坚持开放、合作、协商，为世界增添“中国信心”

China Stays Committed to Openness, Cooperation and Consultation, and Brings Confidence to the World

 

刘晓明大使在彭博社研讨会上的主旨演讲

Keynote Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Navigate the New Silk Road Forum

 

伦敦彭博欧洲总部大厦，2019年7月10日

Bloomberg London Office, 10 July 2019

尊敬的彭博欧洲总部主席考特齐亚兹先生，

尊敬的英国财政部经济国务大臣格伦先生，

尊敬的各位来宾，

女士们，先生们，

Chairman Constantin Cotzias,

Economic Secretary John Glen,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

下午好！

Good afternoon!

很高兴再次到访彭博社。当前，全球经济风险上升，不稳定、不确定性因素增多，世界各国都在探寻应对之策。彭博社此时举办“探索新丝绸之路”研讨会可谓恰逢其时。我认为，世界经济现在最需要的就是两个字——“信心”。

It is a real delight to join you again at Bloomberg. The Bloomberg Forum on “Navigate the New Silk Road” could not have been more timely, as countries of the world explore ways to tackle the rising risks, instabilities and uncertainties in the world economy. In my opinion, what the world economy needs most now is “confidence”.

今天我想通过回答三个问题，诠释提振世界经济、促进各国共同发展的“中国信心”。

Today, I would like to explain what China is doing to boost confidence and promote common progress by answering the following three questions.

第一个问题，随着单边主义、保护主义不断抬头，国际社会是选择“开放”，还是选择“封闭”？中国的答案很明确，即坚持扩大开放，为推动世界经济强劲增长提供信心。

The first question is: In face of rising unilateralism and protectionism, should countries of the world choose “openness” or “isolation”? China’s answer is clear: We remain committed to further opening up. This commitment boosts confidence in robust economic growth.

一是扩大开放的决心不变。对外开放是中国的基本国策，不是一时一事的权宜之计，而是基于自身经济高质量发展的自觉行动，是基于经济全球化时代潮流的必然选择。在刚刚结束不久的二十国集团大阪峰会上，习近平主席再次向世界宣布了中国将进一步开放市场、主动扩大进口、持续改善营商环境、全面实施平等待遇、大力推动经贸谈判等五大举措。中国以实际行动再次证明了扩大开放的坚定决心和大国担当，赢得了国际社会好评。

First, China has demonstrated firm resolve to open its door wider to the world. Opening up is a basic national policy of China. It is not expediency, but a natural choice. It is for the purpose of realising high-quality economic growth, and it is in line with the trend of globalisation. At the G20 Summit in Osaka last month, President Xi announced five important measures, namely: Open up the Chinese market wider; Expand imports; Improve the business environment; Equal treatment for all foreign investment; Advance trade talks. These concrete measures reaffirm China’s resolve and courage in opening its door wider to the world. It is met with enthusiastic response from the international community.

二是扩大开放的步伐不乱。一个时期以来，某个西方大国固守“本国优先”，大搞“贸易霸凌”，全球产业格局和贸易形势受到严重冲击。面对这些外部压力，中国没有屈服，也不会自乱阵脚，将继续把推动“一带一路”建设作为对外开放合作的管总规划，使“一带一路”造福更多国家和人民。在成功落实首届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛达成的5大类279项成果基础上，今年4月中国再次成功举办第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，与会各方达成了总计6大类283项合作成果，项目合作协议总额高达640多亿美元，共建“一带一路”正式迈入高质量发展新阶段。

Second, China has taken firm steps to open its door wider to the world. When a certain big Western country insisted on “putting itself first” and adopted “bullying trade policies”, the global industrial landscape and trade situation came under severe stress. China has not succumbed to outside pressures. Nor will it stop the steps of opening up. China will continue to advance the Belt and Road Initiative as the master plan for its opening up. And in this process, China will strive to make sure that more countries and people will benefit from BRI. At the first “Belt and Road” Forum for International Cooperation two years ago, 279 outcomes covering five areas were reached and all have been implemented. Last April, the second Forum was successfully held, where 283 outcomes covering six areas were reached, and more than 65 billion dollars of deals on cooperation projects were signed. The second Forum marked the beginning of a new stage for high-quality BRI development.

