驻欧盟使团团长张明大使接受“政治家”网站采访
Ambassador Zhang Ming’s Interview with the Politico
2018年4月17日
17 April 2018
问：美国总统特朗普对中国发起了大规模贸易行动，但美商务部长也表示希望同中国进行谈判。您认为中美之间是否会达成某种交易，以避免贸易战的爆发？
Q: Donald Trump has launched major trade action against China, but his Commerce Secretary has also said he wants to negotiate with China. Do you think a deal can be found that responds to U.S. criticism and avoids a bigger trade war?
答：正如你所说，最近美国政府针对包括中国在内的多个贸易伙伴采取了232、301调查。这一系列单边主义、保护主义举措引起整个国际社会的高度关注。媒体上也能看到许多对中美可能爆发“贸易战”的讨论。
A: As you rightly pointed out, the U.S. administration has recently launched a series of unilateral and protectionist actions, such as the 232 and 301 measures, against its trading partners, including China. And this has been closely watched by the whole international community. Indeed, there have been wide discussions in media about a potential trade war.
如果“贸易战”真的打响，我认为这是美国一手造成的，其行为完全违反了世界贸易组织的精神和基本原则。关于232调查，表面看是美国与中国、欧盟等贸易伙伴之间的双边贸易摩擦，本质上却是单边主义对多边主义、贸易保护主义对自由贸易的挑衅。关于301调查，这已不是美国第一次以国家安全之名，行保护主义之实。1974年以来，美国针对世贸组织其他成员国的301调查就发起了125起，其中27起是针对欧盟的。这种无视规则、采用胁迫手段处理经贸问题的做法本身就是一个错误，后果非常严重，可能会破坏整个国际贸易体系，把刚刚出现转机的世界经济重新拉回到衰退的灾难中。因此，美方此举引起国际社会普遍反对和强烈谴责。
If there is indeed a trade war, I would say that’s all started by the United States, as the US move completely goes against the spirit and principles of the WTO. Regarding 232, it appears to be bilateral trade frictions between the United States and its trading partners like China and the EU, but in essence this is a challenge posed by unilateralism to multilateralism, and by protectionism to free trade. As to 301, it’s not the first time for the United States to resort to such protectionist moves. From 1974 up to this year, the United States has launched 125 unilateral investigations under Section 301 against other members of the WTO, 27 of which were against the European Union. It is wrong to deal with economic and trade issues through coercion and in disregard of WTO rules. The consequences will be very serious, because it is going to undermine the global trading system and the just-showing positive signs of global economic recovery. It might even risk pulling the global economy back into recession. This is why the U.S. move has invited a strong backlash from the wider international community and has been seriously condemned.
中方一向倡导多边主义，反对单边主义，主张维护以规则为基础的国际贸易体系。对于美国无视规则发起的挑衅与威胁，中方表示谴责和反对。国际社会应当团结起来，坚定维护多边主义，反对单边主义，避免将世界经济拖入灾难。同时，中方一贯主张，国与国之间应在平等、相互尊重的基础上，通过协商谈判的方式解决争端和分歧。
China always stands for multilateralism and the rules-based global trading system and fights against unilateralism. Thus we condemn and oppose the U.S. defiance of rules and its threat to China. In my opinion, it is important for all members of the international community to stand up in unity for multilateralism and against unilateralism, and to avoid a worldwide economic catastrophe. China is always of the view that disputes and differences shall be resolved through consultation and negotiation. But such negotiation must be based on equality and mutual respect.
问：您认为中美是否可能达成交易，避免形势升级，爆发“贸易战”？
Q: Do you think there is any way you can avoid this to escalate into a bigger trade war by finding a deal with the United States?
答：中方一向有诚意通过谈判解决分歧，前提是谈判应在平等和相互尊重的基础上进行。与此同时，如果美方执意使形势升级，中方也将进行坚决反击。
A: China always has the sincerity to solve differences through negotiation as long as it is on the basis of equality and mutual respect. At the same time, if the United States insists on escalating the situation, China is always prepared to fight back with every determination.
问：刚才您提到单边行动带来的风险，认为这不仅会影响到中国，也会威胁到欧盟。我们注意到中欧双方正就此进行密集沟通，您能否介绍一下沟通的具体情况和预期成果？
Q: You mentioned the risk of unilateral action, which is not only a problem for China but also the European Union. We understand China is also in close talks with the EU about this problem. Can you tell us a bit more about how concrete these talks are, and what the outcome could be?
