Speech by Liu Qi
Mayor of Beijing
尊敬的各位代表，尊敬的各位嘉宾，
女士们，先生们：
下午好！今天，能够有机会出席国际数学家大会，我感到十分荣幸。在此，我代表北京市政府和1300多万市民，对大会的召开表示衷心的祝贺，向出席大会的科学家和各位嘉宾，表示热烈的欢迎！
Dear Delegates, Dear Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good afternoon! Today, I feel very honored to be present at International Congress of Mathematicians 2002. Here, on behalf of Beijing Municipal Government and the thirteen million people of the city, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the opening of this congress and express my warm welcome to scientists and guests participating in the conference.
国际数学家大会致力于一门最基础的人类知识的探讨，数学家们在这一领域取得的智力成果，对于整个人类社会科学技术的进步，社会文化的发展乃至人们生活方式的改变，都有着深远的影响。本届大会是新世，也是首次在发展中国家举办的国际数学家大会，这一切使得本次会议具有特殊的意义。北京市政府和我本人都非常高兴能够对本次会议提供支持和服务，并希望通过这一机会表达我们对数学家及其所从事的理性探索的崇高敬意。
ICM is committed to the research in one of the most basic disciplines of human knowledge. The intellectual fruits achieved in the field by mathematicians exert far-reaching influences on the progress of science and technology of human society and on the development of social culture and people's way of life. The fact that this conference is the first of its kind in the new century and the first session ever held in a developing country has given special significance to this meeting. The Municipal Government and myself are very pleased to be able to provide support and service to the meeting and we wish to present our highest compliments to mathematician and their exploration of reason.
数学的传统在北京可以追溯到古代。近代以来，北京在促进东西方科学文化的交流，推动科学在中国的复兴方面发挥了重要作用。从13世纪的朱世杰，到今天在座的陈省身教授，这里产生了一批又一批卓越的数学家。今天，北京继续保持着中国数学教育与研究的重要中心的地位，在数十所大学的数学系和中国科学院等研究机构，有近2000名数学家在从事着全方位的数学教育和高水平的数学研究，并与世界各国、各地区的数学家们开展着广泛而密切的交流与合作。
The mathematic tradition in Beijing can be traced back to ancient times. Since the end of the nineteenth century, Beijing has played an important role in promoting the scientific and cultural exchanges between the east and the west. The city has nurtured numerous brilliant mathematicians, from Zhu Shijie in the thirteenth century to professor Chen Xingshen who is present here today. Now, Beijing continues to maintain its position as China's major center of mathematic education and research. Some two thousand mathematicians from the mathematic departments of tens of universities and research institutions such as Chinese Academy of Sciences are engaged in the education and high-level research of the field in an all-round way. At the same time, they keep extensive and close contacts and cooperate with their colleagues from countries and regions around the world.
“有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎！”古老而现代的北京，延续着3000年的文明历史，谱写着2008年的奥运颂歌。我们真诚欢迎各位嘉宾在学术交流之余，尽览北京的名胜古迹，体验中华文化的魅力，感受迅速发展的节奏，畅想国际大都市的明天。我衷心祝愿各位嘉宾的北京之行愉快而富有成效，并在您的心灵深处留下一段美好的记忆。
Isn't it a pleasure to have friends from afar! The ancient and modern city continues its three thousand years history of civilization and composes its ode to the 2008 Olympics. We sincerely welcome you to tour around the city during your spare time. The city's historical monuments and sites will demonstrate you the charm of Chinese culture. The rapid development will bring your thoughts to the future of an international metropolis. I hope that all the guests will have a pleasant and efficient stay in Beijing and a beautiful memory in your heart.
预祝大会圆满成功！
谢谢大家。
May the conference a complete success!
Thank you.