读懂中国“两会”，凝聚合作共识，共创美好未来

Understand the “Two Sessions”, Build up Consensus and Create a Bright Future

 

驻英国大使刘晓明在英国议会的主旨演讲

Keynote Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the APPCG Q&A with Ambassador on the “Two Sessions”

 

2019年4月1日，英国议会大厦

Palace of Westminster, 1 April 2019

 

尊敬的英国议会跨党派中国小组副主席克莱门特·琼斯勋爵，

尊敬的各位议员，

女士们、先生们，

Lord Clement Jones,

My Lords and MPs,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

大家下午好！

Good afternoon!

 

对英国而言，刚刚过去的三月，是各位英国议员“空前忙碌”的时段，脱欧是当前英国政治生活中的一件大事。

March 2019 was an unprecedentedly busy month for British MPs, as you focus on a matter of paramount importance in British politics – Brexit.

 

对中国而言，过去三月也是“非常繁忙”的时间，一年一度的“两会”是中国政治生活中的一件大事。近3000名全国人大代表和2000多名全国政协委员齐聚北京，共商国是，共谋大计，勾勒国家未来发展方向，描绘中国未来发展蓝图。

It is also a very busy month for China, as the very important political event was held – the annual “Two Sessions”. The “Two Sessions” refer to the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress, or NPC and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, known as CPPCC. Close to 3,000 NPC deputies and more than 2,000 CPPCC members gathered in Beijing to discuss major issues and make plans for the future of the country.

 

格雷厄姆主席和克莱门特·琼斯勋爵希望我介绍一下“两会”情况。我想通过回答三个问题，与大家分享我对“两会”特别是对中国未来发展的看法。

Chairman Graham and Lord Clement Jones asked me to give a briefing on the “Two Sessions”. So let me share with you my views on the “two Sessions”, especially on China’s future development by answering three questions.

 

第一个问题，怎么看中国经济的未来前景？

First, how is China’s economic prospect?

 

当前，中国经济是一个热议话题，“中国经济滑坡论”、“责任论”、“机遇论”等各种观点莫衷一是。李克强总理在“两会”记者会上明确表示，“中国经济会始终成为世界经济的一个重要稳定之锚”。我认为，这种信心来自三方面：

This is a hot topic. Some people think China’s economy is slowing down and blame this for problems elsewhere; Others believe that China’s economy remains an opportunity. At the press conference of the “Two Sessions”, Premier Li Keqiang aired his confidence that “China’s economy will remain an anchor of stability for the global economy”. I think there are three reasons behind his confidence:

 

一是中国经济基本态势持续向好。近年来，中国经济在高基数基础上保持中高速增长。2018年中国国内生产总值达13.6万亿美元，稳居世界第二位。经济增速达6.6%，在世界前五大经济体中居于首位，新增经济总量相当于澳大利亚的经济规模。2018年中国货物进出口总额首次突破30万亿元人民币，约4.6万亿美元，增长12.6%，比上年净增5100多亿美元，超过2001年刚加入WTO时全年进出口总额，全球最大货物贸易国地位更加稳固。在全球跨境投资大幅下滑背景下，2018年中国利用外资1350亿美元，逆势增长3%，继续成为对外资吸引力最强的发展中经济体。今年中国“两会”确定经济增长预期目标为6%—6.5%，增速料将继续领航世界主要经济体。

First, China’s economy continues to perform strongly. China’s medium-to-high speed growth rate in recent years is on top of a very large base figure. In 2018, China continued to be the world’s second largest economy, with its total GDP reaching 13.6 trillion US dollars. Its growth rate of 6.6% continued to be the fastest among the world’s top five economies and its GDP increment was roughly the total GDP of Australia. China continues to be the world’s largest trader in goods. In 2018, China’s total trade in goods exceeded 30 trillion RMB yuan for the first time (that is the equivalent of 4.6 trillion US dollars). It also represented an increase of 12.6% over the previous year. The net increment was over 510 billion US dollars, larger than China’s trade total of 2001, the first year of China’s membership in the WTO. China remains the most attractive FDI destination among developing economies. Despite a steep drop in global FDI in 2018, foreign investment flowing into China totaled 135 billion US dollars, increasing by 3%. At the “Two Sessions” this year, China set its growth target at 6% to 6.5%, which would probably remain the fastest among major economies in the world.