答：维护多边主义、反对单边主义，这是包括中国和欧盟在内的国际社会的高度共识。中欧双方一直就此保持着密切沟通。考虑到当前国际形势面临的挑战，中欧相互协调、合作自然更加紧密，这对维护世界经济的健康发展势头是有益的。我们将尽全力争取最好的结果。
A: There is a very broad consensus among the international community, including the EU and China, to uphold multilateralism and oppose unilateralism. In this regard, China and the EU have always maintained close contacts. Given the challenge right now in the international circumstances, China and the EU have even closer contacts and coordination. I believe such communication, coordination and cooperation will be helpful as in a sense it can help keep the healthy momentum of global economy. We will do our best to achieve the best possible results out of the talks.
问：美国声称世贸规则有问题，应该进行改革。欧盟方面已表示愿意修改部分世贸规则，例如将补贴的通报机制改为强制性。中国是否会支持有关做法？
Q: The U.S. has criticized the WTO and said it want changes. The EU has already signaled willingness to change some rules, for example on notifying subsidies and making this practice mandatory. Is China open to such changes?
答：坦率地讲，美国提出的诉求很多，我想没有人说得清楚它具体要什么。世贸组织不属于中国，也不属于美国、欧盟或任何一方，而是属于整个国际社会大家庭，不能由一家说了算。国际治理应当按照民主程序进行，有事大家商量着办。中方对国际治理体系的改革和完善一向持开放态度。
A: My first point is that indeed the United States has a lot of complaints, and no one can tell for sure what it actually wants at all. And my second point is that the WTO belongs to the whole international community. It doesn’t belong to China, the U.S. or the EU alone. So any matter related to the organization cannot be determined by one party alone. This is the democratic spirit of global governance. Since this matter concerns the interest of all parties, it needs to be dealt with through wide consultation. As for China, we always stand for improvement and development of the global governance system.
问：去年底，欧盟和美国、日本提出一项旨在共同应对产能过剩、窃取知识产权、市场扭曲和强制技术转让等问题的联合倡议，这些问题似乎都是针对中国的。中方是否担心世界主要经济体联手对华？
Q: The EU, U.S. and Japan also launched a trilateral initiative end of last year, which aims to take action against overcapacity, intellectual property theft, market distorting subsidies or forced technology transfers-all issues they criticize China of. Is China concerned that some of the biggest global economies are teaming up against it?
答：世界上不同的国家或国家集团在经贸领域有一些不同看法，这是很自然的事情。各方通过二十国集团、世贸组织等多边框架进行讨论，通过谈判达成共识、解决问题，也是很正常的。当前国际社会面临的最大挑战是，以规则为基础的多边贸易体系正面临单边主义的威胁，世界经济发展的良好前景可能遭到破坏。
Q: It is quite normal and natural for members of the international community to have different views on economic and trade issues, and they could well be discussed under multilateral frameworks like G20 or WTO and get resolved through negotiation. The biggest problem right now is that the rules-based multilateral trading system is being challenged by unilateralism and the prospects of the global economy are being threatened.
问：欧盟表示正在“认真研究”在世贸组织就知识产权保护等问题发起对华诉讼。您是否担心中欧间的经贸关系会因此恶化？
Q: The European Commission said it is “closely examining” the launch of WTO cases against China over issues such as intellectual property. Are you concerned that trade relations with Brussels could deteriorate because of such actions?
答：我来到布鲁塞尔工作已有半年时间。在这期间，我同欧盟机构、智库以及企业界的同事、朋友们进行了广泛接触。通过交流，我对包括经贸关系在内的中欧各领域合作持乐观态度。我认为中欧经贸关系的基本面是好的，本质是互利共赢的，发展前景也是广阔的。
A: I have been here in Brussels for almost half a year and over the past six months I have been talking to colleagues from the EU institutions, think tanks and the business communities. And from my engagement with European friends, I'm very optimistic about China-EU cooperation in a wide range of areas, including in the area of trade. In my view, fundamentally, China-EU relations are in good shape. This relationship is by nature mutually beneficial and enjoys broad prospects for further development.
