刘晓明大使在建军88周年招待会上的讲话

Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at Reception Marking the 88th Anniversary of the People's Liberation Army

（2015年7月23日，中国驻英使馆）

Chinese Embassy, 23 July 2015

尊敬的保罗•埃文斯空军中将，

尊敬的各位将军、武官，

女士们、先生们：

Air Marshal Paul Evans,

Generals, Admirals and Military Attachés,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

欢迎大家出席中国人民解放军建军88周年招待会。88岁，在中国有一个很形象的说法，称为“米寿”，因为中文的“米”字正好由中文“八十八”组成。

A very warm welcome to the Chinese Embassy!

It is a great pleasure to have you all with us to celebrate the 88th anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

In China, the age of 88 is regarded as very special and auspicious. Chinese people call this the "rice jubilee". This means that the three Chinese characters for eighty-eight, put together, form the character for rice.

在世界各国的军队中，中国人民解放军就成军史而言，可能不算很长，但这支军队在88年中由小到大，由弱到强，战功彪炳，战史辉煌。

88 years are not long compared with the histories of the armies of some countries. However, these 88 years have been highly eventful. These glorious 88 years have witnessed the growth of the PLA into a strong military force.

今天，站在新的历史起点上，中国军队适应国家安全环境新变化，加快推进国防现代化，坚决维护国家主权、安全、发展利益，为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦提供坚强保障。

Today, the PLA is at a new historical juncture. It is adapting to the changes in the national security environment:

• It is accelerating the modernisation of national defence.

• It is redoubling its resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

• And it will provide a strong guarantee for realising the Chinese Dream of the great renewal of the Chinese nation.

中国军队致力于建成一支强大之师。中国军队根据国家走和平发展道路的总体战略，贯彻新形势下积极防御军事战略方针，以国家核心安全需求为导向，按照能打仗、打胜仗的要求，着眼建设信息化军队、打赢信息化战争，全面深化国防和军队改革，努力构建中国特色现代军事力量体系，不断提高军队应对多种安全威胁、完成多样化军事任务的能力。

The PLA is committed to building a strong military.

However, it is essential to note that peaceful development is China's overall development strategy. In line with this strategy, China's armed forces follow the military strategic guideline of active defence in the current situation. This strategic guideline requires the PLA to have the military capability to win. It means that China's armed forces must have these capabilities:

• Respond to China's core security needs.

• Aim at building a military fully equipped to operate in the digital age.

• Deepen the reform of national defence in a comprehensive manner.

• Build a modern system of military forces with Chinese characteristics.

• And constantly enhance PLA capabilities for addressing various security threats and for accomplishing diversified military tasks.

中国军队致力于建成一支合作之师。中国军队坚持共同安全、综合安全、合作安全、可持续安全的安全观，坚持在相互尊重、平等互利、合作共赢的基础上，与世界各国军队开展全方位合作。

Another important principle is that the PLA is committed to international cooperation.

The PLA pursues a security concept featuring common security, comprehensive security, cooperative security and sustainable security. On the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, China's armed forces will continue to carry out all-round cooperation with armed forces of other countries.

中国军队致力于建成一支和平之师。中国军队积极参与联合国维和行动，履行安理会授权，致力于和平解决冲突，促进发展和重建，维护地区和平与安全。在过去的25年间，中国派出了3万多军人参加维和行动，是安理会常任理事国中出兵最多的，也是发展中国家中出资最多的。

Above all, the PLA is committed to world peace.

China's armed forces will continue to take an active part in UN peacekeeping missions. In these missions, the Chinese troops follow these principle:

• Strictly observe the mandates of the UN Security Council.

• Stay committed to the peaceful settlement of conflicts.

• Promote development and reconstruction.

• And safeguard regional peace and security.

Over the past 25 years, China has sent over 30,000 troops to peacekeeping missions around the world. China has been the biggest contributor of troops among the P5 and the biggest contributor of funds among all developing nations.

中国军队积极参加国际灾难救援和人道主义援助，派遣专业救援力量赴受灾国救援减灾，提供救援物资与医疗救助。无论是马航飞机失事搜寻、西非国家抗击埃博拉病毒，还是尼泊尔抗震救灾、也门撤侨，我们都可以看到中国军队的勇于担当、积极参与。

China's armed forces have also taken an active part in international disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. This included sending professional rescue teams to disaster-stricken areas to carry out relief and reduction, providing relief materials and offering medical aid:

• In the Southern Indian Ocean, Chinese officers and soldiers joined in the search operation for flight MH370.

