勇担时代重任，贡献青春才华
Shoulder Your Important Missions and Contribute Your Youth and Talent
刘晓明大使在2019年度“国家优秀自费留学生奖学金”颁奖仪式上的讲话
Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Award Ceremony of 2019 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students
2020年6月10日，中国驻英国大使馆
Chinese Embassy in the UK, 10 June 2020
老师们、同学们：
Dear Teachers and Students,
大家上午好！
Good morning!
很高兴出席“2019年度国家优秀自费留学生奖学金”颁奖仪式。首先，我谨代表中国驻英国大使馆和驻曼彻斯特、爱丁堡、贝尔法斯特总领馆，向全英47名获奖同学表示热烈祝贺！同时，也向获奖同学的导师们表示衷心感谢！
It is a real delight to join you at the Award Ceremony of 2019 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the UK and the Consulates-General in Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast, let me begin by extending my warmest congratulations to this year’s 47 outstanding awardees! I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the teachers for the excellent guidance you have given to the awardees!
我担任驻英大使以来，每年都坚持参加这个活动，今年是第11个年头，也是一个非常特殊的年份。因为新冠肺炎疫情原因，我们第一次采用视频连线的形式颁奖。
I have never missed this annual event since I became Chinese Ambassador to the UK. This is the 11th time in a special year. Due to Covid-19, this is the first time we confer the OSSA Award online.
这场突如其来的疫情，改变的不只是我们的交流方式，也给人类社会带来严峻挑战、给世界经济带来巨大冲击、给国际格局带来深远影响。这让我们更加体会到，人类命运与前途休戚与共，人类命运共同体理念的弥足珍贵。可以说，人类社会的发展进步、中华民族的伟大复兴、中英关系的行稳致远都比以往任何时候更需要人才和担当。在此背景下，今天的颁奖活动更具有特殊意义。我希望大家牢记三个使命：
The outbreak of Covid-19 has not just changed our way of communication. It has also posed severe challenges to human society, made huge impact on the world economy and exerted profound influence on the international landscape. It reminds us that all mankind share weal and woe in this global crisis. We all belong to a community with a shared future. It is fair to say that now, more than ever before, we need capable young people with a responsible spirit to advance the progress of mankind, to realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and to promote the steady and sustained development of China-UK relations. Against this background, today’s award ceremony bears special significance. I think it reminds our young students of the three missions you have on your shoulders.
一是推动人类进步的使命。习近平主席在前不久给中国科技工作者代表回信中指出，“创新是引领发展的第一动力，科技是战胜困难的有力武器”。解决全球性挑战、推动人类不断进步，始终是科技创新的重要使命。人类战胜新冠肺炎疫情的希望，在于科技创新。我们都期盼全世界科学家加快药物、疫苗、防疫、检测等方面的科研攻关，力争早日取得惠及全人类的突破性成果。人类实现合作共赢与永续发展，也在于科技创新。希望大家牢记创新使命，抓住创新机遇，推进科技创新，促进科技交流和成果共享，让科技发挥最大效应，为实现各国经济社会繁荣提供新助力，为推动人类进步发挥更大作用。
First, you shoulder the mission of promoting the progress of mankind. Replying to a letter from representatives of science workers last month President Xi Jinping said, “Innovation is the primary driving force for development, and science and technology are powerful weapons against difficulties.” Addressing global challenges and promoting the constant progress of mankind have always been an important mission for science and technology, and its success lies in scientific and technological innovation. Right now, scientists from all over the world are working day and night on medicines, vaccine, preventive technologies and testing methods that will help mankind beat Covid-19. The hope of an early breakthrough lies in scientific and technological innovation. The hope of mankind for win-win cooperation and sustainable development also lies in scientific and technological innovation. I would expect our young students to keep in mind this mission and seize the opportunities to take part in scientific and technological innovation, enhance exchanges and share outcomes, so that science and technology could provide new impetus for the prosperity in the world and play a bigger role in the progress of mankind.