三是扩大开放的势头不减。中国认为，经济全球化是不可逆转的大趋势，融入世界经济是不容改变的大方向，因此扩大开放不管遇到多少困难和挫折都不会动摇。目前中国制造业已基本放开，现代服务业准入限制持续减少，金融业开放步伐明显加快、开放水平明显提升。下一步中国将加快市场开放，扩大外商准入。原来规定的2021年取消证券、期货、寿险外资股比限制提前至2020年；2019年版外资准入负面清单条目由原来的48条措施减至40条。2018年中国支付的外国专利许可费和技术使用费超过300亿美元，较10年前增长近4倍。下一步中国将加大知识产权保护力度，争取年内完成《外商投资法》配套法规，继续完善对外开放法律体系，打造开放透明、公平竞争的营商环境。近年来中国多次自主降税，贸易加权平均税率只有5.2%，低于绝大多数发展中国家，接近发达国家平均水平。下一步中国将继续自主降低关税总水平，扩大进口，办好第二届中国国际进口博览会，使中国“市场红利”让更多国家受益。

Third, China has kept up the momentum of opening up wider to the world. Economic globalisation is an irreversible trend. Greater integration into the world economy is the major direction that cannot be changed. Therefore, no matter how many difficulties or setbacks China encounters, it will not waver in opening its door wider to the world. As we speak, China’s manufacturing sector is basically open. It is gradually lifting restrictions on access to the modern services sector. And it is opening up the financial sector with accelerated pace and at a higher level. Going forward, China will continue to quicken its steps to increase market access for foreign investment. Take for example foreign ownership caps in joint venture firms in sectors such as securities, future and life insurance. China has brought forward the deadline for lifting the caps from 2021 to 2020. At the same time, China has also cut short the 2019 edition of the negative list on foreign investment, reducing the 48 items on the list to 40. In 2018, China paid more than 30 billion dollars in patent fees and royalties to overseas license holders or rights owners. That’s nearly four times more than ten years ago. Going forward, China will take further steps to foster an open, transparent and fair business environment. These steps include strengthening IPR protection, striving to complete the supporting regulations of the Foreign Investment Law by the end of this year, and continuing to improve the legal system for opening up. In recent years, China has taken the initiative to cut tariffs many times. Its trade-weighted average tariff only stands at 5.2%. This is lower than the majority of the developing countries, and close to the average level of developed countries. Going forward, China will continue to take the initiative to cut overall tariffs and expand imports. Later this year, China will host the second China International Import Expo. This will be an opportunity to share China’s market with more countries.

第二个问题，近年来经济全球化深入发展，但发展赤字依然存在，中国如何在实现自身发展的同时带动其他国家发展？中国的答案很明确，即坚持合作共赢，为实现世界经济包容平衡增长提供信心。

Now let me turn to the second question: Despite deepening economic globalisation, development gaps between different countries still exist. What can China do to continue serving as a growth engine for the world while pursuing development at home? Again, China’s answer to this question is clear: We remain committed to win-win cooperation. This commitment will boost the confidence in the inclusive and balanced economic growth in the world.

以国际金融领域合作为例，在大数据、区块链等新技术推动下，金融科技、普惠金融、绿色金融等新领域快速发展，国际金融市场发展面临新机遇和新挑战。在此背景下，中英分别作为新兴金融大国和传统金融强国，双方加强金融合作，将给双边和国际投资者带来巨大机遇。

Take the international financial cooperation for example. Driven by big data, blockchain and other new technologies, FinTech, inclusive finance and green finance are developing rapidly. This has brought new opportunities and new challenges to the international financial market. Against this backdrop, financial cooperation between our two countries, one with newly-acquired financial strength and the other with traditional financial power, will create enormous opportunities for investors from both countries and the world as a whole.

一是投资机遇。今年4月1日，中国债券被纳入彭博巴克莱全球综合指数，这是中国债券市场开放的又一重大成果，体现了中国在全球金融市场上的地位不断提升，也反映出国际投资者对中国市场的信心。上个月，第十次中英经济财金对话在伦敦成功举行，取得了69项成果，“沪伦通”是其中亮点之一。“沪伦通”正式启动，标志着中英作为世界第二大和第三大资本市场真正实现互联互通，拓宽了中英双向跨境投融资渠道。中英还将继续就债券市场互联安排开展可行性研究，为两国和国际投资者带来更多投资机遇。

First, there is the opportunity for investment. On April 1st this year, Chinese bonds were included in the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index. I think this is an important success of the ever more open Chinese bond market. It shows China’s growing role in the global financial market. It also reflects the confidence of global investors in the Chinese market. Last month, the tenth China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue was successfully held in London. Of the 69 outcomes reached at the EFD, the “Shanghai-London Stock Connect” is a highlight. Its official launch marks the realization of real connectivity between China and the UK as the world’s second and third largest capital market respectively. It also expands the channel for two-way, cross-border investment and financing between China and the UK. China and the UK will continue to conduct feasibility studies on the arrangement for connectivity between the bond markets, so as to create more opportunities for investors from both our two countries and the world.

