天涯海角存知己

There are friends in the world

潮漲潮落，燕來雁歸。

Tides rise and fall, swallows come and geese return.

一轉(zhuǎn)眼，周興和的發(fā)展戰(zhàn)略從國內(nèi)轉(zhuǎn)向海外，他和夫人小王，以及星河公司的員工，已經(jīng)在世界各地奔波3年多了。

In a blink of an eye, since Zhou Xinghe's development strategy had shifted from the domestic to overseas, he, his wife, Wang, and the staff of Xinghe Company had been travelling around the world for more than three years.

天高云淡，望斷南飛雁。在國內(nèi)的親人和朋友遙望南方，盼望周興和等人能早日回國時，一件天大的喜事卻不期而至！

The sky was high and the clouds were light. The relatives and friends in the country looked to the south, looking forward to Zhou Xinghe and others can come back as soon as possible, and then a big happy event came unexpectedly!

2007年10月初，周興和得到埃塞俄比亞政府通知，鑒于周興和對埃國作出的重大貢獻(xiàn)，經(jīng)埃國國會通過，總統(tǒng)批準(zhǔn)，決定授予他“政府杰出貢獻(xiàn)獎”！并且吉爾瑪總統(tǒng)要親自給他頒發(fā)獎杯和證書——埃政府的這個獎勵，代表著這個國家的最高榮譽(yù)。這個榮譽(yù)，能授予一個外國公民，這是極其少見的，能得到這個榮譽(yù)，那是多少人夢寐以求的愿望?。?/p>

In early October of 2007, Zhou Xinghe was informed by the Ethiopian government that in view of Zhou Xinghe's great contribution to Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Parliament passed and the President approved the decision to award him the "Outstanding Contribution award". And President Gilmar himself would present him with a trophy and a credential - an award that represents the country's highest honor. This honor awarded to a foreign citizen, is extremely rare, and it is a dream of many people to obtain this honor!

得到這個消息后，周興和竟浮想聯(lián)翩夜不能寐。這使他想起前些年在國內(nèi)孜孜不倦的追求、披星戴月的奮斗、苦不堪言的掙扎，但他得到了什么呢？在他看來，表面上是得到了鮮花和掌聲，實(shí)質(zhì)上得到是一團(tuán)無休無止糾纏不清的亂麻，哪里能談得上施展自己的才華，實(shí)現(xiàn)自己報(bào)負(fù)呢？而在這里，他只是做了一個中國公民應(yīng)該做的事情，不但收獲著政治和經(jīng)濟(jì)的成果，還得到了他國政府最高的褒獎，得到他國人民真誠的友誼。此情此景，周興和才真正覺得在天涯找到了知己，在海角覓到了知音。

After getting the news, Zhou Xinghe could not sleep at night. It reminded him of the tireless pursuits, the day-and-night strives, the miserable struggles of years past. But what had he gained? In his opinion, he had gotten flowers and applauses on the surface, but in essence was a group of endless entangled mess, not to talk about displaying his talent, or achieve own ambition? But here, he only did what a Chinese citizen should do. He not only gained the political and economic achievements, but also won the highest praise from other governments and the sincere friendship of other people. Zhou Xinghe really felt there were confidants in the overseas, and bosom friends in the world.

萬籟俱寂，夜色蒼茫。周興和緩緩移步窗前，一陣清風(fēng)吹來，撩起的窗簾一角從他臉上拂拭而過。他推南窗望中天，但見銀河橫亙繁星閃爍，對著異國這已經(jīng)熟悉的山川，他輕輕吐了口氣……

Everything was still and the night was deep. As Zhou Xinghe walked slowly to the window, a breeze blew and a corner of the lifted curtain brushed his face. He pushed the window and looked out into the sky, saw the stars shining across the Milky Way, and sighed a little towards the foreign land, where the mountains he knew so well...

