Editor's note: Decision Makers is a global platform for influential leaders to share their insights on events shaping today's world. Ms Meifang Zhang is Consul General of China in Belfast. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

编者按：《决策者》是全球决策者分享对国际事务见解的平台。本文作者是中国驻贝尔法斯特总领事张美芳。作者观点不代表CGTN立场。

Fifty years! A 50-year relationship of almost any kind would be cause for a grand celebration, and this relationship certainly meets the mark.

五十年了！任何一种关系，适逢50周年，都值得隆重庆祝。中英关系正是如此，正当此时。

It has been 50 years since China and the United Kingdom opened ambassadorial relations with one another and, in doing so, opened both a door and window into new worlds and opportunities. It is a doorway to shared prosperity and a windowed view into cultures and peoples that vary yet share common core values and interests. It is also a coveted relationship, as it is essential for a world awaiting a greater version of itself through a vision for a shared future realized through such confluence. 

50年前，中英两国建立了大使级外交关系。自此，双方打开了通往新世界和新机遇的大门和窗口。那是一扇共享繁荣的大门，一个欣赏彼此文化和民族的窗口，虽然存在差异，但核心价值和利益相通。中英关系是令人向往的，构建命运共同体需要这样的融合，建设更美好的世界需要这样的关系。

If one were to reflect for a moment upon the past, we would find a political partnership with its roots in courage and conviction, beginning with the UK as the first Western power to acknowledge and trade with the People's Republic of China (PRC), jointly cooperating with China in the face of unprecedented challenges posed by climate change, COVID-19 and other threats to our collective existence. We would also find an economic relationship of resilience that has evolved into trade and investment between the two nations that rose to record levels in 2021. Additionally, we would see two nations with time-honored histories, traditions and cultures that have championed multilateralism, trade liberalization and its implementation.

回顾一下历史，我们会发现，中英关系是基于勇气和信念的政治伙伴关系。它始于英国成为西方第一个承认新中国并开展贸易往来的国家，在双方携手应对空前挑战时得到体现，无论是气候变化、新冠肺炎疫情，还是其他对双方生存造成威胁的挑战。中英关系是有韧性的经济伙伴关系。2021年两国的双边贸易投资水平达到历史新高。中英两国历史悠久，人文荟萃，双方在倡导多边主义、贸易自由化和实施方面发挥了重要作用。

These moments among many, helped pave the way to today, to where China-UK relations truly stand, not in some temporary state of discontent but upon the ultimate reality of solidarity. These moments have served well the coveted relations between our two nations. I am particularly proud of the advancements – and with it the emergence – of Northern Ireland as a critical intersection between the road traveled and the adventure and advancements awaiting. Northern Ireland is unique in what it holds for China and the UK, positioned perfectly to ease the journey through a post-Brexit world, allowing for greater goals and intentions to be attained.

正是许许多多这样的时刻为今天的中英关系奠定了基础，这种关系不是建立在一时的起伏之上，而是基于双方紧密团结的终极现实。这些时刻使中英双边关系更加令人向往。我尤其为北爱尔兰的发展，以及它能够成为我们过去交往和未来发展的交汇之地，而倍感骄傲。北爱对于中英两国都有其独特的意义，完美的地理位置使其成为英国脱欧后的缓冲，为实现更多的目标和计划提供了可能。

What are these goals and intentions, one might ask? They are the promotion of exchanges across all levels and in various fields, the high-quality development of economic and trade cooperation, the further implementation of coordinated education initiatives, the advancement of people and cultural exchanges, and emboldening sister-city relations for a stronger brotherhood of nations.

有人可能会问，这些目标和计划是什么？答案是推动多领域各层次的交流；推动经贸合作高质量发展；进一步实施教育合作倡议；推动人文交流；加强友好城市关系，推动建立更紧密的双边关系。

Indeed it is a coveted bridge to a shared future!

的确，这是一座令人向往的通往命运共同体之桥！

With such a storied past together, the mutual benefits serving the needs of not just nations but humanity as a whole may be realized. Visions manifest through the furthering of a relationship as essential to today and to a more favorable tomorrow as it has been for the past half century.