二是绿色机遇。2018年，中国绿色债券发行额突破300亿美元，同比增长33%。上个星期（7月2日），英国举行了第三届绿色金融峰会，格伦大臣在会上发布了英国《绿色金融战略（Green Finance Strategy）》。事实上，中英在绿色金融领域一直互为主要合作伙伴。2018年6月，中国工商银行伦敦分行发行了15.8亿美元的等值绿色债券，成为伦敦证券交易所历史上规模最大的绿色债券。目前，双方成立了中英绿色金融工作组，设立了中英绿色金融中心，发布了《“一带一路”绿色投资原则》。中英还欢迎两国金融机构开展合作，在英国和其他市场发行离岸绿色资产支持证券。未来中英还将创建由私营部门推动的投资平台，支持和投资英国绿色技术公司，以促其在中国等新兴市场的开发应用，努力在绿色金融产品创新、标准制定、风险监管等领域发挥更大引领作用。

Second, there is the opportunity for green development. In 2018, China issued over 30 billion dollars of green bond, achieving 33% increase year-on-year. Last week, the UK hosted the third Green Finance Summit. At the summit, Economic Secretary Glen announced the Green Finance Strategy. In fact, China and the UK have been major partners in green finance. In June 2018, the London Branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China issued green bond worth 1.58 billion dollars. This was the largest ever green bond listing on the London Stock Exchange.  China and the UK have also set up the Green Finance Taskforce, launched the Green Finance Centre, and issued the Green Investment Principles for Belt and Road Development. Our two countries welcome the collaboration between Chinese and UK financial institutions on the issuance of offshore green asset-backed securities in the UK and other markets. Both sides will create investment platforms driven by the private sector to support and invest in UK green technology firms to scale-up in new markets, including China. We will also do more and try to take up the lead in product innovation, standard setting, risk supervision and management in green finance.

三是平台机遇。伦敦金融城是世界领先的全球金融中心，也是中国金融服务合作的重要伙伴。伦敦是全世界最大的人民币离岸交易市场。截至今年2月，共有113只人民币债券在伦交所上市，总规模超过300亿元人民币。上个月我出席了中信银行伦敦分行开业仪式，这是第8家在伦敦设立分行的中资银行。可以说，这不仅是中资银行国际化发展的又一“里程碑”，也是对金融城光明前景的“信任票”。我相信，未来伦敦金融城将继续在人民币国际化、地方金融合作、第三方市场合作等领域发挥重要平台作用。

Third, there is the opportunity of making the best use of platforms. The City of London is a leading global financial centre, and an important partner of China in financial services. First of all, London is the world’s largest offshore RMB market. By last February, a total of 113 RMB-denominated bonds had been listed on the London Stock Exchange. The total value is more than 30 billion RMB yuan. Second, many Chinese banks have made London their home. Last month, I attended the opening ceremony of China CITIC Bank London Branch. It was the eighth Chinese bank to set up a branch in London. This was not only a new milestone in the efforts of Chinese banks to explore the global market, but also a “vote of confidence” for the future of the City of London. I am confident that going forward, the City of London will continue to serve as an important platform for RMB internationalisation, for sub-national financial cooperation between China and the UK, and for the two countries’ cooperation in third markets.

第三个问题，近来中美关系广受各方关注，贸易磋商动向牵动各国神经，两国能否避免“修昔底德陷阱”，避免“贸易战”殃及世界经济？中国的答案很明确，即坚持对话协商，为维护世界经济稳定环境提供信心。

Now let me turn to the third question of my speech. It is about the China-US relations and trade talks, which has caught the world’s attention. How can the two countries avoid the “Thucydides trap” and a “trade war” that could do so much harm to the world economy? Once again, China’s answer to this question is clear: We remain committed to dialogue and consultation. This commitment will boost confidence in the ability of the world economy to remain stable.

