Beijing Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department Deputy Minister, Mr. Yan Liqiang
Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Executive Deputy President,  Madam Tian Yan
Ni Hao / Wanshang Hao
Ladies and Gentleman.
Tonight we are here to mark the end of this year’s edition of the of Beijing’s New Image in the Eyes of Foreign Friends photo contest. But that is not the only reason we are here tonight. We are here tonight because we also have a great love for this magnificent city of Beijing.   This love is showcased in the beautiful entries to the photo contest. 
From the traditional contours of the Forbidden Palace, to the  space age curves of the SOHO building,  from the marvel of the Bird’s Nest stadium to the charm and intimacy of the Hutongs, Beijing offers an unparalleled mix of the old and new that can inspire creativity and make artists out of all of us. I guess that is the reason we have such a varied group of people taking part in this competition. I have to say we have all been bitten by the Beijing bug.
I arrived in Beijing 2 years ago. Over the past two years, my  family and I have witnessed the beauty of this ancient capital.  The story of Beijing is a fascinating story of how the past and the present, the ancient and the modern can co-exist and move a country forward.  I think the people who made this possible deserve our praise. So let me take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Beijing and the leaders and officials of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee and Beijing Municipal People’s Government for all their efforts to make Beijing one of the top cities in the world.
I have a great love for the arts.  Photography, writing and design are some of my passions. So you can say that I am an artist first and then a diplomat.  These creative pursuits are wonderful escapes from the daily routine of diplomatic life. That is not to say that a diplomat’s life is not interesting. Believe me it can be as interesting and as intriguing as the finest thriller novel. But taking a photo, writing a poem or designing something gives you a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that no other work can give. The process of creating is truly liberating and through our creations we express our most profound thoughts and feelings. And of course it helps to be in such a wonderful city which provides plenty of inspiration. 
The Beijing’s New Image photo contest is indeed a wonderful opportunity to showcase this creativity.
Before I conclude, let me congratulate all the winners of this competition  for their wonderful and brilliant photos.
Let me also thank the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Beijing Municipal People’s Government and all other departments engaged in holding this event for giving us the opportunity to express our great fondness and love for this beautiful city. 
Let me conclude with a short poem.
The Gingko trees in flaming gold 
Welcome autumn’s flirty winds 
Shedding coats of their beloved leaves 
To welcome winter’s cold.
Beijing is grey again. 
But friends and family and strangers alike 
With words of love warm the air 
As we wait for the colours to return 
To Beijing’s ancient lanes.
Thank you /  Xixie Ni.
尊敬的北京市委宣传部副部长严立强先生，
尊敬的北京市人民对外友好协会常务副会长田雁女士，
你好/晚上好，女士们，先生们
    今晚，我们齐聚一堂，共同见证2016“外国友人眼中的北京新气象”摄影文化活动的圆满收官。然而我们来到这里却不仅为此，更是因为我们都深爱着这座瑰丽的城市。这份爱，在精美的参赛照片中体现的淋漓尽致。
    从故宫的传统建筑结构，到SOHO颇具太空时代感的曲线；从鸟巢体育场的壮观，到胡同特有的亲切与邻里温情，古老与现代在北京和谐共存，激发着我们的创造力，使人人都成为了艺术家。我想，这正是此活动，能够吸引来自各界朋友们踊跃参与的原因所在。不得不说，这些朋友们都深深地迷恋上了北京这座城市。
    我两年前来到北京。在过去的两年中，我和家人们亲眼见证了这座古都的美丽。北京向人们讲述着一个动人的故事，在这里，过去与当下，古老与现代和谐共存，并推动着国家不断向前发展。为此付出努力的人们应当得到我们的赞誉。所以，借此机会，我要向北京市委、市政府的领导与官员们表示祝贺，他们的不懈努力使北京成为了世界顶尖城市之一。
    我本人深爱着艺术。摄影，写作与设计都是我热衷的活动。可以说，我首先是一位艺术家，其次才是一为外交官。这些创造性的活动成为了我日常外交工作的绝佳调剂。这倒并不是说外交官的生活无趣。相信我，它就像最精彩的小说一样有趣而迷人。但是摄影，写诗，或者设计作品却能带给你一种从别处无法获得的充实和满足。创作的过程就是真正的自我释放，通过作品我们得以表达最深处的思想与情感。无疑，生活在北京这座充满灵感的城市，对我们的创作是再好不过的。
   “外国友人眼中的北京新气象”摄影文化活动正是展现我们创造力的绝佳机会。
    在结束发言之前，我要祝贺此届活动的所有获奖者，他们的摄影作品是如此优秀。
我还要感谢北京市人民对外友好协会，北京市人民政府，以及其他所有相关单位，正是你们提供了机会，使我们得以表达对这座瑰丽城市的深深热爱。
    最后，我以一首短诗作为结语。
    金黄的银杏树，在秋风中摇曳身姿。
    叶子片片飘落在冬季的严寒里，
    北京的色彩再次回归萧疏与素净。
    但无论是亲朋，还是素未平生，
    人们都以爱的细语温暖着空气。
    我们翘首期盼，当春回大地，
    京华古巷又现生机。
    谢谢