刘晓明大使在曼彻斯特工商界晚宴上的主旨演讲：《高举开放旗帜，携手开创未来》

Keynote Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Dinner of the Business Community in Manchester: Hold High the Banner of Openness and Create a Brighter Future

（2018年12月18日，曼彻斯特阿尔伯特广场餐厅）

Manchester, 18 December 2018

尊敬的英国女王在大曼彻斯特地区代表史密斯爵士，

Lord Lieutenant,

尊敬的曼彻斯特市长希钦女士，

Lord Mayor,

尊敬的郑曦原总领事，

Consul-General Zheng Xiyuan,

女士们、先生们、朋友们，

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends:

大家晚上好！

Good evening!

我曾多次到访曼彻斯特，每次都有新的体会。曼城是世界上第一座工业化城市。两百多年前，正是在这里诞生了世界上最早的棉纺织大工业，拉开了工业革命的大幕。可以说，世界工业革命源于英国，英国工业革命源于曼彻斯特。曼彻斯特引领的这次“革命”深刻地改变了英国和世界。

I have visited Manchester many times, yet every visit gives me new thoughts.

Manchester is the first industrialised city in the world. More than 200 years ago, it was in Manchester that the cotton industry was born. This was the prelude to the Industrial Revolution. It is fair to say that the world's industrial revolution was born in the UK, while the UK's industrial revolution was born in Manchester. This revolution led by Manchester brought profound changes to the UK and the whole world.

40年前，中国也发起了一场革命。40年前的今天，也就是1978年12月18日，中共十一届三中全会隆重召开，开启了中国改革开放的伟大征程。正如X1所说，“改革开放这场中国的第二次革命，不仅深刻改变了中国，也深刻影响了世界！”

Forty years ago, another "revolution" took place in China. It was reform and opening up. As X1 said, it is "China's second revolution" that "has not only profoundly changed China but also great influenced the whole world."

40年前，中国GDP总量仅为1750亿美元，居世界第十。今天，中国GDP总量已超过12万亿美元，按不变价计算增长33.5倍，跃居世界第二。40年来，中国进出口总额增长780多倍，已成为世界最大贸易国、第一大出口国和第二大进口国，连续多年对世界经济增长贡献率超过30%，成为全球经济复苏的稳定器和动力源。40年来，中国实现7.4亿人脱贫，占全球减贫人口总数70%以上。

December 18th, 1978. That was the day the "second revolution" began. Exactly 40 years ago, the third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made the decision to start the great journey of China's reform and opening up.

Forty years ago, China's GDP was only $175 billion, ranking the tenth in the world. Today, this figure has topped $12 trillion, increasing by 33.5 times in real terms and making China the second largest economy in the world.

Forty years on, China's trade volume has increased by more than 780 times. It is now the world's largest trading nation with largest export and second largest import. It is a stabiliser and powerhouse for world economic recovery, contributing more than 30% of world economic growth for many years in a row.

Forty years on, China has lifted 740 million people out of poverty and contributed to more than 70% of the world's total poverty reduction.

中国的“第二次革命”为什么能取得如此巨大成功，我认为主要有三个原因：

Why has China's "second revolution" achieved such enormous success? I think there are three reasons.

第一，始终以与时俱进的精神探索发展道路。改革开放没有先例可循。40年来，从农村到城市、从试点到推广、从经济体制改革到全面深化改革，中国立足国情实际和发展需要，坚持“以人民为中心”的工作导向，以增强人民群众幸福感、安全感和获得感为出发点和归宿点，逐步探索出一条中国特色社会主义道路。这条道路不仅从根本上改变了中国的面貌，也拓展了发展中国家走向现代化的途径，为解决人类面临的挑战贡献了中国智慧和中国方案。

First, China has followed the trend of the times as it explores its development path.

In reform and opening up, China has no textbook to follow. From rural to urban reforms, from pilot projects to wider application, and from economic restructuring to deeper reforms across the board, the only benchmarks for China are its national conditions and development needs. The centre of all work is the people. The intention and goal of reform and opening up are always to ensure that the people live happier, safer and have a stronger sense of achievements.

