把握新时代 开创新局面 迈上新台阶

Embrace New Era, Open up New Prospects and Scale New Heights City of London

——刘晓明大使在“英中经济贸易论坛”上的主旨演讲

Keynote Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming

at the China-UK Economic and Trade Forum

尊敬的英国中国商会会长孙煜先生，

尊敬的伦敦金融城市长鲍满诚先生，

各位来宾，

女士们、先生们，

Chairman Sun Yu,

Lord Mayer Alderman Charles Bowman,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

今天是2018年1月18日，在中国文化里，“18”预示着吉祥如意、发家致富、宏图大展，两个“18”更是非常吉利的象征。

Today is a special day. In the Chinese culture, 18 is a lucky number. It is believed to promise good fortune, thriving business and bright prospects. Today is January 18, 2018. With these two 18’s I am sure our good luck will double.

在这样一个吉祥的日子，出席由英国中国商会举办的“英中经济贸易论坛”很有意义。我期待与中英工商界人士一道，共商中英关系的大发展，共谋两国经贸合作的大繁荣。

So, on this auspicious day, I wish to say how delighted I am to join you for the China-UK Economic and Trade Forum organized by the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK. I look forward to lively discussions with you. And I hope this gathering of Chinese and British entrepreneurs will generate some productive ideas – ideas that will boost trade and economic cooperation between our two countries and advance China-UK relations as a whole.

前不久，我回国出席2017年度驻外使节工作会议。习近平主席在接见使节们时指出，放眼世界，我们面对的是百年未有之大变局；世界多极化加速发展，国际格局日趋均衡，国际潮流大势不可逆转。正是在这样一个大发展大变革大调整的时代，中英关系“黄金时代”步入加速发展的“快车道”。

Less than three weeks ago, I was called back to Beijing, as did all the Chinese diplomatic envoys from every corner of the world, for an annual conference. We had an important meeting with President Xi Jinping, where he shared with us his thoughts on the world today. President Xi said, we are now in a world of unprecedented change. Accelerated multi-polarization and increasing equilibrium in the international landscape have become an irreversible trend. This is a time of great progress, tremendous transformation and profound adjustments. This is the big picture against which China and the UK have embarked on a fast track in building the “Golden Era”.

回首2017年，我们充满获得感。中英以庆祝两国建立大使级外交关系45周年为主线，以推进两国关系“黄金时代”深入发展为指引，推动中英关系克服诸多不确定、不稳定因素，实现平稳健康发展。两国领导人在G20汉堡峰会期间举行会晤，并多次通话和互致信函。中英高级别人文交流机制会议、经济财金对话相继成功举行，取得丰硕成果。中英关系“黄金时代”的战略定位更加清晰，双方政治互信进一步加强，合作内涵更加充实。

As we look back at 2017, we have every reason to be proud. We commemorated the 45th anniversary of the ambassadorial diplomatic ties. We took the “Golden Era” a step further. We withstood uncertainties and maintained a sound and steady momentum in China-UK relations. President Xi and Prime Minister May held a successful meeting during the G20 Summit in Hamburg. They also stayed in touch through letters and telephone calls. The annual meetings of China-UK High-Level People to People Dialogue and the Economic and Financial Dialogue produced fruitful results. China and the UK reconfirmed the strategic definition of the “Golden Era”, enhanced political trust, and enriched bilateral cooperation.

一年来，中英双方在贸易、核电、运输、金融、人文等领域合作均取得重要成果。2017年1至10月中英双边贸易额达651亿美元，英国对华出口同比上升11.3%，中国继续是英国增长最快的出口市场之一。欣克利角C项目主体工程开工建设，“华龙一号”技术通用设计审查进入第二阶段。首趟义乌往返伦敦中欧班列开通，实现了中英贸易物流全陆地运输，使“一带一路”延伸到欧洲最西端。总部基地皇家阿尔伯特码头项目正式开工，将为东伦敦地区发展提供强大动力。中国农业银行、浦发银行申请伦敦分行牌照获得英国监管机构批准，中国银行私人银行服务中心正式开业。

The year 2017 has seen fruitful results across the board, from trade to transport, from nuclear power to financial services and from cultural collaboration to people-to-people exchanges. By October 2017, China-UK trade reached $65.1 billion, with British export to China increasing by 11.3% year on year. China remains to be one of the fastest growing export markets for the UK. The construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station has begun. At the center of this project, the generic design assessment of Hualong One technology has entered the second stage. China Railway Express ran its first freight train between China’s Yiwu and London. This offered a new, on-land option for the movement of goods between China and Britain, and extended the “Belt and Road” to the very western end of Europe. Much closer to where we are, the ABP Royal Albert Dock broke ground. This Dock is expected to play a key part in the development of East London. Here in the City, the Bank of China opened its Private Banking Service Centre. Applications from Agricultural Bank of China and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank to set up branches got the go-ahead from British financial regulators.

