刘晓明大使在英国皇家爱乐乐团“中国之夜”音乐会上的讲话：《奏响三个“强音”，凝聚奋进力量》

Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Reception of China Night Concert by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Play the Notes For Consensus and Strength

（2019年9月16日，伦敦巴比肯中心）

Barbican Centre, 16 September 2019

尊敬的英国皇家爱乐乐团总经理威廉姆斯先生，

尊敬的各位议员，

女士们，先生们，朋友们：

大家晚上好！

Mr. James Williams,

My Lords and MPs,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends:

Good evening!

很高兴出席英国皇家爱乐乐团“中国之夜”音乐会，与大家共同庆祝中华人民共和国成立70周年。

It is a real delight to join you at China Night Concert by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

今年是新中国成立70周年，也是中英建立代办级外交关系65周年。在这样一个重要而特殊的年份，举行今晚的音乐会意义非凡，它将奏响三个“强音”：

This year also marks the 65th anniversary of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the level of chargé d’affaires. In this important and special year, tonight’s concert is of special significance because it will play three special notes:

一是中国发展进步的时代强音。新中国成立70年来，经济社会沧桑巨变，人民生活全面提升，综合国力与日俱增，为世界和平与发展做出越来越大的贡献。今天演出的4部音乐作品，创作年代横跨近一个世纪，既有中国人民争取民族独立的悲怆呐喊，也有对美丽家乡的动情讴歌，还有对悠久历史的深邃思考。这些作品不仅讲述了中国文化、中国传统、中国理念，也反映出中国人民坚韧不拔、接续奋斗的时代精神。

First, it will play the note of progress.

Since its founding 70 years ago, New China has made remarkable progress in its economy and society. The life of the Chinese people has greatly improved, and China’s national strength has been growing with each passing day. China is making ever-greater contribution to world peace and development.

The four pieces in tonight’s programme were composed over a period that spans nearly a century. They range from a sorrowful cry of a nation struggling for independence and a hearty praise of the beautiful homeland to a profound reflection on the time-honoured history. They sing about the Chinese culture, heritage and ideals. And they tell the stories of the resilience and relentlessness of the Chinese people.

二是东西方文明互鉴的融合强音。交响乐起源于西方，但也可以讲述中国故事。今晚，中国指挥家许忠先生、钢琴演奏家万捷旎女士以及中国爱乐乐团的音乐家们，将与英国皇家爱乐乐团联袂演出，将一个个音符汇聚成一篇篇中西合璧的乐章，奏响文明交流互鉴的主旋律，给我们带来理念交融、心灵相通、美美与共的音乐盛宴。

Second, the concert will play the note of mutual learning and integration.

Symphony was born in the West, but it can tell China’s stories.

Tonight, Chinese conductor Xu Zhong, piano virtuoso Wan Jieni and the artists of China Philharmonic Orchestra will join hands with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Their choice and performance of Chinese and Western masterpieces will emphasise the theme of exchanges and mutual learning between civilisations. I am sure we will have a grand feast of music featuring comprehension, integration and appreciation.　

三是中英交往合作的共赢强音。近年来，中英两国人文交流日益密切、成果丰硕。今天的音乐会，既是两国顶尖交响乐团的合作成果，也是中英两国互利合作的生动体现。皇家爱乐乐团与中国多个艺术团体保持着紧密合作关系，不久后还将赴华巡演。我相信，在两国文化艺术界人士共同努力下，中英人文交流合作必将结出更多硕果，更好造福两国人民。

Third, the concert will play the note of exchanges and win-win cooperation.

Recent years saw ever-closer and fruitful China-UK cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Tonight’s concert is both the fruition of the cooperation between top Chinese and British orchestras and a vivid example of the mutually-beneficial cooperation between China and the UK.

I have learnt that the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who has close partnerships with many Chinese art groups, will go on a tour in China in the near future.

I am confident that, with the joint efforts of the cultural and art communities of our two countries, China-UK cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation will produce more fruits and deliver more benefits to the peoples of our two countries.

英国诗人弥尔顿曾说，“音乐中蕴藏着如此悦耳的催人奋进的力量”。我衷心希望，通过今晚的音乐会，我们不仅奏响三个“强音”，而且凝聚更多共识，汇集更多力量，推动中英关系“黄金时代”行稳致远。

John Milton once wrote, “Such sweet compulsion doth in music lie.”

I sincerely hope that the above “three notes” to be played at tonight’s concert will help us build consensus and pool our strength to ensure the steady and sustained development of the China-UK “Golden Era”.

最后，预祝今晚的演出圆满成功，祝各位度过一个愉快的夜晚！

In conclusion, I wish tonight’s concert great success. And I wish everyone a pleasant evening!

谢谢！

Thank you!