My Lords, MPs, Mr Stephen Perry, Ms Lillian Davies,Ladies and gentlemen,很高兴出席48家集团俱乐部“女性破冰者”组织成立仪式。我谨致以热烈的祝贺。

　　I most warmly welcome this initiative of Women Icebreakers by the 48 Group Club. Also I would like to congratulate Ms Lillian Davies, and the Treasurer of the 48 Group Club, Ms Mei Sim Lai. I learned that it is through their efforts we have gathered today a very distinguished group of British women.

　　I applaud this new initiative that will make a contribution to deepening and strengthening links between China and Britain. In a fast changing world, it becomes ever more challenging to keep pace with levels of understanding between the nations of the world. In turn that means there is an ever increasing need for boosting the work of the 48 Group Club. The spirit of the 48 Group Club's commitment to 'developing positive relations with China' has never been more important.

　　参加今天这个活动前，我脑子里一直在迸现几个数字。

　　It may be helpful to share with you my thoughts on this occasion in the context of a few numbers.

　　首先是“一”，这是我出任中国驻英大使以来第一次出席妇女活动。第一次活动本身也是一种“破冰”，这与今天成立的组织的名称也十分吻合。这既是一种巧合，也是一种必然，说明中英关系发展到今天，仍需要更多的破冰者，他们不分年龄，不分性别。

　　First the number one. This is the first women's event I have attended as Chinese Ambassador to the UK. I believe this is also an ice-breaking in some ways. This may be just a coincidence, but it also indicates how relevant the ice-breaking spirit remains. We do need new people, who are dedicated to the China-UK friendship, to join the ranks of ice-breakers like you, regardless of age or gender.

　　其次是“二”，即两个妇女组织。这里我还愿代表我夫人，转达另一个妇女组织的祝贺。或许你们还不知道，中国驻英使馆也有一个非常活跃、成员众多的“非政府组织”——妇女小组，由使馆女外交官和外交官夫人组成，而“CEO”就是胡平华女士。中国驻英使馆妇女小组愿与“女性破冰者”建立“长期、特殊、战略伙伴关系”。今后，两个姊妹组织可加强往来与交流，并联合举办一些丰富多彩的活动，共同促进中英了解与友谊。

　　Next is the number two. By this, I meant two women's organisations. Let me say a few words on behalf of my wife Hu Pinghua. In my Embassy we have a very active group too. We nickname it an NGO, 'Non Governmental Organisation'. I am of course referring to the Chinese Embassy Women's Group. It is a fair large group and draws its membership from women diplomats and wives of the Embassy staff. The CEO of this NGO is no other than my wife Pinghua. As head of the Women's Group, she has asked me to convey a message to the Women 'Icebreakers'. The message is that her Women's Group is ready to establish a long-term, strategic and special partnership with the Women 'Icebreakers'. Pinghua also proposes that the two Women's Groups set up close contact and co-host events to promote understanding and exchanges between the people of our two countries.

　　再者是“三”。我们都知道，50多年前，“破冰者”成立，打开中英正常贸易大门。3年前，“青年破冰者”成立，团结、激发青年为中英关系发展做出贡献。今天，“女性破冰者”又应运而生，第三次“破冰”。三次破冰，时期不同，环境不同，成员不同，但目标相同，就是促进中英友谊与合作。

　　Next is the Number three. We all know that the 'Icebreakers' were founded more than half a century ago. They broke the trade embargo imposed on China and so reopened trade between China and the UK. Three years ago, we saw the birth of the 'Young Icebreakers'. This initiative mobilises and encourages young people to contribute to China-UK relations. Today we are gathered here at the launch of Women Icerbreakers. So, I must congratulate the 48 Group Club on 'breaking the ice' for the third time. The three ice-breaking missions may have happened at different times in very different contexts with the support of different people, but they all serve the same purpose - promoting China-UK friendship and cooperation.

　　还有是“四”。温家宝总理刚刚结束了他担任中国国务院总理以来对英国的第四次访问。访问进一步增进了中英两国的理解和互信，促进了各领域交流与合作。可以说，温总理每次访问，都将中英关系推上了一个新的台阶。“女性破冰者”在这样的一个良好时机成立，就有了一个坚实基础和有利氛围。

　　Next is the number four. Premier Wen Jiaobao has just concluded his fourth visit to Britain since he took office. This visit has further increased mutual understanding and trust between our countries. It has advanced our exchanges and cooperation across the board.  That advance is the benchmark of what happens every time Premier Wen visits - taking China-UK relations to a new level. The launch of the 48 Group Club Women Icebreakers cannot have happened at a better time. It coincides with the visit by Premier Wen Jiabao and that has created a solid foundation and favourable environment for China UK relations.

　　最后是“50%”。可能人所皆知，中国有句著名的话：“妇女能顶半边天。” 在英国，我注意到女性的社会地位越来越高。本届英国议会下院女性议员有139位，创下历史之最。在中国，女性同样在各行各业大显身手，与男性平分秋色。就增进中英了解与合作来说，事实上，女性尽管人口占一半，但发挥的作用会“事半功倍”，因为女性具有特殊的辐射效应，她们的背后是所有家庭成员。所以，我对“女性破冰者”寄予厚望，期望你们成为推动中英关系发展的一支重要力量。我们会全力支持你们，并与你们一道，为中英关系长期稳定健康发展共同做出不懈努力。

　　The final number in my mind is five, or 50% or a fraction - half. I am sure that many of you will know that famous Chinese saying: 'Women hold up half of the sky.' Women are playing a bigger role in Britain. I noticed that the present parliament has 139 women MPs, the largest number ever in history. China's women have enjoyed greater opportunity than ever before. The evidence is that women excel at all professions as equals of men. I have every confidence that you, Women 'Icebreakers', will become another important force for China-UK relations. We at the Chinese Embassy will do what we can to support you, and together, let us work for a stable and sound relationship between our countries.

　　再次热烈祝贺“女性破冰者”组织成立。

　　Again I warmly congratulate the 48 Group Club on launching the Women Icebreakers. I wish all its women members every success in building a powerful new contribution to China - UK relations.

　　谢谢。

　　Thank you.