展望2018年，我们充满期待。今年是中国全面贯彻中共十九大精神的开局之年，是中国改革开放40周年，也是“一带一路”倡议提出五周年。对中英关系而言，2018年也是十分重要的一年。特雷莎·梅首相即将对华访问，这是当前中英关系的重头戏。中英双方对此访都十分重视，期待以此为契机在更大范围、更高水平、更深层次推动中英互利合作，共同打造中英关系“黄金时代”的升级版。为此，我们应抓住“三大机遇”：

In 2018, we have a great deal to look forward to. In China, this year will be the opening year for the implementation of the blueprint of the 19th Party Congress. It also marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up policy and the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. For China-UK relations, 2018 is also an important year. Prime Minister May will pay an official visit to China. This is now high on the agenda of our bilateral relations. Both China and the UK attach great importance to this visit. Both want to take this opportunity to expand, elevate and deepen our mutually-beneficial cooperation. Our goal is “Golden Era” 2.0. To achieve this goal, we need to seize three important opportunities.

第一，抓住中国特色社会主义新时代机遇，推动中英关系“黄金时代”行稳致远。

The socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era creates our first opportunity. This will ensure that the China-UK “Golden Era” is steady and will endure.

中共十九大报告指出，中国特色社会主义进入了新时代。这是中国发展新的历史方位，也标志着中国踏上全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程。中国经济发展进入新时代的一个基本特征是，中国经济已由高速增长阶段转向高质量发展阶段。未来中国将贯彻新发展理念，加快建设创新型国家，建设现代化经济体系。同时，新时代意味着中国将日益走近世界舞台中央，日益为人类做出新的更大贡献。中国将深化全方位外交布局，拓展全球伙伴关系网，推动构建新型国际关系，推动构建人类命运共同体。

The 19th Party Congress point out that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. This is a new historic juncture in China’s development. It marks the beginning of a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects. China’s economic development has also entered a new era. This is marked by the transition from high-speed growth to high-quality growth. China will follow a new development concept; Growth will be driven by innovation; And our economic system will be modernized. This will also be a new era for China’s global role. China will increasingly take centre stage and make greater contribution to mankind. China will deepen all-round diplomacy; China will expand its global partnership network; And China will promote the building of a new-type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

中英关系始终走在中国与西方国家关系前列。中国一贯坚持从战略高度和长远角度看待和发展中英关系，期待与英国加强战略对接，深化在政治、经济、人文以及全球治理等各领域务实合作，实现共同发展。正如梅首相去年11月在金融城演讲中所说，英中携手可塑造世界格局。我相信，随着中国发展进入新时代，中英关系“黄金时代”将面临新的历史性机遇和更加广阔的发展空间。

China-UK relations have always been a leader in China’s relations with other Western countries. China has sought to develop its relations with the UK from a strategic and long-term perspective. We hope to make our development strategies match with that of the UK. We aim to deepen China-UK cooperation in political and economic areas, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and global governance. Working together, our two countries can achieve common development. We are delighted by the message from the British side. Prime Minister May said this at the Lord Mayor’s banquet last November: “I am committed to maintaining the Golden Era of our relationship with China... whose decisions together with ours will shape the world around us.” I believe as China’s development enters a new era, China-UK “Golden Era” will embrace new historic opportunities and more promising prospects.

第二，抓住中国改革开放新阶段的机遇，为中英经贸合作提质升级注入新动力。

Now, let me turn to the second opportunity. China’s reform and opening-up has come to a new stage. This will create a new driving force for upgrading trade and economic cooperation between China and the UK. This is the second opportunity that we must seize.

改革开放是当代中国发展进步的必由之路。今年是中国改革开放40周年。40年来，改革开放使中国已跃升为世界第二大经济体、第二大货物贸易国、第三大吸引外资国和第二大对外投资国，中国取得举世瞩目的发展成就。中国现在是世界上124个国家的最大贸易伙伴国，近年每年为世界经济增长贡献率超过30%。新的一年，中国将以庆祝改革开放40周年为契机，逢山开路，遇水架桥，将改革进行到底，将开放进一步扩大。一方面，我们将深化供给侧结构性改革，激发各类市场主体活力，积极推动政府职能转变，构建系统完备、科学规范、运行有效的制度体系。另一方面，我们将坚持引进来与走出去并重，实行高水平的贸易和投资自由化便利化政策，发展更高层次的开放型经济，推动形成全面开放新格局，促进贸易平衡，有效引导支持对外投资。

For China today, reform and opening up is the only road leading towards growth and progress. Our forty years of experience has proven that this is the right way. We owe our breathtaking development to reform and opening up. Thanks to reform and opening-up, China is now the world’s second largest economy, the second largest trader in goods, the third largest destination for foreign investment, and the second largest outbound investor in the world. Also thanks to reform and opening-up, China is now the largest trading partner for 124 countries. It has contributed over 30% to world economic growth every year in recent years. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up in this new year, China will be further resolved to “cut through mountains and bridge over waters” in order to deepen the reform and open wider to the world. On reform, we will deepen supply-side structural reform and bring out the vim and vigor of various market entities. At the same time, we will transform the functions of governments, and put in place a system of rules and regulations that are well conceived, fully developed and effective. On opening-up, we will continue to open our doors and encourage two-way traffic. We will take measures to increase trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. Our aim is to open up our economy at a higher level and in all aspects, promote balanced trade, and effectively guide and support out-bound investment.

