续二十五载熊猫情缘，谱中美人民友谊新篇

A renewed 25-year bond with giant pandas and a new chapter in China-U.S. friendship 

——谢锋大使在亚特兰大动物园大熊猫馆开馆仪式上的致辞

— Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Xie Feng at the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony of the Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove at Zoo Atlanta

尊敬的珀杜先生，伯克斯女士，金园长，

李林海副秘书长，

各位来宾，

女士们，先生们，朋友们：

The Honorable Sonny Perdue,

Ms. LaChandra Burks,

PresidentRaymond King,

Deputy General SecretaryLi Linhai,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

大家早上好！很高兴来到美丽的亚特兰大，与各位共同庆祝亚特兰大动物园亚瑟·布兰克大熊猫馆正式开馆！

Good morning! It gives me great joy to come to the beautiful city of Atlanta, and join you in celebrating the inauguration of the Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove at Zoo Atlanta.

今年9月，习近平主席成功对美国进行历史性的国事访问，其间宣布了新一对大熊猫“平平”“福双”将落户亚特兰大动物园的喜讯。3天后，这对使者便跨越大洋顺利抵达，跑出了中美大熊猫合作的“加速度”，续写了中美人民友谊的新篇章。现在，华盛顿有一位中国大使，亚特兰大却有两位中国“熊猫特使”，它们都比我“分量重”（体重），全美共活跃着六位万众瞩目的“熊猫特使”，数量创下全球之最。这些“重量级”使者加入中美友好事业，让我感到由衷高兴！

In September, President Xi Jinping successfully paid a historic state visit to the United States, during which he announced the great news that Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, a new pair of giant pandas, would soon come to Zoo Atlanta. Three days later, the two envoys flew across the Pacific and arrived at their new home. This has injected fresh momentum into China-U.S. giant panda cooperation, and also opened a new chapter in the friendship between our two peoples.

Now, there is one Chinese ambassador in D.C., but Atlanta alone boasts two“panda envoys”, who are both much “weightier” than me. Across the United States, there are six superstar “panda envoys” in total, more than in any country outside China. Having these hefty colleagues on board to promote goodwill between China and the United States certainly gives me a shot in the arm!

新一对大熊猫的到来，是中方与亚特兰大动物园的再续前缘。1999年，大熊猫“伦伦”与“洋洋”远渡重洋落户于此，在动物园的悉心呵护下，25年间成功繁育5胎7崽，其中还包括两对双胞胎，创下中美大熊猫繁育合作的最佳纪录。如今双方启动新一轮合作，是水到渠成的“血脉传承”。“平平”是来接舅舅班的，它的母亲与“洋洋”是同母兄妹，血脉里的亲切感让它迅速适应新环境，举止间尽是走亲戚般的自在惬意。“福双”是自带光环的“星二代”，它的父亲是电影《功夫熊猫2》主角“阿宝”的原型。“神龙大侠”的后代在此安家，必将延续超强人气，给每一位参观者带来更多欢乐！

The arrival of the new pair of pandas marks the renewal of a decades-long bond between China and Zoo Atlanta. In 1999, giant pandas Lun Lun and Yang Yang became the first panda residents at Zoo Atlanta. Under the meticulous care of the team here, they gave birth to a total of seven cubs across five litters in 25 years, including two pairs of twins, creating the most successful breeding record in China-U.S. giant panda cooperation.

Now, this latest round of cooperation is a natural continuation of that family lineage, as Ping Ping is here to take up the baton from his uncle Yang Yang, his mother’s elder brother. Thanks to this special bond, Ping Ping has settled in quickly, feeling right at home. Meanwhile, Fu Shuang is the daughter of a celebrity, as her father is no one else but the real-world inspiration behind Po, the main character ofKung Fu Panda 2. I am confident that Fu Shuang will be just as popular as her “Dragon Warrior” father, and will bring even more happiness to everyone meeting her!

新一对大熊猫的到来，是中方对美民众期盼的真情回应。多年来，从亚特兰大市、佐治亚州到全美，“熊猫热”历久弥新。这份热爱深植于寻常巷陌——为大熊猫捐赠自家庭院的新鲜竹子是亚特兰大最温情的传统，动物园还专门开通过“竹子热线”，谁家的竹子有幸入选“熊猫特供”，便成为主人津津乐道的邻里佳话。这份热爱更直上云端——新一对大熊猫搭乘的FedEx专机一度在国际航空追踪平台登顶最受瞩目的航班。在此，我谨向长期关心、支持大熊猫保护合作的朋友们表示衷心感谢！是你们的热情与付出，让隔洋相望的期盼变为今日现实，让跨越山海的旅程终得温暖团聚。

The arrival of the new pair of pandas is China’s sincere response to the aspirations of the American people. For years, “pandamonium" has swept through Atlanta, across the State of Georgia, and throughout the United States. Love for pandas is everywhere we turn: Atlantans have a tradition of donating fresh bamboo from their yards to pandas, and the zoo even set up a Bamboo Hotline. Anyone whose bamboo is selected as “Panda Exclusive” will become the pride of their neighborhood. That love also reaches sky-high: the FedEx Panda Express carrying Ping Ping and Fu Shuang was once the most-tracked international flight in the world.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all friends who have long supported giant panda conservation cooperation. It is your enthusiasm and dedication that have turned people’s dreams into reality, and brought pandas across the Pacific for a joyful gathering.

