砥砺前行，协力共创更好未来
Working Together for a Better Future
郑泽光大使在纪念中英建立大使级外交关系50周年座谈会上发表讲话
Opening Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang at the Seminar on the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-UK Ambassadorial Diplomatic Relations
2022年3月22日
22 March 2022
尊敬的吴红波特别代表，
尊敬的姜江副会长，
尊敬的卓丹廉司长，
尊敬的凯布尔先生，
尊敬的各位议员，
各位朋友、女士们、先生们：
Special Representative Wu Hongbo,
Vice President Jiang Jiang,
Director Dan Chugg,
Sir Vince Cable,
Lords and MPs,
Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
感谢大家出席今天的座谈会。1972年3月13日，中英签署关于互换大使的联合公报，建立起双方大使级外交关系，揭开了中英关系新的一页。今天，我们欢聚一堂，共同纪念这个重要时刻，共商中英关系发展之道，具有十分重要的意义。
Thank you for joining us at this seminar today. On March 13th, 1972, China and the UK signed the Joint Communiqué on an Exchange of Ambassadors to establish ambassadorial diplomatic relations, which turned a new page for the bilateral relationship. Today, we are gathered here to mark this important moment and explore ways to take the China-UK relationship a step further. This is of great significance.
出席本次座谈会的嘉宾，有中国政府欧洲事务特别代表、英国政府现任和前任官员、英国议会议员，还有来自工商、文化、教育、科技及其他各界重要人士，很有代表性。你们都是中英关系的见证者、参与者和贡献者。在此，我谨代表中国驻英国使馆，向你们并通过你们，向长期以来关心和支持中英合作的两国各界人士，表示衷心感谢和诚挚敬意！
It is a great honour to have with us a highly representative group of guests today, including Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs, incumbent and former officials of the British Government, members of the British parliament, and leaders from the business, culture, education and science and technology communities. You have witnessed, taken part in and made contribution to the growth of the China-UK relationship. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks and pay tribute to you, and through you, to friends from all sectors of both countries, for your long-standing care and support for the cooperative ties between our two great countries!
50年来，中英关系历经波折起伏，克服困难障碍，取得了历史性发展。可以用三个关键词来概括中英关系取得的成果。
Over the past 50 years, our relationship has gone through ups and downs and overcome difficulties and obstacles to achieve historic progress. These achievements can be summarized in three key words.
一是引领。英国曾经是第一个承认新中国、第一个与新中国开展贸易往来、第一个申请加入亚投行的西方大国。中国选择了伦敦作为首次在境外发行人民币主权债券和央行票据的地方，推动伦敦成为全球第一大人民币离岸交易中心和第二大人民币清算中心。
First, pioneering. The UK was the first major Western country to recognize New China, the first to carry out trade with New China, and more recently, the first to apply to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. China chose London to issue the first RMB sovereign bonds and the first central bank bills overseas, and contributed to London’s growth into the biggest offshore RMB trading centre and the second biggest offshore RMB clearing centre.
二是拓展。中英务实合作从最初的货物贸易等传统领域，逐步扩展到金融服务、科技、卫生等重要方面，近年来又延伸到清洁能源、数字经济、绿色金融、金融科技等新领域。同时，双方在联合国、二十国集团等多边组织框架下保持密切协调，近年来还就抗击疫情、应对气变、保护生物多样性等全球性问题加强了合作。
Second, extensive. China-UK practical cooperation has expanded from traditional areas such as trade in goods to other important sectors of financial services, science and technology and health care, and in recent years, to emerging fields including clean energy, digital economy, green finance and FinTech. In the meantime, our two sides have maintained close coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the UN and the G20. In recent years, we have enhanced cooperation on global affairs, including fighting Covid-19, addressing climate change and preserving biological diversity.
三是共赢。互利共赢一直是中英合作的本质。比如，两国贸易、投资不仅拉动了各自经济增长，也满足了双方消费需求、提供了大量就业。近10年来，英国对中国出口增长126%，远高于对其他贸易伙伴的出口增速。2021年《投英跟踪调查报告》显示，中资企业在英雇员超过6万人。再比如，两国开展留学生、科技人员交流，促进了双方教育、科研事业的发展。
Third, win-win. Win-win has been the nature of China-UK cooperation. Take for example bilateral trade and investment. They not only boosted our respective economic growth but also satisfied consumer demands and created huge employment opportunities in both countries. Over the past decade, British export to China has increased by 126%, which was much higher than the growth rate of Britain’s export to other trading partners. The Tou Ying Tracker Report of 2021 shows that Chinese companies in the UK employed over 60,000 people in the country. Another example is the exchanges of students and researchers, which have promoted the development of education and scientific research in both countries as well as enhanced mutual understanding between our two peoples.
