大学等的合作领域不断拓宽，与上海航天局、上海交通大学在航空航天先进制造领域的合作有序推进，包括开展“中国太空实验室计划”等尖端研究计划；谢大还将孔院资源与大学发展有机结合，从联合培养创新型人才，到共同攻坚科学课题，使双方合作内容变得更加务实和丰富，实现了互利互赢。

Now let me turn to my third thought: to take delight in engaging more people in the process of advancing China-UK relations.

The Sheffield Confucius Institute is a success story of cooperation between three universities from our two countries. One decade on, it has blazed a distinctive path of development. For years, Sheffield University has been innovating and enriching the way Confucius Institutes teach the Chinese language and Chinese culture. In that process, you have built strong ties with the local community. And you have contributed to closer cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Britain.

Your extensive cooperation with Chinese universities is a good example. Over the years, Sheffield has continued to expand your cooperation with China's Peking University, Qinghua University, Renmin University, Zhejiang University and Nanjing University to new areas. You are also cooperating with Shanghai Space Agency and Shanghai Jiaotong University in the field of aerospace-related manufacturing, including China's space station programme. Sheffield is also working creatively to integrate the resources of the Confucius Institute with that of the University. This ranges from training of innovative talents to joint R&D projects. These efforts are diverse, practical and delivering win-win results.

今年是中英建立大使级外交关系45周年，也是中英关系“黄金时代”深入发展之年。我从事外交工作40多年，深深体会到，国之交在于民相亲，民相亲在于心相通。要做到心相通，就要增进交流、增进了解、增进理解，这也正是孔院建立和发展的重要意义所在。

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the China-UK Ambassadorial diplomatic relations. It is also a year for consolidating the China-UK "Golden Era".

I have learnt from my four decade long diplomatic career that good state-to-state relations hinge upon close people-to-people exchanges and heart-to-heart communication. To establish heart-to-heart communication, we need to engage each other, get to know each other and understand each other.

This is the significance of the Confucius Institute.

习近平主席访问英国时曾说，“孔子学院属于中国，也属于世界。”孔院是世界认识中国的重要平台，也是促进中国与世界相互了解与合作的重要渠道。我衷心希望青年朋友们用好孔院这个平台，争做促进中英两国人民心相通的“乐之者”，争做促进世界各国人民心相通的“乐之者”，为推进中英关系“黄金时代”，为打造人类命运共同体，为建设一个更加美好和谐的世界贡献自己的青春和才华！

President Xi Jinping said during his state visit to Britain in 2015, "Confucius Institute belongs to China, and also belongs to the world."

Confucius Institute is an important platform where people can learn about China. It also offers an important channel of mutual learning and cooperation between China and other countries around the world.

I sincerely hope that, with the help of the Confucius Institute, the young people of our two countries will take delight in facilitating closer heart-to-heart communication between China and Britain, and between China and the world.

I hope that with your vigor and talent, you will be able to contribute your part to China-UK "Golden Era", to a community of shared future for mankind, and to a more splendid and harmonious world for all.

谢谢！

Thank you!