刘晓明大使在英国标准人寿安本集团早餐会上的演讲：《坚定中国经济信心，共创中英关系未来》

Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Breakfast: Have Confidence in China's Economy and a Better Future for China-UK Relations

（2020年2月13日，伦敦标准人寿安本集团总部）

London, 13 February 2020

尊敬的英国标准人寿安本集团主席、英国政府“一带一路”特使范智廉爵士，

尊敬的英国前外交国务大臣、标准人寿安本集团国际商务大使布朗先生，

女士们，先生们，

早上好！

Sir Douglas,

Mr. Browne,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning!

很高兴出席英国标准人寿安本集团早餐会。今年是中国农历鼠年，今天是正月二十。中国有句俗话，没出正月都是年。我谨祝福大家鼠年吉祥如意、幸福安康！

It is a real delight to join you at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Breakfast.

Today is the 20th day of the first month of the Year of the Rat. As the Chinese people often say, "The festival is not over until the end of the first month of the new year." Therefore, it is not late yet to extend my Chinese New Year greetings to you. I wish you all present today a happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Rat!

布朗先生希望我讲一讲中国经济和中英关系，今天我就这两个问题谈几点看法。

As suggested by Mr. Browne, I would like to share with you my views on China's economy and China-UK relations.

第一个问题，关于中国经济的发展前景。最近有不少关于新冠肺炎疫情对中国经济影响的评论，有的担心疫情会拖累中国经济和世界经济增长。我认为，应全面理性看待疫情对中国经济的影响。这种影响在短期内的确存在，但是阶段性的、暂时性的，不会改变中国经济稳中向好、长期向好的基本趋势。我们对此有坚定信心，这种信心主要来自以下三方面：

Let me begin with the prospects of China's economy.

There have been worries recently about the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on China's economy. Some say the epidemic may drag down growth in China and even the world.

In my opinion, the economic impact of the epidemic should be seen from a comprehensive and reasonable perspective. The impact is short-term and temporary. It will not change the momentum of steady and long-term economic growth in China. I have full confidence in this, and here are the three main reasons for my confidence.

一是基础牢。2019年中国GDP达14.4万亿美元，增长6.1%，明显高于全球经济增速，在1万亿美元以上经济体中位居第一。中国经济对世界经济增长贡献率持续保持在30%左右。中国经济具有牢固基础：中国是全球第一大货物贸易国、最大外汇储备国、第二大外资流入国；中国是全世界唯一拥有联合国产业分类中所列全部工业门类的国家；中国有世界上最大的高铁网络，高铁营业总里程达3.5万公里，占全球高铁里程超过2/3。中国从2003年战胜SARS、2008年成功应对国际金融危机中积累了丰富经验，更有能力、有把握推动经济快速回升和持续增长。展望未来，中国经济仍将保持中高速增长，仍是世界经济增长主要稳定器和动力源。

First, China's economy has a solid foundation.

In 2019, China's GDP stood at $14.4 trillion, increasing by 6.1%. This growth rate is much higher than the world average. It is in fact the highest in the trillion-dollar club. Over the years China has been contributing about 30% of world economic growth.

These are attributable to the solid foundation of China's economy:

• China is the world's largest trader in goods, biggest holder of foreign exchange reserves and second largest destination for foreign investment.

• China is the only country in the world that has all the industries under the industrial classifications issued by the UN.

• China has the world's most extensive high-speed rail network, with the length of rails in operation reaching 35,000 kilometres. That's more than two thirds of the world's total high speed rails.

China won the battle against SARS in 2003 and dealt with the international financial crisis of 2008 successfully. We are experienced, capable and confident in dealing with similar crisis. And we will be able to steer our economy back onto an upward trajectory and achieve sustained growth.

Going forward, China's economy will keep the mid-to-high-speed growth rate. It will remain a key stabiliser and powerhouse for world economic growth.

二是空间广。中国仍是世界上最大的发展中国家，发展潜力巨大。2019年中国人均国内生产总值历史上首次突破1万美元，但仍仅为英国的1/4、美国的1/6；中国城镇化率仅有60.6%，与发达国家相比，还有近20%的上升空间。中国超大规模市场优势明显，有超过4亿的中等收入群体，社会消费品零售总额突破40万亿元人民币，消费对中国经济发展的拉动作用会进一步突显。中国数字经济、网络经济、共享经济等正蓬勃发展，2019年实物商品网零售额同比增长19.5%。中国持续深化供给侧结构性改革，已建成世界上规模最大的医保网络，我们将进一步改善卫生服务，加大投入，更好地促进经济社会发展。

Second, China's economy has room for growth.

As the largest developing country in the world, China has enormous potential for further development.

