http://uk.chineseembassy.org/eng/
尊敬的倫敦董事協會主席拉馬爾先生，
各位評委，
各位選手，
老師們，同學們，
女士們，先生們，朋友們：
Chairman David Stringer-Lamarre,
Judges and Contestants,
Teachers and Students,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends:
Good evening!
很高興再次出席「漢語橋」活動。每次來「漢語橋」致辭，我都為一件事感到糾結，那就是不知道該講中文還是講英文。王永利公參建議我講中文，因為這是一場中文演講比賽，選手們都說中文。去年我用中文致辭，但發現除參賽選手外，現場多數英國聽眾不懂中文，我們未能充分溝通。
It is a real delight to join you again at the "Chinese Bridge" competition.
Every time I speak at the "Chinese Bridge", I struggle over whether I should speak Chinese or English. Last year Minister Counsellor Wang Yongli suggested I speak Chinese, because this is a Chinese proficiency competition. I accepted his suggestion and spoke Chinese, but I found that most British friends in the audience could not understand, and it was not a communication success.
看來，學習語言並非一日之功，不能急於求成，所以今天我還是講英文。為了保險起見，我們做個現場調查，請不懂中文的英國聽眾朋友舉手。果真不少。看來我今天講英文的決定還是正確的。希望在不久的將來，我用中文在「漢語橋」致辭。
Language is not learned in a day. So I have decided to speak English tonight.
Before doing it I would like to double-check if my decision is right. Let's do a survey. Those who don't understand Chinese, please raise your hand.
It seems I am right in choosing to speak English. Nevertheless I hope that in the near future, I could speak Chinese at the "Chinese Bridge".
女士們，先生們，朋友們，
今天的「漢語橋」活動有特殊意義。這是第十八屆「漢語橋」世界大學生中文比賽全英大區賽決賽。在中英兩國，18歲都是法定成年的年紀，是人從青澀到成熟的裡程碑。
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Tonight's "Chinese Bridge" is special. It is the 18th"Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition UK Regional Final.
In China as well as the UK, the age of 18 is a milestone in life. It marks the end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood.
18年來，「漢語橋」從最初的鮮為人知，到如今已成長為中外人文交流的知名品牌。它的成長，離不開在座各位的熱情支持與積極參與。
In the past 18 years, the "Chinese Bridge" has grown from obscurity to international fame. It is now a brand name for cultural exchange between China and the world. This could not have been possible without the ardent support and active participation of all of you present today.
在此，我謹為所有致力學習中文的同學們點讚，向長期在英從事漢語教學、傳播中華文化的老師們表示敬意，向所有關心和支持「漢語橋」的中英各界人士表示感謝！
I would like to give the thumbs up to all the students who have been devoted to learning Chinese!
I would also like to pay tribute to all the teachers. Thank you for your hard work over the years to impart knowledge about the Chinese language and culture to the British people!
My thanks also go to those from both our two countries who have given their care and support for the "Chinese Bridge"!
今年是中英建立代辦級外交關係65周年。65年來，教育始終是推動中英關係發展的重要動力，始終是滋養中英友誼的厚沃土壤，也是中英合作最具活力、最有潛力的領域之一。中國古代典籍《莊子》談到「其作始也簡，其將畢也必巨」。
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the level of chargé d'affaires.
In the past 65 years,
Education has been an important driving force for China-UK relations.
It has provided nourishment for China-UK friendship.
And it has been one of the most dynamic and promising areas of China-UK cooperation.
Ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi said, "A simple endeavour could have significant influence."
「漢語橋」不僅是漢語教學的「質檢中心」和「成品展示會」,更是中英教育合作的瑰寶。它起步於語言，而超越語言；它發源於中國，而走向世界；它產生於課堂，而走進心靈。
The "Chinese Bridge" is such a simple endeavour of great significance. For Chinese language proficiency, "Chinese Bridge" is a "centre of quality inspection" and a "display of excellent results". It is also a crown jewel of China-UK cooperation.
It begins with language learning but is more than language learning.
It originates in China and gains popularity all over the world.
It starts in the classrooms and ends in people's heart.
不忘初心，方得始終，在「漢語橋」的「成年禮」上，有必要再問一個問題，為什麼要學習漢語？對於這個問題，我願與大家分享三點體會：
To know where we are going next, we should never forget why we started in the first place.
At this coming-of-age moment for the "Chinese Bridge", it is necessary to ask yourself this question: Why do you want to learn Chinese?
This is what I think:
首先，語言是探索中華文化深厚魅力之橋。語言是一個國家和民族文化的基本要素。
First, the Chinese language is a bridge leading to the world of profound Chinese cultural charm.
Language is the basic element of the culture of a country and a nation.
學好漢語，才能真正走進五千年未曾間斷的中華文明；才能讀懂「不獨親其親，不獨子其子，使老有所終，壯有所用，幼有所長，矜寡孤獨廢疾者皆有所養」的和睦觀念為何深植中國人民的心底；才能讀懂「各美其美，美人之美，美美與共，天下大同」的和諧理念為何已深入中國人民的基因；才能讀懂中華民族5000多年文明史，中國人民近代以來170多年鬥爭史，中國共產黨90多年奮鬥史，中華人民共和國70年發展史，改革開放40多年探索史，事實上是一脈相承、不可割裂的歷史，才能真正掌握了解中國的過去、中國的今天和中國的未來的鑰匙。
The Chinese language holds the key to the five-thousand-year uninterrupted Chinese civilisation.