 

二是中国经济发展“含金量”不断提高。首先，经济结构更加优化，消费对经济增长拉动作用进一步增强，2018年最终消费对经济增长贡献率达到76.2%，较上年提高18.6个百分点。第二，产业结构持续升级，服务业在经济增长中的“稳定器”作用更加突出，第三产业占GDP比重超过“半壁江山”，达到52.2%。第三，发展新动能快速成长，“互联网+”战略助推新兴产业蓬勃发展，传统产业加快转型，网上零售额增长超过20%，2018年中国“双11”购物节全天交易额超过300亿美元，相当于拉脱维亚当年的GDP。特别需要强调的是，经济发展使人民生活持续改善，民众获得感和幸福感进一步提升。2018年中国贫困人口减少1000万以上，全国人均可支配收入实际增长6.5%，高于人均GDP增速，单位GDP能耗下降3.1%，“绿水青山”和“蓝天白云”已从“奢侈品”变成“日用品”。

Second, China’s growth continues to demonstrate higher efficiency. This is reflected in the following three aspects: First, growth model is optimised. Consumption is playing a bigger role in driving economic growth. In 2018, consumption expenditure contributed 76.2% to economic growth, increasing by 18.6 percentage points over the previous year. Second, economic structure keeps upgrading. With the tertiary industry accounting for 52.2% of GDP, service sector is increasingly becoming a “stabiliser” in economic growth. Third, new driving forces are gaining momentum rapidly. The “internet plus” strategy has boosted the development of emerging industries and accelerated the transformation of traditional industries. On-line retail sales increased by over 20%. On November 11th, 2018 – the on-line shopping festival known as “Double Eleven” – the total sale hit a record of over 30 billion US dollars in a single day. That was equivalent to the total GDP of Latvia in 2018. With economic growth comes better life for the Chinese people, and greater sense of individual achievement and happiness. In 2018, more than 10 million people were lifted out of poverty; Per capita disposable income grew at 6.5% in real terms, higher than the per capita GDP growth; Energy consumption per unit GDP fell by 3.1%. “Clean water, green mountains, blue sky and white cloud” are no longer a luxury.

 

三是中国对世界经济贡献持续增多。中国是全球经济增长的主要贡献者。2018年中国经济对世界经济增长贡献率近30%，连续十多年成为世界经济“主要发动机”。同时，中国贸易更加平衡，贸易顺差同比下降18.3%。中英双边贸易即是最好的例证。2018年中国从英国进口增长6.9%。根据英方统计，增长超过30%。据世贸组织统计数据，2018年前三季度，中国进口占全球份额提高0.7个百分点至10.9%，进口增长对全球进口增长贡献率达16.8%。中国还是全球减贫事业的主要贡献者。据世界银行统计，全球范围内，每100人脱贫，就有70多人来自中国。中国计划到2020年消除绝对贫困，届时将提前10年完成联合国2030年可持续发展议程制定的减贫目标，亦给其他国家减贫事业提供了参考和借鉴。

Third, China continues to increase its contribution to global economy. In 2018, China’s economy contributed close to 30% of world economic growth and continued to be the “main engine” of world economic growth after more than ten years in a row. At the same time, China’s foreign trade is more balanced. The surplus has been dropping by 18.3% year on year. Take China-UK trade for example. In 2018, China reports 6.9% increase of import from the UK, while the British statistics is even higher, at 30%. According to WTO statistics of the first three quarters of 2018, China’s share of global import grew by 0.7 percentage points to 10.9%, and China’s contribution to the growth of global import was 16.8%. China is also a main contributor to global poverty alleviation. According to the statistics of the World Bank, for every 10 people lifted out of poverty, 7 are in China. China plans to eradicate absolute poverty by 2020. That would be ten years ahead of the scheduled goal set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations. How China manages to accomplish this will provide useful experience to other countries as they strive to reduce poverty.

