刘晓明大使在陈晓东公使离任暨秦刚公使到任招待会上的讲话（汉英对照）

Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Farewell Reception for Minister Chen Xiaodong and Welcoming Reception for Minister Qin Gang<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

2010年9月13日，中国驻英国大使馆

13 September 2010, Chinese Embassy

女士们，先生们：

Ladies and Gentlemen,

感谢大家出席今天的招待会，与我们一道欢送陈晓东公使，欢迎秦刚公使。

Thank you for joining us in bidding farewell to Minister Chen Xiaodong and welcoming Minister Qin Gang.

陈公使是我的老同事、老朋友，早在九年前我们就在中国驻埃及大使馆共事。此次在伦敦再度聚首，虽然相处只有半年多，但陈公使的出色表现使我充满感激。临别之际，我愿用“五好”来评价陈公使：首先，他是一位好同事，他以对英国的深入了解、对中英关系的准确把握，为我到任以来的工作提供了许多不可或缺的帮助；其次，他是一位好领导，中国驻英使馆有十多个部门、一百多人，陈公使协调得力，管理有方；再者，他是一位好外交官，他广交朋友，善于沟通，为人谦和，一会佩里先生将代表48家集团俱乐部向陈公使授予“破冰者”荣誉称号，这是英国朋友对陈公使在英工作的最好评价；最后，他是一位好丈夫和好父亲。当然，由于工作繁忙，他没有很多时间来照顾家人。这里我向陈公使夫人张斌女士表示歉意，同时对你和你们的女儿始终理解、支持陈公使的工作表示衷心的感谢，也对你们的女儿伊莎今年考入名校表示祝贺。

Minister Chen has been a close colleague and good friend of mine for many years. Nine years ago, we worked together at the Chinese Embassy in Egypt. We are more than pleased to be colleagues again in London, though this time only for six months. I must say I have nothing but thanks to him for the dedication and competence he has shown in performing his duties.

For years, I have been impressed by the "five good qualities" of Minister Chen. Firstly, he is a good colleague. He has been a source of advice and support to me. Since I arrived in London, I have benefited a great deal from his broad understanding of Britain and solid grasp of China-UK relations.

Secondly, he is a good team leader well-liked and respected by colleagues. He has done an excellent job in smoothly coordinating the work of more than 100 diplomats across a dozen sections within the embassy.

Thirdly, he is a good diplomat. His modesty, professionalism and ability to communicate has won him many friends in Britain. In a little while Mr Stephen Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club, will present him with the Icebreaker Award, recognising his achievements during his posting in London.

Lastly, but definitely not least, he is a good husband and a good father, though he has often been too busy to leave much time for his family. For that I must say sorry to his wife Madame Zhang Bin. I am sincerely thankful to her and to their daughter Yisha for their consistent understanding and support to Minister Chen. And I also wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Yisha on being recently admitted to a prestigious university in London.

我为有陈公使这样的好同事、好朋友感到高兴，也对他离任感到惋惜。我衷心地祝福他，祝他鹏程万里，前程似锦。

whilst I am sorry to say goodbye to such a good colleague, I am also proud that Minister Chen is leaving us to take on a position of important responsibilities. I wish him the best of luck in his new endeavours.

今天，我还要热烈欢迎秦刚公使。可能在场的许多人都认识、熟悉秦刚公使。一则他曾是中国外交部发言人，是外交部出镜率最高的几个人之一，不仅部内外知名度高，在中国青年人中还有众多“粉丝”。二则他与英国颇有渊源，这是他第三次来英国常驻，是一位名符其实的“英国通”。他的到来为驻英使馆增添了新鲜血液，他的经验、人脉、知识和卓识将使他在对英工作中大显身手。我预祝他工作顺利，为中英关系发展谱写更多新的篇章。

It now gives me great pleasure to introduce to you Minister Chen’s successor, Mr Qin Gang. Although I am sure many of you know, or know of him through his previous high-profile role as the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman. I hear that he has lots of fans in China.

His association with the UK dates back many years. This is his third posting in London . Being an expert on UK affairs, he has brought with him his knowledge, insight and experience of Britain and of its people. I am sure he will do a good job as Deputy Head of Mission. I wish him every success and greater contribution to China-UK relations.

　　当前，中英关系处在新的历史起点上，面临着新的发展机遇。我们愿与英方一道，抓好机遇，扩大交流，深化合作，推动中英战略合作关系不断向前发展。

Today China-UK relations stand at a new starting point and are blessed with new opportunities. We are ready to work with British colleagues to grasp these opportunities to expand exchanges and cooperation and take our strategic partnership to a new level.

最后，我再次感谢英国各界朋友们对陈公使的热心支持和帮助，希望你们继续给予秦刚公使大力支持与通力合作。

To conclude, I wish to thank all of you once again for your support and assistance to Minister Chen. I do hope that Minister Qin can continue to enjoy your support and cooperation.

谢谢！

Thank you.