Carry on Glorious Tradition, Blaze New Trails and Write a New Chapter

传承辉煌，开拓进取，再谱新篇

– Keynote Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the CBI Chinese New Year Dinner

——刘晓明大使在英国工商业联合会春节晚宴上的主旨演讲

The Langham Hotel, London, 22 February 2018

2018年2月22日，伦敦朗庭酒店

Secretary Matt Hancock,

Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn,

Chief Executive Officer Luo Gang,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

尊敬的英国文化、媒体及体育大臣汉考克，

尊敬的英国工商业联合会总干事费尔贝恩，

尊敬的华为英国公司总经理罗刚，

女士们、先生们，

Good evening!

大家晚上好！

It gives me great pleasure to join you for this Chinese New Year Dinner jointly held by the CBI and Huawei. First of all, I would like to extend my New Year greetings to all of you!

很高兴应邀出席英国工商业联合会和华为公司共同举办的晚宴，与大家欢聚一堂，共庆中国传统佳节，共迎狗年新春。我谨向各位致以最美好的新春祝福！

On this day 44 years ago, Chairman Mao Zedong proposed the Three Worlds Theory.

The first world consists of the two superpowers, namely the US and the former Soviet Union.

The second world is made up of developed nations such as the European countries, Japan and Canada.

And the third world refers to the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, including China.

Now, nearly half a century has passed. The Cold War is a distant past. The international landscape has gone through enormous changes and continues to evolve.

In what is now a global village, countries are increasingly interdependent. Our common interests have grown and we share weal and woe.

For this new world, President Xi put forward China’s proposal, that is, to build a community with a shared future for mankind, where all countries engage in win-win cooperation and share the benefit together.

44年前的今天，毛泽东主席提出了“三个世界”划分理论，即美国和前苏联是第一世界；欧洲、日本、加拿大等发达国家是第二世界；中国、亚洲、非洲和拉美等发展中国家是第三世界。近半个世纪过去了，冷战早已结束，世界形势已经并正在发生巨大变化。世界已成为一个大的地球村，各国日益成为利益融合、相互依存、休戚与共的命运共同体。习近平主席为此提出中国方案：构建人类命运共同体，实现共赢共享。

44 years ago, China’s GDP was $144.1 billion, and per capita GDP was $160. Now, China is the world’s second largest economy, with GDP multiplied by nearly 100 times, and per capita GDP up by over 50 times.

44年前，中国的GDP为1441亿美元，人均GDP为160美元。今天的中国已成为世界第二大经济体，较1974年GDP增长近100倍，人均GDP增长超过50倍。

44 years ago, China and the UK had just upgraded their ties to ambassadorial level. Bilateral trade was $300 million. Only 200 Chinese visited Britain and 100 Chinese students studied here. Last year, our bilateral trade reached $80 billion, mutual visits topped 4,000 per day, and the number of Chinese students in the UK soared to 170 thousand.

44年前，中英关系刚刚升级为大使级外交关系，两国贸易额只有3亿美元，中国赴英人数仅200人，留学生100人。去年我们共同庆祝了两国建立大使级外交关系45周年，两国贸易额近800亿美元。现在每天往返中英之间的人数达4000多人，在英中国留学生已达17万。

44 years ago, the UK had just joined the European Economic Community. Today, UK-EU relationship is once again at a historic crossroads.

44年前，英国刚刚加入欧共体。今天英国与欧盟的关系再次走到历史十字路口。

44 years ago, I started my diplomatic career. From then on, I have worked in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, and borne witness to the spectacular progress in China’s diplomatic history. I feel specially honored to have witnessed and contributed my share to the growth of China-UK relations in the past eight years.

我从事外交工作也有44年了。44年来，我在非洲、美洲、亚洲和欧洲多次常驻，亲身经历了中国外交近半个世纪的波澜壮阔和春华秋实，特别是有幸参与和见证了近8年来中英关系的发展。

Looking back, we see half a century bring historic changes to the world, to China and to China-UK relations. Today, China-UK relationship has weathered the changes in the world and is embracing the “Golden Era”.

回顾过去近半个世纪，世界、中国、中英关系都发生了历史性变化。今天，中英关系历经风雨，见证世事变迁，迎来崭新的“黄金时代”。

In 2017, the Year of the Rooster brought the dawn of hope and excitement from achievements for China-UK relations.

Our two countries celebrated the 45th anniversary of ambassadorial diplomatic ties, and consolidated the China-UK “Golden Era”.

Political trust was enhanced.

Economic and trade cooperation was filled with highlights. Bilateral trade increased by 6.2% year on year, of which British export to China grew by nearly 20%.

Cooperation between our two countries on the Belt and Road Initiative yielded fruitful results. Here are a few examples:

China Railway Express ran its first freight train between China’s Yiwu and London, offering a new, on-land option for the movement of goods between China and Britain.

The Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant has entered into construction phase, and the generic design assessment on Hualong One nuclear technology has started the second phase.

The ABP Royal Albert Dock broke ground. This Dock is expected to play a key part in the development of East London.