In 2019, China's per capita GDP passed the 10,000-dollar line for the first time in history, but this is still only one fourth of the UK and one sixth of the US.

China's urbanisation rate is 60.6%. Compared with Western industrialised countries where urbanization is 80%, there is a lot of room for growth.

China's enormous market, with more than 400 million middle-income consumers, is a unique strength. Retail sales of consumer goods in China have exceeded 40 trillion RMB yuan. Going forward, consumption will play an even bigger role in driving China's economic growth.

China has seen thriving development in digital economy, cyber economy and sharing economy. In 2019, on-line retail sales increased by 19.5% year-on-year.

China is deepening supply-side structural reform. It has set up the world's largest health care network and will take further steps, including increasing investment, to improve health care services. These will give further impetus to economic and social progress.

三是开放大。中国全面深化改革不断深入，对外开放的大门将越开越大。今年1月1日起，中国正式实施《外商投资法》和《外商投资法实施条例》，将进一步放宽外商投资准入，增加商品和服务进口，保护知识产权，推进金融领域开放，包括把原来规定的2021年取消证券、期货、基金、寿险外资股比限制提前至2020年。近期，中美在平等和相互尊重基础上达成第一阶段经贸协议，这符合市场化和商业化原则，符合WTO规则，不仅有利于中美，也有利于世界。中国将进一步改善营商环境，对在中国境内注册的各类企业平等对待、一视同仁，进一步打造对外开放新高地。

Third, China is opening up wider to the world.

The Foreign Investment Law and its implementing regulations took effect on January 1st this year. This law further broadens market access for foreign investment, increases imports of goods and services, enhances protection of IPR and increases openness in the financial sector.

This law will especially benefit joint venture firms in securities, futures, fund and life insurance sectors by bringing forward the deadline for lifting the foreign ownership caps from 2021 to 2020.

Last month, China and the United States reached the phase-one economic and trade agreement. This agreement is in line with market and business rules as well as WTO rules. It is beneficial to China, to the US, and to the whole world.

China is taking further steps to open up its market, explore new frontiers and improve business environment, including treating all locally registered businesses as equals.

针对目前疫情的影响，中国政府投入了专项疫情防控资金，中国人民银行等机构出台了支持金融市场的措施，中国企业界积极参与抗击疫情。我们完全有能力、有信心把疫情对经济的影响降到最低，世界银行、国际货币基金组织及国际知名经济学家普遍认为，疫情对中国经济的冲击是暂时的，对中国经济的未来充满信心。中国经济极具韧性，中长期看仍具有巨大的发展潜力。

With regard to the Covid-19 outbreak,

• The Chinese Government has allocated special fund for epidemic prevention and control;

• The People's Bank of China and other relevant institutions have rolled out measures to support the market;

• And the Chinese business community has been playing an active part in fighting the outbreak.

China has the capability and confidence to minimise the economic impact of the epidemic. The World Bank, the IMF and well-respected economists in the world have all agreed that the impact is temporary, and they have full confidence in China's future. China's economy is highly resilient and enjoys enormous potential for growth in the mid-to-long term.

女士们，先生们，

Ladies and Gentlemen:

现在，我谈一下第二个问题，如何看待脱欧背景下的中英关系？刚刚过去的2019年，中英以建立代办级外交关系65周年为契机，实现两国关系稳步发展，各领域合作保持良好势头。特别是在世界经济增长持续放缓的背景下，中英经贸合作成果突出、亮点纷呈。

Now let me turn to the second topic: How shall we define China-UK relations in the context of Brexit?

In 2019, China and the UK celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relationship at the chargé d'affaires level. Our relations have made steady progress and our cooperation across the board has maintained a sound momentum. In particular, our business cooperation has produced fruitful outcomes and created numerous highlights despite the continued slowdown of world economy.

一是贸易投资实现新增长。第十次中英经济财金对话在伦敦成功举行，双方达成69项成果，推动中英经贸合作再上新台阶。30家英企业参加第二届中国进博会；第十五届世界华商大会首次走进英国，中英企业签署多项合作协议；英国牛肉恢复对华出口。2019年，两国货物贸易额为863亿美元，同比增长7.3%，比10年前布朗先生任外交国务大臣时翻了一番还多；中国对英累计直接投资超过200亿美元。

First, new growth was achieved in bilateral trade and investment.

• The tenth China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue was held in London. It was a success, produced 69 outcomes and took China-UK business cooperation to a new level.

• One of the outcomes was that British beef would be given access to Chinese market.

• Thirty British companies attended the second China International Import Expo.

• The 15th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention was held in the UK for the first time. It has drawn businesses from both our two countries and saw a number of cooperation agreements signed.

