Leverage the Strengths of Chinese Entrepreneurs and Create New Opportunities

发挥华商优势，铸造崭新机遇

 

Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Opening Ceremony of the 15th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention

驻英国大使刘晓明在第十五届世界华商大会开幕式上的致辞

 

ExCeL London, 22 October 2019

2019年10月22日，伦敦展览会议中心

 

Your Royal Highness The Duke of York,

Vice Chairman Gao Yunlong,

Director Xu Yousheng,

Vice Chairman Li Zhuobin,

Chinese and British Entrepreneurs,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

尊敬的英国约克公爵安德鲁王子，

尊敬的中国全国政协副主席、全国工商联主席高云龙先生，

尊敬的中国国务院侨务办公室主任许又声先生，

尊敬的中国侨联副主席李卓彬先生，

各位中英企业家朋友，

女士们，先生们：

 

Good morning!

大家上午好！

 

It is a real delight to join you at the opening ceremony of the 15th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC). On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, let me begin by extending my warm congratulations on the first WCEC ever held in Europe and in the UK! I would also like extend a warm welcome to Chinese entrepreneurs from across the world.

很高兴出席第十五届世界华商大会开幕式。我谨代表中国驻英国大使馆，对华商大会首次进入欧洲、来到英国表示热烈祝贺！对来自世界各地的华商朋友表示热烈欢迎！

 

The theme of this year’s WCEC is “New World, New Opportunities”. I believe that amid profound changes unseen in a century in the world, Chinese entrepreneurs should not only seize the new opportunities but also break new ground.

本次大会主题是“世界新格局、华商新机遇”，我认为，随着当今世界进入百年未有之大变局，全球华商不仅能够抓住新机遇，更能铸造新格局。

 

First, Chinese entrepreneurs should seize the new opportunities brought by their extensive network and break new ground in the world economy. As protectionism and unilateralism unfurl and increase the risks and uncertainties for the world economy, economic globalisation needs new driving forces and new vitality. Overseas Chinese is a huge community. Among them, the entrepreneurs are in possession of a total asset of close to two trillion dollars, almost equaling the GDP of some big countries. They have invested in 80% of the countries and regions in the world and in a wide range of areas, including critical fields such as science, technology and innovation, trade and investment, culture and education. Their businesses are showing great vitality. Overseas Chinese is a huge community. Among them, the entrepreneurs are in possession of a total asset of close to two trillion dollars, almost equaling the GDP of some big countries. They have invested in 80% of the countries and regions in the world and in a wide range of areas, including critical fields such as science, technology and innovation, trade and investment, culture and education. Their businesses are showing great vitality. In addition to that, their close bond, common culture and extensive connections have contributed to the world’s largest entrepreneurs’ network, covering every corner of the globe. They have also established an extraordinary platform – the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention. WCEC brings together business leaders from across the world to explore opportunities for growth and prosperity.

首先，抓住互联互通新机遇，铸造世界经济新格局。当前，保护主义、单边主义持续蔓延，世界经济运行风险和不确定性显著上升，经济全球化迫切需要注入新动能、新活力。世界华侨华人数量庞大，全球华商总资产近2万亿美元，规模堪比“国家级”。华商投资地域广、领域宽，遍布全球80%的国家和地区，涉及科技创新、经贸投资、文化教育等重要领域，展现出强大的创新活力。全球华商通过牢固的血脉纽带、共同的文化基因和广泛的商业触角，形成了遍及五大洲的全球最大商人网络，并搭建了世界华商大会这样汇集中外精英、共谋繁荣发展的精品平台。这个超越疆界的网络和平台，不是封闭的“小圈子”，而是开放的“大家庭”；不是华商的“独角戏”，而是欢迎各国朋友共同参与的“大合唱”。它可以更好地调动各国资源禀赋和比较优势，更好地向世界传递信心和希望，成为世界经济的机遇之网、繁荣之台。

 

Second, Chinese entrepreneurs should seize the new opportunities of China’s reform and opening up, and break new ground in achieving common development. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. After decades of high-speed growth since the reform and opening up, the Chinese economy has grown tremendously. Last year, it was close to 16% of the world’s total. Right now, it is making steady progress, enjoying one of the highest growth rates among major economies. The economic structure also keeps improving as new technologies, new industries and new business models emerge. At the same time, China remains firm in opening up its market. We have taken solid steps.