中欧关系历经40多年发展，如今已形成你中有我、我中有你的利益交融格局。以经贸合作为例，中欧均是彼此最大的贸易伙伴之一。这背后的强大支撑是双方的共同理念，即双方均倡导以规则为基础的多边贸易体系。当然，我们还面临许多共同挑战，例如气候变化、恐怖主义、全球治理及国际、地区热点问题等。在这方面，中欧之间的沟通协调非常密切。双方都有共同的强烈意愿，加强彼此信任、开展互利合作，以中欧合作的稳定性来应对国际形势的不确定性。
With over 40 years of diplomatic relations, we can say: China needs Europe, and Europe needs China as well. On economic and trade relations, China and the EU are now one of the largest trading partners for each other. This is supported by a shared commitment to the rules-based multilateral trading system. Also, given the various challenges we are facing now, China and the EU have effective coordination and cooperation on issues such as climate change, terrorism, global governance and other hotspot issues. China and the EU share a strong commitment to furthering our cooperation with greater mutual trust and to countering the instability in the global environment with a stable China-EU relationship.
中欧经贸关系体量巨大，发展迅速，彼此间存在一些摩擦和分歧也在所难免。这些摩擦和分歧都处于正常范围，没有必要过分担忧或人为放大。作为中国驻欧盟使团团长，我也会非常认真地加以对待，与欧洲同事共同努力，妥善管控有关分歧。事实上，我们双方正努力就大部分摩擦、分歧寻求解决的办法，但问题的解决需要一个过程。随着中欧经贸合作的蛋糕越做越大，今天看似突出的问题，明天可能就不再是问题。更重要的是，中欧间有定期的中欧领导人会晤、经贸高层对话、高级别战略对话、人文交流机制对话、经贸混委会、经贸工作组会议等70多个对话交流机制，为双方增进相互理解与信任、妥善管控分歧提供了重要平台。
Given the large size and the fast growth of China-EU trade, it is not surprising and quite understandable for us to have some frictions and differences. These frictions and differences are within the normal range, and there is no need to overreact to them or exaggerate them artificially. But as the Chinese ambassador to the EU, I will take them very seriously and I’m ready to work closely with my EU colleagues to manage these differences well. Actually, as for most of the frictions and differences we are having now, the two sides are already working very hard to seek solutions. But this is a process that takes some time. As the pie of China-EU economic and trade cooperation gets bigger and bigger, the problems existing today might disappear tomorrow. What’s more important is that China and the EU have more than 70 mechanisms for dialogue at different levels. For example, we have the annual China-EU summit, the high-level economic and trade dialogue, strategic dialogue, high-level people-to-people dialogue, the mixed economic and trade committee, the economic and trade working group meeting, among others. These mechanisms are important platforms for the two sides to enhance mutual understanding and manage differences.
问：中欧投资协定已商谈多年，欧方似乎对谈判进程愈发感到失望，特别是关于市场准入、知识产权保护等领域的进展。您认为中欧难以达成一致的原因何在？
Q: The EU and China are also in negotiations for an investment agreement for many years, but Brussels is showing increasing frustration that talks on issues such as market access for foreign investors and intellectual property protection don’t seem to make sufficient progress. What makes it so difficult for China to agree with the EU on this agreement?
答：中欧投资协定谈判从启动至今已走过4年多的历程。一方面，在双方的共同努力下，谈判取得了积极进展。另一方面，我比欧方同事更加热切期盼协议能够尽早达成。作为双方的合作协议，中欧投资协定理应在中欧相向而行、相互理解、相互包容、彼此妥协的基础上达成。如果像你刚才所说，欧盟方面存在一些急躁、抱怨的情绪，这样的消极情绪是不具建设性的。我认为，双方工作层已付出了巨大努力，而且谈判在扎扎实实地取得进展。作为中国驻欧盟使团团长，我也必然会做好我的本职工作，不断推动他们继续前行。
A: It has been over four years since the start of the BIT (bilateral investment treaty) talks. Our two sides are making very active efforts. We work very hard and have already achieved positive progress. But on the other hand, I’m even more anxious than my EU colleagues to see the early conclusion of the agreement. This is a negotiation that involves the two parties, so both parties are expected to show a spirit of compromise and to show more mutual understanding. As you just referred to, the EU is showing a growing sense of disappointment regarding the talks, and in my view, these sentiments are not constructive. As I observe, our teams at the working level work very hard and are taking solid steps forward. As Chinese Ambassador to the EU, I will do my best to push them.
