堅持開放合作，堅定「破冰」前行
Break the Ice through Inclusive Cooperation
——劉曉明大使在2018年「青年破冰者」晚宴上的主旨演講
– Keynote Speech by H. E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the 2018 「Young Icebreakers」 10th Anniversary Dinner
2018年6月5日19:30，倫敦煌庭餐廳
Bright Courtyard, London, 19:30, 5 June 2018
尊敬的48家集團俱樂部主席佩裡先生,
尊敬的英國中國商會會長孫煜先生，
「青年破冰者」們，
女士們，先生們：
Chairman Perry,
Chairman Sun Yu,
Young Icebreakers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
大家晚上好！
Good evening.
很高興再次出席「青年破冰者」年度晚宴。
It is a great pleasure to be back at the 「Young Icebreakers」 anniversary dinner.
我就任中國駐英國大使8年多來，連續9次參加你們的活動，親眼見證了「青年破冰者」的成長壯大。十年磨一劍，今年恰逢「青年破冰者」成立10周年，我謹表示衷心祝賀，並感謝你們為促進中英交流與合作做出的貢獻。
This is the ninth time that I am celebrating your anniversary with you during my eight years as Chinese Ambassador to the UK. I have seen with my own eyes how 「Young Icebreakers」 have grown from strength to strength in the past ten years!
To quote a Chinese idiom, 「a good sword deserves ten years』 honing」. On the occasion of your tenth anniversary, let me extend to you my heartfelt congratulations. I also want to thank you all for your contribution to China-UK exchange and cooperation.
65年前，「英中貿易48家集團」打破當時西方國家對華禁運的堅冰，開啟了兩國貿易的先河，被譽為「破冰者」。半個多世紀過去了，世界滄海桑田，中英關係也今非昔比。在21世紀的第一個10年，「青年破冰者」應運而生，目的就是傳承「破冰精神」，賦予它新的時代內涵。
Sixty-five years ago, the 48 Group broke the hard ice of western embargo against China and started the flow of trade between China and the UK. That is how they have come to be known as the 「Icebreakers」.
The first decade of the 21st century saw the birth of the 「Young Icebreakers」, who have been given the mission to carry forward and renew the 「Icebreakers」 spirit.
在新形勢下，我們要思考的問題是：新時代還需要「破冰精神」嗎？還有哪些「堅冰」要打破？如何才能「破冰前行」？今天，我願就這些問題談談我的看法。
As we enter this new era, we have before us these questions:
Do we still need the 「Icebreakers」 spirit?
What 「hard ice」 is there to break?
How can we break it and move forward?
Let me share with you some of my thoughts.
當今世界正處於百年未有之大變局。環顧全球，和平與發展仍是時代主題，但世界並不太平。單邊主義抬頭，保護主義成風，民粹主義蔓延，各種不穩定不確定因素增多。有的國家甚至揮舞「貿易戰」大棒，四處挑起貿易爭端，給全球經濟帶來巨大風險。
The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in centuries. Peace and development remain the theme of the time. But the world is far from being peaceful.
Unilateralism is on the rise.
Protectionism is rampant.
Populism is spreading.
Uncertainties and destabilising factors are increasing.
Trade protectionism is becoming a weapon in the hands of a certain country to provoke trade dispute that put the global economy at risk.
上述亂象背後反映出三種危險的思維：一是奉行「零和博弈」，堅持「你輸我贏」；二是強調「本國優先」，罔顧國際貿易規則；三是抱持「冷戰思維」，固守意識形態偏見。這些就是今天我們要打破的「堅冰」。
These chaotic developments reveal three dangerous logics:
The first is that international relationship is a 「zero-sum game」 where one country’s gain is another’s loss.
The second is that a country may put itself above international trade rules.
The third is that the 「Cold War」 mentality and ideological bigotry is still prevalent in the world today.
These are the 「hard ice」 that we must break.
那麼，如何才能「破冰前行」、駛向繁榮發展的美好未來？我認為，中國的發展給出了響亮的「中國方案」：
Then, how do we break these 「hard ice」?
How can we move forward towards a prosperous future?
I believe that the answers can be found in how China has achieved development. That is China’s solution.
