中國是一個有著 5000 多年悠久歷史的文明古國。長期以來，中國人民以自己的勤勞智 慧創(chuàng)造了燦爛的文明，為人類文明進步作出了重大貢獻。北京就是一座有 3000多年悠久歷史的文明古城，800多年前北京開始建都。

　　China is an ancient civilization with a history of over 5,000 years. The Chinese people have made major contribution to human progress by creating the splendid Chinese civilization with hard work and ingenuity. The city of Beijing, with its long history of over 3,000 years, stands testimony to that effort. Its establishment as the capital city began over 800 years ago.

　　離今晚會場人民大會堂不遠的地方，就是舉世聞名的故宮。故宮始建于600年前，是世界上現(xiàn)存最大最完整的古代宮殿建筑群。從歷史悠久的北京和建筑精美的故宮這些縮影中，人們就能夠生動地感受到文明源遠流長、博大精深的深厚底蘊，感受到民族自強不息、頑強奮進的壯闊歷程。

　　A short distance from the Great Hall of the People, where we are meeting right now, is the world-renowned Imperial Palace. First built some 600 years ago, it is the largest and most complete existing architectural complex of ancient royal palace in the world. From the time-honored capital and its majestic palace, people can feel vividly the long standing and profound richness of the Chinese civilization, and the grand course of historical development that the Chinese nation has followed with a dauntless and dashing spirit.