问：中方近来多次重申将坚持市场开放和贸易自由化主张，特别是去年习近平主席在达沃斯世界经济论坛的演讲。但欧盟贸易委员马尔姆斯特伦批评中方并未采取实际行动加以落实。您对此作何回应？
Q: There have been repeated commitments from the Chinese site in favor of open markets and free trade, for example last year by President Xi Jinping at the Davos Economic Forum. Nevertheless, EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström has criticized that those words were not followed by deeds. How would you react to that criticism?
答：中国的开放是独立自主的开放。回溯历史，中国最初的开放发生于1840年，但如你所知，那是被迫的开放。我们今天讨论的中国的开放始于1978年，是中国人民经历大量探索和挫折后，意识到打开国门对国民经济发展的重要性，自主、自发推进的开放。1978年到今天正好40年。这40年间，中国的发展进步有目共睹。如果今天有人建议中国关闭国门、停止开放，我认为13亿中国人民都不会答应。
A: China’s opening-up is proceeding in an independent way. If I may, I could go back even further: The very initial stage for China’s opening up happened in 1840. But that opening-up happened due to coercion-you know that part of history. The opening we are talking about right now started in 1978. That opening-up happened after our repeated trials and errors and after we came to realize that it is important to open up our doors to the outside. So this is an indigenous process. We are not forced to do so. Forty years have passed since 1978, and it’s very clear for all to see how much progress China has made. And today, if someone tells China to close up its doors, not to open up, I’m sure that the 1.3 billion Chinese people will not say yes.
去年召开的中共十九大制定了中国未来30多年发展的远景规划，旨在实现从高速增长向高质量发展的转变，这样的转变同样需要在开放的条件下实现。事实上，中国实施对外开放不需要向任何人承诺。如果要承诺的话，也是向中国人民承诺。当然，国际社会的合作伙伴关心中国的开放进程，中方也愿意向他们进一步介绍、说明、展示相应的开放举措和前景，保持高度透明。
Last year, the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party outlined a long-term vision for China’s development in the coming 30 years. We are going to have a transition from high-speed growth to high-quality development. And such an achievement would not be possible without opening up as well. Actually, in terms of opening up, we do not need to make any promise to anyone else. If there is a promise, that’s a promise to our own Chinese people. But I know that our partners from the international community have a great interest in China’s opening up, so that’s why China is happy to present our opening-up process and to reaffirm our commitment to opening-up to them. We want to make this process transparent.
过去40年来，中国通过开放取得巨大发展变化，中国人民对过去十年、五年，甚至一年来的开放举措都深有感触。我想你一定注意到了昨天（4月10日）上午习近平主席在博鳌亚洲论坛的演讲。习主席宣布了一系列扩大开放的举措，力度之大令人印象深刻。从去年1月达沃斯论坛，到10月党的十九大，到今年3月的全国两会，再到今天的博鳌论坛，有关开放举措一直在筹备、酝酿和推出的过程中，中国没有停下开放的脚步。
Our Chinese people have benefited much from the opening-up measures taken in the past 40 years, especially from what has happened in the past decade, the past five years or even the past one year. I'm sure you have noticed President Xi Jinping’s speech yesterday (10 April) at the Bo’ao Forum for Asia. In the speech, he announced a series of major measures for further opening up. And these measures are very significant in nature. Actually, we have been preparing for these measures all the way from last year’s Davos in January to the 19th Party Congress in October to this past March’s annual sessions of the NPC & CPPCC. We have never stopped our efforts to open up.
如此力度的改革举措是需要大量准备和配套工作的。就像百米赛跑前，运动员需要下蹲起跑，以获得更大的爆发力，才能跑得更快。这一下蹲动作显然不是消极怠工或倒退，对它进行指责是有失公允的。中国人的哲学是稳中求进，我们有句老话叫“欲速则不达”，在做大事前一定要把握好方向，准备周全。
To get such significant measures ready, we need sufficient preparations. For example, if you are about to run a 100-meter dash, you have to squat first to prepare for the start of the race. So it’s unfair to accuse one of squatting there, or even backtracking, and not start running right now. Actually, squatting is to prepare for a faster run. Chinese philosophy is to seek progress while maintaining stability. As we often say: More haste, less speed. In other words, if you want to get some big things done, we need to first get the direction right and make full preparation for that.
来到布鲁塞尔后，我曾有幸同一位欧盟前领导人交谈。他的一句话令我感触很深，叫做“方向比速度重要”。要想全面了解中国，也不应仅仅着眼于一时的速度，而应观察整体的方向。
Since I arrived in Brussels, I have met with a former EU leader. I'm deeply impressed by his words. He told me: Direction is much more important than speed. So if you want to have a whole picture of China, don’t get fixated on the speed at a certain moment, but on the overall direction.