Gradually, we have found a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This path has led China to a profound transformation. It is an effective way to development and modernisation. And it represents China's wisdom and solution in addressing the problems of human society.

第二，始终以开放包容的姿态融入世界。开放带来进步，封闭必然落后。40年来，中国始终敞开胸襟、拥抱世界，坚持到全球化的汪洋大海中学会游泳，从“引进来”到“走出去”，从加入世界贸易组织到共建“一带一路”，实现了从封闭半封闭到全方位开放的伟大转折。40年来，中国对外直接投资实现从无到有，今天成为世界第二大对外投资国，海外企业资产总额超过5万亿美元，遍布全球190个国家和地区；2017年，中国实际利用外资1300多亿美元，是40年前的60多倍，成为全球第二大外资流入国。X1提出构建人类命运共同体的伟大设想，展现了中国与世界各国共享发展机遇的大国担当和天下情怀。

The second reason for China's success is that China has been open and inclusive in seeking greater integration with the world.

Openness brings progress and isolation results in backwardness. In the past 40 years, China has embraced the world with open arms and set sail in the vast ocean of globalisation. From embracing foreign businesses at home to exploring access to the world market, from becoming a WTO member to proposing the Belt and Road Initiative, China has turned from a closed and semi-closed country to one that opens up on all fronts.

In 2017, paid-in foreign investment in China topped $130 billion, increasing by more than 60 times compared with 40 years ago. China has become the world's second largest destination for foreign investment.

China has also grown to become the world's second largest source of foreign investment. Starting from scratch, Chinese businesses have found their way into 190 countries and regions around the world and now possess a total overseas asset of more than $5 trillion.

As China grows, X1 proposed to build a community with a shared future for mankind. This idea embodies China's resolve to shoulder its responsibilities as a big country and share its development opportunities with the world.

第三，始终以互利共赢的理念推进合作。互利共赢不仅是中华传统文化的精神内核，也是推进改革开放的重大战略。中国强调，实现自身发展，绝不能以损害别国利益为代价，各国只有同舟共济，实现联动增长，才能确保合作的可持续性。今年是X1提出“一带一路”倡议5周年。“一带一路”倡议秉持共商共建共享原则，已成为世界各国互利共赢的最大合作平台。5年来，中国与“一带一路”沿线国家货物贸易累计超过5万亿美元。中国对沿线国家投资超过860亿美元，创造24万多个工作岗位，给当地交纳税收几十亿美元。明年，中国还将举办第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，我们热烈曼彻斯特的各界朋友积极参与。

The third reason for China's success is that China has pursued win-win cooperation with other countries.

The win-win spirit is at the core of the Chinese culture. Pursuing win-win cooperation is a major strategy for advancing reform and opening up.

China always believes that no country should seek development at the expense of others. Globalisation means that countries of the world are all in the same boat and should row together. Inter-connected development is the only way to sustainable cooperation.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Since it was proposed by X1, the BRI has followed the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

• It is now the largest platform for win-win cooperation between all countries in the world.

• In the past five years, trade in goods between China and countries along the routes has exceeded $5 trillion.

• China has invested more than $86 billion in these countries.

• These investments have created more than 240,000 jobs and contributed billions of dollars in tax revenue to the local community.

Next year, China will host the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. It will be open to friends from all walks of life in Manchester. We hope to see you at the Forum.

女士们，先生们，

Ladies and Gentlemen:

曼城在对华合作中历来敢为人先。120年前，来自曼城的英国人立德乐第一个驾驶轮船通过三峡抵达重庆，开启了英国与中国西南地区的经贸往来。1986年，曼彻斯特率先与中国武汉结成友好城市，为两国城市交流树立了典范。进入21世纪，曼联和曼城两个足球俱乐部在引进中国足球运动员方面也走在英超俱乐部前列。

Manchester has been a pioneer in China-UK cooperation.

• 120 years ago, Archibald John Little, a merchant from Manchester, was the first man to steer a steam boat to Chongqing through the Three Gorges. This trip opened the trade and economic links between the UK and the southwestern region of China.

