Restart life

Chapter 236 0233 [The Value of Keyboard Warriors Twenty Years Later]

Tickets for Annan's speech were very limited.

The tickets for the Yuanpei Class were secured by Director Zhu; there were only four tickets available from freshman to senior year.

Other departments didn't even have the chance to draw lots; the tickets were mainly distributed to student union cadres and top students from the School of International Relations, as well as students who had participated in the "Peking University Model United Nations Conference".

"Jingle Bell!"

Near the Centennial Hall, where bicycles are parked, a female student with short, ear-length hair is listening to an English tape with headphones on.

The bicycle bell rang, she took off her headphones, stood up, and gracefully extended her hand: "Hello, I'm Zhou Yang."

This senior student, Zhou Yang, is from the School of Foreign Languages ​​at Peking University.

Although Peking University does not have a simultaneous interpreting major, graduate students can choose advanced interpreting courses, which include a simultaneous interpreting module. Currently, Peking University is also preparing to build a simultaneous interpreting classroom.

"Hello, thank you for your help today," Chen Guiliang said.

Zhou Yang laughed and said, "I'll take this opportunity to get some exercise."

As Chen Guiliang locked the car, he asked, "Senior, are you planning to become a diplomat?"

Zhou Yang said, "After graduating with a master's degree, if we want to work in diplomacy, we usually enter the diplomatic translation office or other foreign affairs departments of ministries through the national civil service examination or selection process. We mainly do advanced interpretation and translation."

"That's pretty good, bringing glory to the country," Chen Guiliang said.

The two chatted as they walked into the Centennial Auditorium, where many teachers and students had already gathered.

Chen Guiliang quickly started chatting with the students, focusing entirely on international affairs. Chen Guiliang mainly listened, while the other students did the boasting.

Hearing such outrageous remarks, Chen Guiliang didn't bother to argue.

Around 10 a.m., Principal Xu accompanied those people in.

In addition to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and his wife, there were also senior advisors to the UN Secretary-General, the UNDP Resident Representative in China, the former UN Under-Secretary-General, and the Chinese Ambassador to the UN, among others.

First, President Xu gave a speech, praising Annan extensively, and then took the opportunity to extol Peking University.

The dean of the School of International Relations at Peking University will be the host today.

Finally, it was Annan's turn to speak, and he opened his mouth with a single sentence in Chinese: "Da jia hao!"

The whole audience burst into laughter, accompanied by applause.

Zhou Yang's simultaneous interpreting skills were clearly mediocre; she did well at first, but gradually struggled.

Often, she would only summarize and translate the meaning into Chinese after Annan had already finished speaking.

He said that the Peking University students present were the future builders and leaders of China, playing a crucial role in China's future...

He said that the biggest adjustment facing your generation is to ensure that globalization becomes a positive driving force, one that benefits not only a privileged few but also all of humanity.

He said that pandemics, environmental degradation, nuclear proliferation, and terrorism are challenges for all of us...

"He said... well, scientific innovation, information technology, and economic integration can benefit us all... now he's talking about the Six-Party Talks on the North Korean nuclear issue..."

Halfway through the translation, Zhou Yang was already sweating profusely.

She really wanted to be a simultaneous interpreter, but her mind was racing, and she ended up just doing regular interpreting.

The practical exercise failed!

Annan's speech was short, lasting only about ten minutes.

Chen Guiliang smiled and reassured him, "Don't be nervous."

Zhou Yang sighed, "Sigh, I don't know why I'm nervous, maybe it's because of my identity as a speaker."

Next, all the questions were asked by teachers and students, and Annan was responsible for answering them.

Zhou Yang said, "This student asked how the United Nations should resolve the many conflicts and contradictions that the world and the United Nations are facing today."

"Annan replied that he called on the majority of society to express their opinions, rather than allowing the opinions of a minority to dominate society. Hmm, in this process, it is still necessary to protect people's basic human rights... wait, isn't that a bit of an off-topic answer?"

It was indeed an irrelevant answer, and Chen Guiliang even suspected that his senior had translated it incorrectly.

What is this UN Secretary-General rambling on about?
The next student raised a question about environmental protection.

Zhou Yang said, "Annan was recalling his experience of planting trees with his wife in Nairobi... I'm too lazy to translate the specifics, but basically he was talking about how he planted trees... Here it comes. He encouraged Peking University students not to give up on personal action just because environmental issues are a big problem. They should make their own contributions to the environmental protection world within their capabilities."

Another student was selected, and this time the question was how to achieve world peace.

Most of the questioners were top students from the School of International Relations at Peking University, but the questions they raised were increasingly broad and ambitious.

Asking is pointless!
Chen Guiliang was somewhat disappointed with the performance of both the UN Secretary-General and the Peking University students.

He had expected to see a wonderful exchange today.

Finally, the exciting part is here.

A Peking University student said, "The veto system in the UN Security Council allows superpowers like the United States to manipulate the UN. Can we reform the veto system, uphold the principles of fairness and equality, and pay attention to the demands and voices of developing and small-to-medium-sized countries?"

Chen Guiliang looked like he'd seen a ghost: "Senior brother, is that really what you're asking?"

Zhou Yang said, "I didn't mistranslate. Mr. Annan said he highly appreciates the role of young students around the world in globalization. He also said he would consider proposals to reform the veto system."

Chen Guiliang couldn't take it anymore and immediately stood up and said, "Give me the microphone!"

Previously in the lecture hall, everyone communicated in English, so Chen Guiliang's Mandarin was very eye-catching and instantly attracted the attention of everyone present.

The dean of the School of International Relations, who was acting as a guest host, said, "Give him the microphone."

Chen Guiliang took the microphone: "Mr. Annan, I think your answer just now was very perfunctory."

