架起更好桥梁  推进互利合作

Building Better Bridges for Mutually Beneficial Cooperation

各位来宾，

女士们、先生们、朋友们：

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Friends,

很高兴出席今天的论坛，感谢马什主席的邀请。我谨代表中国驻英国大使馆，对论坛的举办表示祝贺，对长期以来支持中英关系发展的各界朋友表示感谢。

It gives me great pleasure to attend today’s forum. Thank you to Chairman Marsh for the kind invitation. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, I would like to extend congratulations on the holding of this forum and gratitude to friends from all sectors who have long supported the development of China-UK relations.

这次论坛以“搭建桥梁”为题十分贴切。当前国际形势变乱交织，不稳定不确定因素增多，中英两国、世界各国更需要架设合作桥梁，拓宽共赢之路，携手应对挑战，共促和平与发展。

The theme of today’s forum “Building Bridges” could not be more fitting. In today’s world full of turmoil and change and with rising instability and uncertainties, it is all the more imperative for China and the UK as well as other countries to build bridges for cooperation, broaden roads for mutual benefit and work together to respond to challenges and advance peace and development.

中国人自古就有“穷则独善其身，达则兼济天下”的世界情怀。中国始终坚持从做好自己的事情开始，通过铺路架桥推动各国交流与合作，促进世界和平与发展。

It has been a Chinese traditional virtue to focus on self-cultivation in hard times and bring prosperity to all after achieving success. Starting with running our own affairs well, we have all along been building bridges for communication and cooperation, with the purpose to promote world peace and development.

今年以来，面对复杂严峻的外部环境，我们坚定推进中国式现代化，扎实推进高质量发展，经济持续回升向好。今年前三季度，中国国内生产总值同比增长5.2%。今年前10个月，社会消费品零售总额同比增长6.9%，工业增加值同比增长4.1%。中国经济增长的含金量更高、绿色成色更浓。新能源汽车、锂电池、光伏产品成为中国出口的“新三样”，前三季度合计出口同比增长41.7%。国际货币基金组织把2023年中国经济预期上调至5.4%。中国对今年全球经济增长的贡献可望达到三分之一。

This year, despite a complicated and daunting external environment, we have been advancing Chinese modernisation and pursuing high-quality development. Our economy has been steadily recovering and turning for the better.

In the first three quarters of this year, China’s GDP grew by 5.2% year-on-year. In the first 10 months, the total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 6.9%, and industrial added value grew by 4.1%. China’s economic growth is now higher value-added and greener.

New energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products have become the new name cards of Chinese exports, and the total exports of these products in the first three quarters expanded by 41.7%. The IMF has just raised China's economic forecast for 2023 to 5.4%, and China is projected to generate about one third of global growth this year.

中国坚定不移推进高水平对外开放。我们已宣布全面取消制造业领域外资准入限制措施，近期成功举办第六届中国国际进口博览会，3400多家各国企业参展，明天还将举办第二届全球数字贸易博览会。我们正在高质量实施《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》，主动对接《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》和《数字经济伙伴关系协定》经贸规则，扩大面向全球的高标准自由贸易区网络。

China remains committed to advancing high-standard opening up. We have announced the removal of all restrictive measures on foreign investment in manufacturing. The sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) was held recently, attracting over 3,400 companies from various countries. And tomorrow, the second Global Digital Trade Expo will be held.

We are applying high standards to the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). We are also working to align with the economic and trade rules of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), and expand a globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas.

今年是习近平主席提出“一带一路”倡议十周年。我们成功举办了第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，来自151个国家和41个国际组织的超过1万名代表齐聚北京，形成了458项成果，达成972亿美元的商业合作协议。习近平主席宣布中国支持高质量共建“一带一路”八项行动，开启了高质量共建“一带一路”新阶段，为推动全球互联互通、促进世界发展繁荣注入强劲动力。

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. Last month, we hosted the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Over 10,000 participants from 151 countries and 41 international organisations joined the forum, with 458 deliverables achieved and over 97 billion US dollars worth of business agreements signed.

At the forum, President Xi announced eight major steps China will take to support the joint pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. This has opened a new chapter for the initiative and will inject strong impetus into global connectivity, development and prosperity.