其次，抓住改革开放新机遇，铸造共享发展新格局。今年是中华人民共和国成立70周年。经过改革开放以来几十年的高速发展，中国经济去年占世界经济的比重已近16%。当前，中国经济运行总体平稳、稳中有进，经济增速位居世界主要经济体前列，经济结构持续优化，新技术、新产业、新业态不断涌现。同时，中国对外开放的步伐更加坚定有力。

 

Earlier this year, the 2019 edition of the negative list on foreign investment was issued,

six pilot free trade zones were set up,

a new area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone was opened,

and the exploration into the prospects of turning Hainan province into a free trade port was accelerated.

今年，中国发布了2019年版外资准入负面清单，新设了6个自由贸易试验区,增设了上海自由贸易试验区新片区，正在加快探索建设海南自由贸易港进程。

 

Next month, the second China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai. On January 1st next year, the new Foreign Investment Law will come into force. Chinese entrepreneurs speak the Chinese language, understand China’s policies and know the Chinese market. I hope you will fully leverage these advantages and bring global partners together to take part in China’s domestic development and the Belt and Road Initiative. Together you could create new opportunities and share the benefits of China’s growth.

下个月，第二届中国国际进口博览会将在上海举办。明年1月1日，中国将实施新的外商投资法律制度。在此背景下，希望广大华商继续发挥“通语言、明政策、懂行情”等优势，带动国际友人一起参与中国发展和“一带一路”合作，拓展中国机遇，共享中国红利。

 

Third, Chinese entrepreneurs should seize the new opportunities of the “Golden Era” and break new ground in China-UK cooperation. This is the first time that WCEC is held in the UK. This reflects Chinese entrepreneurs’ confidence in the British market and in China-UK business cooperation. This year marks the 65th anniversary of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the chargé d’affaires level. Over the years, China-UK business cooperation has delivered fruitful results, and our interests are now deeply integrated.

第三，抓住“黄金时代”新机遇，铸造中英合作新格局。世界华商大会第一次走进英国，体现了广大华商对拓展英国市场和中英经贸合作的信心。今年是中英建立代办级外交关系65周年。当前，中英经贸合作成果丰硕，双方利益深度交融。

 

China-UK trade in goods exceeded $80 billion for the first time in 2018, and increased by 8.4% year-on-year in the first eight months of this year.

Chinese investment in the UK and British investment in China have both exceeded $20 billion.

London is now the world’s largest RMB offshore trading centre and the second largest RMB offshore clearing centre outside China.

The Shanghai-London Stock Connect for the first time connects the Chinese and a foreign capital market.

2018年两国货物贸易额首次突破800亿美元大关，今年前8个月同比增长8.4%；两国在对方直接投资均超过200亿美元；伦敦已成为中国之外全球最大的人民币离岸交易中心和第二大人民币离岸清算中心，“沪伦通”开创了中国与境外资本市场互联互通的先河。

 

Despite Brexit, many Chinese companies are still making investment in the UK. They are casting their “vote of confidence” in the prospects of China-UK business cooperation. This year’s WCEC brings together Chinese entrepreneurs and the British business community. It has created a good opportunity for the two sides to enhance mutual understanding, dovetail their needs and tap their potential. Together, you will contribute new outcomes to China-UK business cooperation, and provide new driving force for building an open world economy!

在英国脱欧背景下，许多中国企业仍积极投资英国，以实际行动为中英经贸合作前景投下了“信任票”。希望广大华商和中英工商界人士共同努力，以本次大会为契机，增进了解、对接需求、深挖潜力，不断为中英务实合作贡献新成果，为推动构建开放型世界经注入新动力！

 

In conclusion, I wish the 15th WCEC great success!

最后，预祝第十五届世界华商大会取得圆满成功！

 

Thank you!

谢谢大家！