进一步了解中国,我认为,需要学习中国的语言。汉语现在不仅是世界上使用人口最多的语言,而且正成为国际化程度发展最快的语言,世界各国对汉语学习的需求与日俱增。目前,国外学习汉语的人数超过4千万,据估算,在欧美学习汉语的人数每年以40%的速度递增。英国也有“汉语热”,超过500所中小学开设了汉语课程,部分学校将汉语列入了必修课,GCSE考试也将汉语列为正式科目。目前在英国还有13所孔子学院和54家孔子课堂。我听说,百校组织当中有不少学校已经设立了孔子课堂或开展了汉语教学。例如Brighton College和Kingsford Community School的孔子课堂都办得十分成功,学生在近年的英国中学生汉语比赛中都取得了出色成绩。
A good way to understand China is to learn its language. Mandarin is spoken by the largest number of people in the world. It is also the fastest growing language. More than 40 million people around the world are learning mandarin. The number of learners in Europe and North America is growing by 40% annually. Mandarin fever has also hit the UK. I am pleased to learn that mandarin has been put on the curriculum of over 500 primary and secondary schools, in some cases as a compulsory course. Last September, the British government made mandarin another GCSE subject. There are now 13 Confucius Institutes and 54 Confucius Classrooms in the UK. Some schools of the 100 Group, such as Brighton College and Kingsford Community School, have Confucius Classrooms. Some of the students there have done very well in mandarin proficiency competitions in recent years.
当然,更深入地了解中国,最好是到中国留学。目前越来越多的外国学生选择到中国留学,不仅了解中国的悠久文化,更可以亲身体验当代中国的活力。2009年,来自190多个国家和地区的23万多名学生在中国留学。中国正采取一系列措施吸引国际学生,包括增加奖学金、完善服务等。驻英使馆教育处将在今年秋季在伦敦举办“留学中国教育展”,欢迎你们前来参观,与中国的大学进行面对面交流,争取给自己的学习生涯添加流行的中国元素和色彩。
An even better way to know China is to study in China. China is now becoming a popular destination for overseas students to experience its ancient culture and modern vitality. In 2009, over 230 thousand students from more than 190 countries and regions studied in China. China is offering more scholarships and better services for these students. The Education Section of our embassy will host a "Study in China" exhibition this autumn. You are all welcome to this event. It will be a good opportunity to get to know Chinese universities and make them a part of your student life.
我希望你们以今天走进中国大使馆为起点,开始你们了解中国、喜欢中国、热爱中国的进程。我也衷心地希望中英两国青年从相识到相知,成为致力于促进中英友谊的新一代。
I hope today's visit will foster your interest in China, and help you understand and like China. I also hope young people of our two countries will become friends and join hands in building a bond of friendship between our two countries.
再一次欢迎你们的到来。下面,我愿回答大家的提问。
Once again a warm welcome to the Chinese Embassy. I will be happy to take your questions