• In 1986, with the establishment of ties with Wuhan, Manchester became the first British city to have a sister city in China and a trail blazer in the exchanges between Chinese and British cities.

In the 21st century, Manchester United and Manchester City are among the first Premier League clubs to recruit players from China.

2015年，X1成功访问曼城后，中国与曼城的务实合作开启了新篇章。今年9月，伯纳姆市长率企业代表团赴天津出席夏季达沃斯论坛并访问了北京、深圳等地。截至2018年11月，中国对大曼城地区累计投资总额达25亿英镑，仅北京建工英国公司就签约了4个大型合作项目。中国多家房地产企业积极参与了北部城市房地产和基础设施建设。比亚迪公司与数个北方城市签署电动大巴供应合作协议，帮助这些城市升级公交系统。

• Then came 2015 when X1 visited Manchester. A new chapter started in cooperation between China and Manchester.

• Last September, Mayor Burnham led a business delegation to the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2018, or Summer Davos Forum, in Tianjin. The trip also took him to Beijing and Shenzhen.

• By November 2018, Chinese investment in Greater Manchester had reached ￡2.5 billion. Beijing Construction Engineering Group International (UK) alone has signed agreements on four massive projects in Manchester.

• Chinese real estate companies have taken an active part in the real estate market and infrastructure building in Britain's northern cities.

The Chinese automaker BYD has signed agreements with several northern cities to supply electric buses. This will help upgrade the public transportation in these cities.

当前，中英两国都处于关键发展阶段。中国将进一步深化改革、扩大开放，英国也正打造“全球化英国”，拓展与世界各国的经贸关系。中国同英国特别是英格兰北部地区深化合作可谓恰逢其时、前景广阔。为进一步推进双方合作，我谨提出“三个一”的建议：

China and the UK are both at a critical stage of development. China will deepen reform and open up its market wider to the world. The UK is building a "global Britain" to expand trade and economic ties with other countries in the world. There is a broad prospect for deeper cooperation between China and the UK, including northern England.

I would like to use "three S's" to share with you my suggestions on building closer partnership.

一是加强“一个对接”，即“一带一路”倡议与“英格兰北部经济中心”战略的对接。英国是最早响应“一带一路”合作倡议的西方大国, 是“一带一路”合作的“天然伙伴”。大曼城地区正以“北部经济中心”战略为引擎，整合英格兰北部各市、镇、郡优势，加强地区互联互通，促进地区联动发展。中英两国政府可进一步加强发展战略和产业政策对接，为两国企业合作创造良好条件，释放更多合作潜能。

The first S is "Synergy". There is a strong synergy between Belt and Road Initiative and the Northern Powerhouse strategy.

The UK was the first major Western country to take part in BRI cooperation. It is a "natural partner" of China in advancing the BRI. One of the major goals of the BRI is to enhance connectivity and promote coordinated development of different regions. This is exactly what Greater Manchester is aiming to achieve, namely, leveraging the comparative strengths of different cities, counties and towns of northern England under the guidance of the Northern Powerhouse strategy.

The governments of our two countries should look for such synergy between our development strategies and industrial policies to create conditions and opportunities for business cooperation.

二是用好“一个机制”，即中英地方领导人会议机制。该机制自2016年建立以来有效运转、成果丰硕，为促进两国地方合作、推进中英关系发挥了重要作用，包括曼城在内的多个城市积极参与。前不久，第四次中英地方领导人会议在中国大连市举办，会议倡导双方以更广阔的全球视野、更积极的主动作为、更强烈的责任担当推动互利合作。本月初，中英地方经贸合作交流会暨中英企业家委员会会议在深圳成功举行，双方探讨了“北部经济中心”与中方深化合作等议题。大曼城地区10个市镇中已有6个与中国城市结好。希望双方在中英地方领导人会议机制框架下，不断深化合作，推动大曼城与中国互利合作关系不断提质升级。

The second S is "Summit". This refers to the China-UK Regional Leaders' Summit.

