Remarks by Chargé d’affaires Cindy Termorshuizen July 9, 2016, the Great Hall of the People

Dr. Francis Pang; Mr. John Mclaughlin, Vice-Minister of New Brunswick Education; Mr. Shawn Graham, Pre-Governor  of New Brunswick; Mr.TAO Xiping; Dear students, parents, and BCCSC’s staff:

I would like to be the representative of the Canada Embassy in China to say: “Congratulation to all the students who will graduate today.”

You should be proud of the skills, knowledge and friendship you have received from BCCSC, which will company you a long time.

During your program, you have acquired a capacity to understand two cultures, and you can act as a bridge between them.  Each one of you has, in your own way, the capacity to contribute to the further deepening and broadening of the understanding and friendship between Canada and China.  Many of you will go on to pursue post-secondary studies in Canada, and you all have the potential to become goodwill ambassadors between our two countries, each in your chosen area.

During this final year of your studies, we have celebrated the 45th anniversary of Canada-China diplomatic relations this year, and the Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchange in both our countries. As senior representatives of both countries have remarked, education is and will continue to be a critical element in the Canada-China relationship.  Education cooperation and international education exchanges create strong people-to-people links. In turn, these links increase our citizens’ understanding of each other’s values, enable greater cooperation, cultural and scientific exchanges, trade and investment, and aid our ability to mutually prosper in the global economy.

Your graduation of 2016 is a perfect example of this.  You have completed an important phase of your life based on a Canada-China foundation.  And your connections to China, and to Canada, will endure.

Now, please allow me to give you some advice.  You all know by now that success, however you measure and define it comes from consistent and disciplined work.  The world is constantly changing and we are faced with unprecedented challenges and opportunities.  We need young people like you to step up.  Be open to change, embrace it.

I know you want to take on this responsibility, and I know you are ready for it.  Don't shy away from an endeavor because you are afraid you might fail - instead, embrace the risk and adapt to the outcomes.  Find work that you love.  Work that has meaning to you, and put in constant and disciplined effort to follow that passion wherever it may lead.

Congratulation to you again and good luck to you.

尊敬的Francis Pang博士，尊敬的纽宾士域省教育部副部长John McLaughlin阁下, 尊敬的纽宾士域省前任省长Shawn Graham 先生，Tao Xiping 先生，亲爱的同学们，家长们，各位教职员工：

我谨代表加拿大驻华大使馆向今年所有来自北京，深圳，安徽，贵阳，长沙和兰州的中加学校的毕业生献上我最衷心的祝贺。

你们应该为通过所学课程取得的成绩，获得的知识，技能以及建立的友谊而骄傲。这些将会伴随你们很长时间。

现在请允许我给你们一些建议。要想成功，就要不断的努力。世界一直在变，我们要面对一些不可预测的挑战和机会，所以需要你们这些新鲜的血液。不断地改变自己，提升自己吧。

我知道你们已经做好肩负重担的准备，不要害怕失败，勇敢地去尝试。找到你喜爱的工作，释放激情，实现梦想吧。

你们就是完美的例子。在中加，你们完成了人生的重要阶段。你们对中国和加拿大的纽带作用，将经久不衰。

经过在中加学校的不断学习，你们不仅理解了加拿大和中国的文化差异，也是两国文化的桥梁。你们进一步促进了两国的友谊和相互理解。你们中的很多人将在加拿大继续深造，并有可能会成为两国的大使。

今年是中国加拿大建交45周年，也是两国文化交流年。就像两国代表所说的那样，不管是现在还是将来，“教育”都是影响两国关系的重要元素。国际教育合作和交流搭建起了两国之间的纽带。这不仅加深了两国人民的相互理解和合作，也促进了两国在文化，科学，贸易投资等各个领域的交流，同时也推动了全球经济的发展。

最后，请再一次接受我对你们今天毕业的衷心祝贺，并祝你们将来取得成功。