幾年的辛勞，真應(yīng)了蒲松齡老先生那句話：“有志者，事竟成，破釜沉舟，百二秦關(guān)終屬楚；苦心人，天不負(fù)，臥薪嘗膽，三千越甲可吞吳?！边@幾年，他們除了與埃塞俄比亞愉快地合作，與俄羅斯、瑞典、埃及、蘇丹、沙特、科威特、南非等10多個國家的合作也取得了成功，這些國家分別引進(jìn)了“FGC”技術(shù)和設(shè)備，并在這些國家建立了20多個輕質(zhì)建材生產(chǎn)廠。

Years of hard work, just as the saying of Pu Songling: "Where there is a will there is a way. Just like Xiang Yu, who burned his bridge and finally made the pass of Qin State all belong to Chu State. Heaven will never disappoint a man who works hard. Just like Gou Jian, who underwent self-imposed hardships and destroyed Wu State with only 3,000 troops of Yue State." In recent years, in addition to their happy cooperation with Ethiopia, their cooperation with Russia, Sweden, Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, South Africa and more than 10 other countries had also been successful, and these countries introduced "FGC" technology and equipment, and set up more than 20 lightweight building materials production plants in these countries.

2004年7月，蘇丹政府與星河公司簽訂了投資4000萬美元、建設(shè)15個“FGC”輕質(zhì)墻材廠的協(xié)議。蘇丹政府對這個項(xiàng)目建設(shè)極其重視，副總統(tǒng)曾兩次為在蘇丹建成的工廠剪過彩。當(dāng)時，這位副總統(tǒng)表示，要免費(fèi)贈送星河公司500畝土地，用于建立星河公司“FGC”科技園區(qū)，但因條件不太成熟，周興和謝絕了他們。

In July of 2004, the Sudanese Government signed a US$40 million agreement with Xinghe Company for the construction of 15 "FGC" lightweight wall plants. The Sudanese government attached great importance to the construction of the project, and the Vice President had twice cut the ribbon for factories built in Sudan. At the time, the Vice President offered to give Xinghe Company 500 mu of land for the establishment of Xinghe "FGC" Science Park, but Zhou Xinghe turned them down because the conditions were not permitted.

在蘇丹建廠時，周興和正忙于籌備埃塞俄比亞“中非星河科技園”建設(shè)，沒時間去參加那些廠的落成儀式。那里的工作人員向周興和報(bào)告說，蘇丹總統(tǒng)薩爾瓦多因?yàn)閲绿?，特委托他夫人參加了其中兩個廠的落成儀式。薩爾瓦多總統(tǒng)夫人曾親手將他們國家的國旗，畫到了星河公司建設(shè)的廠房墻上。

When constructing the factory in Sudan, Zhou Xinghe was too busy preparing for Ethiopia's "China-Africa Xinghe Science Park" to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the factory in Sudan. Staff there reported to Zhou Xinhe that the Sudanese President Salvador had been too busy to attend the ceremony and delegated his wife for two ceremonies of the factories. The first lady Ms. Salvador painted her country's flag on the factory wall built by Xinghe Company.

2005年3月，周興和應(yīng)埃及政府邀請，飛抵開羅，與他們建設(shè)部長會談后，總統(tǒng)穆巴拉克在總統(tǒng)府專門接見了他，詳細(xì)了解了“FGC”在別國推廣使用情況，以及在埃及建廠發(fā)展的前景等，并對星河建材在本國推廣使用做了專門的批示。

In March of 2005, Zhou Xinghe flew to Cairo at the invitation of the Egyptian government and held talks with their construction minister. After that, President Mubarak received him in the presidential palace. He got a detailed understanding of the promotion and use of FGC in other countries, as well as the development prospect of building factories in Egypt, and made special instructions on the promotion and use of Xinghe Building Materials in his own country.

2005年8月，埃塞俄比亞首相梅萊斯簽署文件，免費(fèi)贈送星河公司在首都郊區(qū)的225畝土地，用于打造“中非星河科技園”，連辦理土地證的費(fèi)用都全免。四川科技廳廳長楊國安聞訊后，喜不自禁，專門給周興和發(fā)來賀電表示祝賀。在埃國前期生產(chǎn)取得成功的基礎(chǔ)上，2006年10月23日，埃國務(wù)部長阿可貝與周興和簽訂了《中埃戰(zhàn)略合作項(xiàng)目協(xié)議》，由星河公司前期投資5億元人民幣，建設(shè)8個“FGC”建材生產(chǎn)廠。

In August of 2005, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles signed a document to give Xinghe Company 225 mu of land on the outskirts of the capital for building a "China-Africa Xinghe Science & Technology Park". Even the fee for obtaining the land certificates was free of charge. After hearing the news, Yang Guo’an, Director-General of Sichuan Science and Technology Department, was so pleased that he sent a congratulatory telegram to Zhou Xinghe. On the basis of the success of Ethiopia's early production, Minister of State Affairs Akobbe and Zhou Xinghe signed the "China-Ethiopia Strategic Cooperation Project Agreement" on October 23, 2006, in which Xinghe Company shall invest RMB 500 million in the early construction of 8 "FGC" building materials production plants.