The Agricultural Bank of China and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank set up branches in London.

刚刚过去的2017年是中国农历鸡年，中英关系也如金鸡报晓般捷报频传。两国以建立大使级外交关系45周年为契机，推动中英关系“黄金时代”深入发展。两国政治互信不断增强，经贸合作亮点纷呈。2017年，中英双边货物贸易额较上年增长6.2％，特别是英国对华出口达增长近20%。中英“一带一路”合作硕果累累，首趟义乌往返伦敦中欧班列开通，实现了中英贸易物流全陆地运输；欣克利角C核电项目主体工程开工建设，“华龙一号”技术通用设计审查顺利进入第二阶段；总部基地皇家阿尔伯特码头项目正式开工，建成后将为东伦敦地区发展提供强大动力；中国农业银行、浦发银行先后在伦敦开设分行。

At the beginning of 2018, Prime Minister May paid her first and very successful visit to China. During the visit, the leaders of the two countries agreed to build China-UK “Golden Era” 2.0.

不久前，梅首相首次成功访华，两国领导人就共同打造“黄金时代”增强版达成了重要共识。双方签署了12项政府间合作协议，成立了中英企业家委员会，并在贸易、投资、金融、科技等领域签订了价值近百亿英镑的协议。

The two countries signed 12 inter-governmental agreements, established the Chinese-British Entrepreneur Committee, and signed nearly £10 billion worth of commercial deals that cover the areas of trade, investment, finance, science and technology.

These fruitful results could not have been achieved without the persistent efforts and genuine cooperation between the business communities of our two countries, including the CBI and Huawei.

The CBI is the most influential business organization in the UK. For years, CBI has actively contributed to enhancing cooperation between Chinese and British companies.

During Prime Minister May’s visit to China, the CBI signed an MOU with China’s Centre for International Economic and Technological Cooperation.

This MOU aims to match Britain’s “Modern Industrial Strategy” with “Made in China 2025” strategy.

It will facilitate the sharing of our latest policies, technology achievements and best practice.

This is in the interest of sustainable cooperation in the field of industry and information technology.

中英经贸合作取得的上述成果，离不开两国工商界人士的不懈努力和精诚合作。CBI是英国最具影响力的行业组织，多年来一直积极推动中英企业加强合作。梅首相访华期间，CBI与中国工信部国际经济技术合作中心签署了合作备忘录，加强英国“现代产业战略”与“中国制造2025”战略对接，分享两国工业领域最新政策、技术成果和实践经验，推动了中英工业和信息化领域的可持续合作。

Huawei UK is an excellent representative of Chinese companies in this country. It has contributed to the British economy by not only creating large numbers of jobs but also driving the scientific and technological innovation and green development.

As far as I know, Huawei has set up research and development centres in Bristol, Cambridge and Ipswich. Of its over 1,400 employees here in Britain, 70% are hired locally.

During Prime Minister May’s visit to China, Huawei announced that it will spend a further £3 billion on procurement in Britain in the next five years.

华为英国公司是在英中国企业的杰出代表，不仅创造了大量就业岗位，而且助力英国科技创新、绿色发展，为英国经济繁荣做出了积极贡献。据我所知，华为已在布里斯托、剑桥、伊普斯威奇等地建立科研基地，在英国1400余名员工中，70%都是当地员工。梅首相访华期间，华为宣布将于今后5年再投入30亿英镑用于设备采购。

Looking ahead, 2018 is an important year.

It is the first year for China to implement the blueprint for the new era outlined at the 19th Party Congress on all fronts.

It marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up, and the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.

It is also a year to shift the China-UK “Golden Era” into a higher gear.

In the new era, China will open its door wider to the world, and contribute to an open world economy. Here in the UK, amid Brexit negotiations, the country is committed to building a “Global Britain” and expanding cooperation with global partners with greater openness.

This provides a historic opportunity for China-UK relations. The two countries have every reason to seize this opportunity, because if we do,

we can expand, elevate and deepen our mutually-beneficial cooperation,

we can make China-UK relations more strategic, practical, global and inclusive,

and we can contribute more “golden fruits” to the China-UK “Golden Era”.

展望未来，2018年是中国全面贯彻中共十九大精神的开局之年，是中国改革开放40周年，是“一带一路”倡议提出五周年，也是中英关系“黄金时代”加速推进之年。随着中国迈入新时代，中国开放的大门将越开越大，将积极推动开放型世界经济。随着脱欧谈判进入关键阶段，英国正致力于打造“全球化英国”，以更加开放的姿态拓展与世界各国的合作。中英关系面临难得的历史性机遇，双方完全可以抓住机遇，在更大范围、更高水平、更深层次拓展互利合作，不断提升中英关系的战略性、务实性、全球性和包容性，为两国关系“黄金时代”贡献更多“黄金成果”。

At this important historical moment, as we build on past achievements and aim for new success, I would like to share with you my three suggestions.

值此继往开来的重要历史时刻，我想向中英两国工商界朋友们提出“三点建议”：

First, be a firm supporter of China-UK “Golden Era” 2.0.