问：欧洲企业界人士对于在华经营有些关切，特别是强制技术转让和知识产权保护问题。他们担心这将导致商业机密泄露。您对此作何回应？
Q: European businesses tell us they are very concerned in China about forced technology transfer and IPR protection. They are concerned that secrets may be leaked. What is your response to that?
答：首先我想澄清的是，欧洲企业在华经营状况普遍良好。绝大多数欧企都能够盈利，并且对中国的投资环境是满意的，对未来的预期也是好的。去年一项调查显示，欧洲在华企业对中国未来营商环境的乐观情绪同比上升了11个百分点。当然，对企业来说，营商环境没有最好，只有更好。我们充分理解企业的愿望。
A: First I want to get the facts straight. EU companies are mostly doing very well in the Chinese market. Most of them are making profits there. Also most of them are satisfied with China’s business environment and are optimistic about the future prospects. According to a survey conducted last year, the satisfaction rate of EU businesses operating in China about the investment environment in China went up by 11 percentage points. But we understand that, for businesses, there is always room for further improvement. We fully understand that desire.
一个特殊情况是，改革开放的头些年，中国给予了外资企业超国民待遇。加入世贸组织后，中国根据世贸规则逐步调整做法，开始给予外企国民待遇。不少外企可能因此感受到了落差，认为中国营商环境不如从前。
One reason for their complaint is that in the very initial stage of our reform and opening up program, we gave supra-national treatment to foreign companies. But after our joining of the WTO we began to gradually adjust our practice. We are now giving national treatment to foreign companies. Such a gap might explain why some foreign companies think that the investment environment is not as good as what it used to be.
关于中国强制技术转让的指责纯属杜撰，毫无事实根据。中国的法律法规中不存在任何强制外企转让技术的条文或规定。外资企业需要同中国企业合资以进入某些行业领域的要求的确存在，但此类要求符合世贸组织规定。在合资过程中，中外企业通过协商就技术转让达成一致，并支付适当的费用，这是自愿的市场行为，主体是企业，同政府没有关系。中国任何政府部门均无权强制或禁止企业转让技术。
The so-called forced technology transfer is a false accusation. It’s totally groundless. There is not a single piece of Chinese law or regulation that obliges foreign companies to transfer their technology to their Chinese partners. Indeed, there are some industries and sectors that require the establishment of joint ventures for the access of foreign capital. But such practice is in line with WTO rules. Market entities are playing the dominant role in the technology transfer. The Chinese company and the foreign company involved have negotiations with each other and reach agreement on the transfer of technology voluntarily. And the party that takes the transferred technology will pay for the technology. This has nothing to do with government interference. Government departments are not in a position to tell enterprises to transfer or not to transfer technology.
一些人杜撰出中国强制技术转让的话题，可能是看到中国近几年在技术上取得了巨大进步。国际经济技术合作促进了中国的进步，我们的合作伙伴同样是受益方。我们的技术进步更重要的是得益于13亿中国人民的艰苦努力和开拓创新。
Now some people have fabricated the concept of forced technology transfer. Perhaps their argument is based on their doubt why China has made such a fast progress on technology in recent years. Of course our progress is partly attributable to our economic and technological cooperation with other partners. In this process our partners also get benefits. But more importantly, such progress is attributable to the hard-working and innovative spirit of the 1.3 billion Chinese people.
加强知识产权保护是中国的既定政策，中国也将为此付出更大努力。习近平主席昨天在讲话中也强调，在知识产权保护方面，中国将从“做得好”向“做得更好”迈进。
Strengthening IPR protection is a set policy of the Chinese government. We are going to do more in this regard. It’s also the direction outlined by President Xi’s speech yesterday. We are already doing good work and we are going to do even better.
问：不少欧盟国家对中国投资者并购欧洲“战略产业”的行为表达了担忧。去年9月，欧盟委员会提议加强对外资审查，目前欧盟成员国和欧洲议会正就外资审查立法进行讨论。您对此有何评论？
Q: Many EU countries have raised concerns that Chinese investors are taking over strategic industrial sectors in Europe. Last September, the European Commission proposed a screening mechanism for foreign investment, which is currently being discussed among EU countries and the European Parliament. How do you respond to these concerns and the screening mechanism?