 

第二个问题，怎么看中国改革开放的未来走向？

Now let me come to the second question: Where is China’s reform and opening up going?

 

2018年是中国改革开放40周年，改革开放已进入“船到中流浪更急、人到半路山更陡”的阶段。今年“两会”再次发出了中国坚持改革开放基本国策的坚定信号。我认为，中国改革开放未来将重点从以下三个方面加速推动：

The year 2018 marked the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up. This great cause is now faced with increasingly severe challenges. Against these challenges, the “Two Sessions” sends a clear message again that China will stay committed to the basic policy of reform and opening up. In my view, in China’s endeavour to deepen reform and open up wider to the world, there will be three focal points:

 

一是迎难而上，不断推进重点领域改革。中国将坚持以供给侧结构性改革为主线，直面关键问题和突出矛盾，推动重点领域取得突破。要继续推动“放管服”改革，在提升基础设施水平等发展“硬环境”的同时，进一步缩减市场准入负面清单，下大力气打造好发展“软环境”。要加快国资国企改革，改善民营经济发展环境，千方百计帮助民营企业解忧纾困。要深化财税金融体制改革，进一步规范地方政府举债融资机制，以服务实体经济为导向，优化金融体系结构，促进多层次资本市场健康稳定发展。

First, China will take on the most difficult issues in key areas of reform. China will press ahead with supply-side reform. In this process, we will not shy away from key issues or major problems, and we will seek breakthroughs in key areas. We will continue to streamline administration, delegate power to lower government levels, strengthen regulation and improve services. We will continue to build better “hardware”, namely the infrastructure. At the same time, we will make greater efforts to improve our “software”, such as shortening the negative list for market access. We will also accelerate reform relating to state owned assets and enterprises, and we will foster a private sector-friendly environment and make every effort to ease the bottlenecks facing private companies. Moreover, we will deepen reform in the fiscal, taxation and financial system in order to regulate local government financing, serve the real economy better, improve the structure of the financial system, and promote the sound and steady development of the multi-tiered capital markets.

 

二是化危为机，不断完善对外开放格局。面对单边主义、保护主义“逆风”，中国坚持“打开国门搞建设”，进一步拓展开放领域、优化开放布局，以开放带动改革、促进发展。中国将进一步放宽市场准入，在更多领域允许外资独资经营，为内外资企业营造一视同仁、公平竞争的市场环境。“一带一路”倡议是中国对外开放的管总规划。本月底，第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛将在北京举行。我们诚挚欢迎包括英国在内的各国朋友积极参与，推动“一带一路”建设高水平发展，促进中英“一带一路”合作走深走实。中国还将继续积极扩大进口，下半年将举办第二届中国国际进口博览会，欢迎英国企业家继续把优质产品和服务带到中国。

Second, China will tackle external challenges by improving its opening-up layout. Against the headwind of unilateralism and protectionism, China is keeping its door open to the world. We have provided access to more sectors, optimised the opening-up layout and sought to advance domestic reform and development through opening up. Going forward, China will further increase market access, open up more sectors to wholly foreign-owned companies and provide a level playing field for domestic and foreign companies alike. The Belt and Road Initiative is the master plan for China’s opening up. At the end of this month, the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held in Beijing. We look forward to working with friends from all countries to make sure that BRI projects are of high quality. In particular, we wish to see strong participation from the UK, and we stand ready to engage the UK in deeper and more substantial cooperation on BRI. China will also work hard to increase import. Later this year, we will host the second China International Import Expo. British entrepreneurs are welcomed to take part in the Expo and bring their products and services to the Chinese market.