During Prime Minister May’s visit to China, the leaders of our two countries agreed to build China-UK “Golden Era” 2.0. This will guide the relations between our two countries as we move forward.

I suggest the business communities of our two countries seize this “golden opportunity”, tap your comparative strength in capital, market, technology and expertise, and engage in cooperation in areas that benefit both sides. I hope you will deliver more “golden fruits” for China-UK “Golden Era” 2.0.

As we talk about “Golden Era” 2.0, I would like to advertise for China’s first International Import Expo, which will be held in Shanghai this coming November. We hope to see more British companies at this Expo. I am sure this will be an excellent opportunity to help British products find their way into the Chinese market and create new growth in China-UK trade.

一是做“黄金时代”增强版的坚定支持者。梅首相访华期间，两国领导人决定共同打造中英关系“黄金时代”增强版，这为两国关系未来指明了新方向，确定了新目标。两国企业应牢牢抓住当前“黄金机遇”，发挥各自在资金、市场、技术、人才等领域的优势，找准双方利益契合点，打造更多“黄金成果”，为中英关系“黄金时代”增强版打下更加坚实的基础。

在此，我愿插播一个广告：今年11月，中国将在上海举办首届国际进口博览会。我们欢迎英国企业踊跃参会参展，希望借此展进口更多英国产品，进一步开拓两国贸易新增长点。

Second, be an active promoter of Belt and Road cooperation.

The Belt and Road Initiative is open, transparent, inclusive, and win-win for all.

The UK has a competitive edge in experience, expertise, innovative ideas and services, while China is strong in new business models, capital, infrastructure construction and product commercialization. Our two countries can match our strengths and work very well together in these areas.

The Belt and Road Initiative offers “natural opportunities” for our two countries. Our cooperation has huge potential and broad prospects. Therefore, China and the UK have every reason to be “natural partners” in the Belt and Road Initiative. This will deliver benefits to our two countries and our people. It will also create more opportunities for other participating countries.

I hope the business communities of both China and the UK will deepen cooperation under the framework of this Initiative and deliver win-win results for all.

二是做“一带一路”合作的积极推动者。“一带一路”是公开、透明、开放、包容、互利共赢的倡议。英国的经验、智慧、创意、服务与中国的模式、资金、基建、市场化能力优势互补。因此，“一带一路”是中英合作的“天然机遇”，两国“一带一路”合作潜力巨大、前景广阔。中英应当成为“一带一路”的“天然伙伴”，这不仅对两国和两国人民有利，也将为沿线国家带来更多发展机遇。希望中英企业家在“一带一路”框架下不断深化合作，实现双赢和多赢。

My third suggestion is: be the leader in building an open world economy.

As countries of global influence, China and the UK have important obligations to improve global economic governance and promote world economic growth.

Our two countries have a growing consensus in upholding free trade and opposing protectionism. China is committed to building a modernized economy and an open economy of higher standards. This has created an opportunity for our two countries to increase cooperation at both bilateral and global levels.

On the bilateral level, we can deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, green energy, digital economy and sharing economy.

On the global level, we can enhance coordination in global economic governance and economic globalization, and take concrete steps to drive world economic growth.

In the words of Prime Minister May, China’s decisions together with Britain’s will “shape the world around us”.

三是做建设开放型全球经济的有力引领者。中英作为有重要影响的大国，在完善全球经济治理、推动世界经济增长等方面也要承担大国责任，体现大国担当。中英两国在倡导自由贸易、反对保护主义等方面共识增多，中国正致力建设现代化经济体系，发展更高层次的开放型经济，这为双方在双边和全球层面拓展合作带来了难得机遇。中英双方不仅可以在人工智能、绿色能源、数字经济、共享经济等领域深化合作，还可在全球经济治理、推进经济全球化等更广阔领域加强协调，以实际行动引领世界经济发展，借用梅首相的一句话来讲，就是“英中可携手塑造世界格局”。

Ladies and gentlemen,

女士们、先生们，

There is an old Chinese saying which goes: “Victory is ensured when people pool their strength; success is secured when people put their heads together.”

In this complex and changing world, we must free ourselves from the old mentality of the Cold War, think in new ways, seize new opportunities and carry out new cooperation.

I am convinced that the business communities of our two countries will follow the trend of the world, keep the big picture of China-UK relations in mind, and join hands to blaze new paths.

As long as you do, I am sure I can count on you to make new contribution to China-UK “Golden Era” 2.0, and write a new and more splendid chapter for China-UK cooperation!

中国有句古话，“积力之所举，则无不胜也；众智之所为，则无不成也。”在当前复杂多变的国际形势下，我们要摒弃冷战时期旧理念的桎梏，开启新思维，抓住新机遇，谋求新合作。我相信，只要两国企业界着眼世界和中英关系发展的大趋势，携手合作，开拓创新，必将为打造中英关系“黄金时代”增强版做出新贡献，谱写出中英合作更加绚丽的新篇章！

In conclusion, I wish everyone a happy and prosperous Year of the Dog!

最后，再次祝大家狗年春节愉快，万事如意！

Thank you!