答：欧盟是中国的重要合作伙伴，双方主要合作领域第一是贸易，其次是投资。起初，欧盟对华投资是中欧投资合作的主流。随后，中国也开始来欧洲投资。近年来，中国对欧投资增长幅度较大，为欧洲经济复苏、创造就业都做出了重要贡献。特别是几年前欧洲饱受金融危机困扰时，中国投资在稳定和提振欧洲经济方面发挥了重要作用。
A: The EU is an important partner for China. Our cooperation is mostly about trade and then about investment. Initially, it was more about the EU’s investment to China, but recent years have seen growing Chinese investment here in Europe. Such investment has given a strong boost to the European economic recovery and job creation. In particular, when Europe was having a hard time due to the financial crisis, China offered a lot of help.
投资并购说到底是以企业为主体的商业行为。中欧企业通过商谈，在自愿、平等的基础上就投资合作达成协议，是市场经济的常态及各方多赢的结果，同政府没有关系。
Merging and acquisition are in nature commercial activities and are undertaken by businesses themselves. It’s quite normal for Chinese enterprises and EU enterprises to sit down and talk, and after that reach agreement on the terms of cooperation on a voluntary basis and an equal footing. This is very natural for a market economy and that can bring benefits to all parties concerned. It has nothing to do with government.
我们也注意到欧方近来基于安全和公共秩序的考虑，对包括中国在内的外资企业进行审查。严格意义上讲，这是欧洲的内部事务。但中欧均主张贸易投资自由化、倡导发展开放型经济。我们希望欧方言行一致，同中方相向而行，携手推动经济全球化，在开放环境下分享机会和利益，实现中欧经贸合作互利共赢。
We have noticed the recent moves by the EU to step up the screening of foreign investment, including Chinese investment, out of security and public order consideration. Strictly speaking, this is an internal affair of the EU. That being said, both China and the EU are long-time advocates of trade and investment facilitation and liberalization. We hope that the EU will continue with its commitment to an open world economy, match its words with deeds, and work in the same spirit together with China to promote economic globalization and share the opportunities and benefits in the course of opening up. This can be a mutually beneficial process for our economic and trade cooperation.
中国正不断出台扩大开放的新举措，同时也会密切关注欧盟的相关举措。我们观察的重点是欧盟有关举措的方向，是向开放、包容、多边主义持续迈进，还是相反。在投资审查问题上，中方希望欧方遵守世贸组织的基本原则，特别是非歧视原则，不受贸易保护主义的干扰，向外界发出正面、积极的信号。
As China is taking new steps to further opening-up, we are also closely watching what our EU partners are doing. We care much about the direction that the EU is going forward: toward greater openness, inclusiveness and multilateralism or the opposite. It is our hope that the relevant foreign investment screening measures of the EU (will) comply with the basic principles of the WTO, in particular the principle of non-discrimination. We hope that the EU will not be affected by the protectionist sentiments and can send a positive message to the outside.
问：英国还有不到一年就将脱欧，您如何看待英国脱欧对中欧、中英经贸关系的影响？中英双方是否已就英国脱欧后的贸易协定进行过讨论？
Q: Brexit is coming in less than a year. How do you think it will affect China’s economic relations with the EU and with the United Kingdom? Have there already been any discussions concerning a trade deal with the U.K.?
答：中国与欧盟和英国都保持着友好关系，对英国脱欧感到遗憾。中国哲学讲“劝和不劝离”，因为“和”总比“离”要美满。不过说到底，这是英国和欧盟之间的家务事，希望双方能好聚好散。作为朋友，中方尊重英欧共同作出的决定。
A: As a friend of the U.K. and the European Union, China regrets to see Brexit, because in our philosophy we believe marriage is more pleasant than divorce. Getting together is much better than getting separated. But at the end of the day, this is an internal matter of Europeans, so we hope that everything will end up well. We respect the decision jointly made by the UK and the EU.
作为合作伙伴，中方认为英国脱欧不仅将给欧洲政治、经济、社会和一体化进程带来深刻影响，而且会对世界产生外溢效应。中国密切关注英欧谈判进展，希望双方达成双赢的协议。一个繁荣、稳定、开放的欧洲和英国符合各方利益。中方愿在相互尊重、平等互利基础上，继续推进中欧、中英合作。
But as a cooperation partner of the two sides, we have to say that Brexit will have a great impact on Europe’s politics, economy, society and integration process, but also will have a spill-over effect on the whole world. That’s why China is closely watching the Brexit talks. We hope that the two sides can reach a win-win deal through negotiation. Prosperous, stable and open Europe and the U.K. are in the interest of all parties. China stands ready to further advance the growth of China-EU and China-U.K. relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.
