The launch ceremony of the 21st Century National English Speaking Competition was held in Beijing Wednesday. The contest is co-sponsored by China Daily, Coca-Cola Greater China and New Oriental School, and organized by 21st Century Education Media. It is the 21th 21st Century Coca-Cola Cup and 14th 21st Century New Oriental Cup National English Speaking Competition.

　　由中国日报社与可口可乐大中华区、新东方联合主办，21世纪英语教育传媒承办的第21届中国日报社“21世纪•可口可乐杯”全国英语演讲比赛、第14届中国日报社“21世纪•新东方杯”全国英语演讲比赛启动仪式于5月13日在京隆重举行。

　　Zhang Hongbin, deputy director of the International Liaison Office of the State Council Information Office, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech. “Professionals with international vision are strongly needed during the process of One Belt and One Road construction being promoted by the country,” according to Zhang. Students could be trained and encouraged through this contest, which can play a part in improving their communication skills.

　　国务院新闻办国际联络局副局长张洪斌出席启动仪式并致辞。他表示，在我国大力推动“一带一路”的建设大业过程中，十分需要高水平的国际化专业人才。“21世纪杯”全国英语演讲比赛既是一个“训练营”，也是一个“推进器”，一直发挥着提升青年学子综合素质，尤其是增强国际交往能力的作用。

　　David Brooks, president for Coca-Cola Greater China and South Korea, shared his feelings of living and working in China for 40 years in his speech. He said great changes have taken place in China’s international communication since reform and opening up. Mastering a foreign language is like putting a credit card in your pocket, he said. You will benefit from both of them in your whole life. Coca Cola has been promoting the 21st Century National English Competition in the past four years and will continue to support the competition, Brooks added.

　　可口可乐大中华区及韩国区副总裁鲁大卫在致辞中分享了他在中国生活、工作40年的亲身感受，赞许了中国改革开放以来在国际化交流方面发生的巨大变化。他将掌握外语的技能比作在口袋里放一张永远花不完钱的信用卡，终身受益。他表示，可口可乐公司不仅在过去的四年连续推广“21世纪杯”，并将在未来继续支持比赛。

　　Wang Ximin, deputy editor-in-chief with China Daily, delivered a speech and announced an innovative adjustment plan. He said this competition has become a traditional one in domestic education circle. “We are always working to establish a platform for school-to-school, student-to-student, and student-to-society communication. We are striving to make greater contributions to English education and healthy growth of students,” said Wang.

　　中国日报社副总编辑王西民致辞并宣布赛事创新性调整计划。他表示，21世纪杯英语演讲比赛已成为国内英语教育界的一项传统赛事，始终致力于搭建起学校与学校、学生与学生、学校与社会交流的平台，为学校的英语教育以及学生的健康成长做出更大贡献。

　　Other guests who attended the ceremony included Tang Wensheng, vice-chairperson of the Soong Ching Ling Foundation; Liu Na, researcher of the liaison office of Working Committee for the Care of the Next Generation; Luo Ping, assistant vice-president of Beijing New Oriental Education Techonology; and Sun Jisheng, assistant to the dean of China Foreign Affairs University. A total of 200 attendees were at the launch ceremony.

　　主席启动仪式的嘉宾还有中国宋庆龄基金会副主席唐闻生、中国关心下一代工作委员会办公室联络处调研员刘娜、北京新东方教育科技(集团)有限公司助理副总裁罗娉，外交学院院长助理孙吉胜等。大赛各协作单位、院校代表、指导教师、学生选手及新闻媒体代表等近200人共同见证了新一届赛事的启动。