Since launched in 2016, this mechanism has made good progress and delivered fruitful results. With the active participation of cities from both countries, including Manchester, this mechanism has played an important role in enhancing regional cooperation and advancing the overall bilateral relations between our two countries.

The fourth Summit was held in the Chinese city of Dalian not long ago. It calls on both sides to engage in mutually-beneficial cooperation with a global vision, greater initiative and a stronger sense of responsibility.

I also wish to mention another mechanism, the China-UK forum on regional trade and economic cooperation and the meeting of the Chinese-British Entrepreneur Committee. It was held in Shenzhen at the beginning of this month. One of the agenda items of this meeting was how to deepen cooperation between the "Northern Powerhouse" region and China.

Of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, six have established sister relations with Chinese cities. I hope that, building on the existing ties, the two sides could continue to leverage the China-UK Regional Leaders' Summit, in order to lift our mutually-beneficial cooperation onto a new level.

三是打造“一个地区中心”，即将曼彻斯特打造为英格兰北部对华合作的地区示范中心。大曼城地区是英国伦敦以外最大的金融、工业和专业服务中心，也是英国最具投资吸引力的地区之一，吸引了1600多家外国公司前来投资兴业，汇聚了众多世界级商业、科研机构，在先进制造业、汽车和航空、高科技、化工、设计和创意、能源、教育等领域有很强的实力。中国在资本、市场转化能力、高铁技术、装备制造、新能源等方面有较强优势。曼城的朋友告诉我，中国已取代法国成为大曼城地区第三大外资来源国。我希望，曼城地区抓住机遇，充分发挥自身优势，积极拓展对华合作，带动英格兰中部、北部对华合作再上新台阶。

The third S is "Sub-national Centre". We should build Manchester into a sub-national centre for cooperation between northern England and China.

Greater Manchester is Britain's second largest financial, industrial and professional services centre after London. As one of the most attractive destinations for investment, Greater Manchester is home to more than 1,600 foreign businesses and a number of world-class commercial and research institutions. It has great strength in advanced manufacturing, automobile and aviation, high technology, chemical engineering, design and creative industry, energy and education.

China has a competitive edge in capital, commercialisation capability, high-speed rail technology, equipment manufacturing and new energy. My friends here in Manchester told me that China has already overtaken France to be the third largest source of foreign investment in Greater Manchester.

I hope that Manchester will seize the opportunities and leverage its comparative advantages to expand cooperation with China. I am sure this will boost the cooperation between central and northern England and China.

女士们，先生们！

Ladies and Gentlemen:

当今世界正处于百年未有之大变局。世界经济贸易形势复杂多变，逆全球化思潮暗流涌动，单边主义、保护主义日益抬头。中英两国作为经济全球化的维护者、贸易自由化的践行者、多边贸易体系的拥护者，更应高举多边主义和开放经济旗帜，共同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。中英地方合作是两国务实合作的生力军，也是两国合作成果惠及民众的最前沿。我希望，曼彻斯特工商界朋友们抓住机遇，用好机遇，不断拓宽合作领域，不断丰富合作内涵，与中方一道，共同推动中国与曼城地区合作再上新台阶，共同开创中英关系“黄金时代”美好未来！

The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century:

• The economic and trade situation is complicated and volatile.

• Anti-globalisation sentiments are growing.

• Unilateralism and protectionism are surging.

Both China and the UK support economic globalisation, believe in trade liberalisation and uphold the multilateral trade regime. It is important that we hold high the banner of multilateralism and open economy. It is also important that we work to ensure economic globalisation becomes more open, inclusive and balanced.

Sub-national cooperation is a crucial part of the overall cooperation between our two countries. The people of China and Britain stand to gain directly from sub-national partnership.

I hope that the business community in Manchester will seize the opportunities and make the best of these opportunities to expand and enrich the cooperation between China and Manchester.

I also hope and believe, by working together, we will achieve new success in China-Manchester cooperation and create a brighter future for China-UK "Golden Era"!

谢谢大家！

Thank you!