当然，英国脱欧后，中英关系也不会从零开始，我们愿继续加强中英双方在经贸领域的合作，探索中英未来合作机遇，推动中英“黄金时代”不断向前发展。
After Brexit, China-U.K. relations will not start all from scratch. We stand ready to further enhance our economic and trade cooperation with the U.K. and explore possible opportunities for further cooperation, so that commercial ties will continue to be a propeller for China-U.K. relations in the Golden Era.
问：中英间开展了哪些具体讨论？双方是否已就贸易协议的范围进行磋商？是否准备在英国脱欧后马上签署新的中英贸易协定？
Q: How concrete are these talks? Have you already done a scoping for a trade deal or any preparations for a trade deal that could be done directly after Brexit?
答：如我刚才所说，英国脱欧后，中英合作并非从零开始，双方建有经贸联委会，具有雄厚的合作基础。当然，如果英欧间未能达成协议，其他讨论就面临很大不确定性。中方高度关注英欧谈判的进展，希望谈判顺利推进，尽快取得双方都满意的结果。
A: Between China and the U.K., we have the joint economic and trade commission. That’s why I just said that not everything will start from zero after Brexit. We already have a solid basis. If the EU and the UK fail to reach agreement in the first place, discussions on other matters may have to face great uncertainties. That’s why China closely follows the Brexit talks and hopes to see that the EU and the U.K. can reach an agreement that works for both sides.
问：所以中方要等英欧之间先达成协议，才会与英方商谈？
Q: So you need a trade agreement between the EU and the U.K. first, before you can start individual talks with the U.K.?
答：我的意思是，英欧达成协议将有利于英国与国际社会其他伙伴进行具体商谈。至于与英国的经贸关系，目前已有密切的沟通与合作机制，可以在此基础上继续开展合作。
A: I mean that with an EU-U.K. deal can the U.K. be in a better position to have more detailed discussions with other players of the international community. As for our economic and trade cooperation with the U.K., there are already close contacts and effective mechanisms for communication, so we can build on what we have achieved.
问：新一轮中欧领导人会晤预期将达成哪些成果？中欧地理标志协定是否有望达成？
Q: What can we expect for the upcoming EU-China summit? Can we expect a deal on geographical indications to be signed?
答：中欧双方正在就今年中欧领导人会晤进行紧锣密鼓的筹备。中欧间的合作十分广泛深入，可以预期的是，今年的会晤将达成丰硕成果。关于地理标志协定谈判，双方的工作团队已经做了大量工作，离最终签署估计只有“一英寸”的距离。我个人对这一谈判进程持乐观态度。
Q: Now the Chinese and the EU teams are working very closely for the preparation of the summit. This summit is foreseen to be a very productive one because Chinese-EU cooperation covers a lot of grounds. As for the GI agreement, technically our teams have done a lot of work for that, and maybe there’s only one inch to go before the signature. Personally I’m optimistic about the talks.
问：您能否举例说明当前欧盟的保护主义倾向？
Q: What are the main examples you would give for the risk of protectionism in the EU?
答：以安全为理由进行投资审查是欧盟的新举措。中国作为利益相关方，必然是密切关注的。这方面媒体有很多报道。一些消息指出，欧盟对来自中国的投资持谨慎态度。我们担心会有保护主义的影子，将会持续关注。欧洲历来是推动贸易投资自由化、便利化的一支重要力量，我们不愿看到欧洲受到保护主义影响。
A: For example, screening of foreign investments on security grounds is a new step to be taken by the EU. As an interested party, China will for sure follow the developments. We can see a lot of media coverage on this issue. Some say that the EU is cautious about Chinese investment in the EU market, and that there appear to be some signs of protectionism. China will closely follow that. We know Europe is a strong advocate of investment and trade liberalization and facilitation, so we do not want to see the risk of protectionism in Europe.
问：我想确认一下是否理解正确。您刚才的意思是，如果英欧未达成协议，中英之间就难以商谈贸易协议。这是否意味着如果出现硬脱欧，中英就不会达成协议？
Q: I want to make sure I understood this correctly. You said that if there is no Brexit deal, it is hard to talk about trade agreement between the U.K. and China. Are you saying that if there is a hard Brexit there can be no China-U.K. deal?