事实充分证明，中英合作造福了两国人民，也为促进世界和平、稳定与繁荣发挥了积极作用。
Facts fully prove that cooperation between China and the UK have not only brought benefits to the peoples of our two countries but also played a positive role in promoting world peace, stability and prosperity.
女士们、先生们，
Ladies and Gentlemen:
50年后的今天，世界已进入百年未有之大变局，中英已开启各自发展新阶段，中英关系面临新的形势，但中英合作依然顺乎时代潮流、符合两国人民期待、有利于两国和世界。中英双方应以两国建立大使级外交关系50周年为契机，把握机遇，应对挑战，共同推动两国关系在对话与合作的正确轨道上行稳致远。
Today, after 50 years, the world is experiencing profound changes unseen in a century, China and the UK each has entered a new development stage, and the China-UK relationship is facing a new situation. Against this backdrop, our two sides should take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity, seize it with both hands, tackle challenges appropriately and work together to promote the steady and sustained development of the China-UK relationship on the right track of dialogue and cooperation.
一要秉持正确认知。习近平主席指出，中英关系要发展好，认知是前提。50年来，中英双方对彼此的了解日益广泛深入，同时我们清醒地认识到，英国国内对中国仍存在不少误解误读。例如，不能正确认识中国的政治制度。我们认为，一个国家制度好不好，应由这个国家人民说了算。各国有权选择适合自己国情的发展道路，对此应予以充分尊重。我们去年刚刚隆重庆祝中国共产党百年华诞。中国人民从过去100年中国沧海桑田巨变中进一步认识到，只有社会主义才能救中国，只有中国特色社会主义才能发展中国。我们对自己选择的道路有强大的自信。在多项国际民意调查中，中国民众对中国政府的信任度都超过90%。中国无意改变其他国家的政治制度，也希望其他国家尊重中国的政治制度。
First, we should have a right understanding of each other. President Xi Jinping pointed out that for China-UK relations to fare well, mutual understanding is the precondition. Over the past 50 years, China and the UK have gained increasingly wider and deeper knowledge of each other. That being said, we must admit that there is still much misunderstanding here in this country about, among others, China’s political system. China believes that the people of a country are the sole judges of whether the country’s system is good. The right of every country to choose the development path that suits its national conditions should be fully respected. Last year, we celebrated the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. The profound changes that China has experienced in the past century have convinced the Chinese people that only socialism can save China and only socialism with Chinese characteristics can ensure further development in China. We are fully confident in the path of our own choice. Many surveys in the world also show that over 90% of the people in China trust their government. China has no intention to change other countries’ political systems, and hopes that other countries will respect China’s political system in return.
再如，不能正确看待中国的抗疫政策。一些英国报纸批评中国的抗疫举措过于严苛、不够科学。我们认为，各国国情不同、面临的疫情不一样。我们支持各国采取契合当地实际的抗疫政策，但反对那些对中国的无端指责。事实上，过去两年多来，中国始终坚持科学统筹疫情防控和经济社会发展，成效是有目共睹的。作为一个14亿多人口的国家，中国全国感染率和死亡率保持全球最低水平，感染率仅为9.4/100000，死亡率为0.4/100000。在经济方面，去年中国国内生产总值突破110万亿元人民币，同比增长8.1%，增量相当于世界第六大经济体一年的总量，且当年中国通胀率只有0.9%。
Another example is the perception of China’s Covid-19 response policy. Some British newspaper has been carrying articles criticizing the Covid response measures in China, saying they are too strict and not science-based. In our opinion, different countries have different national conditions and face different Covid situations. We support different countries in adopting different policies based on their national conditions. The fact is, in the past two years and more, China has coordinated its epidemic response with economic and social activities in a scientific way. Our achievements are self-evident. As a country with a population of over 1.4 billion, China has the world’s lowest infection and fatality rates, at 9.4/100000 and 0.4/100000 respectively. On the economic front, China’s GDP last year exceeded 110 trillion RMB yuan, increasing by 8.1% year-on-year. The increment alone was the equivalent of the world’s sixth largest economy. And the inflation rate stood at only 0.9%.
