刘晓明大使在中国银行私人银行服务中心（伦敦）开业庆典上的致辞

Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Opening Ceremony of the Bank of China Private Banking Service Centre (London)

尊敬的中国银行副行长张青松先生，

尊敬的英国财政部第二常务次官罗克斯伯格先生，

尊敬的伦敦金融城政策和资源委员会主席麦克吉尼斯女士，

女士们、先生们、朋友们：

Vice President Zhang Qingsong,

Second Permanent Secretary Charles Roxburgh,

Chairman Catherine McGuinness,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends:

晚上好！很高兴出席中国银行私人银行服务中心（伦敦）开业庆典，我谨对中心的开业表示热烈祝贺！

It is a great pleasure to join you at the opening of the Bank of China Private Banking Service Centre in London. May I first of all express my warmest congratulations!

十天前，我刚从北京回到伦敦。在京期间，我列席了中国共产党第十九次全国代表大会。这次历史性会议对于中国共产党、中国和中华民族未来发展都具有极其重大而深远的意义。

Ten days ago, I came back from Beijing after attending the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. This epoch-making congress has a profound and far-reaching impact on the CPC, on the country and on the future development of the Chinese nation.

十天前，也恰是中国银行伦敦分行成立88年。“8”在中国文化中是代表吉祥的数字，“88”则是双喜临门。的确，88年来，中国银行伦敦分行见证了中英两国的沧桑变化，见证了中英关系的历史变迁，也见证了中英金融合作的日新月异。今天，中国银行私人银行服务中心正式在伦敦开业，我认为有三重重要意义：

Also ten days ago, the Bank of China London Branch marked its 88th anniversary. As you may know, to the Chinese people, "eight" is a lucky number. So, I hope 88 will double the good luck for the Bank of China London Branch.

Over the past 88 years, the Bank of China London Branch has borne witness to the enormous changes in both China and Britain. It has seen the historic progress of China-UK relations. And it has been growing alongside the booming China-UK financial cooperation.

Today, the Bank of China is taking a new step forward with this opening of the Private Banking Service Centre in London.

I think this has three fold significance.

一是彰显中国改革开放新姿态。开放是一国实现繁荣发展的必由之路。十九大报告强调“中国开放的大门不会关闭，只会越开越大”，提出“推动形成全面开放新格局”，回答了新时代中国特色社会主义要不要开放、要怎么开放、如何更好开放等重大问题。全面开放不仅包括扩大范围、拓宽领域、加深层次，还包括创新方式、优化布局、提升质量。中国银行准确把握中英关系新发展，精准把脉双方合作新需求，在伦敦开设私服中心，正是对中国全面开放姿态的最好诠释。

First, it is a new evidence of China's strong commitment to reform and opening-up.

Staying open to the world is the only way to prosperity and development.

The 19th Party Congress makes it explicitly clear that "China will not close its door to the world; we will only become more and more open."

By setting the goal of "pursuing opening up on all fronts", the 19th Party Congress provides answers to a series of questions:

• Will China continue to open up in the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics?

• How will China advance its opening-up efforts?

• What is the best way to achieve opening-up?

The answer is, China will open up in all fronts. This means wider areas and greater depth. This also means more innovation, better planning and higher quality.

The Bank of China has clearly seized the new momentum in China-UK relations. It is working exactly to meet the new demand in our bilateral cooperation.

The opening of the Private Banking Service Centre here in London is the best illustration of China's efforts to advance opening-up in all fronts.

二是展现中英金融合作新活力。伦敦是世界金融中心，中英金融合作是两国经贸关系的重要组成部分。双方银行业、资产管理、保险业、金融科技等合作领域广泛、内容丰富、成果丰硕。去年，中国财政部在伦敦发行中国以外首支30亿元人民币主权债券，中国银行成功发行首支绿色资产担保债券, 受到英国和各国投资者的欢迎。展望未来，中英金融合作正在朝着深度化、多元化、精细化的方向发展。中行私服中心的设立，必将为中英金融合作注入新的活力。

Second, today's event showcases a new progress in China-UK financial cooperation.

London is a world financial centre. Financial cooperation has always been an indispensable part of the overall business ties between China and the UK.

Over the past years, we have had extensive and diversified cooperation in the fields of banking, asset management, insurance, fin-tech, etc.

The outcomes have been fruitful.

• Last year, China's Ministry of Finance issued in London three billion RMB sovereign bond. This was the first of its kind ever issued outside China.

• Also in London, the first Green Covered Bond of the Bank of China was successfully listed. The response from investors across the UK and the world was overwhelming.

Looking ahead, China-UK financial cooperation is going deeper, more diversified and customized.

By opening the Private Banking Service Centre, the Bank of China has caught the latest trend and will give new impetus to China-UK financial cooperation.

三是显示中国银行海外发展新势头。中国银行伦敦分行是中国现代银行业最早在海外设立的分支机构，代表着中国现代金融业走出国门的第一步，不论在中国金融发展史上，还是在中外金融合作史上都具有标志性意义。近年来，中行伦敦分行立足英伦、放眼全球，不断提升国际化水平，为在英中资企业和英国企业提供了优质金融服务，也为中英经贸合作做出了积极贡献。此次中国银行在伦敦设立亚洲地区之外首家私人银行，必将为中国银行海外发展续写辉煌，也将为中英金融合作留下浓墨重彩的一笔。

Third, today's event also demonstrates a new momentum in the booming international business of Bank of China.

The Bank of China London Branch has a significant place in China's financial history and China's financial cooperation with the world.

• It is the first overseas branch ever set up by a modern Chinese bank.

• This marks the very first step of China's financial sector expanding its operation internationally.

In recent years, the Bank of China UK has benefited from London's prowess as a global financial centre.

• It has worked constantly to improve its international operation.

• It has provided quality services to Chinese and British companies here in the UK.

• It has made active contribution to China-UK business cooperation.

The opening of the first Private Banking Service Centre outside Asia by Bank of China represents a major step forward in the international development of Bank of China.

It is also a new highlight in China-UK financial cooperation.

山积而高，泽积而长。中英关系“黄金时代”需要两国各界人士的不懈努力，需要一步一个脚印地向前走，需要一点一滴地不断积累。我衷心祝愿中国银行伦敦分行再接再厉，在新的伟大时代，担当新使命，展现新作为，为中英关系“黄金时代”做出新的更大贡献！

In conclusion, let me quote an ancient Chinese saying:

"A mountain stands tall for it sits on solid rocks. A river runs long for it never stops taking in brooks and streams."

The China-UK "Golden Era" calls for the unremitting efforts of people from all walks of life from both our two countries.

We must keep moving forward step by step.

We must keep making progress bit by bit.

In this new era, I hope the Bank of China London Branch will live up to its new mission and achieve new success.

I hope you will make new and greater contribution to China-UK "Golden Era".

谢谢！

Thank you!