驻英国大使刘晓明接受英国《议会》杂志专访

Ambassador Liu Xiaoming's Interview With the House Magazine: Eastern Promise

《议会》记者：中英关系近两年发展势头良好，2015年英大选是否会影响中英关系发展？

The House: Relations between the UK and China have shown strong positive growth in the last two years. Will the 2015 general election in Britain affect China-UK relations?

刘大使：当前，中英关系总体保持良好发展态势，进入了“全面增长、包容发展”的新时期。发展健康稳定的中英关系是中方的既定方针，也是两国民众的共同愿望，我相信，这也是英国朝野各党的共识。因此，无论明年英国大选结果如何，我希望都不会影响中英关系发展的走向和势头。事实上，双方目前探讨的很多重要交流与合作项目，都是跨党派、跨大选、跨年度的。

Ambassador Liu: China-UK relations have in general maintained a good momentum and entered a new phase of comprehensive growth and inclusive development. A healthy and stable China-UK relationship is China's long-term commitment. It is also the shared aspiration of Chinese and British people. I believe it represents the consensus of all political parties of Britain. Therefore no matter what the result of next year's general election in Britain is, I hope it will not affect the momentum and trend of China-UK relations. As a matter of fact, many important exchange and cooperation projects under discussion are cross-party and will go beyond the general election.

《议会》记者：香港在全球金融及贸易体系中具有重要地位。你如何看待香港“占中”运动？对英政府在香港问题上的反应，中方有何评价和期待？

The House: Hong Kong has an important role in the global financial and trading system. How do you see 'Occupy Central' in Hong Kong? What are China's comments and expectations on the British government's response to the developments in Hong Kong?

刘大使：9月底以来，香港一些人非法占据交通要道，抵制警方执法，严重扰乱社会秩序，侵蚀香港法治基础，破坏经济发展环境，损害香港国际形象。如果任其发展，只会开民主的倒车，甚至会将香港搞乱。依法处置“占中”非法活动，维护香港社会稳定，维护香港经济发展环境，符合香港绝大多数民众的期盼，也符合包括英国在内的世界各国的根本利益。

Ambassador Liu: Since late September, some people in Hong Kong have illegally blocked streets and boycotted law enforcement by police. Their actions have seriously disrupted Hong Kong's law and order, poisoned Hong Kong's economic environment and tarnished Hong Kong's international image. If unchecked, they will only reverse the progress of democracy in Hong Kong, and even destabilise Hong Kong. Dealing with 'Occupy Central' in accordance with the law, maintaining Hong Kong's stability and preserving its economic environment is in tune with the wishes of the majority of Hong Kong's people and serves the fundamental interests of all countries, including the UK.

香港是中国的特别行政区，香港事务纯属中国内政，香港政改必须按照基本法和全国人大常委会有关决定实施，任何外国政府和个人无权干涉。希望英政府和议会理解和尊重中方立场，不以任何方式支持“占中”违法活动，不以任何形式介入香港内部事务和中国内政，多做有利于香港稳定繁荣的事，多做有利于中英关系健康发展的事。

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. Hong Kong's political reform must follow the Basic Law and the related decisions of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress. No foreign government or individual has the right to intervene. I hope the British government and parliament will understand and respect China's position and not interfere in the internal affairs of Hong Kong and China by any means. I hope they will do more to promote Hong Kong's stability and prosperity as well as the healthy development of China-UK relations.

《议会》记者：你如何评价中英在贸易、基础设施建设、能源特别是绿色能源，以及高新技术领域的合作现状及前景？关于中国投资英国高铁及核能项目，目前进展如何？

The House: How would you comment on the current state and prospects of China-UK cooperation in trade, infrastructure, green energy and new and high technology? What is the progress in Chinese investment in British high-speed rail and nuclear power?

