First ethnic Chinese MP elected to British Parliament

Alan Mak, a Conservative who won a seat representing Havant in the British general election, on Friday became the first elected ethnic Chinese MP in Parliament’s 800-year history.

在周五本次英国大选保守党获胜的同时，Alan Mak成为哈凡特选区的国会议员，成为英国国会800年历史中首位华裔议员。

Mak, 31, was selected from 24 candidates by the local Conservative Association "in one of the toughest selection processes ever undertaken" to replace incumbent David Willetts, who is standing down after 23 years.

Mak，31岁，从当地保守党协会的24名议员候选人中脱颖而出，在“算得上是最艰难的选举过程中”取代退出竞选的现任议员戴维·威利茨，获选为哈凡特选区国会议员。到今年为止，戴维已连任议员23年。

During the final primary, Mak told the selection panel he was a "Thatcherite, patriot, local champion and national voice" who would work tirelessly for the people of Havant.

在初选的最后阶段，Mak 向选举小组表示他是“撒切尔夫人的支持者，是爱国者，是当地冠军，为国民发声，”愿意为哈文特人民孜孜不倦地工作。

Mak, who was born in Yorkshire, is the Cambridge-educated son of working-class Hong Kong immigrants.

Mak出生于约克郡，毕业于剑桥大学，其父母自上世纪七十年代从香港移居英国。

"I see public service as a way of giving back to a wonderful country. My parents always taught me to do good, not just do well," he told local media.

他在接受当地媒体的采访时说：“我认为公共服务是建立美好社会的重要方式。我的父母经常教育我要做好事，不仅仅是把事情做好。”

Christine Lee, founder and chairwoman of the British Chinese Project, and Chinese community in Britain warmly congratulated Mark on his success. The project is a non-partisan, voluntary organization seeking to raise the presence of the Chinese community in the British political arena.

李贞驹是英国华人参政计划的创始人兼主席，她代表英国华人社区对Mak的顺利当选表示祝贺。华人参政计划是一个无党派、志愿性质的组织，力图提升华人在英国政治中的地位和存在感。

"This is an historical moment for the Chinese community in Britain, a milestone," Lee said, adding that Mak’s story proves that great effort can make you succeed.

李贞驹表示：“对于英国的华人社区，这是一个里程碑式的胜利。”她还补充说，Mak的经历证明了只要付出极大的努力，一定会成功。

Mak set a very good example for the younger generation of Chinese in Britain, Lee said.

李说，Mak为在英国的年轻一代华裔树立了榜样。

There were 11 Chinese candidates, including two women, standing in the British election this year, a new record.

在今年的英国大选中，共有11位华裔候选人，其中两名是女性，这也刷新了历史记录。

Analysts noted that it reflects the change in attitude towards politics among the younger generation of Chinese in the UK.

分析人士指出，这反映了英国的年轻一代华裔对政治的态度的改变。

With the rapid growth in the number of skilled immigrants and students from China settling in Britain, there has been a political awakening and a growing desire to have their voices heard, experts noted.

随着越来越多的高知识高技能的中国移民和学生定居英国，他们的政治意识逐渐觉醒，愈加渴望发出自己的声音。

"For a long time the Chinese community has stayed outside the political process in the UK. Chinese candidates who stood in elections have been few. But in the last five years we saw the Chinese getting engaged in a wide range of political events… making use of the British political process to voice their concerns," said Joseph Wu, a broadcaster for the British Chinese Project.

“长期以来，华人社区一直身处英国政治的门外。站出来参选的华人候选人少之又少。但是近五年来，我们看到越来越多的中国人参与到更广泛的政治事件中，利用英国的政治程序发出自己的声音。”华人参政计划的广播员约瑟夫·吴如是说。

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来源:China Daily 双语版爱语吧作者:刘瑞洁