新一对大熊猫的到来，是中美地方务实合作的生动缩影。佐治亚州人杰地灵、开放包容。这里曾走出卡特总统，他以非凡的政治勇气与远见卓识，做出了与中国建交的历史性抉择，并将其誉为“一生中最正确的决定”。美国现任驻华大使庞德伟也来自佐治亚州。可口可乐公司在中国改革开放之初即重返中国市场，深度融入中国发展浪潮，如今已成为中国千家万户的甜蜜伙伴。UPS、家得宝、达美航空等本土商业巨擘，也始终将中国视为核心战略市场。佐治亚州连续多年蝉联“全美营商第一州”，是中资企业深耕北美的兴业沃土。相信新一对大熊猫的到来，将为佐治亚州和亚特兰大市对华务实合作注入新活力，推动中美携手谱写地方交往新篇章！

The arrival of the new pair of pandas is a vivid testament to practical subnational cooperation between China and the United States. The State of Georgia is a blessed land known for its openness and inclusiveness. It is the home state of President Jimmy Carter, who, with extraordinary political courage and vision, made the historic decision to establish diplomatic ties with China, and called it one of the most correct decisions he had ever made in his life. His Excellency David Perdue, current U.S. Ambassador to China, is also from Georgia.

Coca Cola based in the state returned to the Chinese market in the early days of China’s reform and opening-up, and has ever since been deeply involved in our country’s development. Today, its products have become a sweet companion of numerous Chinese households. Other local business leaders, such as UPS, the Home Depot, and Delta Air Lines, see China as a core strategic market too. Remaining the No. 1 state for business in the United States, Georgia is also a top choice for many Chinese investors. I believe the new pair of giant pandas will instill fresh vitality into practical cooperation between China and Georgia, including the city of Atlanta, and will usher in a new phase in China-U.S. subnational engagement.

新一对大熊猫的到来，是中美落实元首会晤共识、深化人文交流的最新成果。大熊猫保护合作是中美关系和人文交流的硬核内容。30多年来，两国元首亲自关注，两国政府全力护航，两国科研人员并肩攻坚，旅美大熊猫累计繁育成活17只幼崽，幼崽存活率大幅提升至95%以上，既拉紧了两国相知相亲的“民心纽带”，也贡献了生物多样性保护的“中美方案”，是中美携手可以办成事、办好事、办大事的生动注脚。双方应以新一对大熊猫到来为契机，持续落实好两国元首会晤重要共识，不断拉长合作清单、努力缩短问题清单，积极促进两国民间友谊，推动基于尊重、公平、对等的建设性战略稳定关系落地落实、行稳致远。

The arrival of the new pair of pandas is the latest outcome of our joint efforts to implement the two Presidents’consensus on deepening people-to-people exchanges. Giant panda conservation cooperation is an integral part of China-U.S. relations and cultural exchanges. Over the past three decades and more, with the personal commitment of both heads of state, the full support of both governments, and the collaboration between researchers in both countries, pandas in the United States have successfully bred and raised 17 cubs, and panda cub survival rates have been raised to over 95%. This has not only forged more bonds of affinity between our two peoples, but also contributed a joint China-U.S. solution to global biodiversity protection, thus serving as a compelling example of how China and the United States working together can get a lot of big and great things done.

The two sides need to seize the momentum created by the arrival of the two pandas, continue to act on our Presidents'important consensus, expand the list of cooperation while shortening the list of problems, and actively foster friendship between our peoples, so as to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability on the basis of respect, fairness, and reciprocity with concrete action and promote its sustained development.

各位朋友，

Dear friends,

作为大熊猫的故乡，中国始终敞开大门，欢迎更多美国朋友来走走看看，见证青山绿水间的环保故事，品尝热气腾腾的地道美食，感受中国人民的热情好客。如今，从饱览秀美山河的“China Travel”，到感受国潮魅力的“China Cool”，再到满载心仪好物的“China Haul”，中国正以丰富多彩的面貌，吸引着越来越多来自世界各地的游客。我们期待更多美国朋友踏上这段旅程，在行走中读懂中国，在交流中增进理解，在相知中深化信任，续写更多两国人民友好交往的动人故事。

As the homeland of giant pandas, China always keeps its doors open. We warmly welcome more American friends to travel to China, to witness our environmental protection efforts among green mountains and rivers, taste the delicious Chinese cuisine, and feel the hospitality of the Chinese people. Today, from“China Travel” to “China Cool” and to “China Haul”, our dynamic country is attracting more and more tourists from around the world. I encourage you to embark on a journey to China, see a real China through your firsthand experience, deepen mutual understanding through exchanges, and build trust through reaching out to each other, so as to write more beautiful stories of friendship between Chinese and American peoples.

各位朋友，

Dear friends,

新一对大熊猫的名字，寄托着中国人民对美国人民最真挚的情谊，承载着对中美关系最美好的期盼。我们以“平平”寄意，祝愿两国永享和平、人民安居乐业；以“福双”书情，祝愿中美互利双赢、百姓福泽绵长。在亚特兰大动物园的悉心照料下，新一对大熊猫在亚特兰大一定会吃得香、睡得好、茁壮成长，为每一位热爱它们的朋友，带去双份的喜悦与双倍的祝福。

The names of the new pair of pandas carry our warmest wishes to the American people and also for China-U.S. relations. The name of Ping Ping (literally“peace”) embodies our hope for lasting peace of both countries and happiness for both peoples, while the name of Fu Shuang (literally “double happiness”) conveys our expectations for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the United States and boundless blessings for all. We trust that, under the loving care of Zoo Atlanta, the two pandas will eat heartily, sleep soundly, and grow healthy and strong in their new home, bringing twice the joy and happiness to everyone who loves them.

最后，预祝本次开馆仪式圆满成功！Happy Pandas’ Day！

In closing, I wish today’s ceremony a great success. Happy Pandas’Day!