 

三是积极有为，不断提升对外开放水平。2018年中国多次主动下调部分商品进口关税，关税总水平由9.8%降至7.5%。今年“两会”顺利通过了《中国外商投资法》，这是一部具有重要历史意义的法律。它意味着中国开放正从原来的推动商品、资金、技术流动的生产要素型开放，向更加注重打造法制化、国际化、便利化营商环境的制度型开放转变，将以高水平开放带动高质量发展。中国采用法律的形式维护外商投资的合法权益，以实际行动向世界宣示了新时代中国改革开放、促进外商投资的决心和信心。

Third, China will make vigorous efforts to increase the level of opening up. In 2018, China took the initiative to cut tariffs a number of times. As a result, average tariff was brought down from 9.8% to 7.5%. The “Two Sessions” in March adopted the new Foreign Investment Law. This is of historic significance. The adoption of the new law means China’s opening up is no longer limited to ensuring the free flow of production factors such as goods, capital and technology. It means that China will focus more on the systematic aspect of opening up, including stronger legal safeguards, better alignment with international practice and greater ease for doing business in China. China’s opening up will reach a higher level, and this will in turn promote higher-quality domestic development. By adopting the new Foreign Investment Law to protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investment, China displays its resolve and confidence in deeper reform and greater market access for more foreign investment.

 

第三个问题，怎么看中国外交的未来方向？

Last but not least: Where is China’s foreign policy going?

 

最近，英国各界一个热议话题是，中国发展究竟是机遇还是挑战？中国是合作伙伴还是竞争对手？我认为，回答这些问题，关键就要读懂习近平外交思想，读懂习近平外交思想，才能看清中国外交政策的走向。今年“两会”再次明确了习近平外交思想是新时代中国对外工作的根本遵循和行动指南。习近平外交思想博大精深、内涵丰富。我认为，把握以下三点至关重要：

Here in the UK, the recent topical issue regarding China is this: Is China’s development a challenge or opportunity? Is China a partner or a competitor? I think the answer lies in Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. Understanding this Thought is the key to seeing the direction of China’s foreign policy. This year’s “Two Sessions” reaffirmed that Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy offers the basic principles and guideline for China’s foreign affairs in the new era. Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is profound and substantial. To understand this Thought, I think it is crucial to grasp the following three basic elements:

 

一是天下为公，推动构建人类命运共同体。人类命运共同体不是一句空洞的口号，而是指导中国外交行动的实际理念。今年2月底，我在伦敦出席了“康考迪亚非洲倡议”研讨会，同与会嘉宾们一道就国际社会对非合作深入交流。真理越辩越明。我深切感受到，中国对非合作就是贯彻落实人类命运共同体理念的最好例证。中国对非合作坚持“五不”原则，从非洲国家需要出发，帮助非洲增强自主发展能力，提升非洲人民生活水平，对国际社会也持开放态度。人类命运共同体理念，既充分体现了中国“大道之行也、天下为公”的胸襟和风范，也蕴含着世界各国人民对美好未来的憧憬和愿望，必将得到越来越多国家和人民的认可。

First, in the interest of the common good for all, China will work to build a community with a shared future for mankind. This is not an empty slogan. It is a principle that guides the concrete actions of China’s diplomacy. At the end of last February, I attended a panel discussion in London hosted by the Concordia Africa Initiative, and had an in-depth exchange of views with the other panelists on international cooperation in Africa. Debate shed light on truth. The panel discussion has strengthened my conviction that China-Africa cooperation is the best example of building a community with a shared future for mankind. In its relations with Africa, China follows a “five-no” approach, namely, no interference in African countries’ pursuit of development paths that fit their national conditions; no interference in African countries’ internal affairs; no imposition of our will on African countries; no attachment of political strings to assistance to Africa; and no selfish political gain from the investment and financing cooperation with Africa. Moreover, China-Africa cooperation has been aimed at meeting the needs of African countries, improving their capability of independent development and providing a better life to African people. Such cooperation is open to all countries in the world. This fully reflects the values of building a community with a shared future for mankind. This ideal is based on the pursuit of the common good for all. It meets the aspiration of people all over the world for a better future. It will gain the recognition of more and more countries and people.

