曹忠明大使在弗中商会新春招待会上的讲话
Remarks By Ambassador Cao Zhongming at the Chinese New Year Reception Hosted by the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce
2023年2月2日
2 February 2023
尊敬的让蓬首席大臣，
弗中商会董事局成员Luc Delagaye先生，
各位工商界的朋友们，
女士们、先生们，
Your Excellency Minister-President Jan Jambon,
Distinguished Mr. Luc Delagaye, Member of the FCCC Board,
Friends from the Flanders Business Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
大家晚上好！
Good evening!
很高兴出席法兰德斯中国商会举办的兔年新春招待会，与各位新老朋友欢聚一堂，共庆佳节、共话合作并展望未来。借此机会，我祝大家在兔年里健康幸福、事业兴旺！
It gives me great pleasure to join old and new friends at the FCCC Chinese New Year reception to celebrate the Spring Festival, discuss cooperation and look forward to the future. On this occasion, I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Rabbit.
2022年，对中国对世界都不同寻常。去年10月，中国共产党第二十次全国代表大会胜利召开，选举产生了以习近平同志为核心的新的中央领导集体，擘画了全面建设社会主义现代化国家、以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的宏伟蓝图。这次大会对中国和世界都有重大意义和影响。中国将推进高水平开放，推动高质量发展，并以自身发展更好地维护世界和平稳定、促进全球经济可持续发展，为面临众多不确定性挑战的世界增加确定性。
The past year of 2022 is extraordinary for both China and the world. Last October, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was successfully convened. New CPC central leadership with comrade Xi Jinping at its core was elected, and a grand blueprint for building a modern socialist country in all respects and for advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization was mapped out. The Congress is of significant importance for both China and the world. China will advance to promote high-standard opening-up, pursue high-quality development, and contribute more to peace, stability and sustainable economic development of the world with its own development, adding certainty to a world facing many challenges of uncertainties.
2022年，受地缘政治危机和新冠疫情叠加影响，全球范围能源危机、通胀飙升、产业链供应链运行面临重大挑战，世界经济复苏势头转弱、下行压力加大。
Given the compound impact of geopolitical crises and COVID-19, the year 2022 saw an energy crisis, soaring inflation, and major challenges to industrial and supply chains globally. World economic recovery is losing momentum and downward pressure is mounting.
在这样的大背景下，中比经贸合作也面临诸多挑战。但是，我很欣慰地看到，去年中比双边贸易投资仍持续逆势增长。（中国海关）数据显示，2022年，双边货物贸易额达444亿美元，同比增长14%。投资方面，中国对比投资受欧洲营商环境变化有所下滑，但比对华投资保持强劲增长势头。这说明，中比经贸合作具有很强的韧性。取得这样的成绩得益于中比企业家、法兰德斯中国商会在内的各机构的共同努力，你们克服了许多不利因素，做了很多有益工作，在此我向你们表示由衷的敬意！
In such a context, China-Belgium economic and trade cooperation has also encountered multiple challenges. That said, I am encouraged to see that last year, bilateral trade and investment continued to grow. Statistics from China’s General Administration of Customs show that in 2022, bilateral trade in goods totaled US$44.4 billion, increasing by 14 percent year-on-year. On investment, China’s investment to Belgium has slightly declined due to business environment changes in Europe, but investment from Belgium to China has maintained robust growth. In a word, China-Belgium economic and trade cooperation has shown great resilience. Such achievements are attributable to the joint efforts by Belgian and Chinese entrepreneurs, and institutions like FCCC. I would like to pay tribute to you for your good efforts despite the many unfavorable conditions.
女士们，先生们，朋友们，
Ladies and gentlemen,
Friends,
开放带来机遇，合作促进发展。中国改革开放以来，很多比利时企业，尤其是法兰德斯的企业——FCCC的会员单位，已深耕中国市场多年，并取得了非凡成就。我也注意到，中国企业在比投资也为当地经济社会发展做出了重要贡献。
Openness brings opportunities, and cooperation promotes development. Since China started its reform and opening-up, many Belgian companies, especially those from Flanders like members of FCCC, have been deeply rooted in the Chinese market and achieved remarkable success. I have also noted that Belgium-based Chinese companies have made important contributions to local socioeconomic development.