答：中英合作已经进行了几十年。不管英国脱欧与否，中英合作都将继续进行。英国脱欧后，当然需要根据新形势，对中英经贸合作进行一些新的规范和补充。我们真心希望英欧谈判进展顺利，避免因为谈判受挫，对世界经济造成消极影响。如果谈判顺利，英国在脱欧后同其他伙伴的合作不会受到太大影响。
A: China-U.K. cooperation has been going on for decades. Whether there is a Brexit or not, this kind of cooperation will go on anyway. But now there’s a Brexit, and after the Brexit, in light of the new circumstances there will be new measures and practices accordingly. Our position is that we sincerely hope that the Brexit talks can go smoothly. And we do not want to see spill-over effects on the global economy as a result of setbacks of the talks. If Brexit goes well, I believe there will not be a big impact on U.K.’s cooperation with other members of the international community.
问：中方认为从2016年底起，根据世贸组织有关规定，中国不应再被视为非市场经济国家。欧盟为此修改了反倾销法律，以回避承认中国市场经济地位的问题。您对此有何评论？
Q: China says that since the end of 2016 it has to be considered as a market economy under WTO law. The EU has reformed its anti-dumping rules to evade saying whether China is a market economy or not. What is your take on the reform? Is it fair, or do you still disagree with Brussels?
答：2017年12月19日，欧盟正式公布反倾销调查新方法修正案。中方注意到，欧盟在该法案中去除了“非市场经济国家名单”，取消了把中国作为“非市场经济国家”的法律假设。我理解这是欧盟为履行中国加入世贸组织议定书第15条项下义务而采取的举措。
A: We have noticed that on 19 December 2017, the EU officially published its legislation containing the new methodology. And we have noticed that in the new legislation the EU removed the list of non-market economies, and the legislation no longer assumes that China is a non-market economy from the legal perspective. In my understanding, that is a move taken by the EU to fulfill its obligations under Article 15 of the protocol on China’s accession to the WTO.
各方根据国际协定履行承诺和义务是理所应当的，但我们认为欧盟履约并不彻底。因为欧盟在立法中引入了“市场严重扭曲”这一新概念，号称在符合所谓“市场严重扭曲”情况下，欧盟可以弃用出口国的价格和成本，而选择使用第三国或国际市场的价格和成本来确定是否存在倾销。中国人将这种做法描述为“换汤不换药”，套用欧洲的谚语，是“新瓶装旧酒”。中方认为欧盟此举违反世贸规则，因为世贸规则不存在“市场严重扭曲”概念，也没有社会和环境倾销概念。欧盟用单方制定的标准衡量其他国家是否存在“市场严重扭曲”，将削弱世贸组织反倾销法律体系的权威性。
It is a bound duty for a party concerned to honor its commitments and fulfill its obligations under international treaties. But in our view the EU has not made thorough efforts in this regard. Because in the legislation the EU introduced a new notion known as the significant market distortion. According to this legislation, when there are so-called significant market distortions, the EU can use the prices and production costs of a third country or on the international market, instead of those of the exporting country, to calculate the value of the product from this exporting country. In our view, such a move is to put the old wine into a new bottle. China is of the view that the EU move violates WTO rules because there is no such a notion as “significant market distortion” in WTO rules, nor is there the concept of social and environmental dumping. The EU is trying to use its own criteria to judge whether other members have the so-called significant market distortions and this will weaken the authority of the WTO anti-dumping legal system.
坦率地讲，欧盟这件事做得不漂亮，在中国老百姓中反响很不好。每一个孩子在成长过程中都受到过这样的教育，要做讲诚信、重承诺的人。欧洲人历来也崇尚“契约精神”，在这方面有不少著述，为中国人所熟悉。而在我赴任前，我的一位朋友曾质问我，“你们”欧盟为什么不履行承诺？他显然把欧盟看成是我的了。
We think the EU move is not wise, because it is very ill-received by the Chinese people. Every person, from very early childhood, knows that it’s important to always honor the commitments and promise that they have ever made to others. We have read a lot of Western books which value the spirit of contract. This spirit is much endorsed by Westerners. Actually before my arrival here in Brussels, a friend of mine complained to me why you EU did not keep your word. And he just put me and the EU together in the same brackets.
在这个问题上，我们敦促欧方严格遵守世贸组织规则，善意、全面履行国际条约义务。
So we urge the EU to strictly abide by the WTO rules and fulfill its obligations under international instruments in good faith.