此外，不能正确认识中国的外交政策。英国有些人将中国视作“制度性竞争者”甚至是“威胁”。实际上，中国历来践行和平和睦和谐理念，坚持走和平发展道路，也希望各国都走和平发展道路，相互尊重、平等相待、合作共赢。中国始终是世界和平的建设者、全球发展的贡献者、国际秩序的维护者。中国的发展只会给各国带来共同发展的机遇，而不会对任何国家构成威胁。这也是我们致力于与包括英国在内的世界各国发展友好合作关系的原因。
The third example is the perception of China’s foreign policy. Some people in the UK see China as a “systemic competitor” or event a threat. But the fact is that China always upholds peace, good neighbourliness and harmony. We adhere to peaceful development, and we call on all countries to practise peaceful development as well, treat other countries with respect and on an equal footing, and work for win-win cooperation. China is always a defender of world peace, contributor to global development and upholder of international order. China’s development will only create opportunities for the common development of all countries. It will not pose any threat to any country. That is why we are committed to enhancing the exchanges and cooperation with all countries including the UK.
二要增进政治互信。政治互信是确保中英关系健康稳定发展的基础。50年前，中英以联合公报形式一致确认遵循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。上述原则构成了中英关系的基石。历史清楚地表明，这些原则得到切实遵守，中英关系就能顺利发展；反之，两国关系就会麻烦不断，甚至遇到挫折。
Second, we should deepen political mutual trust. This is the foundation for the healthy and steady development of the China-UK relationship. Fifty years ago in the Joint Communiqué, China and the UK 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 principles constitute the cornerstone for the China-UK relationship. History tells us loud and clear that when these principles are faithfully observed, our relationship will progress smoothly; otherwise, it will encounter numerous problems and even setbacks.
近来，有些人将乌克兰问题同台湾问题相提并论。我想强调，这两个问题有着本质区别。乌克兰问题是国际争端，而台湾问题纯属中国内政。世界上只有一个中国，台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分。中国必须统一，也必然统一，这是全体中华儿女的共同心愿。当前台海和平稳定的最大威胁是台湾当局的“台独”分裂活动和外部势力的干涉。我们愿意以最大诚意、尽最大努力争取和平统一的前景，但如果“台独”分裂势力挑衅逼迫甚至突破红线，我们将不得不采取断然措施。这个问题的敏感性和重要性绝对不能低估。这也是我们敦促所有与中国建交国家恪守对一个中国原则的承诺、妥善处理涉台问题的根本原因。
Recently, you can hear some people trying to make a comparison between Ukraine and Taiwan. I would stress that the two issues are of entirely different nature. The Ukraine issue is an international dispute, while the question of Taiwan is purely China’s internal matter. There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of the Chinese territory. China will and must realize reunification. This is the common aspiration of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation. At the moment, the biggest threat to the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the secessionist activities of the Taiwan authorities seeking so-called “independence” and the interference of external forces. We are ready to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and greatest efforts. However, if secessionist forces bent on “Taiwan independence” carry out provocations and coercion or even cross the red line, we will be forced to take decisive actions. The sensitivity and gravity of this issue must not be underestimated. This is the fundamental reason why we urge the countries with diplomatic ties with China to live up to their pledge on the one-China principle and handle the Taiwan-related question appropriately.
对于中国人民而言，台湾、香港、新疆、西藏事务从本质上不是人权、民主、宗教问题，而是涉及中国主权、安全和发展利益的内政。中国历来奉行互不干涉内政原则，坚决反对外部势力干涉中国内政。中方愿在尊重彼此核心利益和重大关切基础上，同其他国家通过平等对话缩小分歧、聚同化异、增进互信。
For the Chinese people, the affairs related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet are not issues of human rights, democracy or religion. They are affairs that bear on the nation’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. China adheres to the principle of non-interference and strongly opposes interference in its internal affairs by any external force. In the meantime, China stands ready to engage in equal-footed dialogue with other countries on the basis of respecting each other’s core interests and major concerns, in order to narrow differences, find common ground and deepen mutual trust.