刘大使：近年，中英经贸合作走势喜人。2014年前三季度，双边贸易额达595亿美元，同比增长20.2%。英国已成为中国主要海外投资目的地之一。2012年以来，中国对英投资并购总额逾180亿美元，超过过去三十年总和。2014年上半年，中国对英投资并购金额逾50亿美元，投资方向已从贸易、运输、电信等传统领域，扩展至高端制造、基础设施、品牌网络、研发中心、酒店地产等多个领域。两国互利务实合作前景光明，正向2015年实现双边贸易1000亿美元的目标稳步迈进。中方企业积极参与英核能和高铁项目建设，中英有关部门已签署《中英政府间关于加强民用核能合作谅解备忘录》和《铁路交通领域合作谅解备忘录》，确定了合作的政策框架。两国有关部门和企业正就此积极磋商，力争近期取得成果。

Ambassador Liu: China-UK economic cooperation in recent years has seen gratifying progress. In the first three quarters of this year, our bilateral trade reached $59.5bn, up 20.2% year-on-year. Britain has become one of the main overseas destinations for Chinese investment. Since 2012, Chinese investment in Britain in various forms totaled more than $18bn. This represents more than the total volume of investment over the previous three decades. In the first half of 2014, Chinese investment in Britain exceeded $5bn. Moreover, this investment has expanded from trade, transport and telecommunications to advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, internet, R&D, hotels and real estate.

Mutual beneficial cooperation between our two countries has a bright future. We are making steady progress towards the goal of $100bn in bilateral trade by 2015. Chinese companies have shown a strong interest in building British nuclear power plants and high-speed rail. The competent authorities on both sides have signed the MOU on strengthening cooperation in civil nuclear energy and the MOU on cooperation in rail. These two MOUs set out the policy framework for our cooperation in these two sectors. The relevant authorities and industries of our two countries are having intensive consultations aimed at delivering early results.

《议会》记者：伦敦现已成为全球人民币交易中心，中方对继续推动中英金融合作及支持伦敦作为全球人民币交易中心地位有何设想及举措？

The House: London has become a global RMB trading centre. What is China's plan to further advance China-UK financial cooperation and support London becoming a global centre for offshore RMB business?

刘大使：作为中国驻英大使，我见证了伦敦离岸人民币市场从无到有、从起步到驶入“快车道”的全过程。自2011年中英财金对话启动伦敦离岸人民币市场以来，短短3年里，伦敦离岸人民币市场建设成绩斐然，在签署双边本币互换协议、获得人民币合格境外机构投资者（RQFII）初始额度、指定人民币清算行、发行人民币计价金融产品等七个领域创下“第一”。特别是英国政府近日成功发行规模为30亿元人民币的首只以人民币计价的主权债券，由此成为第一个发行人民币主权债的外国政府，人民币也已成为英国家外汇储备货币之一，其意义和影响远超出中英双边范畴。展望未来，我对伦敦成为全球最活跃的人民币市场之一充满信心。我们也应看到，人民币国际化不可能一蹴而就，必须循序渐进。中国将深化金融改革开放，遵循市场原则，顺应发展需要，为国内外金融和经济合作发展创造良好条件。相信中英两国金融界将抓住机遇，携手合作，不断推进伦敦人民币离岸市场建设，带动两国金融合作迈上新台阶，为中英全面战略伙伴关系注入强劲动力。

Ambassador Liu: As Chinese Ambassador to the UK, I have witnessed how London's offshore RMB business has started from scratch and gone from strength to strength. In the three years since the Economic and Financial Dialogue launched the program in 2011, London's offshore RMB business has come a long way. Britain was the first to sign a bilateral currency swap agreement with China. London was awarded the first RQFII quota outside Asia. The first RMB clearing bank outside Asia was created in London.

London was the first to issue RMB denominated financial products. Notably, the British government has recently issued a 3bn RMB sovereign bond, which has made the UK the first foreign government to issue RMB sovereign debt. It also means RMB has become one of Britain's reserve currencies. Its significance has gone beyond a bilateral scope. Looking ahead to the future, I am confident that London will become one of the world's most dynamic offshore RMB markets.

However, we should also be aware that RMB internationalisation cannot be achieved overnight. It should proceed in a step-by-step manner. China will deepen financial reform, follow market rules and create favorable conditions for financial and economic cooperation with other countries. I believe the Chinese and British financial sectors should seize opportunities and make joint efforts to boost RMB business in London, take China-UK financial cooperation to a whole new level and inject vigour and vitality to the China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership.