周興和“走出去”的戰(zhàn)略，在世界各地取得巨大成功。他不但創(chuàng)造了可觀的社會和經(jīng)濟(jì)效益，而且贏得了各國人民的尊重和友誼。

Zhou Xinghe's "going-abroad" strategy had achieved great success all over the world. He not only created considerable social and economic benefits, but also won the respect and friendship of people of all countries.

2007年10月28日下午，頒獎儀式如期在總統(tǒng)府舉行。

On the afternoon of October 28, 2007, the award ceremony was held as scheduled in the presidential palace.

和煦陽光照射在總統(tǒng)府前的草坪上，繁茂的植物隨風(fēng)輕輕搖曳，稀有的花卉在陽光下盡情開放，仿佛在歡迎著來參加頒獎盛典的貴客們。

Warm sunshine was shining on the lawn before the presidential palace, luxuriant plants swayed gently with the wind, rare flowers blossomed under the sunshine, as if welcoming the distinguished guests who came to attend the grand award ceremony.

頒獎儀式在總統(tǒng)府大廳舉行，氣氛熱烈而莊重?？偨y(tǒng)吉爾瑪以及埃國務(wù)部長、建設(shè)部長、環(huán)境保護(hù)與建設(shè)部長等政府官員，以及我國駐埃塞俄比亞大使林琳及有關(guān)人員出席了這次頒獎儀式。

The ceremony was held in the hall of the presidential palace with a warm and solemn atmosphere. President Gilmar, Minister of State Affairs, Minister of Construction, Minister of Environmental Protection and Construction and other government officials, as well as our Ambassador to Ethiopia Lin Lin and other relevant personnel attended the award ceremony.

吉爾瑪總統(tǒng)首先致辭。

President Gilmar firstly addressed the audience.

“在星河秸稈廠剪彩儀式上，我曾說過，‘星河的專利技術(shù)可改變非洲的建材歷史’！通過幾年的實(shí)踐，證明了我們的這一結(jié)論是正確的！”總統(tǒng)吉爾瑪在致辭中，他這樣深情地講道，“園區(qū)8個廠建成投產(chǎn)后，解決了當(dāng)?shù)厣先f人就業(yè)，建設(shè)了近10萬棟民居；由于周興和先生幫助我們找到菱鎂礦，使我們新建了一個企業(yè)，也解決了1000多人就業(yè)，并取得良好的社會和經(jīng)濟(jì)效益。經(jīng)財(cái)政結(jié)算證明，用周興和先生發(fā)明的技術(shù)建房，可節(jié)約50%的造價；今后用他的外墻、樓板建房可節(jié)約70%的造價。中國的周興和先生，是我們埃塞俄比亞真正的朋友，我代表全國人民感謝他！……”

"At the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Xinghe Straw Factory, I once said, 'Xinghe's patented technology can change the history of building materials in Africa'! Through years of practice, it has been proved that my conclusion is correct!" In his speech, President Gilmar said with deep affection, "After the completion and operation of eight factories in the Park, tens of thousands of local people have been employed and nearly 100,000 residential buildings have been built. Thanks to Mr. Zhou Xinghe's help in finding magnesite, we have set up a new enterprise, provided more than 1,000 jobs, and achieved good social and economic benefits. The financial settlement proves that the construction cost can be reduced by 50% by using the technology invented by Mr. Zhou Xinghe. In the future, the cost of building with his outer walls and floors can be saved by 70%. Mr. Zhou Xinghe from China is a true friend of Ethiopia. On behalf of the whole country, I would like to thank him..."

