驻英大使刘晓明接受奥运主题专访

Q: It is now four years since Beijing hosted the Olympic Games. What have been the biggest effects – economically and politically for the Chinese government in hosting the Games? Do you see London and the UK enjoying similar benefits?
 记者：目前距北京奥运会已四年。你认为，北京奥运会对中国经济、政治方面最大的影响是什么? 奥运是否会给伦敦以及英国带来同样的积极效应？

A: The Beijing Olympics was a milestone in China’s development. It was China’s long-held dream coming true to show its commitment to the Olympic spirit. It was a symbol of China’s maturity, openness and progress. It left a lasting legacy. China after the Beijing Olympic Games is more focused on peaceful development. As a result China is more open and committed to co-operation in its endeavour to achieve peaceful development. China is pledged to working with people of all countries to secure a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.
刘晓明大使：北京奥运会对中国的发展进程具有重要意义。它不仅圆了中国的百年梦想，也是中国在不断发展过程中心态更加成熟的标志。它使中国更加自信，更加开放，更加进步。虽然北京奥运会已经结束，但这种积极的影响一直在延续。北京奥运会后的中国，更加致力于和平的发展、开放的发展、合作的发展，致力于同世界各国人民一道，建设持久和平、共同繁荣的和谐世界。

I believe London Olympic Games will also have a positive impact on Britain in many fields. Apart from the visible legacy, such as improved infrastructure and impressive sports venues, it will play a huge role in boosting the British economy and sports industry. It will also promote to the world Britain’s diversified culture and increase mutual understanding between British people and those of all countries around the world.
我相信，伦敦奥运会也将给英国带来许多积极效应。除了有形的奥运遗产，如基础设施建设、体育场馆等，伦敦奥运会对促进英国经济和体育产业发展，展示英国丰富多元文化，促进英国与世界各国人民的相互了解和交流都将发挥积极作用。

Q: Has the government been able to quantify these benefits? Do you have any statistics that help show the benefits?
记者：中国政府是否有相关的量化数据来概括奥运给北京及中国带来的积极影响？

A: The 2008 Olympic Games has clearly played a huge role in promoting Beijing’s economic and social development. The seven years from 2001, when preparations started, to 2008 saw the longest and steadiest growth of Beijing’s economy. I can give you some examples.
 刘大使：奥运会对北京经济社会发展的影响十分明显。从2001年奥运会开始筹办到2008年举办奥运会的7年，是改革开放以来北京经济发展稳定性最好、快速发展持续时间最长的一段时期。奥运经济在其中发挥了重要作用。

First, it stimulated fast economic growth. Between 2002 and 2007, Beijing’s annual growth rate averaged 12.4%. That was 1.9% higher than the figures between 1996 and 2001. In 2007, Beijing’s total economic size doubled compared to its 2001 level.
一是带动经济高速增长。2002～2007年，北京经济年均增长率达到12.4%，比1996～2001年的平均增速提高了1.9%。2007年经济总量较2001年翻了一番。

Second, it greatly advanced a positive shift in Beijing’s growth model. The share of value-added generated by the service sector in its GDP rose from 67% in 2001 to 72% in 2007.
 二是有力推动了北京经济发展方式的转变。北京服务业增加值占 GDP比重由2001年的67%提高到2007年的72%。

Third, it created jobs, raised people’s income and improved people’s lives. From 2002 to 2007, the employed population in Beijing increased by more than 300,000 every year. There was basically no unemployment. In 2007, per capita disposable income of Beijing’s urban population reached 21,989 RMB (£2198.9). That was up by 89.9% on the 2001 level.
 三是促使就业岗位大量增加，带动了居民收入的较快增长和人民生活质量的明显提升。2002～2007年，北京市从业人数年均增加30万人以上，基本上消除了城乡零就业家庭。2007年北京市城镇居民人均可支配收入达到21989元，比2001年增长89.9%。

Fourth, it speeded up Beijing’s urbanisation process. From 2002 to 2007, a total of 400 billion RMB (£40 billion) was invested in infrastructure development. There was an average annual growth rate of 18.3%. The sum was also 2.3 times the total investment between 1996 and 2001. The effect was remarkable, in particular in upgrading transport infrastructure. The impressive Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport is the best example.
 四是加速城市现代化水平的提升。2002～2007年，北京基础设施投资累计达到4014.7亿元，年均增长18.3%，相当于1996～2001年投资总额的2.3倍。新建了世界上单体规模最大的T3航站楼，城市综合交通体系更加完善。

Q: Was the experience of the Beijing Olympics what you were expecting? What were the biggest surprises that the Beijing Olympics created?
记者：北京奥运会给中国带来的经历是什么？是中国政府事先所期待的经历吗？北京奥运会创造的最大惊喜是什么？