《议会》记者：中国投资者如何看待英国在欧洲的门户地位？对他们而言，德国是否比英更具吸引力？

The House: How important is the UK's position as a gateway to the European market to Chinese investors? Does Germany have more appeal to them?

刘大使：英国和德国各具优势，很难说哪个对中国企业更具吸引力。据我的观察，中国投资者更看重英在欧洲的独特地位。第一，英崇尚自由贸易，市场规范，对中国企业参与英基础设施建设、电信、水务投资等持开放态度。第二，英是国际金融、贸易、信息中心，与欧洲、北美、中东、非洲市场建有广泛而成熟的合作渠道。第三，英国高端制造业发达，创新能力全球领先，研发能力强。此外，英在城镇化、医疗卫生和养老、节能环保等领域积累了丰富经验，可为中国提供重要借鉴。我相信，随着中英经贸合作不断深化，英国有望引领中欧合作，成为中国重要海外创新基地，成为中国与发达国家基础设施领域合作的典范以及中国发展现代服务业的全方位伙伴。

Ambassador Liu: Britain and Germany each have their own strengths. It is hard to say which has greater appeal. According to my observations, Chinese investors place importance on Britain's unique role in Europe. First, Britain is a champion for free trade and market rules. It is open to Chinese investments in infrastructure, telecommunications and water. Second, Britain is an international hub for finance, trade and information. Its connections with the European, North American, Middle Eastern and African markets are wide and mature. Third, Britain is strong in high-end manufacturing. It is a leader in innovation and R&D.

In addition, Britain has accumulated rich experience in many fields such as urbanisation, healthcare, old-age care, energy conservation and environmental protection. China has a lot to learn from Britain's experience. I believe deeper economic and trade links between China and Britain can make Britain a torchbearer of China-Europe cooperation, an important offshore innovation base for China, a leading developed country to work with China in infrastructure and an all-round partner for building China's modern services.

《议会》记者:英国已吸引众多中国企业在英投资，如华为、热酷等，你认为英方应如何吸引更多中国企业在英投资落户？英国怎样才能创造阿里巴巴那样的成功案例？

The House: Many Chinese companies now have investments in Britain, such as Huawei and Rekoo. What more can be done to help attract such companies to the UK, and why do they find Britain attractive? How can we foster Chinese success stories such as Alibaba in the UK?

刘大使：近年来，中国企业对英投资迅猛，英国已成为中国主要海外投资目的地之一。据不完全统计，目前在英运营的中资企业约500家，总体发展势头良好。但中国企业对英投资仍面临一些挑战。由于信息不对称，很多希来英投资兴业的中国企业对英国市场仍较陌生，对英国市场运作和商业模式缺乏了解，影响了企业间的供需对接。希望英方能继续加强对中资企业的市场推介力度，进一步优化投资环境。相信只要我们共同努力，中国企业也能在英创造阿里巴巴一样的辉煌。

Ambassador Liu: Recent years have seen a sharp increase in Chinese investment in the UK. The UK has become one of the top destinations for Chinese investment. According to incomplete statistics, about 500 Chinese companies now operate in the UK and have succeeded to varying standards.

That being said, some challenges remain. Due to lack of information, many Chinese companies willing to make investments in the UK do not have sufficient understanding of the UK market, its operation and business models. More can be done to bring the supply side and demand side together. I hope the UK will do more to promote itself and improve its investment environment. I believe with our joint efforts, Chinese companies could achieve similar success in the UK to that of Alibaba.

《议会》记者：过去5个月来，英国政府为解决中国商人和游客来英签证问题采取了一些措施，中方对此是否满意？还有何期待？

The House: The British government has taken some measures to revise visa rules for Chinese businesses and tourists. Is China encouraged by the response? Could they do more?

