Promote the Steady and Sustained Development of the China-UK Relationship on the Right Track
推动中英关系在正确轨道上行稳致远
Ambassador Zheng Zeguang Wrote an Article for People’s Daily
驻英国大使郑泽光在《人民日报》发表署名文章
2022年3月13日
13 March 2022
On March 13th, 1972, China and the UK signed and published the Communiqué on an Exchange of Ambassadors. This year, as we mark the 50thanniversary of this milestone event in the history of the China-UK relationship, the two countries should seize the opportunities, face the challenges head on, and work together to achieve steady and sustained development of the relationship on the right track.
1972年3月13日，中英签署并发表互换大使的联合公报，这是两国关系史上的里程碑事件。中英双方要以建立大使级外交关系50周年为契机，把握机遇，应对挑战，共同努力，推动中英关系在正确轨道上行稳致远。
China and the UK have maintained frequent high-level exchanges, which is the strong driving force for the development of the bilateral relations. The two sides have established the Economic and Financial Dialogue, Strategic Dialogue, High-Level People-to-People Exchange and dialogue mechanisms in many other areas. Last October, in his telephone conversation with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, President Xi Jinping comprehensively elaborated on China’s principled position on how to develop China-UK relations, pointing the direction forward for the two sides in promoting the steady and sustained development of the relationship under the current circumstances.
中英高层交往不断，有力推进了双边关系发展。中英建立经济财金对话、战略对话、高级别人文交流机制及其他具体领域对话机制。去年10月，习近平主席同英国首相约翰逊通电话，全面阐述中方对发展中英关系的原则立场，为双方在当前形势下推进两国关系行稳致远指明了方向。
Practical cooperation between the two countries have kept expanding, covering areas of trade, investment, financial services, science and technology, health care, clean energy, digital economy, green finance and FinTech. Bilateral trade in goods increased from a little over 300 million US dollars 50 years ago to more than 110 billion US dollars in 2021. China has been the largest source of imported goods in the UK for seven quarters in a row. The two countries have also maintained communication on international and regional issues, especially enhanced cooperation in recent years on global issues such as fighting Covid-19, addressing climate change and preserving biological diversity.
中英务实合作领域不断拓展，覆盖贸易、投资、金融服务、科技、卫生、清洁能源、数字经济、绿色金融、金融科技等诸多领域。两国货物贸易额由50年前的3亿多美元增至2021年的1100多亿美元。中国已连续7个季度成为英国最大货物进口来源国。中英在国际和地区事务中保持沟通协作，近年来还加强了在抗击新冠肺炎疫情、应对气候变化、保护生物多样性等全球性问题上的合作。
The two countries have deepened exchanges in areas of education, culture, sports and tourism. Before the pandemic, mutual visits per year was close to two million. At the moment, over 220,000 Chinese students are studying in the UK.
双方在教育、文化、体育、旅游等领域的交流与合作不断深化。新冠肺炎疫情发生前，双方每年人员往来近200万人次。目前有超过22万中国留学生在英国就读。
Cooperation serves the interests of China and the UK as well as the world. It is the best choice for both sides. Given the different national conditions, China and the UK should seek to develop together on the basis of mutual respect, and work for win-win results by seeking common ground. Looking to the future, the two countries should proceed from the fundamental interests of the peoples of both countries and the people of the world, resist disruptions, overcome obstacles, and continue to move the bilateral relations forward.
中英合作符合两国和世界的利益，是双方最好的选择。中英国情不同，应该在相互尊重中共同发展，在求同存异中合作共赢。面向未来，中英应坚持从两国人民和世界人民根本利益出发，排除干扰和障碍，推动双边关系砥砺前行。
We should keep to the right direction of China-UK cooperation, which is the correct choice that serves the interests of both countries and meets the common aspirations of both peoples. We should firmly oppose the wrong remarks and actions that advocate decoupling from China, clamour for “China threat” and hype up ideological confrontation. We should keep to dialogue and cooperation, and put the relationship on the right track.
我们要把握中英合作的正确方向。合作是符合中英双方利益的正确选择，也是两国人民的共同期待。我们要坚决反对鼓吹与中国脱钩、鼓吹“中国威胁论”、煽动意识形态对立的错误言行，坚持对话与合作，坚定不移推动中英关系沿着正确轨道向前发展。
We should tap the enormous potential of China-UK cooperation. The two sides should leverage their respective strength to deepen the cooperation in traditional areas, explore ways to work together in new areas, and expand practical partnership in third markets. It is also important to enhance communication and coordination on international and regional issues, and join hands to meet global challenges. This will bring more benefits to the peoples of both countries and promote world peace and prosperity. The UK is welcome to participate in the Global Development Initiative proposed by China and inject driving forces to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
我们要挖掘中英合作的巨大潜力。双方应发挥各自优势，深化传统领域合作，开拓新领域合作，加强在第三方市场的务实合作，在国际和地区问题加强沟通协调，携手应对各种全球性挑战，进一步造福两国人民，促进世界和平与繁荣。中方欢迎英方参与全球发展倡议，为落实联合国2030年可持续发展议程注入动力。
We should avoid creating obstacles for China-UK cooperation. Fifty years ago in the Joint Communiqué, the two countries confirmed the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and equality and mutual benefit; the UK side acknowledged the position of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China, and recognized the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. These principled positions form the important cornerstone for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and the UK, and must be observed at all times.
我们要排除中英合作的人为障碍。50年前，中英以联合公报形式一致确认互相尊重主权和领土完整、互不干涉内政和平等互利的原则；英方承认中国政府关于台湾是中华人民共和国的一个省的立场，承认中华人民共和国政府是中国的唯一合法政府。这些原则立场构成了中英建立和发展外交关系的重要基石，任何时候都必须得到遵守。
We should boost public support for China-UK cooperation. Friendship between the peoples is the strong powerhouse for the continued growth of China-UK relations. The two sides should explore more channels and provide facilitation for people-to-people contact, especially between the young generation. It is also important to deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas of education, culture, sports and tourism.
我们要夯实中英合作的民意基础。人民友好始终是推动中英关系不断前行的强大动力。双方应进一步拓宽两国民间交往渠道，便利两国人民特别是年轻一代的往来，深化教育、文化、体育、旅游等领域交流合作。
Now is a new starting point. China and the UK should maintain sound communication and work closer together to contribute to an early victory over Covid-19 around the world, better global governance and greater development and prosperity. Joining hands, the two countries can create a brighter future for their people and beyond.
站在新的起点，中英应保持良好沟通，加强合作，为世界早日战胜疫情、完善全球治理、实现发展繁荣作出贡献，携手开创更好的未来。