A: The biggest benefit of the Beijing Olympics was that it helped enlighten people around the world about the progress of Chinese society. It created a new landmark in China’s development process.
 刘大使：北京奥运会对中国最大的影响就是推动了中国社会迅速成熟进步，为中国发展进程树起了新的界标。

The Beijing Olympics coincided with the anniversary of the thirty years of reform and opening up in China. Hosting the Games showcased China’s advances and rising self-confidence. It was viewed as China’s debut on the world stage and sent out a strong message on China’s commitment to reform and opening up. The 2008 Games placed China on the global stage. This focus in the global spotlight helped China cope with much greater attention from around the world in a calm and confident way as befits a major country.
北京奥运会正值中国改革开放30周年，奥运会的举办为30年改革开放积累的综合国力、积淀的民族自信提供了最好的展示舞台，书写了改革开放的辉煌一页。北京奥运会也因此被喻为“改革开放成年礼”，向世界传达了“中国将坚定走改革开放之路”的信念。更为重要的是，奥运会的举办使中国在全球聚焦下日益自信，大国心态和风范亦得到塑造和锤炼。

The 2008 Games also brought China’s engagement with the world to a higher level. It demonstrated China’s sincerity and strong sense of responsibility to the world. It also displayed the world’s confidence in China.
 同时，借助奥运平台，中国搭建了与世界各国交流的新窗口，展现出成熟、包容、开放、自信的心态，凸显了中国对世界的诚意和责任，以及世界对中国的信任，中国与世界的交往也从此进入了一个新的境界。我想，这正是中国政府所期待的。

Looking back, I can say that we had a catalogue of happy surprises during the Games: the spectacular ‘Bird Nest’ and ‘Water Cube’; the spectacular opening ceremony; the stunning performance of athletes and the quality and warmth of service from the volunteers. But for me, the happiest surprise is its legacy for China as a nation that I have already mentioned. I have no doubt the Beijing Olympic Games will go down in history as a milestone in China’s development.
回顾北京奥运会，可谓惊喜不断。无论是壮阔的“鸟巢”、“水立方”，辉煌的开幕式，还是运动员出色的成绩，志愿者有序的组织，无不给人留下深刻的印象。但我心目中最大的惊喜，还是奥运会对中国的上述影响。北京奥运必将作为中国发展的里程碑，在中国历史上留下光辉的一笔。

Q: What do you think were the biggest challenges that the Beijing Olympics had to confront? Are any of these challenges replicated at the London Olympics?
记者：你认为举办北京奥运会最大的挑战在哪？伦敦奥运会是否会面临同样的挑战？

A: This was the first time China had hosted the Olympic Games. So, we faced huge challenges in many aspects. Not long before the Games, a massive earthquake hit China’s Sichuan province and inflicted heavy casualties. In addition, the sub-prime mortgage crisis had already broken in the United States and dealt a heavy blow to global financial markets. Lehman Brothers was on the brink of collapse. The world economy was at a tipping point toward recession. While sparing no effort in earthquake rescue and relief and tackling the financial crisis, the Chinese government and people also made great efforts to prepare for the Games. We kept our word and presented a wonderful Games. In fact there were misgivings about China’s ability. But what happened proved such concerns unwarranted. The Beijing Olympic Games were not only a success, but also better than many had expected.
 刘大使：2008年是中国首次举办奥运会，可想而知，我们在许多方面都面临巨大挑战。北京奥运会前夕，四川汶川发生特大地震，造成数以万计的人员伤亡。与此同时，美国次贷危机已经爆发并对国际金融市场造成巨大冲击，雷曼兄弟正摇摇欲坠，世界经济由盛转衰，形势十分严峻。中国政府和人民在全力投入抗震救灾、妥善应对次贷危机等工作的同时，积极筹备北京奥运会，最终给世界呈现了一次精彩的奥运盛会。北京奥运会前，曾也有人担心中国能否顺利举办北京奥运会。事实证明，人们的担心是多余的，北京奥运会不仅顺利、成功，而且超出了大多数人的预期。

A successful Olympic Games in London will meet the aspiration of not only the British people, but also people throughout the world. This is the third time Britain has played Olympic host. So, the UK is a much more experienced host than China. Of course, like any previous Games, pressure will be enormous in organising, security and logistics. But I trust London will create a new success in Olympic history.
2012年在伦敦举办一次成功的奥运会不仅是英国人民，也是世界人民的期盼。和中国相比，英国已是第三次举办奥运会。当然，在组织、安全及后勤保障等方方面面，伦敦奥运会将象历届奥运会一样都面临巨大压力。但我相信，伦敦将是奥运史上又一个书写成功的盛会。