我駐埃大使林琳在講話中，多次舉起右手，有些激動地講道：“星河公司為國爭了光！”

The Ambassador to Ethiopia, Lin Lin, raised his right hand many times in his speech and said with some excitement, "Xinghe Company has won the glory for our country!"

在輕快的樂曲和人們熱烈的掌聲中，周興和走上主席臺，從吉爾瑪總統(tǒng)手中接過金光閃閃的獎杯和證書。華燈燦放，鎂燈閃爍。獎杯和證書上，鐫刻著埃國國徽和周興和的名字。在熱烈的掌聲中，周興和舉起獎杯和證書，站在他人生的一個新的高點(diǎn)上，頻頻向全場的人們致意。在富麗堂皇的總統(tǒng)府大廳內(nèi)，十幾個記者跑前忙后，記錄著這莊嚴(yán)神圣的歷史時刻。

In the lilting music and enthusiastic applause of the crowd, Zhou Xinghe walked onto the rostrum to receive the glittering trophy and certificate from President Gilmar. Bright lights shone and camera lights flashed. The trophy and certificate were engraved with the national emblem of Ethiopia and the name of Zhou Xinghe. In the warm applauses, Zhou Xinghe held up the trophy and certificate and stood on a new high point in his life, frequently saluting the audience. In the grand hall of the presidential palace, a dozen journalists rushed to record the solemn and sacred historic moment.

“周興和先生，能談?wù)勀藭r此刻的感受嗎？”新華社駐埃記者見周興和走下主席臺，搶先將話筒遞到他面前。

"Mr. Zhou Xinghe, can you tell me something about your feelings at this moment?" The Xinhua News Agency journalist in Ethiopia saw Zhou Xinghe walking off the rostrum and offered the microphone to him first.

“我個人能得到這個榮譽(yù)，當(dāng)然很高興。但我認(rèn)為，這個榮譽(yù)，它不應(yīng)該僅僅屬于我個人，而是應(yīng)該屬于我的祖國和人民?！敝芘d和停了停，接著講到，“我周興和只是一個微不足道的中國公民，但能為增強(qiáng)中國人民和非洲人民的友誼，做一點(diǎn)力所能及的事情，我感到很自豪；我能用自己發(fā)明的技術(shù)，讓非洲人民能居有定所，我感到很欣慰?！?/p>

"Personally, I am very happy to receive this honor. But I believe that this honor should not belong to me alone, but to my country and people." Zhou Xinghe paused and then continued, "I, Zhou Xinghe, am a trivial Chinese citizen, but I am proud to do what I can to strengthen the friendship between the Chinese people and the African people. I'm glad that I can use the technology that I invented to give the people in Africa a place to live."

頒獎儀式結(jié)束后，吉爾瑪總統(tǒng)舉行晚宴，招待了所有來賓。他祝酒詞中講到：“周興和先生為我們國家做出了貢獻(xiàn)，我代表全國人民敬他三杯酒！”說完，他走到周興和面前，對他說道，“這三杯酒，你自己開好酒瓶，自己倒上。”

After the award ceremony, President Gilmar held a dinner for all the guests. In his toast, he said, "Mr. Zhou Xinghe has made great contributions to our country. On behalf of the whole nation, I would like to propose three toasts to him." Then he went up to Zhou Xinghe and said to him, "you can open your own bottle and pour three glasses of wine for yourself."

“尊敬的吉爾瑪總統(tǒng)，謝謝您?！笨偨y(tǒng)的這個舉動，在他們國家，算是最高禮遇了。周興和盡管平時不喝酒，但他在吉爾瑪總統(tǒng)面前，豪爽地和總統(tǒng)碰了杯，將三杯酒全部飲下。

"Your Excellency President Gilmar, thank you." The President's gesture was the highest compliment in his country. Zhou Xinghe, though not usually a drinker, nobly clinked the President’s glass and drank all three glasses of wine.

“好?！奔獱柆斂偨y(tǒng)也干了自己杯中的酒，他笑吟吟地拍了拍周興和的肩膀，對他點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭，然后離去。

"Good." President Gilmar drained his own glass, smiled, patted Zhou Xinghe on the shoulder, nodded to him, and left.

當(dāng)天晚上，周興和醉了。他陶醉在成功的喜悅中。

That night, Zhou Xinghe got drunk. He was intoxicated in his success.