今年以来，西方一些媒体把中国发展前景描述得很黯淡，有的甚至妄言中国发展趋势已经逆转。事实胜于雄辩。中国经济不仅今年在全球主要经济体中保持领先，而且中长期发展优势更加明显。中国具有社会主义市场经济的体制优势、超大规模市场的需求优势、产业体系配套完整的供给优势、大量高素质劳动者和企业家的人才优势，经济发展具备强劲的内生动力、韧性、潜力，长期向好的基本面没有变也不会变。

Since the beginning of this year, Western media has painted a grim picture of China’s development prospects, going as far as to say that China’s development has been reversed. But facts speak louder than words. The reality is China’s economy has not only ranked among the top of major economies this year, but also enjoys more prominent strengths for the medium to long term:

- a socialist market economy in systemic terms,

- a supersize market in terms of demand,

- a full-fledged industrial system in terms of supply, and

- abundant, high-caliber labour forces and entrepreneurs in terms of human resources.

China’s economic development is self-generative, resilient and has many potentials. The overall Chinese economy remains promising, and it will remain so in the long run.

女士们、先生们，

Ladies and gentlemen,

发展需要和平稳定的外部环境。中国始终站在和平与正义一边，致力于同世界各国发展友好合作关系，为推动解决国际和地区热点问题发挥建设性作用。无论对延宕多时的乌克兰局势，还是新近重燃的巴以战火，中国始终致力于劝和促谈，推动政治解决。

Development requires a peaceful and sound external environment. That is why China has all along stood on the side of peace and justice, all along pursued friendship and cooperation with all countries, and all along played a constructive role in the settlement of regional and international hotspot issues. Be it the lingering Ukraine crisis or the recently resurgent Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China has always been promoting talks for peace and a political settlement of the issues.

前不久，习近平主席和拜登总统在美国旧金山举行会晤。这是一次增信释疑、管控分歧、拓展合作的重要会晤，为中美关系的发展指明了方向，为动荡变革的世界注入稳定性。我们期待美方拿出实际行动，与中方一起落实好两国元首达成的重要共识，推动中美关系重回健康稳定发展轨道。

A few days ago, President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden met in San Francisco. This meeting was significant for enhancing trust, removing suspicion, managing differences and expanding cooperation between China and the United States. It pointed the way for the growth of China-US relations and injected stability into a volatile and changing world. It is hoped that the US will work with China in good faith to implement the important consensus reached by the two presidents, so as to take China-US relations back to the track of healthy and steady development.

今年是中欧建立全面战略伙伴关系20周年。去年以来，中欧领导人通过互访、视频会晤等方式保持密切交往，各领域务实合作取得新发展。中欧关系的稳定发展，为双方带来了巨大利益，也为世界和平与发展提供了正能量。

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU. Since last year, the two sides have maintained frequent exchanges in the forms of mutual visits and virtual meetings and witnessed new progress in their practical cooperation. The steady development of China-Europe relations have brought enormous benefits to both sides and provided positive energy for world peace and development.

女士们、先生们，

Ladies and gentlemen,

中英关系非常重要。合作只会给两国、给世界带来好处。在发展对华关系上，英国曾经长期走在西方国家前列，是中西方交往的重要桥梁。遗憾的是，近些年英国的桥梁作用下降了。我同许多英国朋友谈到这一点，他们都在深入思考如何扭转这一势头。我认为，需要做好以下几件事：

China-UK relations are consequential, and cooperation only brings benefits to both and to the world. In the past, the UK led Western countries in developing relations with China and served as an important bridge for exchanges between China and the West. Regrettably, over the past few years, the UK is no longer so much as such a bridge.

I mention this with many British friends, and I know they are reflecting on how to reverse this trend. In my opinion, we need to do the following:

一是树立正确认知。必须承认这样一个基本事实，中国不是英国的挑战，更不是威胁。中英建立大使级外交关系50多年的历史表明，中国发展只会给英国带来机遇。当前英国面临的挑战，无论是低生产力、低增长，还是高通胀、高生活成本，没有一项是中国造成的。军事上，中国更没有威胁英国。中国一直把英国视为合作伙伴。把中国视为挑战甚至威胁，绝对是找错了对象，犯了根本性错误。至于那些叫嚣要和中国“脱钩”、“去风险”的人，他们是在误导英国民众，给英国帮倒忙。失去中国市场就意味着失去发展机遇。

First, we need to develop the right perspective. One has to accept the basic fact that China is not a challenge to the UK, still less a threat. The 50 odd years of diplomatic relations has shown that China’s development means opportunities for the UK. The UK’s challenges, be it low productivity or slow growth, high inflation or high cost of living, none of those is caused by China. Militarily, the UK’s threats do not come from China either. China regards the UK as a cooperation partner. Treating China as a challenge or even threat is not the right prescription and it is fundamentally wrong.

