孙宁：北京外国语大学选手，第七届“21世纪杯”全国英语演讲比赛冠军，现任外交部翻译室培训处副处长。

演讲稿：Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities for China's Younger Generation

Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen:

　　Today I'm very happy to be here to share with you some of my thoughts on the topic of Globalization. And first of all, I would like to mention an event in our recent history.

　　Thirty years ago, American President Richard Nixon made an epoch-making visit to China, a country still isolated at that time. Premier Zhou Enlai said to him, "Your handshake came over the vastest ocean in the world - twenty-five years of no communication." Ever since then, China and America have exchanged many handshakes of various kinds. The fundamental implication of this example is that the need and desire to communicate across differences in culture and ideology is not only felt by the two countries but by many other nations as well.

　　As we can see today, environmentalists from different countries are making joint efforts to address the issue of global warming, economists are seeking solutions to financial crises that rage in a particular region but nonetheless cripple the world's economy, and diplomats and politicians are getting together to discuss the issue of combating terrorism. Peace and prosperity has become a common goal that we are striving for all over the world. Underlying this mighty trend of globalization is the echo of E. M. Forster's words, "Only connect!"

　　With the IT revolution taking place, traditional boundaries of human society fall away. Our culture, politics, society and commerce are being sloshed into a large melting pot of humanity. In this interlinked world, there are no outsiders, for a disturbance in one place is likely to impact other parts of the globe. We have begun to realize that a world divided cannot endure.

　　China is now actively integrating into the world. Our recent entry to the WTO is a good example. For decades, we have taken pride in being self-reliant, but now we realize the importance of participating in and contributing to a broader economic order. From the precarious role in the world arena to our present WTO membership, we have come a long way.

　　But what does the way ahead look like? In some parts of the world people are demonstrating against globalization. Are they justified then, in criticizing the globalizing world? Instead of narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, they say, globalization enables developed nations to swallow the developing nations' wealth in debts and interest. Globalization, they argue, should be about an earnest interest in every other nation's economic health.

　　We are reminded by Karl Marx that capital goes beyond national borders and eludes control from any other entity. This has become a reality. Multinational corporations are seeking the lowest cost, the largest market, and the most favorable policy. They are often powerful lobbyists in government decision-making, ruthless expansionists in the global market place and a devastating presence to local businesses.

　　For China, still more challenges exist. How are we going to ensure a smooth transition from the planned economy to a market-based one? How to construct a legal system that is sound enough and broad enough to respond to the needs of a dynamic society? How to maintain our cultural identity in an increasingly homogeneous world? And how to define greatness in our rise as a peace-loving nation? Globalization entails questions that concern us all.

　　Like many young people my age in China, I want to see my country get prosperous and enjoying respect in the international community. But it seems to me that mere patriotism is not just enough. It is vitally important that we young people do more serious thinking and broaden our mind to bigger issues. And, there might never be easy answers to those issues such as globalization, but to take them on and give them honest thinking is the first step to be prepared for both opportunities and challenges coming our way. And this is also one of the thoughts that came to me while preparing this speech. Thank you.