事实证明，中比经贸合作的本质是优势互补、互利共赢。展望未来，两国在生物医药、物流运输、商贸流通、循环经济、绿色发展等领域还有很大的合作潜力。中方愿深化与比经贸合作，不希望看到以虚拟的“安全威胁”和以“减少对华依赖”为名限制两国合作。
It has been proven that China-Belgium economic and trade cooperation is in essence mutually beneficial drawing on each side’s strength. Looking ahead, there is still big potential in the sectors of biopharmaceutics, logistics and transportation, commerce and trade, circular economy and green development for the two countries to unlock. China will deepen economic and trade cooperation with Belgium, while hopes to not see blocks or restrictions set in the name of so-called “national security” and “less dependence on China”.
女士们，先生们，朋友们，
Ladies and gentlemen,
Friends,
作为世界第二大经济体，中国经济发展态势受到各国关注。我要告诉大家的是，中国经济韧性强潜力大活力足，经过努力，2023年经济将实现整体性好转，GDP增速达到甚至超过正常水平是大概率事件。国际货币基金组织已将中国经济增长最新预测从4.4%提升到5.2%。中国过去是、现在是、未来也仍然是外商投资的热土、是国际企业不容忽视的重要市场。中方将不断完善市场化、法制化、国际化的营商环境，同时也希望比方为中国企业在比经营提供公平、友好、非歧视、可持续的发展环境。
As the world’s second largest economy, China’s economic development has always attracted global attention. I want to tell you that given its strong resilience, tremendous potential and great vitality, the Chinese economy will embrace significant improvement in 2023 with hard work. It is highly likely that China’s GDP growth will return to normal level or even outperform. The IMF has revised up its latest forecast of China’s GDP growth to 5.2% to 4.4%. China was, is, and will continue to be a promising land for foreign investments and an important market that international companies cannot ignore. China will further improve the market-oriented and law-based business environment that meets international standards. We also hope that Belgium will provide a fair, friendly, non-discriminatory and sustainable development environment for Chinese enterprises.
法兰德斯是比利时富有经济活力和创新力的地区之一，弗区的许多企业家跟中国的许多企业家一样务实、灵活、勤奋且富有创新精神，给我留下深刻印象。我真诚欢迎让蓬首席大臣带领弗区企业家再去中国走走，欢迎法兰德斯的企业踊跃参加第六届中国国际进口博览会，寻找更多合作机会。中国驻比利时大使馆将一如既往支持两国企业交流合作，并提供相应便利。
Flanders is one of most dynamic and innovative regions in Belgium. I am deeply impressed that like their Chinese counterparts, the many Flemish entrepreneurs are pragmatic, flexible and hard-working with a pioneering spirit. Minister-President Jambon, you are most welcome to lead Flemish business delegations to visit China again. Flemish companies to are welcome to take an active part in the sixth China International Import Expo to explore more business opportunities. The Chinese Embassy in Belgium will continue to support communication and cooperation between companies of the two countries, and to provide necessary facilitation and convenience.
女士们，先生们，朋友们，
Ladies and gentlemen,
Friends,
自1月8日起，中方优化出入境管理政策措施，为中比恢复正常有序的人员往来提供了积极条件，有利于促进两国各领域交流合作。
Since January 8, China has revised measures on cross-border travel, which provides positive conditions to restore normal and orderly personnel exchanges between China and Belgium. This will contribute to exchanges and cooperation in different fields between the two countries.
当前，中国新冠疫情防控工作平稳有序，整体疫情已进入低流行水平。目前中国各地疫情保持稳步下降态势，生产生活已恢复正常。去年有不少企业家询问何时能够回到中国，我愿告诉大家，现在去中国旅行是便利的、安全的，事不宜迟，大家可以尽早规划。
The overall COVID response situation in China is stable and orderly. The COVID wave has subsided and level of new infections has been coming down steadily across the country. Business operation and people’s life have returned to normal. It is convenient and safe to travel to China. You may start planning for your travel now without further ado.
女士们，先生们，朋友们，
Ladies and gentlemen,
Friends,
今年是中国农历兔年，兔子是活力和生命力的象征。在此我祝愿中比务实合作在新的一年迈上新台阶，给各位和两国人民带来更多实惠！
This year is the Year of the Rabbit and the rabbit signifies vitality and longevity. I wish that in 2023, practical cooperation between China and Belgium will be brought to a new level and deliver more benefits to the two countries and peoples.
谢谢大家！
Thank you.