驻英国大使刘晓明在“明：盛世皇朝50年”展览早餐会上的讲话

Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at Chinese Embassy Breakfast for Ming: 50 Years that Changed China

各位来宾，

女士们、先生们：

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

欢迎大家出席中国驻英国大使馆举办的“明：盛世皇朝50年”早餐会。

Welcome to the Chinese Embassy breakfast for the Exhibition Ming: 50 years that Changed China.

今年，在英国举行了两场关于中国明代的展览，第一场是今年6月至10月在苏格兰国家博物馆举行了“明朝：黄金帝国”展。第二场则是在大英博物馆举办的“明：盛世皇朝50年”展览。

This Ming exhibition is the second of its kind in the UK this year. The first was Ming: the Golden Empire at the Scottish National Museum from June to October.

Two great museums, two major exhibitions, one and the same subject.

人们不禁要问，为什么英国的两大博物馆不约而同地举办大型明代主题展？

One can’t help asking what has caused such coincidence.

我想，这两个展览的名称已回答这个问题。明朝是中国历史上的一个黄金时代，政治稳定，经济发达，文化繁荣。就对外关系而言，明朝开启了中国与世界前所未有的交往局面。

I think perhaps the answer is in the names of the two exhibitions: Ming was a golden age in Chinese history. It was a period of political stability, advanced economy and prosperous culture.

In terms of external relations, China during the Ming Dynasty embarked on unprecedented exchanges with the world.

1405至1433年间，中国版的达伽马与哥伦布——郑和，带领200多艘船的庞大舰队七下西洋，开展和平之旅，发展友好关系，促进了中外经济文化的交流融合。

Zheng He, the Chinese explorer before Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus, led his great fleet of more than 200 ships on seven expeditions down the “western seas” between 1405 and 1433. Those were missions of peace. They sowed seeds of friendship, promoted economic and cultural exchanges and fostered harmony between China and the world.

今天的中国处在一个新的黄金时代。中国与世界的关系也在发生更加深刻的变化，中国同世界的互联互动变得空前紧密，中国对世界的依靠、对国际事务的参与日益深化，世界对中国的依靠、对中国的影响也在不断加深。

Today, China is in a new golden age. China’s relationship with the rest of the world is undergoing more profound changes. Its close connection and interaction with the world is unprecedented.

As China becomes increasingly dependent on the world and deepens its participation in world affairs, the world’s dependence and influence on China is also deepening.

所以，我认为大英博物馆此次展览，不仅是在“谈古”，让大家欣赏瓷器、金器、珠宝、绘画、雕塑以及服饰等精美绝伦的中国文物，感受六百年前的中国社会风貌；也是在“说今”，启发大家如何来认识今天的中国及其发展道路。

So, I believe this exhibition at the British Museum is not only about the past. It is not merely an opportunity to appreciate the exquisite Chinese porcelain, gold ornaments, jewelry, paintings, statues and garments as well as life in China six hundred years ago.

It is also about today. It inspires understanding of today’s China and its development path to achieve the Chinese Dream.

提出“中国梦”，这是中华民族伟大复兴之梦。中国历史上曾经辉煌，今天的中国就是要续写辉煌，就是要走复兴之路，重现国家繁荣强盛、人民幸福安康之盛世。中国坚持走和平发展道路，“中国梦”是和平、发展、合作、共赢的梦，我们追求的是中国人民的福祉，也是世界各国人民共同的福祉。历史上，中国曾对世界文明发展和人类进步做出重要贡献，今天的中国将继续为世界的和平与繁荣贡献自己的力量。

The Chinese Dream advocated by President Xi Jinping is about the great renewal of the Chinese nation. China had its glories in the past. China is creating new splendour today. It has embarked on a road to national rejuvenation. This is a road that leads to prosperity of the country and better life for the people.

What China follows is a path of peaceful development.

What the Chinese Dream advocates are peace, development and win-win cooperation.

What we pursue is both the wellbeing of the Chinese people and the common good for people of all countries in the world.

China had made important contribution to world civilization and human progress in history. Today, China will continue to do its utmost for world peace and prosperity.

在此，我愿感谢大英博物馆为举办“明：盛世皇朝50年”展览付出的辛勤努力，更要感谢大英博物馆长期以来为促进中英文化交流和两国人民相互了解做出的积极贡献。

Before I conclude, I wish to express my hearty thanks to the British Museum. I thank you for the hard work in presenting Ming: 50 Years that Changed China. And more than that, I thank you for your continuous efforts over the years to promote China-UK cultural exchanges and to enhance mutual understanding between the people of our two countries.

最后，祝大家观展愉快！

In conclusion, I wish you all an enjoyable tour of the exhibition.

谢谢。

Thank you!