捍衛和平，促進發展
Safeguard Peace and Promote Development
——駐英國大使劉曉明在建軍91周年招待會上的講話
– Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Reception Marking the 91st Anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army
2018年7月26日，駐英國使館
Chinese Embassy, 26 July 2018
尊敬的英國皇家空軍詹姆斯少將，
各位使節、各位武官、各位來賓，
女士們、先生們、朋友們：
Air Vice Marshal Warren James,
Your Excellencies,
Military Attachés,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends:
大家晚上好！
Good evening!
歡迎大家出席今晚的招待會，與我們共同慶祝中國人民解放軍建軍91周年。
First of all, a very warm welcome to the Chinese Embassy!
It is a great delight to have you all with us tonight to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA).
近一個世紀之前，中國人民解放軍誕生。這一個世紀，風云激蕩，戰事不斷，有熱戰，有冷戰；有局部戰爭，有世界大戰。人類經歷了正義與邪惡的搏斗、光明與黑暗的決戰。歷史告訴我們：和平來之不易，和平需要珍惜，和平需要捍衛。
It has been nearly a century since the founding of the PLA.
In this century, the world saw much turbulence and incessant wars. There were hot wars and cold wars, regional wars and world wars. In these arduous times, mankind fought decisive battles between justice and evil, and between light and darkness.
The lesson of history is clear:
· Peace is hard won.
· Peace needs to be valued.
· Peace must be safeguarded.
這一個世紀，中國人民解放軍始終秉持全心全意為人民服務的宗旨，不懈奮斗，砥礪前行，從無到有，由弱變強，為中國人民贏取民族獨立、為維護世界和平與安全做出了重要貢獻。歷史證明：
And the PLA has lived up to its mission in the past century.
· It has been devoted wholeheartedly to serving the people.
· It has forged ahead relentlessly.
· It has grown from strength to strength.
· It has made important contribution to the independence of the Chinese nation.
· It has done its very best for world peace and security.
——中國人民解放軍是中國人民的守護者。91年來，人民解放軍始終在中國共產黨領導下為中國人民求解放、求幸福，為中華民族謀獨立、謀復興，歷經硝煙戰火，一路披荊斬棘，付出了巨大犧牲，從勝利走向勝利，成就了彪炳史冊的偉大功勛。當前，中國軍隊正著眼新時代新目標，堅持走中國特色強軍之路，為實現中華民族偉大復興的中國夢提供堅強保障。
In the past 91 years, the PLA has been the protector of the Chinese people.
Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China,
· The PLA has always fought for the liberation and happiness of the Chinese people;
· It has always pursued independence and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation;
· In this lofty cause, the PLA has braved the flames of war, overcome immense hardships and made tremendous sacrifice.
· Its tenacity has led it to win one victory after another and make glorious marks in history.
In the new era, the PLA strives to achieve new goals, that is,
· to build a strong military with Chinese characteristics
· and to provide effective safeguard for pursuing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
——中國人民解放軍是世界和平的捍衛者。在聯合國維和行動中，中國是聯合國安理會“五常”國家中派遣維和人員最多的國家，累計派出維和軍事人員3.7萬余人次。現在仍有2507名中國軍人在世界多地執行維和任務。中國也是聯合國第二大維和攤款貢獻國，2017年度繳納維和攤款6.97億美元，占攤款總額的10.25%。中國軍隊迄今已派出29批92艘次艦艇、62架直升機赴亞丁灣、索馬里海域執行護航任務，累計安全護送中外船舶6500余艘，其中一半為外國船舶。中國軍隊還積極組織和參與國際人道主義救援行動，迄今已執行30多次國際緊急人道主義物資援助任務。中國人民解放軍以實際行動向世界宣告，他們是世界和平與安全的堅定捍衛者。
Looking back, we see that the PLA has been a defender of world peace.
· In UN peacekeeping missions, China is the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. The PLA has sent more than 37,000 military personnel to various peacekeeping missions. As we speak, 2,507 Chinese servicemen are on active UN duty around the world.
· China is the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget. With $697 million paid in 2017, China accounts for 10.25% of the total budget.
· At sea, the PLA has to date sent 29 fleets, including 92 naval vessels and 62 helicopters, on escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. They have altogether escorted the safe passage of over 6,500 ships from around the world, half of which are foreign ships.
· In international humanitarian operations, the PLA is also taking an active part. It has so far carried out over 30 emergency humanitarian missions.
All these speak loud and clear about the PLA’s concrete actions of defending world peace and security.
——中國人民解放軍是新安全觀的踐行者。當今世界正處于大發展大變革大調整時期，和平與發展仍是時代的主題。但與此同時，保護主義、單邊主義沉渣泛起，強權政治、霸權主義陰魂不散，地區沖突、局部戰爭持續不斷，恐怖主義、跨國犯罪、傳染性疾病、氣候變化、難民危機等非傳統安全威脅日益上升，世界和平穩定面臨嚴峻挑戰。中國主張打破冷戰思維、不搞集團對抗，反對以犧牲別國安全換取自身絕對安全的做法，倡導共同、綜合、合作、可持續的安全觀，為應對各類全球性挑戰做出重要貢獻。
Looking back, we also see that the PLA has been an implementer of the new security concept.
The world is undergoing profound changes and transformations. Peace and development remain the theme of our times.
But at the same time, world peace and stability face severe challenges from
· surging protectionism and unilateralism,
· lingering hegemonism and power politics,
· chronic regional wars and conflicts,
· and rising non-traditional threats such as terrorism, transnational crime, epidemics, climate change and refugee crisis.
