驻英大使在女性破冰者组织成立仪式上的讲话

 　　尊敬的各位议员，尊敬的佩里主席，“女性破冰者”执委会主席李莉，女士们、先生们：

　　My Lords, MPs, Mr Stephen Perry, Ms Lillian Davies,Ladies and gentlemen,很高兴出席48家集团俱乐部“女性破冰者”组织成立仪式。我谨致以热烈的祝贺。

　　I most warmly welcome this initiative of Women Icebreakers by the 48 Group Club. Also I would like to congratulate Ms Lillian Davies, and the Treasurer¹ of the 48 Group Club, Ms Mei Sim Lai. I learned that it is through their efforts we have gathered today a very distinguished² group of British women.

　　I applaud this new initiative that will make a contribution to deepening and strengthening links between China and Britain. In a fast changing world, it becomes ever more challenging to keep pace with levels of understanding between the nations of the world. In turn that means there is an ever increasing need for boosting the work of the 48 Group Club. The spirit of the 48 Group Club's commitment to 'developing positive relations with China' has never been more important.

　　参加今天这个活动前，我脑子里一直在迸现几个数字。

　　It may be helpful to share with you my thoughts on this occasion in the context of a few numbers.

　　首先是“一”，这是我出任中国驻英大使以来第一次出席妇女活动。第一次活动本身也是一种“破冰”，这与今天成立的组织的名称也十分吻合。这既是一种巧合，也是一种必然，说明中英关系发展到今天，仍需要更多的破冰者，他们不分年龄，不分性别。

　　First the number one. This is the first women's event I have attended as Chinese Ambassador to the UK. I believe this is also an ice-breaking in some ways. This may be just a coincidence, but it also indicates how relevant the ice-breaking spirit remains³. We do need new people, who are dedicated⁴ to the China-UK friendship, to join the ranks of ice-breakers like you, regardless of age or gender⁵.

　　其次是“二”，即两个妇女组织。这里我还愿代表我夫人，转达另一个妇女组织的祝贺。或许你们还不知道，中国驻英使馆也有一个非常活跃、成员众多的“非政府组织”——妇女小组，由使馆女外交官和外交官夫人组成，而“CEO”就是胡平华女士。中国驻英使馆妇女小组愿与“女性破冰者”建立“长期、特殊、战略伙伴关系”。今后，两个姊妹组织可加强往来与交流，并联合举办一些丰富多彩的活动，共同促进中英了解与友谊。

　　Next is the number two. By this, I meant two women's organisations. Let me say a few words on behalf of my wife Hu Pinghua. In my Embassy we have a very active group too. We nickname it an NGO, 'Non Governmental Organisation⁶'. I am of course referring to the Chinese Embassy Women's Group. It is a fair large group and draws its membership from women diplomats⁷ and wives of the Embassy staff. The CEO of this NGO is no other than my wife Pinghua. As head of the Women's Group, she has asked me to convey a message to the Women 'Icebreakers'. The message is that her Women's Group is ready to establish a long-term, strategic and special partnership⁸ with the Women 'Icebreakers'. Pinghua also proposes that the two Women's Groups set up close contact and co-host events to promote understanding and exchanges between the people of our two countries.

　　再者是“三”。我们都知道，50多年前，“破冰者”成立，打开中英正常贸易大门。3年前，“青年破冰者”成立，团结、激发青年为中英关系发展做出贡献。今天，“女性破冰者”又应运而生，第三次“破冰”。三次破冰，时期不同，环境不同，成员不同，但目标相同，就是促进中英友谊与合作。

　　Next is the Number three. We all know that the 'Icebreakers' were founded more than half a century ago. They broke the trade embargo⁹ imposed on China and so reopened trade between China and the UK. Three years ago, we saw the birth of the 'Young Icebreakers'. This initiative mobilises and encourages young people to contribute to China-UK relations. Today we are gathered here at the launch of Women Icerbreakers. So, I must congratulate the 48 Group Club on 'breaking the ice' for the third time. The three ice-breaking missions may have happened at different times in very different contexts with the support of different people, but they all serve the same purpose - promoting China-UK friendship and cooperation.

　　还有是“四”。温家宝总理刚刚结束了他担任中国国务院总理以来对英国的第四次访问。访问进一步增进了中英两国的理解和互信，促进了各领域交流与合作。可以说，温总理每次访问，都将中英关系推上了一个新的台阶。“女性破冰者”在这样的一个良好时机成立，就有了一个坚实基础和有利氛围。

　　Next is the number four. Premier¹⁰ Wen Jiaobao has just concluded his fourth visit to Britain since he took office. This visit has further increased mutual¹¹ understanding and trust between our countries. It has advanced our exchanges and cooperation across the board.  That advance is the benchmark of what happens every time Premier Wen visits - taking China-UK relations to a new level. The launch of the 48 Group Club Women Icebreakers cannot have happened at a better time. It coincides with the visit by Premier Wen Jiabao and that has created a solid foundation and favourable¹² environment for China UK relations.

　　最后是“50%”。可能人所皆知，中国有句著名的话：“妇女能顶半边天。” 在英国，我注意到女性的社会地位越来越高。本届英国议会下院女性议员有139位，创下历史之最。在中国，女性同样在各行各业大显身手，与男性平分秋色。就增进中英了解与合作来说，事实上，女性尽管人口占一半，但发挥的作用会“事半功倍”，因为女性具有特殊的辐射效应，她们的背后是所有家庭成员。所以，我对“女性破冰者”寄予厚望，期望你们成为推动中英关系发展的一支重要力量。我们会全力支持你们，并与你们一道，为中英关系长期稳定健康发展共同做出不懈努力。

　　The final number in my mind is five, or 50% or a fraction - half. I am sure that many of you will know that famous Chinese saying: 'Women hold up half of the sky.' Women are playing a bigger role in Britain. I noticed that the present parliament has 139 women MPs, the largest number ever in history. China's women have enjoyed greater opportunity than ever before. The evidence is that women excel at all professions as equals of men. I have every confidence that you, Women 'Icebreakers', will become another important force for China-UK relations. We at the Chinese Embassy will do what we can to support you, and together, let us work for a stable and sound relationship between our countries.

　　再次热烈祝贺“女性破冰者”组织成立。

　　Again I warmly congratulate the 48 Group Club on launching the Women Icebreakers. I wish all its women members every success in building a powerful new contribution to China - UK relations.

　　谢谢。

　　Thank you.

1 treasurer   

n.司库，财务主管

参考例句：

• Mr. Smith was succeeded by Mrs.Jones as treasurer.琼斯夫人继史密斯先生任会计。
• The treasurer was arrested for trying to manipulate the company's financial records.财务主管由于试图窜改公司财政帐目而被拘留。

2 distinguished   

adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的

参考例句：

• Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
• A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。

3 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

4 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

5 gender   

n.（生理上的）性，（名词、代词等的）性

参考例句：

• French differs from English in having gender for all nouns.法语不同于英语，所有的名词都有性。
• Women are sometimes denied opportunities solely because of their gender.妇女有时仅仅因为性别而无法获得种种机会。

6 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

7 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

9 embargo   

n.禁运（令）；vt.对...实行禁运，禁止（通商）

参考例句：

• This country put an oil embargo on an enemy country.该国对敌国实行石油禁运。
• During the war,they laid an embargo on commerce with enemy countries.在战争期间，他们禁止与敌国通商。

10 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

11 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

12 favourable   

adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的

参考例句：

• The company will lend you money on very favourable terms.这家公司将以非常优惠的条件借钱给你。
• We found that most people are favourable to the idea.我们发现大多数人同意这个意见。