三要拓展务实合作。务实合作是中英关系的粘合剂。过去50年中英合作成果丰硕，但合作潜力远未充分挖掘出来。双方应秉持互利共赢理念，发扬敢为人先精神，扩大贸易、投资、基础设施等传统领域合作，拓展医疗卫生、金融科技、数字经济等新领域合作，着力打造清洁能源、低碳科技、绿色发展等合作新亮点，推动解决全球高通胀、能源短缺、供应链紧张等问题，给两国人民和世界各国人民带来更多实实在在的利益。上周，我参观了位于威尔特郡门迪镇的华能电池储能项目。这个项目可谓是中英合作共赢的典范，它为当地贡献了税收和就业机会，促进了当地经济发展，并助推了英国绿色能源建设。中方始终对中英合作持开放态度，愿意积极推动更多类似华能储能的双方互利合作项目。希望英方也坚持开放合作，为中资企业在英经营创造稳定、友好的政治环境和公平、公正、非歧视的营商环境。
Third, we should expand practical cooperation. Practical cooperation is the adhesive for the China-UK relationship. Such cooperation has achieved fruitful outcomes in the past 50 years, but the potential is far from being fully tapped. Our two sides should, in a win-win and pioneering spirit, expand cooperation in traditional areas of trade, investment and infrastructure, explore new areas of health care, FinTech and digital economy, create new highlights in clean energy, low-carbon technology and green development, and address the pressing global problems of inflation, energy shortage and instability in the supply chain. This will enable us to bring more tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries and beyond. Last week, I visited Huaneng Group’s battery energy storage project in Minety, Wiltshire. This project is a shining example of China-UK win-win cooperation. It has contributed to the local community by bringing tax revenue, creating jobs, and boosting economic growth. It has also contributed to the development of green energy in the UK. China is open to cooperation with the UK. We hope to see and would like to actively encourage more mutually-beneficial projects like the Huaneng Minety project. Likewise, we hope that the UK will be equally committed to open cooperation and foster a stable and friendly political environment and a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises here in this country.
四要展现大国担当。中英都是联合国安理会常任理事国和具有重要国际影响的国家，应加强在国际事务中的沟通协调，展现大国责任担当。当前，乌克兰局势引发国际社会广泛关注。一些人批评指责中国在乌克兰问题上的立场，这些言论基于错误信息，缺乏事实依据。中国在乌克兰问题上的原则立场是公开透明、客观公允、一以贯之的，各方不应误读，更不应歪曲。
Fourth, we should shoulder the responsibilities as major countries. China and the UK are both permanent members of the UN Security Council. We both bear global significance. It is important that we enhance communication and coordination on international affairs and shoulder the responsibilities as major countries. At the moment, the situation in Ukraine has drawn extensive attention from the international community. Recently you can hear criticisms and accusations against China’s policy on Ukraine, but they are based on misinformation, and are unfounded and wrong. China’s principled position on the Ukraine issue is transparent, objective, fair and consistent. It should not be misinterpreted or distorted.
中方对乌克兰局势发展到当前地步感到痛惜。中国历来主张，各国主权和领土完整应该得到尊重，联合国宪章宗旨和原则应该得到遵守，各国合理安全关切应该得到重视，国际争端应该以和平方式解决。解决乌克兰危机，当务之急是各方要一起推动当事方对话谈判，谈出结果、谈出和平，尽快停火止战，避免局势进一步恶化，尤其要防止更多平民伤亡。长远之道是有关方面要摒弃冷战思维，不搞集团对抗，通过谈判真正形成平衡、有效、可持续的地区安全架构，这样才能实现欧洲大陆的长治久安。
China is deeply saddened by the developments in Ukraine. China’s position has always been that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the principles and purposes of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken into serious consideration, and international disputes should be settled peacefully. To resolve the Ukraine crisis, the pressing priority now is for all sides to jointly support the parties involved to have dialogue and negotiation that will produce results and lead to peace. It is critical to cease hostilities as soon as possible, prevent the situation from worsening and, in particular, avoid more civilian casualties. To achieve an enduring solution, it is imperative for the relevant sides to reject the Cold War mentality, refrain from bloc confrontation, and build through negotiation a truly balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture for the region, so as to achieve long-term stability on the European continent.
