China Wants to Build Deeper Educational Links with Britain
中英应当深化人文教育交流
Ambassador Liu Xiaoming’s Signed Article Published on the Financial Times
驻英国大使刘晓明在《金融时报》发表署名文章
27 November 2019
2019年11月27日
Since becoming the Chinese ambassador in London more than nine years ago, I have attended hundreds of education-related events. And I am convinced that flourishing educational co-operation is an important source of strength for relations between China and the UK. Recently, however, the House of Commons foreign affairs select committee issued a report accusing China of “interfering” with academic freedom in British universities. The charge is groundless and highly misleading.
我担任中国驻英国大使9年多来，出席了数百场中英教育交流活动，我深切地感受到，中英教育交流合作蓬勃开展，为两国关系不断注入动力。但日前英国议会下院外委会发表报告，无端指责中国干涉英国大学学术自由，捕风捉影，充满偏见，误导公众。
On the contrary, educational exchanges enhance understanding between the peoples of the two countries. There are now more than 100,000 Chinese students in the UK, and several thousand British students studying in China. More than an estimated 400m Chinese people are learning English. In the UK, more than 600 schools are offering Chinese language courses and more than 190,000 people are studying Chinese in 30 Confucius Institutes and 161 Confucius classrooms.
首先，中英教育交流合作增进两国人民相互了解。目前近20万中国学生和学者负笈英伦，1万余名英国学生在华学习。中国有4亿多人学习英文，600多所英国学校开设了中文课程，全英有19多万人在30所孔子学院和161间孔子课堂学习汉语。
China is committed to the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and respects academic freedom. I believe it has never, and will never, exert any political influence on normal academic activities in British universities. There ought to be no concerns, therefore, about the Chinese embassy or consulates-general carrying out exchanges with British academic institutions, or maintaining contacts with Chinese students and scholars in the UK. These activities are no different from the kinds of exchanges that British diplomatic or consular missions carry out in China. Stoking ideological prejudice for narrow political gain, or under pressure from other countries, will damp the enthusiasm of students and researchers from both countries. It will also further undermine academic co-operation between China and the UK.
中方一贯坚持不干涉别国内政原则，尊重学术自由，没有也不会对英大学正常学术活动施加任何政治影响。中国驻英国使领馆与英国各大学开展交往，与中国学生和学者保持联系，完全是正常履行职责，无可非议。这与英国驻华外交机构同中国大学及学术机构进行交流没有区别。如果出于意识形态偏执和狭隘政治目的或因为他国施压，而歪曲这些正常往来，最终将挫伤中英两国学生和学者的热情，并将进一步损害中英学术合作。
Such links contribute to the development and prosperity of both countries. Education and research are key tools in the UK’s “soft power” arsenal and are essential if the vision of a “global Britain” is to be realised. China, meanwhile, is pursuing innovation-driven development, building world-class research institutions and universities, and training high-calibre talents. With complementary strengths in education and research, both countries benefit from deepening collaboration.
其次，中英教育交流合作助力两国发展繁荣。教育科研是英国“软实力”重要工具，并对实现“全球化英国”至关重要。同时，中国正在建设创新型国家，着力培育世界一流的科研机构和大学，培养高层次、高水平人才。中英在教育科研领域深化合作符合双方共同利益。
The British Educational Suppliers Association, for example, has identified strong demand from China for quality British educational products and services. The recent announcement by the British government that it will reinstate the two-year post-study work visa for international students shows that the UK is willing to attract talent from all over the world. Anyone with a long-term vision for Sino-British relations should support and promote academic exchange and co-operation.
根据英国教育供应商协会预计，英国向中国提供大量教育产品与服务。今年英国政府出台新规，恢复为国际毕业生提供两年工作签证，展现了英广纳贤才的积极意愿。为了中英关系长远发展，两国有识之士都应支持和推动学术交流合作。
Moreover, academic links can enhance the conversation between the civilisations of east and west. China and the UK are both great civilisations with long histories and rich cultures. At the same time, however, cultural, historical, social and developmental differences mean that the two countries should seek to maintain and build the spirit of mutual respect, seeking common ground through dialogue.
第三，中英学术交流合作促进东西方文明对话。中英是东西方文明的重要代表，都拥有悠久的历史和灿烂的文明。同时，两国历史背景和文化传统不同，社会制度和发展阶段各异。这就更需要双方秉持相互尊重的精神，求同存异、真诚对话。
The UK’s policy paper on “International Education Strategy”, published in March this year, describes Britain as a world leader in higher education, boasting that its institutions are among “the most renowned and prestigious in the world”. For claims like this to be credible, the UK should display leadership in continuing to promote co-operation.
2019年英国国际教育战略白皮书称，英国是高等教育的世界领导力量，其“学术教育机构在国际上享有最高声誉”。我们期待英方继续展现出引领合作的领导力和独立自主的决策力。
China stands ready to work with the UK to advance the cause not only of educational exchange, but also of promoting mutual learning between east and west.
中方愿与英方一道，进一步推进中英人文教育交流合作，促进东西方文明互鉴。