尊敬的新西兰中文周主席乔·考格兰，

  理查德·泰勒爵士，

  各位国会议员，

  各位理事，

  尊敬的各位嘉宾，

  女士们，先生们，

  Dear Jo, Chair of New Zealand Chinese Language Week Trust,

  Sir Richard Taylor,

  Members of Parliament,

  Members of the Trustees,

  Distinguished guests,

  Ladies and Gentlemen,

  大家晚上好!

  Good evening! 

  很高兴出席 2025年新西兰中文周开幕式。首先，感谢Jo及其团队精心筹备本次活动，祝贺荣获今年中文周中文超新星、青年大使和杰出中文教师的各位嘉宾。

  It is a pleasure to attend the opening ceremony of New Zealand Chinese Language Week 2025. First of all, I would like to acknowledge Jo and team for organizing this event. I also extend my warmest congratulations to the Chinese Super Stars, Youth Ambassadors, and Outstanding Chinese Teachers to be recognized for this year.

  截至今年，新西兰中文周已成功举办11届，我也连续4年出席中文周的开幕式，有幸见证了中文周为推动新西兰中文教育所付出的努力和取得的进展。如今，中文周已成为中新两国人文交流，特别是两国青年交流的重要平台。

  This is the 11th New Zealand Chinese Language Week, and the 4th I have personally attended. So I have the privilege of witnessing the efforts and the headway made by the NZCLW in promoting Chinese language education in New Zealand. Today, the NZCLW has become an important platform for people-to-people exchanges between China and New Zealand, especially for fostering connections among our young people. 

  中新建交以来，两国关系取得长足发展。双方始终相互尊重、相互包容、互利共赢，使中新关系长期走在中国同西方发达国家关系前列，给两国人民带来实实在在的福祉。人文交流是两国关系的重要支柱。近年来，在双方的共同努力下，两国在教育、文化等领域合作长足发展，为增进相互理解发挥重要作用。现在，有越来越多的新西兰朋友开始学习中文，其中包括很多华侨华人的后代。这对于他们来说更有特别的意义：通过中文，他们得以维系并加深与自身文化根源的联系，更好发挥两国之间的桥梁作用。

  Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and New Zealand, the bilateral relationship has come a long way. And this has been achieved on the basis of mutual respect, mutual accommodation and mutual benefit, making the relationship a leader in China’s relations with Western developed countries, bringing tangible benefits to both our peoples. People-to-people links is an important pillar of this relationship. In recent years, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, cooperation in education, culture and other areas has grown significantly, playing a vital role in enhancing mutual understanding. More and more New Zealand friends are now leaning Chinese, including Kiwis of Chinese heritage. For them, this is particularly meaningful, as through the language, they keep and strengthen their connection with their cultural roots, which also enables them to better play a bridging role between our two nations.

  语言不仅仅是沟通的工具，更承载着一个国家的历史、文化等丰富内涵。学习任何一门语言，包括中文，不仅能满足交流的需求，促进双方经贸合作，更重要的是能拉近彼此心灵距离，增进相互了解，加深相互信任。

  Language is more than a tool for communication, it also encapsulates a people’s history and culture. Learning any language, including Chinese, not only meets practical needs and facilitates economic cooperation, but more importantly, it brings hearts closer together, deepens mutual understanding and mutual trust.

  自去年中国对新西兰等国公民实施免签政策以来，很多新西兰及其他国家的朋友能更便利地到中国旅游，他们发现自己亲眼见到的中国与从媒体上了解到的大不一样;即使是曾经去过中国的人，也会对中国翻天覆地的变化感到惊讶。学习中文能让更多人有机会了解真实的中国、中国人、中国文化，更好地了解中国从哪里来、正在发生什么，中国人民在想什么、做什么，中国会向哪里去。这对两国建立长期信任、对中新关系的可持续发展至关重要。如果没有这样深入的了解，就会有人借机散布虚假叙事，试图制造疑虑甚至恐慌，为双边关系发展带来干扰和障碍，破坏两国人员、企业、机构等的正常交往与互利合作。这不符合双方的共同利益，相信也是绝大多数新西兰人所不想看到的。

  Since China introduced visa-free policy for New Zealand citizens and others last year, many New Zealand friends have been able to travel to China more easily. They often find that the China they see with their own eyes is very different from what is sometimes portrayed in the media. Even those who have visited China before are surprised by the tremendous changes taking place in the country. Learning Chinese gives more people the opportunity to learn about the real China, its people and its culture, and to better understand where the country has come from, what is happening there at present, what the Chinese people are thinking and doing, and where the country is headed. This is crucial for building long-term trust and ensuring an enduring relationship. For without mutual understanding, there would be room for false narratives, for misunderstanding, suspicion and even fear, obstructing bilateral engagement, and undermining the normal exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between our peoples, businesses and institutions. Such a scenario does not serve our shared interests, nor, I believe, is it what the vast majority of New Zealanders would wish to see.

  今年6月，在双方共同努力下，拉克森总理成功访问中国，并取得丰硕成果。两国领导人重申对双边关系的共同承诺，巩固了政治共识，拓展了务实合作。中新两国有着广泛的共同利益，我们都希望共同努力妥善处理分歧。中方一直以来也愿意继续把新方看作我们的朋友和伙伴，推动两国关系持续健康稳定发展，更多造福两国人民，也希望新方与中方相向而行。

  In June this year, thanks to the joint efforts on both sides, Prime Minister Luxon paid a successful visit to China and achieved fruitful results. The leaders of our two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the bilateral relationship, consolidated political consensus, and expanded practical cooperation. China and New Zealand share broad common interests, and both sides hope to work together to properly handle our differences. From China’s perspective, we have regarded, and are willing to continue to regard New Zealand as a friend and partner to advance the sound and steady growth of our relations, and bring more benefits to both peoples. We hope New Zealand will also pull with China in the same direction. 

  所以我要再次强调，中文周不仅能促进新西兰的中文教育，其所体现的理念和两国间的人文交流合作，更在两国关系发展中发挥着重要和基础性的作用。因此，我再次感谢中文周基金会，感谢所有参与并支持新西兰中文教育的各界朋友。使馆也愿继续与各方一道，支持新西兰中文周未来有更好发展。

  In this context, I would like to stress once again that Chinese Language Week not only promotes Chinese language education in New Zealand, but the vision it embodies and its value in promoting the people-to-people exchanges between our two countries, play an important and foundational role in the development of China-New Zealand relations. For this reason, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the New Zealand Chinese Language Week Trust, and to all friends from different sectors who have contributed to and support Chinese language education in New Zealand. The Chinese Embassy will continue to work with all of you to support the future growth and success of New Zealand Chinese Language Week.

  最后，祝2025年新西兰中文周圆满成功！谢谢大家!

  Finally, I wish the New Zealand Chinese Language Week 2025 every success. Thank you !