中英之间的传奇历史，不仅是一段为两国谋求共同利益的故事，而是为全人类共同利益而奋斗的佳话。加强中英关系事关当下，利在未来，只有加强中英关系，才能实现我们的愿景。过去的半个世纪已经验证了这一点。

What awaits us as we awaken to the possibility together as one global community with a shared future for all humanity is a promise made and kept for a world designed for discourse and discovery to learn and grow. It means a world where acceptance is demonstrated for what it is, not agreement but the willingness to allow for other ways without judgment or resistance and understanding that each nation and people are the best determinants of their own path because they have the benefit of their historical awareness and cultural acumen – a world in cooperation, where we find common ground and where common ground resides. It means a world where we work together as equals in those areas where together is the only way forward and, dare we say, move as a more loving and empathetic planet and people, with China and the UK, including Northern Ireland serving as a model reminder that we are simply stronger together.

当我们共同致力于构建人类命运共同体时，我们就是对这个世界做出承诺，信守诺言，为了一个彼此沟通，共同探索的世界，为了共同学习和成长。在这个世界中，接纳事物本身：愿意允许其他方式的存在。不批评，不抗拒。理解每个国家和人民才是他们自己的最佳决策者，因为只有他们才明白自己的历史，洞悉自己的文化。在有共同点的领域寻找共识，互相合作，在需要携手前行的领域平等协作。而且，以中国、英国及其北爱地区作为典范，我们敢说，更有爱心和同理心的世界和人民，在一起将更加强大。

Chinese restaurants on Chinese Street, London, UK, August 30, 2017. /CFP

What awaits us all is a triangle of enriched manifestation, China and the UK, including Northern Ireland. In thoughts, words and actions, may we continue to realize together a model exemplary of how regions may lead nations, not in a political sense but an economic, cultural and vital sense. May we also come to realize how bridges less traveled may lead to a future most richly adorned.

等待我们的是内涵更加丰富的三方组合，中国、英国及其北爱地区。在思想上、语言上和行动上，我们将继续打造典范，向世界展示地区如何引领国家，不是在政治意义上，而是在经贸、文化等重要意义上，以及鲜有人选择的途径如何将我们引向最绚烂的未来。

The people of Northern Ireland and other regions and nations of such extraordinary traits and resources will have quite a say in where tomorrow may lead. And if they will do so tomorrow, then I say make it today! Let us embrace China and the UK, including Northern Ireland as a linchpin to tomorrow. Let's embrace the spirit of the Year of the Tiger and call forth the strength, vitality, resilience, bravery, a sense of adventure and unbridled enthusiasm as we usher in the next 50 years of the relationship, cooperative intention.

北爱人民，以及其他有这样非凡特质和资源的国家和地区，对于明天的走向有相当的发言权。如果我们明天要这样选择，那么我要说，今天就开始吧！让我们一起拥抱未来，中国、英国及其北爱地区，共同作为塑造明天的关键，发扬虎年精神，凝聚力量、活力、坚韧和勇敢，身披高贵精神的霞帔，胸怀远大抱负、冒险精神和无限热情，在中英关系迎来下一个50年之际，像发明呼唤创新一样，我们呼吁合作。

We have learned a better way to get along: together as one, varied in the complexity that defines humanity and common at the core.

我们已经学会了更好的相处方式，那就是团结如一。人生而不同，但生命的核心是共通的。

Pandemics, climate change and challenges to the economy may appear daunting at the moment. However, the solution to each resides within all, within that part of us. To recognize our journey as humanity, we must rely upon our collective will and a shared approach. With it, a joyous victory will be shared by all!

疫情，气候变化，经济挑战，对我们发展活力的挑战，在当下无不让人望而生畏。然而，这些问题的答案都存在于我们之中。存在于我们内心深处的一部分，那就是不同种族同属人类大家庭。认可我们的种族，认可我们作为人类大家庭的共同旅程，这有赖于共建命运共同体的集体意志，这样我们将赢得一场人人共享的胜利！

For once we have awakened to this, the ultimate truth, all roads forward will converge into but one. And we will have begun a greater journey, one that serves as a promise fulfilled – a promise 50 years in the making. 

一旦认识到这一终极真理，所有前进的道路都将汇聚合一。我们将开始一段更壮阔的旅程，一段兑现承诺的旅程，下一个50年的承诺。

What is the promise? That whatever the cause, that not one person, place or people will be lost upon the road paved. That all will share in the wealth this world has to offer. Health, wealth and happiness, by virtue of these and more, we will win the day together.

承诺是什么？那就是无论何种原因，结果都是在：已铺就的道路上，没有任何一个人、地方或民族会被落下。所有人将共同分享这个世界所能提供的财富、健康和幸福。有了这些，有了这些最有意义的举措，我们共同携手，必将迎来胜利的日子。

And what a grand day indeed it will be!

那将是一个多么伟大的日子啊！