中方一直同各方广泛接触，积极劝和促谈。习近平主席上周五同美国总统拜登进行了视频通话，此前还同俄罗斯总统普京、法国总统马克龙、德国总理朔尔茨等多国领导人通话，王毅国务委员兼外长也分别同十多个国家的外长进行了通话，目的都是推动乌克兰局势降温，推动各方政治解决危机。我们已提出关于乌人道主义局势的六点倡议，并向乌克兰提供了多批人道主义援助物资。我们认为，美国和北约也应该同俄罗斯对话，解开乌克兰危机背后的症结，化解俄乌双方的安全忧虑。我们支持一切有利于和平解决危机的努力，将继续在乌克兰问题上发挥积极作用，同时坚决反对任何火上浇油、刺激矛盾、制造阵营对抗的做法。中国始终站在正义和和平的一边，始终站在历史正确的一边。
China has been working with all sides to push for peace talks. After speaking over the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other leaders, President Xi Jinping had a video call with U.S. President Joe Biden last Friday. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi have also talked separately with his counterparts in multiple countries over the phone. These efforts are aimed at easing the situation and urging the parties involved to negotiate a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. We have put forward a six-point initiative on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, and have provided multiple batches of humanitarian supplies to the country. We believe the United States and NATO should also have dialogue with Russia so as to address the crux of the crisis and ease the security concerns of both Russia and Ukraine. We support all efforts that are conducive to a peaceful solution, and will continue to play a constructive role on the Ukraine issue. At the same time, we firmly oppose any practice of pouring fuel over fire, instigating conflicts or creating bloc confrontation. China has always been a force for justice and peace, and has always stood on the right side of history.
中英还应加强在抗击疫情、应对气候变化、促进全球经济复苏和绿色发展等方面以及阿富汗、伊朗核等问题上的沟通协调，为促进世界和平与发展多作贡献。
China and the UK should also strengthen communication and coordination in combating COVID-19, tackling climate change, promoting global economic recovery and green development, as well as on Afghanistan, the Iranian nuclear issue and so forth. Together we can make greater contributions to world peace and development.
五要深化人民友谊。人民的友好始终是中英关系发展的源头活水，任何时候都要精心呵护。50年来，中英人文交流和双方友谊不断加深。疫情前中英人员往来多达200万人次，当前中国留英学生数量超过22万，有研究机构预测到2030年中国留英学生将增长70%。这种趋势令人兴奋，同时也不能认为一切都能自然实现。我们希望中国留英学生能够拥有友善、安全的学习生活环境。双方还应拓宽渠道，在疫情之后鼓励更多文化、体育、旅游等领域交流与合作。
Fifth, we should deepen friendship between our peoples. Such friendship has always been the source of strength for the development of China-UK relations. It should be cherished at all times. Over the past 50 years, China-UK people-to-people exchanges and friendship continue to grow. Mutual visits totaled 2 million per year before the pandemic. Over 220,000 Chinese students are currently studying in the UK and this is predicted by research institutions to grow a further 70% by 2030. We are glad to see the growth trend, but we should not assume that everything can be taken for granted. We hope that Chinese students will be able to study in a friendly and safe environment. The two countries should also encourage more exchange and cooperation in culture, sports and tourism and other areas after the pandemic.
女士们、先生们，
Ladies and gentlemen,
五十年弹指一挥间。发展中英关系的历史接力棒交到了我们手中，这既是我们的荣幸，更是我们的责任。前方的道路不会平坦，但我们要充满信心、协力前行。不能因存在一些分歧而忽视双方拥有的广泛共识，不能因一时的困难错过长远的机遇。中国驻英使馆愿和英国各界朋友携手努力，砥砺前行，开创中英关系更好的未来！
Fifty years have passed in a blink of an eye. The baton of developing China-UK relations is now passed on to us. This is both an honor and a responsibility. The road ahead will not be without difficulties, but we must move forward with confidence and concerted efforts. We must not allow differences to mask broad consensus between our two sides. We cannot afford to miss out on long-term opportunities because of temporary setbacks. The Chinese Embassy is ready to work together with friends from all sectors in the UK to forge ahead and create a better future for China-UK relations!
接下来，期待听到各位朋友的真知灼见。谢谢。
Thank you all. I look forward to hearing your valuable insights.