2016年CRI Premier Li: Sino-Lao relationship is like a full moon

 

The Lieu Tou School opened in 1937.

It's the oldest Chinese school in the Lao capital of Vientiane.

Upon his arrival on Friday, the Chinese Premier¹ received a warm welcome.

In a classroom, Li Keqiang encouraged the students to study Chinese thoroughly² and do something to improve bilateral³ ties when they grow up.

"We welcome you visit China for a visit, to study or work someday after mastering the Chinese language here. You are the future of the Sino-Lao friendship."

Laos has an ethnic⁴ Chinese population estimated at 1 to 2 percent.

The school has more than 2,800 students and provides kindergarten to high school education.

Students learn Lao and Chinese from kindergarten, with English introduced in primary school. 

The school's curriculum includes Chinese language, and subjects related to Chinese culture, such as Chinese calligraphy⁵.

After watching the students in calligraphy class write the characters for Mid-autumn Day in Chinese, Li Keqiang drew an analogy between the Moon on the traditional festival day in China and the bilateral relationship.

"The moon wanes⁶ sometimes, but it's always round and complete on Mid-autumn Day, a day for family reunion in harmony. The full moon can also represent the harmonious⁷ relationship between China and Laos. But how can we further improve it? It relies on your efforts for sure."

There are 23 Chinese teachers sponsored by the Chinese government at the school.

As part of his visit, Li Keqiang met with them and sent his greetings for the upcoming Teacher's Day. 

He also encouraged them to contribute more to the people-to-people cultural exchange between the two countries.

In wrapping up his visit, Li Keqiang invited 100 teachers from across Laos to visit China next year.

1 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

2 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

3 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

4 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

5 calligraphy   

n.书法

参考例句：

• At the calligraphy competition,people asked him to write a few characters.书法比赛会上，人们请他留字。
• His calligraphy is vigorous and forceful.他的书法苍劲有力。

6 wanes   

v.衰落( wane的第三人称单数 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡

参考例句：

• The moon waxes till it becomes full, and then wanes. 月亮渐盈，直到正圆，然后消亏。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The moon waxes and wanes every month. 月亮每个月都有圆缺。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 harmonious   

adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的

参考例句：

• Their harmonious relationship resulted in part from their similar goals.他们关系融洽的部分原因是他们有着相似的目标。
• The room was painted in harmonious colors.房间油漆得色彩调和。