When the topic “people and nature” first caught my eye, I was reminded
of a story about myself and my violin.
I began learning to play the violin when I was eight years old. At
first, it was a very hard thing for me. After my continued efforts, I was
able to play a lot of musical pieces very soon.
I felt so proud of myself that I began to behave arrogantly.
My violin teacher noticed this and told me: “To be a good violin player,
you should first of all love and respect your violin. You should obey the
rules of playing it so as to make harmonious melodies. Remember, play the
violin not only with your hands, but also with your heart and soul. ”
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that nature is to people what my violin
is to me. Isn’t it true that people deal with nature just as I play the
violin? Isn’t it true that we have been so arrogant that we take liberties
with nature, which brings about the discord between nature and ourselves?
Since my violin and I have finally reached harmony, why can’t people and
nature head toward the same direction?
Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot wait. Nor can we afford to wait until
the day when we find no city, no Hilton hotel, no lecture hall to hold any
speech contests in. Let us love and respect nature, nature that is the
violin people have played for thousands of years. Let us treasure it, and
play it with our heart and soul. Let us observe its rules while developing
our industry, modernizing our traffic system, and improving our living
conditions, so that one day, people and nature will together produce the
most beautiful and peaceful music.
On that day, I am sure to be there with my violin, to join the world
orchestra, in playing the ode to harmony, the eternal harmony between
people and nature.
Let my speech today be an overture to that grand symphony.
Thank you.