二是推动民族复兴的使命。爱国主义是中华民族的民族心、民族魂。报效祖国是各种志向的底盘，也是人生的脊梁。新中国成立70多年来，我们实现了从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃，开启了全面建设社会主义现代化强国的新征程。今年是我们全面建成小康社会，消除绝对贫困，决胜第一个百年奋斗目标的历史性时刻。青年一代有理想、有本领、有担当，国家就有前途，民族就有希望。实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦，离不开一代代青年的接力奋斗。希望大家弘扬留学报国的光荣传统，把人生理想融入到实现中华民族伟大复兴中国梦的奋斗中，把学到的本领奉献给祖国和人民，让青春之光闪耀在为梦想奋斗的道路上。
Second, you shoulder the mission of realizing national rejuvenation. The Chinese nation values patriotism. Serving the motherland is regarded as the foundation of all endeavour and highest ambition in life. In the past 70 plus years since the founding of New China, our nation has achieved independence, grown prosperous and become strong. We are now embarking on a new journey of building a great modern socialist country in all aspects. This year, we will achieve the first centenary goal, namely, to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects and eliminate absolute poverty. This will be a major landmark in China’s history. Where the young people are ambitious, capable and responsible, the country will have a future and the nation will have hope. To realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, we need successive generations of young people to make persistent and tireless efforts. I hope you will carry on the glorious tradition of patriotism. I hope you will always live your personal dreams in the greater cause of striving for the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. I hope with what you have learnt here and now, you could serve your motherland and people in the future. And I hope your youthful vigour will drive you on as you work harder to realize your dream.
三是推动中英友好的使命。自中国国家留学基金委设立国家优秀自费留学生奖学金以来，迄今已有来自约70所英国高校的509名优秀学子获此殊荣。无论你们今后身在何处，作为22万在英中国留学生的优秀代表，希望大家为中英两国学术、教育、科技、商业等各领域交流合作做出贡献。2017年，在驻英使馆的支持下，历届获得“优自奖”的留英学子自发组织成立了全球首个“优自奖”联谊会。今年初，国内疫情爆发时，联谊会第一时间组织募捐，购买医疗物资驰援湖北；在英国疫情爆发后，联谊会又积极配合使馆组织医学专家多次举办在线防疫知识讲座、在线问诊等活动，帮助广大学生学者安心留在英国继续学习、工作。大家用实实在在的爱心和善举，架起了中英“交融互助之桥”。
Third, you shoulder the mission of deepening China-UK relationship. Since it was launched by the China Scholarship Council, OSSA Award has been conferred on 509 students from about 70 British universities. You are outstanding representatives of the 220,000 Chinese students in the UK. Wherever your future takes you, whether it is academia, education, science and technology or business, I look forward to your contribution to China-UK exchanges and cooperation. In 2017, under the support of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, OSSA awardees in the UK took the initiative to set up the world’s first association of their own, ASOSA-UK. Early this year when Covid-19 broke out in China, the association acted quickly to raise funds to purchase medical supplies for Hubei. When the epidemic broke out here in the UK, ASOSA-UK actively supported the work of the Embassy in inviting medical experts to online lectures on epidemic prevention and medical consultation. These events have been a great comfort and encouragement to students and scholars here in the UK and boosted their morale in carrying on their study and work. With love and kindness, you have built a bridge of mutual assistance between China and the UK.
中英两国社会制度、历史文化和发展阶段不同，但都是人文精英荟萃、文化积淀深厚的伟大国家，也是东西方文明的重要代表。在英国工作生活10多年里，我深感英国民众对了解中国有着巨大热情，但也时常不得不应对一些政客和媒体的偏见和歪曲。讲好中国故事、传递好中国声音依然任重道远。希望大家发挥学贯中西的优势，努力跨越文化差异的鸿沟，打破意识形态的藩篱，讲好中国故事和中英合作故事。
China and the UK differ in social system, history, culture and development stage. But our two countries are both great civilisations with numerous talents and profound culture. Having lived and worked in this country for more than 10 years, I could feel the enormous enthusiasm of the British people to learn more about China. However, I also have to deal with frequently the bias and distortion of some politicians and media with regard to China. Telling China’s stories well and making sure our message is heard remains a daunting task. You have the advantage of having studied in both China and the West. I hope you will leverage your strength to bridge the cultural gap, to tear down ideological fences, and to help extend the reach of China’s stories and the stories of China-UK cooperation.
老师们、同学们，
（无英文）
习近平主席说，“有多大担当才能干多大事业，尽多大责任才能有多大成就”。希望大家心怀祖国、放眼世界，勇担重任、勇攀高峰，追求真理、锐意进取，为促进中外友好合作、为构建人类命运共同体贡献青春才华！
President Xi Jinping said, Great deeds emerge from great courage and profound sense of responsibility. I hope you will keep your motherland in mind while embracing the world. I urge you to aim high, keep seeking truth and shoulder your important missions. I am sure you will contribute your youthful vigour and talent to promoting the friendly cooperation between China and other countries, and to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind!
谢谢！
Thank you!