Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the 18th 'Chinese Bridge' Chinese Proficiency Competition UK Regional Final: Build the Bridge of Exchanges and Understanding

Chairman David Stringer-Lamarre,

Judges and Contestants,

Teachers and Students,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends:

Good evening!

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.

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".

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.

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.

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"!

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."

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.

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:

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. 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.