A good command of the Chinese language would enable a thorough understanding of ancient Chinese literature which constitutes the foundation of the Chinese value, such as this one:
"Treat other's kin and children as your own; Let all the elderly be supported, the young be employed and the children be educated; Ensure all the widowers, the widows, the orphans, the childless elders, the disabled and the sick are properly taken care of."
Or this one:
"Harmony arises from the ability to appreciate different cultures for their unique beauty."
These adages are the very root of the ideals of good-neighbourliness and harmony, which the Chinese people hold dear.
With a good command of the Chinese language, one would find it easier to see how
the more than 170 years struggle of the Chinese people in modern history,
the more than 90 years of strenuous efforts of the Communist Party of China,
the 70 years of progress of the People's Republic of China,
and the more than 40 years of the exploration of reform and opening up,
are all parts of a continuous, uninterrupted 5,000 year history of the Chinese nation.
This is the key to understanding China's past, present and future.
其次，語言是促進中英兩國合作共贏之橋。近年來，英國的「漢語熱」持續升溫。2017年，英格蘭在中小學啟動「中文培優項目」，截至目前已有64所學校的1300多名學生參與其中。
Second, language is a bridge for win-win cooperation between China and the UK.
Over the past years, learning the Chinese language has become increasingly popular in Britain.
In 2017, the "Mandarin Excellence Programme" was introduced to primary and secondary schools in England. As of today, the programme has covered more than 1,300 students from 64 schools.
2018年，漢語首次超越德語，成為英國A-Level考試中最受學生歡迎的第三大流行語言。中英教育機構迄今共建29所孔子學院和161個孔子課堂，成為英國朋友學習漢語、了解中國文化的熱門平臺。
In 2018, the Chinese language overtook German for the first time and became the third most popular foreign language in A-level exams.
Chinese and British education institutions have jointly built 29 Confucius Institutes and 161 Confucius Classrooms, which have become popular platforms to learn the Chinese language and culture.
同時，中國的「留英熱」也不斷升溫。2010年我剛出使英國時，約有13萬中國學生在英求學。9年過去了，這一數字增長到19萬。「漢語熱」和「留英熱」反映出中英兩國人民對彼此的友好情誼，也折射出中英人文交流的蓬勃生機。
At the same time, more and more Chinese students choose to study in Britain. In 2010, my first year as Chinese Ambassador to the UK, there were about 130,000 Chinese students here. Today, after nine years, this figure has increased to 190,000.
All these figures reflect the close bond between the Chinese and British people. They also demonstrate the vigour of China-UK cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
第三，語言是推動東西方文明交流互鑑之橋。在世界多極化、經濟全球化、文化多樣化深入發展的今天，人與人之間的溝通尤為重要，文明與文明之間的交流互鑑愈顯必要。
Third, language is a bridge for exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilisations.
In an age of deepening multi-polarisation, economic globalisation and cultural diversity, the communication between people and the exchanges and mutual learning between civilisations are becoming increasingly important.
語言就是我們溝通交流的工具，就是幫助我們理解差異性、堅守共同性，相互尊重、平等相待的基石。中英兩國社會制度、歷史文化、發展階段不同，但都擁有深厚的歷史文化積澱，兩國代表的東西方文明實際也有許多共通之處。
Learning a foreign language gives us a tool for such communication and exchanges. This helps us understand differences and seek common grounds. This also builds the foundation for equality and mutual respect.
China and the UK differ in social system, history, culture and development stage. But both have created profound civilisations, and many of our values are similar.
比如英國人注重「優雅、誠實、獨立」等品質，中國人則堅守「仁、義、禮、智、信」等道德準則。只要我們不斷跨越語言的障礙，就能達到增進了解、凝聚共識的新境界。
For example, the British people prize the qualities of elegance, honesty and independence, while the Chinese people value benevolence, integrity, courtesy, wisdom and good faith.
As long as we overcome the barrier of language, we could reach a new stage of better understanding and stronger consensus.
各位來賓，朋友們，
英籍著名哲學家維根斯坦曾說，「我的語言之局限就是我的世界之局限」（The limits of my language are the limits of my world.）。希望「漢語橋」比賽能夠幫助我們不斷突破能力和認知的局限，不斷激發和培養大批會漢語、懂中國的人才，為推進中英關係「黃金時代」、為構建人類命運共同體貢獻力量！
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Friends:
Ludwig Wittgenstein said, "The limits of my language are the limits of my world."
I hope the "Chinese Bridge" competition will help us break the limits of ability and knowledge, and encourage more people to learn the Chinese language and understand China. This will be an important contribution to advancing the China-UK "Golden Era" and building a community with a shared future for mankind!
我祝願今天的各位選手取得優異成績，期待你們成為「漢語橋」上耀眼的明珠！
現在，我宣布：第十八屆「漢語橋」世界大學生中文演講比賽全英大區賽決賽正式開始！
謝謝大家！
In conclusion, I wish all the contestants success in this competition. I hope you will become super stars of the "Chinese Bridge"!
Now I have the honour to announce:
The 18th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition UK Regional Final now begins!
Thank you!