中英经贸合作基础良好，具有很强的互补性。中国的改革开放进程将继续为两国深化在经贸、基础设施、装备制造、高科技、新能源、金融服务等领域合作提供源源不断的动力。去年以来，中国推出一系列对外开放新举措，大幅度放宽市场准入，特别是服务业扩大开放进展明显。中方决定放宽外国投资者投资证券、基金、期货公司的投资比例限制，实施内外一致的银行业股权投资比例规则，还将在未来取消外资投资人身保险业务的投资比例限制。英国企业在相关领域优势突出，可抢抓合作机遇，积极赴华投资兴业，实现互利共赢。中国将于今年11月在上海举办首届国际进口博览会，欢迎英国企业赴华参展参会，开拓双边贸易增长点。

I am glad to say that China and the UK have highly complementary economies. Our economic cooperation and trade are solidly based and will be further powered by continued and deepening of reform and opening-up in China. Sectors that stand to benefit range from trade, infrastructure, equipment manufacturing to high-tech, new energy and financial services. Let me give you an example. Last year, China adopted a series of new open-up measures. These measures have greatly increased market access, especially in the service sector. They include: Raising the limit on foreign ownership in joint-venture firms involved in the securities, fund and futures market; Treating domestic and foreign investors as equals in terms of ownership in joint ventures in the banking sector; And gradually in the near future, removing caps on foreign ownership in life insurance business. In all these areas, British companies have a competitive edge. Therefore, I encourage you to grab this opportunity and build up your business in China. I am sure both China and Britain will benefit from it. Later this year, in November, China’s first International Import Exposition will open in Shanghai. British companies are most welcome there to explore new area to grow our bilateral trade.

第三，抓住“一带一路”合作机遇，打造中英引领全球开放型经济建设新平台。

The third opportunity comes from “Belt and Road”. Seizing this initiative will give China and the UK a new platform and from this platform, we can go on to take the lead in an open global economy.

“一带一路”倡议是中国实行全方位对外开放的重大举措，也是共同促进地区及全球发展振兴的重要公共产品。倡议提出五年来，以和平合作、开放包容、互学互鉴、互利共赢为核心的丝路精神在国际社会产生广泛共鸣，吸引了各国共同参与“一带一路”建设，成果丰硕，前景广阔。中国将继续积极促进“一带一路”国际合作，努力实现政策沟通、设施联通、贸易畅通、资金融通、民心相通，推动生产要素更加有序流动、资源配置效率不断提高、市场资源持续融合。

The Belt and Road Initiative represents a major effort of China to open up on all fronts. It is also an important public good that China provides to the region and the whole world. It is a public good for common development and global economic recovery. This Initiative embodies the spirit of peace and cooperation. It calls for openness and inclusiveness. It advocates mutual learning and mutual benefit. In the past five years since its inception, “Belt and Road” showed enormous appeal all over the world. It has by far attracted wide participation and delivered fruitful results. There is certainly a lot more to be expected going forward. China will continue to work vigorously to advance international cooperation along the “Belt and Road”. Through such cooperation, we will strive for connectivity in policy, infrastructure, trade, finance and people-to-people exchanges. This will in turn allow production factors to flow in a more orderly manner, enable more efficient allocation of resources and deliver the benefit of a better integrated market.

作为全球对贸易和投资最开放、最自由的大国之一，英国是“一带一路”建设的“天然合作伙伴”。英国不仅是第一个申请加入亚洲基础设施投资银行的西方大国，还是继中国之后第二个向亚投行专门基金注资的国家。2017年12月第九次中英经济财金对话期间，两国达成一系列重要合作共识，包括中英将成立首期10亿美元中英双边投资基金，以商业化和市场化为基础建立和运作，支持中英两国及第三方市场的投资机会。相信在双方共同努力下，中英“一带一路”不仅能为两国企业开拓地区及国际市场创造更多机会和平台，还能为促进全球贸易和投资自由化便利化，推动经济全球化朝着更加开放、包容、普惠、平衡、共赢的方向发展做出积极贡献。

The UK is known for being open and free in trade and investment. It is, in the words of Chancellor Hammond, “a natural partner” in the Belt and Road Initiative. In fact, we have seen a few pioneering efforts in this respect. The UK is the first major Western country to apply to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the second country after China to contribute to an AIIB special fund. During the ninth meeting of China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue held in December 2017, our two countries reached important agreements. This includes agreement on the establishment of a bilateral investment fund, with an initial input of $1 billion. This commercially-based and market-oriented fund aims to support investment in the two countries as well as in potential third market. I am confident that with our concerted efforts, China-UK cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative will deliver more benefits. It will create more opportunities and platforms for our companies to explore regional and international market. It will advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation around the world. And it will contribute to making economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and universally beneficial.