• In West Africa, Chinese military medical team worked to curb the spread of Ebola.

• In quake-shaken Nepal, Chinese search and rescue team saved lives and provided relief.

• And in war-torn Yemen, the Chinese navy evacuated not only Chinese but also foreign civilians.

Chinese armed forces have demonstrated their firm responsibility and active participation in all the above operations.

中国军队积极开展国际护航行动，加强与多国护航力量交流合作，共同维护国际海上通道安全。

China's armed forces have also carried out international escort missions, enhanced exchanges and cooperation with naval task forces of other countries, and jointly secured international sea lines of communication.

我们相信，随着中国国力不断增强，中国军队将加大参与国际维和、国际人道主义救援等行动的力度，为维护世界和平、促进共同发展作出更大贡献。

We are confident that with the growth of China's national strength, our armed forces will steadily intensify their participation in international peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance. They will do their utmost to contribute more to world peace and common development.

女士们、先生们，

Ladies and Gentlemen:

今年是中英关系中的特殊年份。

2015 is a very special year in China-UK relations.

今年是“国事访问年”，中国国家主席习近平将于10月对英进行国事访问，正式开启两国关系的“黄金时代”。

It will be a "year of state visit". In October, Chinese President Xi Jinping is coming to Britain for a state visit. This will herald a "golden time" in the relations between China and the UK.

今年是“中英文化年”，两国各自在对方国家举办英国文化季和中国文化季，掀起了中英文化交流的高潮。

It is the "year of cultural exchange". The UK Season in China and the China Season in Britain are driving up a powerful momentum for China-UK cultural exchange.

今年是“中英合作年”，双边贸易、投资、金融、教育、科技、反恐、执法等合作发展势头前所未有。

It is the "year of cooperation". Bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, finance, education, science and technology, counter-terrorism and law enforcement have all made unprecedented progress.

今年也是“中英军事交流年”，年初中国海军护航编队访问了英国，揭开了今年两军关系的序幕；3月英国国防参谋长霍顿上将访华取得圆满成功，进一步密切了两军友好关系，促进了双方务实合作。下个月，中国人民解放军军乐团将在时隔10年后再次来英出席爱丁堡军乐节。

Furthermore, 2015 is also the "year of military-to-military exchange" between China and UK:

• The year started with the visit by a Chinese navy escort group at Portsmouth. Just as I said, the Year of the Sheep started with ships. There couldn't have been a better beginning to a whole year of military-to-military exchange.

• Then came General Houghton's very successful visit to China. That visit further cemented the friendly ties and cooperation between the two militaries.

• Next month, the PLA military band, after a 10-year lapse, will take part in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2015.

今年还是世界反法西斯战争暨中国人民抗日战争胜利70周年。70年前，中英两国作为盟友，相互支持、并肩战斗，共同经历了血火考验，凝结了战斗友谊。70年后，中英共同作为联合国安理会常任理事国，共同承担维护世界和平与发展，捍卫并完善战后国际秩序和国际体系的重大责任。

In addition to all these events, this year is also the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War against Japanese Aggression.

Seventy years ago, China and Britain were allies fighting side by side. Together, we stood the test of fire and blood in war. Together, we forged profound friendship.

Seventy years on, China and Britain are partners as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

• Both countries have on our shoulders the responsibilities of safeguarding global peace and promoting world development.

• And both have the duty of upholding and improving the post-war international order and system.

我相信，在我们迎来中英关系“黄金时代”之时，中英两军将不断增进了解、增进互信，积极拓展合作领域，加强在传统和非传统安全领域的交流与合作，推动两军关系持续健康向前发展，为深化中英全面战略伙伴关系做出新的贡献。

I believe that, as we embrace the "golden time" of China-UK relationship, the Chinese and British militaries will rise to these tasks:

• Continue to enhance understanding and strengthen mutual-trust.

• Vigorously explore new areas of cooperation.

• And intensify exchanges and cooperation in both traditional and non-traditional security areas.

This will ensure sustained and healthy development of our military-to-military relations. In turn this will be an important contribution to deepening China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership.

现在，让我们共同举杯，

Now, I invite you to raise your glasses in a toast:

为庆祝中国人民解放军建军88周年，

• To the 88th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army.

为中英两国、两军关系的美好未来，

• To an even better future for China-UK relations and military-to-military ties.

为世界的和平与发展，

• And to world peace and development.

干杯！

Cheers!