刘大使：中国公民包括企业家和游客来英签证问题广受中英两国工商、金融、文化、教育、旅游等各界关注。据英方统计，2013年6月至2014年6月，英方为中国公民发放39万件签证，同比增长22%，希望这一增长势头保持下去。同时，希望英方在发放工作签证时给予在英中资企业员工更大便利，增加发放数量，缩短审批时间，这将有助于拉动英投资和消费市场。相信英方会继续积极奉行旨在促进中英“双赢”的对华签证政策和举措，为便利中英人员往来、促进两国关系全面发展提供助力。

Ambassador Liu: The visa issue has been highly topical for Chinese and British business, financial, cultural, educational and tourism circles. According to UK figures, between June 2013 and June 2014, the UK side issued 390,000 visas to Chinese citizens, up by 22% on a year-on-year basis. I hope this trend will continue. In terms of working visas, we hope Britain will provide greater facilitation to Chinese staff based in Britain, increase the number of working visas and shorten the processing time. This will help Britain attract overseas investment and boost the consumer market. I am confident that Britain will continue to implement visa policies and measures that benefit both countries and lend support to China-UK people-to-people exchanges and comprehensive growth in bilateral relations.

《议会》记者：你如何看待微信等社交媒体在中国的发展？你是否会加入其他驻英大使行列，也使用推特？

The House: What do you make of internet social media such as WeChat in China? Many UK ambassadors are on Twitter; do you plan to join them?

刘大使：近年来，微信这种全新的社交方式，以摧枯拉朽的姿态在中国蓬勃发展。2014年最新数据显示，中国微信用户近6亿，通过微信发布和转发的信息每天逾4亿条。包括我供职的中国外交部在内的98%的中央和地方政府部门都开通了微信或微搏，利用社交媒体与公众进行良性互动。中国驻英国大使馆网站也广受国内外各界关注。我们重视Tweet，Facebook等社交媒体在英的巨大影响，一直在积极利用包括社交媒体在内的各种平台，介绍中国的发展，并与关注中国、乐为中英关系发展助力的国内外友人积极交流互动。我本人也经常上网，包括使用推特、脸谱和微信。

Ambassador Liu: The rise of WeChat in China in the past few years has fundamentally changed the way people communicate. The latest 2014 figures show that there are 600m WeChat users in China, posting and reposting over 400m pieces of information every day. A total of 98% of central and local government departments, including the Foreign Ministry, now use social media like WeChat and Weibo to interact with the public.

The feedback has been very positive. The website of the Chinese Embassy in the UK has received wide attention from home and abroad. We place much importance on the huge influence of social media such as Twitter and Facebook in the UK. We have been exploring various platforms, including social media, to tell stories about developments and changes in China and are delighted to interact with Chinese and foreign friends who follow China and care about China-UK relations. I myself use internet a lot, including Twitter, Facebook and WeChat.

《议会》记者：你最喜欢伦敦哪个地方？为什么？

The House: What is your favourite place to visit in London and why?

刘大使：伦敦是一座富有魅力的国际化大都市，在我40年的外交生涯中写下了浓墨重彩的一笔。伦敦的很多地方都给我留下深刻印象。如果一定要说最喜欢哪个地方，应当说是博物馆，那是我去的最多的地方。伦敦大大小小的博物馆我去了很多，有大英博物馆、科学博物馆、维多利亚和阿尔伯特博物馆、国家美术馆、泰特美术馆、自然历史博物馆、战争博物馆、国家海事博物馆、华莱士收藏馆等等。可以说，伦敦是博物馆之都。这些博物馆既是英国历史的缩影，也是英国文化的象征。许多中国来访者问我，在伦敦看什么？我每次都首推博物馆。

Ambassador Liu:London is a charming international metropolis, and has left an indelible imprint on my diplomatic career of 40 years. It has impressed me in many ways. Museums are the places I frequent the most, so if I had to pick one place, it would be a museum. The British Museum, Science Museum, V&A Museum, National Gallery, Tate Britain, Natural History Museum, Imperial War Museum, National Maritime Museum, the Wallace Collection – the list goes on and on. London deserves to be called a city of museums. They are the epitome of Britain's history and a symbol of British culture. When people ask me what to see in London, I always recommend museums.