第7届21世纪杯全国英语演讲比赛冠军孙宁演讲

第7届•成都

演讲主题：全球化：中国青年一代所面临的挑战与机遇

2002 Session, Chengdu Topic: Globalization: Challengesand Opportunities for China's Younger Generation

冠军：孙宁，北京外国语大学

Champion: Sun Ning, Beijing Foreign Studies University

演讲题目：全球化：中国年轻一代所面临的机遇与挑战

Title：Globalization：Challenges and Opportunities for China’s Younger Generation

第7届21世纪杯全国英语演讲比赛冠军孙宁演讲稿

Globalization:Challenges and Opportunities for China's Younger Generation 
孙宁：北京外国语大学选手，第7届21世纪杯全国英语演讲比赛冠军。

资料来源：21世纪英文网，并由Victor（微信号：victorbund）编辑、整理、校对 。

Good morning, Ladies andGentlemen: 

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

　　Thirty years ago, AmericanPresident Richard Nixon made an epoch-making visit to China, a country stillisolated at that time. Premier Zhou Enlai said to him, "Your handshakecame over the vastest ocean in the world - twenty-five years of nocommunication." Ever since then, China and America have exchanged manyhandshakes of various kinds. The fundamental implication of this example isthat the need and desire to communicate across differences in culture andideology is not only felt by the two countries but by many other nations aswell. 

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

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

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

　　But what does the way aheadlook like? In some parts of the world people are demonstrating againstglobalization. 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 anearnest interest in every other nation's economic health. 

　　We are reminded by Karl Marxthat capital goes beyond national borders and eludes control from any otherentity. This has become a reality. Multinational corporations are seeking thelowest cost, the largest market, and the most favorable policy. They are oftenpowerful lobbyists in government decision-making, ruthless expansionists in theglobal market place and a devastating presence to local businesses. 

　　For China, still morechallenges exist. How are we going to ensure a smooth transition from the plannedeconomy to a market-based one? How to construct a legal system that is soundenough and broad enough to respond to the needs of a dynamic society? How tomaintain our cultural identity in an increasingly homogeneous world? And how todefine greatness in our rise as a peace-loving nation? Globalization entailsquestions that concern us all. 

　　Like many young people myage in China, I want to see my country get prosperous and enjoying respect inthe international community. But it seems to me that mere patriotism is notjust enough. It is vitally important that we young people do more serious thinkingand broaden our mind to bigger issues. And, there might never be easy answersto those issues such as globalization, but to take them on and give them honestthinking is the first step to be prepared for both opportunities and challengescoming our way. And this is also one of the thoughts that came to me whilepreparing this speech. Thank you.