• China-UK trade in goods totaled $86.3 billion in 2019, increasing by 7.3% year-on-year, and doubling the figure ten years ago when Mr. Browne was Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

• Direct investment from China to the UK exceeded $20 billion.　　

二是金融合作取得新突破。中英开启“沪伦通”，开创了中国与境外资本市场互联互通先河。浦发银行、农业银行、中信银行分别在英开设分行，工商银行发行首批中资银行英镑债券，蚂蚁金服收购英跨境支付公司万里汇（Worldfirst）伦敦成为全球第一大人民币离岸外汇交易中心和第二大人民币离岸清算中心，人民币累计清算量突破40万亿元。恒安标准养老保险有限责任公司成为进入中国的首家外资养老保险机构。

Second, new breakthroughs were achieved in China-UK financial cooperation.

• The Shanghai-London Stock Connect was launched -- the first-ever link between the Chinese and a foreign capital markets.

• Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Agricultural Bank of China and China CITIC Bank opened branches in the UK.

• ICBC issued pound-denominated bonds -- the first-ever by a Chinese bank.

• Ant Financial purchased Worldfirst, a UK-based cross border payments group.

• London became the world's largest offshore trading centre and the second largest offshore clearing centre of the Chinese currency, RMB. The total clearing volume stands at 43 trillion RMB yuan.

• Heng An Standard Life set up the first-ever foreign owned pension insurance business in China.　

三是“一带一路”合作注入新动力。去年4月，英国时任财政大臣哈蒙德作为首相特别代表赴华出席第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，英方称赞“一带一路”倡议是“真正可以载入史册的宏愿”。中英签署第三方市场合作协议，两国“一带一路”合作面临新机遇，英国企业和金融机构在第三方市场融资、提供专业技术与服务等方面同中方积极开展合作。

Third, new driving forces were created for China-UK cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

In April 2019, Philip Hammond, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China as the special representative of the Prime Minister. He praised BRI as "a project of truly epic ambition".

China and the UK signed an agreement on cooperation in third markets, which created new opportunities for China-UK cooperation on BRI. British companies and financial institutions engaged in active cooperation with China in third markets along the BRI routes, providing financing, expertise and services.

展望2020年，中国将全面建成小康社会，彻底消除极端贫困，实现第一个百年奋斗目标；英国正式脱欧，掀开“全球化英国”新篇章。2020年也是中英开启两国关系“黄金时代”五周年。我希望在座的英国工商界朋友坚持“三心”，推动中英经贸合作向更大范围、更高水平、更深层次推进。

In 2020, China will achieve its first centenary goal, namely, to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, and eliminate absolute poverty. The UK will begin to leave the EU and write a new chapter of a "global Britain". The year 2020 also marks the fifth anniversary of the China-UK "Golden Era".

In this special year, it is my hope that friends from the British business community present today will work in the following three aspects to promote broader, higher and deeper business cooperation between our two countries.

一是坚定信心，共享中国发展新机遇。中国正在推动高质量发展，新一轮高水平开放步伐坚实，经济发展的韧性持续显现，将为世界带来更多“中国机遇”。中国拥有14亿人口的大市场，将继续成为世界经济的增长之源。英国是第一次工业革命发源地，是世界科技强国之一。当前，第四次工业革命方兴未艾，中英两国应充分发挥各自优势，加强科创合作，共同引领新一轮经济全球化浪潮。“一带一路”倡议已成为全球最受欢迎的合作平台，是名副其实的机遇之路、共享之路、繁荣之路。范智廉主席深度参与中英“一带一路”合作，为推进双方合作作出重要贡献。我希望更多的英国工商界朋友把握机遇，积极参与中英合作，实现互利共赢。

First, I hope you will have more confidence in China's economy and share the new opportunities created by China's growth.

China is pursuing high-quality development. We will open up wider and at a higher level. Our economy is highly resilient. Our consumer market is 1.4 billion strong.

China will create more opportunities for the world and continue to be a powerhouse for world economic growth.

The UK is the cradle of the first industrial revolution and still a world leader now in science and technology.

As the fourth industrial revolution unfolds, China and the UK should leverage our respective strengths, enhance cooperation on science, technology and innovation, and jointly lead the new round of economic globalisation.

The Belt and Road Initiative is the most popular platform for cooperation in the world. It is a road of opportunities, a road for shared benefits, and a road to prosperity.

Sir Douglas has engaged deeply in China-UK cooperation on BRI. He has made important contribution. I hope more British friends from the business community will follow his example, seize the opportunities and take an active part in China-UK cooperation. I am sure our cooperation will deliver win-win results.