As for those who clamour for “de-risking” or “decoupling” from China, they are misleading the people here in the UK and are definitely not doing this country any favour. After all, decoupling from the Chinese market means missing out on opportunities.

二是坚持相互尊重。中英历史、文化、社会制度不同，在一些问题上存在分歧和差异是正常的。中英关系要顺利发展，必须尊重彼此社会制度和发展道路，尊重彼此主权、安全、发展利益。中方不寻求改变英国的社会制度，英方也不应该有任何改变中国社会制度的不切实际想法。台湾、香港、新疆、西藏事务纯属中国内政，我们坚决反对任何国家干涉中国内政。双方在尊重彼此核心利益和重大关切基础上，完全可以通过平等对话缩小分歧、扩大共识、增进互信。

Second, we need to respect each other. China and the UK have different histories, cultures and social systems. There are bound to be differences and disagreements between the two countries on certain issues. For the relations to grow smoothly, both sides must respect each other’s social system and development path and respect each other’s sovereignty, security, and development interests. China does not seek to change the UK’s social system. Likewise, the UK should not harbour any unrealistic hope to change China. Issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet are China’s internal affairs, and we firmly oppose any interference in our internal affairs from any country.

On the basis of respecting each other’s core interests and major concerns, we have every possibility to narrow differences, expand common understandings and increase mutual trust through dialogue based on equality.

三是坚持合作共赢。对话与合作应该是中英关系的主基调。中英经济互补性强、合作潜力大。中英货物贸易额已连续两年超过1000亿美元，双向直接投资存量逾500亿美元。英国作为主宾国参加了今年北京服贸会，55家英国企业参加了第六届进博会。两国完全可以在金融、贸易、投资、新能源、生物医药、数字经济等广泛领域加强互利合作。特别是，中国在新能源领域拥有强大制造能力和创新能力，与中国合作有助于英国实现2050年“净零排放”目标。双方企业还可以探讨开展更多三方合作。必须指出，任何滥用国家安全立法、蓄意打压中国企业的做法，都只会影响中国企业对英投资的信心。中英双方应该共同努力，为两国企业开展互利合作创造公平、公正、非歧视的营商环境。

Third, we need to pursue mutually beneficial cooperation. Dialogue and cooperation should be the keynote of bilateral ties. There is great complementarity and strong cooperation potential between our economies. I am delighted to note that China-UK bilateral trade in goods exceeded 100 billion US dollars for two consecutive years, and two-way investment stock has surpassed 50 billion US dollars. The UK was a guest of honour country at the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), and 55 UK companies took part in the sixth CIIE in Shanghai.

Our two countries can enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in extensive areas such as finance, trade, investment, new energy, bio-medicine, and digital economy. In particular, China has strong manufacturing and innovation capabilities in the field of new energy. Cooperation with China will help the UK achieve its 2050 net zero target. Chinese and British companies can also explore more cooperation in third markets.

To make it clear, any move to abuse national security legislation and deliberately target Chinese companies will only affect their confidence in investing in the UK. The two countries must work together to create a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese and British companies to have mutually beneficial cooperation.

四是坚持共迎挑战。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大国，也同为二十国集团成员。无论是应对气候变化、推进人工智能全球治理，还是推动解决国际地区热点问题，双方都应该加强沟通与协调。习近平主席提出全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议，我们欢迎包括英方在内的世界各国积极参与上述倡议的落实，为促进世界和平、稳定、发展作出共同努力。

Fourth, we need to join hands in tackling challenges. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, countries with important global influence and G20 members, China and the UK should enhance communication and coordination on climate change, global AI governance, and regional and international hotspots.

President Xi has proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative. We welcome all countries, including the UK, to participate in these initiatives and jointly contribute to world peace, stability and development.

女士们、先生们，

Ladies and gentlemen,

世界已进入新的动荡变革期，机遇和挑战前所未有。英国即将举行大选。希望中英各界有识之士特别是工商界人士保持坚定信心，秉持务实精神，架起更好桥梁，推进互利合作，为深化两国人民相互了解与友谊、促进中英关系行稳致远打下更加坚实基础。

The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, presenting unprecedented opportunities and challenges. The UK will have the general election next year. At a time like this, more than ever, people with insight from all sectors in both countries, especially the business community, must proceed with confidence and be down to earth, build better bridges for mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples, and lay a more solid foundation for the steady and sustained growth of China-UK relations.

最后，祝论坛取得圆满成功！

I wish today’s forum a full success.

谢谢！

Thank you.