To address these challenges, countries must renounce the cold-war mentality, reject confrontation between blocs of countries and work together. We must come to the conclusion that in this new era, there is no place for absolute security of oneself at the expense of others’ security.
China champions common, comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable security. In line with this new security concept, China is determined to make important contribution to addressing global challenges.
女士們、先生們，
Ladies and Gentlemen,
2015年，習近平主席對英國的國事訪問開啟了中英關系“黃金時代”。今年初，梅首相成功訪華，兩國領導人一致同意增強中英關系“黃金時代”的戰略性、務實性、全球性和包容性。中英兩軍關系是兩國關系的重要組成部分，近年來，中英兩軍交流與合作空前活躍。僅近1個月，中國空軍上將于忠福率團成功訪英并出席英國空軍成立100周年活動；英國第一海務大臣菲利普·瓊斯上將順利訪華；第六次中英防務戰略磋商成功舉行。去年，中國海軍護航編隊首訪倫敦。英國皇家空軍“紅箭”表演隊首次亮相珠海航展，兩軍還成功開展聯合撤僑室內推演，并在聯合國維和行動以及反恐、反海盜、人員培訓等領域開展了卓有成效的合作。
President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the UK in 2015 ushered in the China-UK “Golden Era”. At the beginning of this year, Prime Minister May paid a successful visit to China, during which the leaders of our two countries agreed to build a more strategic, practical, global and inclusive bilateral relationship.
Military-to-military relationship is an important part of China-UK relationship. In recent years, our two militaries have seen more active exchanges and cooperation than ever.
In the recent month alone,
· General Yu Zhongfu of the PLA Air Force led a delegation to the UK and attended the events marking the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force;
· The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones paid a successful visit to China;
· And the sixth China-UK Defence Strategic Consultation was successfully held.
Last year,
· The Chinese Navy Escort Taskforce paid its first visit to London.
· The Red Arrows performed at the Airshow China in Zhuhai for the first time.
· The two militaries held a successful joint evacuation tabletop exercise.
· And they have engaged in effective cooperation on UN peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, anti-piracy and personnel training.
女士們、先生們，
Ladies and Gentlemen,
習近平主席說，要“樹立正確的歷史觀”。他告誡我們應端起歷史的望遠鏡回顧過去，總結歷史規律，把握歷史大勢。上個世紀，世界經歷了火與血的考驗、戰與和的洗禮。進入21世紀，我們應以史為鑒，更好地維護世界和平，促進世界發展。為此，我衷心希望，中英兩國、兩軍能把握世界和平大勢，著眼世界發展大局，一起走好“三條路”：
President Xi Jinping said that we should have the right historical perspective. What he means is that we should review the past, draw lessons from history and grasp the historical trend.
In the last century, the world went through tests of fire and blood, endured wars and enjoyed peace. In the 21st century, it is important that we draw lessons from history and do our utmost to safeguard world peace and promote development.
I sincerely hope that China and the UK, and the militaries of our two countries will keep in mind the big picture of world peace and development.
一是走好增進互信之路。互信是合作的基礎。中英歷史文化、社會制度不同，但兩國都倡導多邊主義，反對單邊主義；都支持自由貿易，反對保護主義；都主張維護聯合國權威，維護以規則為基礎的國際秩序。雙方應在相互尊重和平等相待基礎上，加強對話，增進互信，深化合作。
First, we should enhance mutual trust.
Mutual trust is the basis of cooperation. China and the UK differ in history, culture and social system.
· But both our countries champion multilateralism and oppose unilateralism.
· Both support free trade and stand against protectionism.
· And both uphold the authority of the UN and the rule-based international order.
Our two countries have every reason to enhance dialogue, build mutual trust and deepen cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
二是走好擴大合作之路。雙方應抓住“黃金時代”的機遇，進一步拓展交流與合作的廣度、深度、高度和頻度，共同應對各類全球性安全與發展挑戰，提升中英關系“黃金時代”的戰略性和全球性，使兩國和兩軍關系在合作中成長，在合作中成熟，在合作中共贏。
Second, we should expand cooperation.
The China-UK “Golden Era” offers opportunities for our two sides to expand, deepen, upgrade and increase our exchanges and cooperation. This will enable us to pool our strengths in addressing the challenges to global security and development, and enhance the strategic and global significance of the China-UK “Golden Era”.
Through cooperation, the relationship between our two countries and our two militaries will grow strong and prosperous.
三是走好維護和平之路。中英同為聯合國安理會常任理事國，都是世界上有重要影響的國家，都肩負著維護人類和平的時代重任。中英兩國、兩軍應攜手努力，積極履行國際責任和義務，珍惜和平、捍衛和平，為構建人類命運共同體，為建設持久和平、普遍安全的美好世界貢獻力量！
Third, we should safeguard peace.
China and the UK are permanent members of the UN Security Council. Both are countries of global influence. Both shoulder the important mission of safeguarding peace for mankind. It is our international responsibilities and obligations to join hands, cherish peace and safeguard peace.
The world is a community with a shared future for mankind. The people of the world deserve a better future – a future of lasting peace and universal security.
Together, we can make this happen.
最后，我提議：
Now, may I invite you to join me in a toast:
為慶祝中國人民解放軍建軍91周年，
To the 91st anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army of China,
為中英兩國和兩軍關系更上層樓，
To ever-growing China-UK relationship and military-to-military cooperation,
為世界的持久和平與普遍安全，
To lasting peace and universal security in the world!
干杯！
Cheers!