二是协力同心，共创互利合作新成果。中英发展战略契合度高，经贸合作互补性强，合作潜力巨大。双方应进一步深化在贸易投资、基础设施、绿色金融、高科技等领域合作，挖掘人工智能、绿色能源等领域合作新潜力。英国在公共卫生领域经验丰富，双方可进一步加强医药卫生合作，促进两国人民健康。今年中英将分别举办《生物多样性公约》第十五次缔约方会议和《联合国气候变化框架公约》第二十六次缔约方会议。这两次会议将为双方进一步加强应对气候变化、环境保护、野生动植物保护等方面合作提供宝贵机遇。中方欢迎各位工商界朋友积极参与，携手合作，为中英绿色发展贡献更大力量。

Second, I hope you will make concerted efforts to produce new outcomes of cooperation.

With highly matching development strategies and complementary strengths in the business sectors, China and the UK enjoy enormous potential for cooperation. Areas for deeper cooperation could include trade and investment, infrastructure, green finance and high technology. Areas such as artificial intelligence and green energy hold new potential for cooperation.

The UK has rich experience in the area of public health. Our two sides could enhance cooperation on medicine and health care so as to safeguard the health of our peoples.

Later this year, China will host COP15 to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UK will host COP26 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. These two conferences create invaluable opportunities for closer China-UK cooperation on addressing climate change and enhancing environmental and wildlife protection.

三是保持恒心，共建开放型世界经济。经济全球化是不可逆转的时代潮流，各国经济融合是大势所趋，单边主义、保护主义损人又害己。面对经济全球化的机遇和挑战，正确的选择是充分利用一切机遇，合作应对一切挑战。中英在支持自由贸易、反对保护主义方面有高度共识，双方应坚定维护以世贸组织为基石的多边贸易体制，推动经济全球化朝着更加开放、包容、普惠、平衡、共赢的方向发展。各位工商界朋友应抓住英国脱欧后的新机遇，与中国一道携手合作，共同建设开放型世界经济。

Third, I hope you will remain resolved in building an open world economy.

Economic globalisation and integration are the irreversible trend of our times. Unilateralism and protectionism are in nobody's interest. In face of the opportunities and challenges in economic globalisation, the right choice is to maximize the opportunities and join hands to address the challenges.

China and the UK agree on supporting free trade and opposing protectionism. It is important that our two countries continue to safeguard the multilateral trade system with the WTO as its cornerstone. We should strive to ensure economic globalisation is more open, inclusive, balanced and win-win.

It is my hope that friends from the British business community will seize the new opportunities after Brexit and work with China to build an open world economy.

女士们，先生们，

Ladies and Gentlemen:

大家都很关心中国抗击新冠肺炎疫情情况。疫情发生以来，中国政府高度重视，采取一系列严格防控举措。习近平主席作出一系列重要指示，三次主持召开中共中央政治局常务委员会会议，全面部署防疫工作。现在，举国上下动员起来，全力以赴打赢疫情防控阻击战。来自全国各地近两万名专业医务人员驰援武汉和湖北其他地区，我们在十天内建成了两所应急医院。广大民众众志成城、团结奋战，打响了疫情防控的人民战争。总的看，疫情是可防、可控、可治的。我坚信，有中国共产党的坚强领导，有全中国人民同舟共济、众志成城，有国际社会的大力支持，我们一定能战胜疫情！

I know you have been following the latest on Covid-19 closely. Since the outbreak, the Chinese Government has attached great importance to controlling the disease and adopted a series of strict measures. President Xi Jinping has made important instructions on many occasions and called three meetings of the top leadership to map out further plans of prevention and control.

Now the whole nation is mobilized to fight Covid-19. Nearly 20,000 medical professionals from all over the country have arrived in Wuhan and other cities and counties in Hubei Province. Two emergency hospitals have been built in ten days. The Chinese people are united in this "people's war" against an invisible enemy. On the whole, the epidemic is preventable, controllable and curable.

I am confident that, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, and with the solidarity of the Chinese people and the broad support from the international community, we will win the battle against Covid-19!

女士们，先生们，

Ladies and Gentlemen:

中国有俗语“信心比黄金更重要”，英国也有谚语“信心可以移山（Confidence can move mountains）”。我们要增强信心，向着光明坚定前行，抓住发展机遇，克服困难挑战。我希望，中英两国企业家同舟共济，携手努力，共同谱写中英经贸合作新篇章，为中英关系“黄金时代”打造更多“黄金成果”。

A Chinese saying goes, "Confidence is more precious than gold." There is a similar saying here in Britain, which goes, "Confidence can move mountains."

In this time of challenge, we must have confidence and strive forward with determination; we must seize the opportunities for development and overcome difficulties. If we can do this, we will embrace a brighter future.

It is my hope that the business community of China and the UK will pull in the same direction and join hands to write a new chapter of China-UK business cooperation and deliver more "golden fruits" for the China-UK "Golden Era".

谢谢大家！

Thank you!