中方始终坚持通过对话磋商解决经贸争端。不久前中美两国元首在二十国集团大阪峰会期间举行会晤，双方同意在平等和相互尊重的基础上重启经贸磋商。英国工商界十分关注中美元首达成的共识能否落到实处，英国媒体也不停地问我中美经贸磋商的前景。我手上虽然没有预测未来的“水晶球”，但我认为把握好四点非常重要：

China has been committed to addressing trade frictions through dialogue and consultation. Not long ago, the Chinese and US Presidents met during the G20 Summit in Osaka. The two sides agreed to restart the trade talks on the basis of equality and mutual respect. The UK business community has followed the event closely and is eager to know whether the agreement will be delivered. And British media kept sounding me out about the prospect of China-US trade talks. I do not have a “crystal ball”, but I think the following four points are very important for the future of China-US relations:

一是正确看待彼此定位。中美建交40年来的历史经验表明，两国合则两利、斗则俱伤。因此，双方要视彼此为伙伴而非对手。中国的发展根本上是为了满足中国人民对美好生活的向往，而不是挑战谁或取代谁。中国决不会重蹈“国强必霸”的覆辙，将坚持走和平发展道路。

First, China and the US should have a right understanding of each other’ s goal. Forty years of China-US diplomatic relationship show that the two countries stand to gain from cooperation, and lose from confrontation. Therefore, it is important the two sides see each other as a partner rather than a rival. For China, the ultimate goal of development is to meet the aspiration of the Chinese people for a better life. It is not China’s goal to challenge or replace anyone. China will not go down the beaten path of Western powers and let its development lead to hegemony. Instead, China will remain committed to the path of peaceful development.

二是理性看待相互竞争。在经济全球化时代，合作与竞争是国际关系的正常现象。只要心胸足够大，视野足够宽，世界就足够大，容得下各国共同发展繁荣。如果我们一味放大竞争，就会挤压合作空间。只有摒弃你输我赢的零和思维，才能在深化合作中形成良性竞争，携手实现互利共赢。

Second, China and the US should view their competition in a sensible manner. In an age of economic globalization, both cooperation and competition are part of a normal relationship between countries. With a broad mind and a broad horizon, it would not be hard to see that the world is big enough for all countries to achieve common development and prosperity. If we over-exaggerate competition, we could run the risk of missing the opportunities. The right thing to do is to renounce the zero-sum mentality of “you lose, I win”. Only by doing so can we engage in healthy competition and at the same time deepen cooperation for win-win results.

三是勇于体现大国担当。作为大国，意味着对地区和世界和平与发展肩负着更大责任，而不是“颐指气使”的更大权力。中国坚持捍卫自身合法利益就是一种大国担当。我们呼吁其他国家，特别是大国能以负责任的态度，相向而行，共同维护以规则为基础的多边贸易体制。

Third, China and the US should shoulder due responsibilities as big countries. Big countries have big responsibilities for regional and world peace and development, but not “big power to be bossy”. By safeguarding its legitimate interests in trade talks, China has shouldered its responsibility for global economy and trade. We call on other countries, especially big countries, to act in a responsible manner, head towards the same direction and uphold the rule-based multilateral trade system.

四是携手捍卫共同利益。一个和平稳定的国际环境符合中美两国和国际社会的共同利益。在这场没有硝烟的“贸易战”中，无人能置身事外。各国投资者也都是单边主义、保护主义和贸易霸凌的受害者。我希望在座的工商界人士不做“沉默的大多数”，而做开放自由理念的践行者、多边贸易秩序的维护者、经济金融合作的促进者，以实际行动为世界经济发展注入更多信心、更多正能量。

Fourth, China and the US should join hands to safeguard the common interests of the world. A peaceful and stable international environment serves the common interests of China, of the US and of the international community. No one can stay aloof from this “trade war”. Investors are easy victim of unilateralism, protectionism and bullying trade policies. The business community should not be the “silent majority”. I hope you will stand up in support of open and free trade, uphold the multilateral trade order, and promote economic and financial cooperation. I hope you will take concrete action to put confidence and positive energy back into the world economic growth.

女士们，先生们，

Ladies and Gentlemen:

独行快，众行远。世界好，中国才会好；中国好，世界才会更好。中国愿以更大的开放分享发展机遇，以更多的协商谋求共同发展，以更好的合作推进互利共赢，为世界增添“中国信心”。希望中英两国企业家发扬伙伴精神，同舟共济，共克时艰，坚持开放、合作、协商，共同开创世界美好未来！

As a saying goes, “If you want to go fast, walk alone; If you want to go farther, walk together.” China will develop better in a better world; and the world will be a better place with a better China. China stands ready to share its development opportunities through further opening up. China will pursue common development through consultation. China will promote win-win results through better cooperation. China will work hard to bring back confidence in the world economy. I hope the business leaders of our two countries will carry forward the spirit of openness, cooperation, consultation and partnership. In that spirit, I hope and believe you will work together to overcome all difficulties and build a better future for our world!

最后，预祝本次研讨会取得圆满成功！

In conclusion, I wish this Forum success!

谢谢！

Thank you!