Senior Zhou Yang stood there, stunned.

Chen Guiliang urged, "Flip it over."

"Oh." Zhou Yang quickly translated.

Annan asked, "Why do you say that?"

Chen Guiliang said, "You know perfectly well that the veto system is impossible to change, yet you say you'll consider this suggestion. Isn't that just being perfunctory? The veto power is the foundation of the United Nations. Without it, the United Nations would have to dissolve. Mr. Annan, how do you plan to reform it? Do you plan to dissolve the United Nations?" Before Annan could answer, the student who asked the question couldn't help but retort, speaking to Chen Guiliang in Mandarin: "How can the foundation of the United Nations' existence be a veto power?"

"Then what do you think it is?" Chen Guiliang asked in return.

The student said, "The United Nations is a place where all countries and regions of the world sit together to discuss and resolve major international issues. The foundation of the United Nations' existence is all mankind's desire for peace and equality."

Chen Guiliang suddenly realized that this is not the era of information explosion.

Although the other party's remarks are naive, they represent a consensus among many people today.

Even though the United States has repeatedly trampled on the authority of the United Nations, people still believe that the United Nations can solve major international issues.

As a seasoned political commentator 20 years from now, Chen Guiliang's common sense seems to be enough to overwhelm many Chinese people today.

Chen Guiliang asked, "Do you know about the League of Nations?"

The student said, "Of course I know."

Chen Guiliang said, "Without veto power, the United Nations, even if it doesn't dissolve, will become a second League of Nations. If veto power is abolished, the United States will definitely withdraw from the United Nations. Think about it carefully, can the United Nations still be called the United Nations without the United States?"

“The United States will not withdraw,” the student said.

Chen Guiliang smiled and said, "So many predecessors have worked so hard to achieve China's status in the United Nations. Now you want to ruin that status? I know you feel that China is always being bullied, but is the reason China is being bullied because of the US's veto power? Have you forgotten that China also has that?"

All the teachers and students in the room were watching the two of them.

Annan was completely bewildered; he couldn't understand Chinese, and no one was there to translate for him.

Chen Guiliang continued, "The United Nations exists because there are five permanent members. It's not that the United Nations came first and then the five permanent members were elected. The foundation of the United Nations' existence is not humanity's desire for peace, but... well, it's not appropriate to say such things publicly."

In this kind of situation, it's really not convenient to speak frankly.

The student was about to argue when the dean of the School of International Relations said, "Next question. You, the boy in the blue shirt in the second row, you've had your hand raised for a long time. You can ask your question."

The conversation continued as if nothing had happened.

Senior Zhou Yang whispered, "You're really bold to question the UN Secretary-General on the spot."

Chen Guiliang smiled and said, "It's alright."

Although he could understand the limitations of his time and the resulting lack of understanding, he still couldn't stand that a Peking University student would say such a thing.

I just hope the student who suggested abolishing the veto power wasn't from Peking University's School of International Relations. Otherwise, it's just ridiculous.

After finally making it to the end of the Q&A session, Chen Guiliang immediately left.

The event continued, with Principal Xu presenting Annan with a tea set. Students also presented Annan with dozens of written suggestions, hoping the United Nations would adopt them.

Everyone took photos of each other and posed for group photos, creating a very harmonious and friendly atmosphere.

"Come back so early?"

My roommate, Tong Zhihong, is playing World of Warcraft.

Chen Guiliang said, "The speech was not long."

Tong Zhihong asked, "Was Annan's speech particularly impressive?"

Chen Guiliang said, "Not bad. What about the other two?"

Tong Zhihong said, "Jiang Junlai is in the study room with his girlfriend. Li Heng went to participate in a student council activity." As he spoke, he started the live stream, "Hello, can you hear me? Why isn't the president online yet?"

“The chairman has something urgent to attend to, so I will take charge in his place today.”

"OK, someone give me a hand?"

Chen Guiliang turned on his computer, took out the historical materials he had collected, and began writing "Those Things About the Ming Dynasty" with great speed.

Tong Zhihong quickly turned the speaker volume down: "Won't this bother you?"

"No, running dungeons is more important," Chen Guiliang said with a smile.

Tong Zhihong chuckled and then laughed.

These guys are actually playing a dungeon around noon, and they even managed to gather a whole group of people.

More proactive than when I'm at work or in class!

After typing for more than half an hour, Chen Guiliang was about to go for lunch when he discovered that Tong Zhihong hadn't finished his dungeon yet.

Chen Guiliang couldn't help but log onto the Peking University BBS and, sure enough, found the post about his argument that morning.

This thread is quite lively.

Underneath the sofas and benches, a student commented: "Which department is that guy from? He actually suggested abolishing the veto power, that's hilarious."

"It must be from the School of Foreign Languages. Most of the students who went to the lecture today were from the School of International Relations and the School of Foreign Languages. I don't believe that students from the School of International Relations would say such a thing."

"Has this student from the foreign language department gone crazy from studying foreign languages?"

"President Chen should have refuted this in English, so that Annan could hear it properly."

"Haha, is it possible that Mr. Chen learned English that's difficult to understand? He brought a female student from the foreign language department to act as his translator today."

"Bringing a translator is pretty outrageous. What's his usual English grade?"

"I'm from the Yuanpei Class. All I know is that President Chen hasn't even passed the CET-4 (College English Test Band 4) yet."

"I look forward to the day when Mr. Chen doesn't get his graduation certificate."

"..."

As Chen Guiliang browsed the posts, he quickly realized something was wrong. How did the thread veer off-topic and start talking about his English level?
These bastards!

Another post, however, was made by a graduate student from the School of International Relations, who discussed Chen Guiliang's speech in a very serious manner.

That is, would the United States withdraw from the United Nations if the veto power were removed?

(End of this chapter)