 

二是合作共赢，坚持走和平发展道路。随着中国实力不断提升，中美之间能否避免“修昔底德陷阱”，成为国际社会关注的话题。我曾长期从事对美工作，对中美关系发展感触颇深，总结到一点，就是中美“合则两利、斗则俱伤”。当前各方都非常关注中美经贸争端，在这个问题上，中国始终坚持相互尊重、平等相待原则，以对话磋商解决分歧，努力扩大合作共识，推动以协调、合作、稳定为基调的中美关系发展，更好造福两国和世界人民。中国走和平发展道路，既不惹事，也不怕事，不损害他国利益，也不谋求势力范围。中国决心不走西方国强必霸的老路，有能力凭借中国人的智慧和勤劳，走出一条相互尊重、合作共赢的和平发展新路。

Second, China will pursue peaceful development through win-win cooperation. As China grows, the question of whether China and the US can avoid the “Thucydides Trap” becomes a hot topic. As someone who had worked on China-US relations for many years, I know all too well that in this relationship, both countries stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. I know that you have followed closely the China-US trade frictions. On this issue, China has followed the principles of mutual respect and equality. We have sought to address the differences through dialogues and consultation. And we have worked to expand consensus for cooperation. Our goal is to promote the steady development of China-US relations based on coordination and cooperation, so as to deliver more benefits to the people of the two countries and the rest of the world. China is committed to the path of peaceful development. This means: We do not create trouble, but we are not afraid of trouble. We do not undermine other countries’ interests or seek sphere of influence. We will not go down the beaten path of Western powers to let China’s development lead to hegemony. With the wisdom and hard work of our people, China is capable of blazing a new path of peaceful development – one that features mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

 

三是公平正义，引领全球治理体系改革。当今世界正处于大发展大变革大调整时期，推动全球治理体系改革是大势所趋、人心所向。世贸组织改革问题成为各国关注焦点。中国作为国际贸易参与者、受益者和贡献者，坚决支持对世贸组织进行必要改革。但不同于个别国家，中国不搞“本国优先”，不“另起炉灶”，而是站在国际公平正义的角度，旗帜鲜明地反对保护主义和单边主义，坚定维护以规则为基础的多边贸易体制，坚决捍卫广大发展中国家合理诉求。未来中国将继续展现大国担当，不断推动全球治理朝着更加有效、更加民主的方向发展。

Third, China will uphold fairness and justice, and take the lead in the reform of the global governance system. The world is undergoing rapid development, profound transformation and deep adjustments. Reform of the global governance system represents the trend of the times and the aspiration of the people. In particular, reform of the WTO is the focus of global attention. As a participant, beneficiary and contributor of international trade, China supports necessary reform of the WTO. But unlike certain country, we do not advocate “China first” or seek to reinvent the wheel. In the interest of fairness and justice, China opposes protectionism and unilateralism categorically, upholds the rule-based multilateral trade system and supports the reasonable appeals of developing countries. Going forward, China will continue to shoulder its responsibilities and work for greater effectiveness and democracy in the global governance system.

 

女士们、先生们，

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

中国人常讲，鉴往知来。今年对中英两国都具有特殊意义。今年是新中国成立70周年，也是中英建立代办级外交关系65周年。回首过去，中英两国发展相辅相成、相互促进。展望未来，中英两国利益深度交融、发展目标紧密相连。面对世界百年未有之大变局，我们期待与英方携手努力，凝聚共识，增进互信，拓展合作，共同开创中英关系“黄金时代”更加美好的未来！

The Chinese people believe that lessons from the past could show the direction for the future. This year is of special significance to both China and the UK. It is the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It is also the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the level of chargé d’affaires. In the past, China and the UK had supported each other in our respective development. In the future, the interests of our nations will remain deeply intertwined and our development goals interconnected. In face of the profound changes in the world unseen in a century, China stands ready to work with the UK to build up consensus, enhance mutual trust and expand cooperation. Together we will create a brighter future for the China-UK “Golden Era”!

 

谢谢！

Thank you!