一是始終堅持開放合作。「開放帶來進步，封閉必然落後」，這是中國的歷史經驗。今年是中國改革開放40周年。40年來，中國從封閉半封閉經濟到全方位開放，到深度融入全球經濟，已成為世界第一大工業國、第一大貨物貿易國、第二大服務貿易國、最大的對外投資和吸引外資國之一。今後中國將在原有對外開放格局基礎上，加大西部開放力度，深化自由貿易區建設，探索建設自由貿易港，形成海陸內外聯動、東西雙向互濟的全方位開放態勢。習近平主席在博鰲亞洲論壇年會上莊嚴承諾，中國將採取大幅度放寬市場準入、創造更有吸引力的投資環境、加強智慧財產權保護、主動擴大進口等四方面重大開放舉措。近期，中國接連降低汽車、日用消費品關稅，涉及上千個稅目，充分顯示了進一步擴大開放的堅定決心。展望未來，中國開放的大門不會關閉，只會越開越大。
The first answer is inclusive cooperation. This is how China has achieved development. Our history tells us that openness brings progress, whereas isolation leads to backwardness.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. In 40 years』 time, China has achieved a transition from seclusion and semi-seclusion to all-round openness and deep integration in the global economy.
China is now the largest industrial producer, the largest trader in goods, the second largest trader in services, and the largest overseas investor and host of foreign investments.
Looking ahead, China will continue to build up its opening-up layout.
The western parts of China will become more open.
Free trade zones will make further progress.
The opening of free trade ports will be explored.
These will facilitate all-round opening-up by linking east and west, and connecting the land and the sea.
At the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference in April, President Xi made solemn commitments on four major opening up measures that China will take. These include
significantly broaden market access,
create a more attractive investment environment,
strengthen protection of intellectual property rights, and
expand imports.
Recently, China announced a succession of tariff cuts on cars and consumer goods. This involves over one thousand product lines and fully demonstrated China’s firm resolve to open up further. In the words of President Xi, China’s door of opening-up will not be closed and will only open even wider.
二是始終堅持互利共贏。「己欲立而立人，己欲達而達人」，這是中國的傳統智慧。中國發展從來不追求一花獨放，而是尋求「百花齊放」。從加入世貿組織、到成立亞投行、再到共建「一帶一路」，中國為全球經濟可持續發展做出了重要貢獻。特別是2008年國際金融危機以來，中國經濟保持中高速增長，連續多年對世界經濟增長貢獻率超過30%，成為全球經濟復甦的動力源。當前，高鐵網絡、電子商務、行動支付、共享經濟等中國「新四大發明」引領世界潮流，為全球經濟增長提供了新動能。中國歡迎各方搭乘中國發展的「快車」，分享中國發展的紅利，走出一條開放融通、合作共贏的發展新路。為此，中國將於今年11月在上海舉辦首屆中國國際進口博覽會，我們歡迎包括英國在內的各國企業家積極參與，與我們分享中國發展機遇，共享中國市場紅利。
The second answer to how to break the ice is mutual benefit. The ancient Chinese wisdom has it that 「to establish oneself, help others establish themselves; to achieve success, help others succeed.」 The moral is, always seek mutual benefit.
One flower does not make spring. China believes in mutual benefit. That is why China joined the World Trade Organisation, founded the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and put forward theBelt and Road Initiative. In this process, China has made important contribution to the sustainable development of the global economy. This has been particularly true in the aftermath of the international financial crisis of 2008. China has maintained mid-high growth rate, contributed over 30% to world economic growth for years in a row, and become an engine for global recovery.
Today, China is leading a world trend with its new four great inventions, namely high-speed rail, e-commerce, mobile payment and bike sharing. These could provide new driving force for global economic growth.
China also invites every country to board the 「fast train」 and share the benefit of China’s development, and to stay committed to openness, connectivity, cooperation and mutual benefit. To this end, China will host its first-ever International Import Expo in Shanghai in November. We welcome the participation of international businesses, including British companies. This will be a great opportunity to take a share of the Chinese market and benefit from China’s development.
三是始終堅持大國擔當。「交得其道，千裡同好」，這是中國的大國胸懷。世界上沒有哪個國家能夠在自我封閉的孤島上實現發展，也沒有哪個國家能夠獨力應對當今人類面臨的各種挑戰，世界已經成為利益交織、深度聯繫的命運共同體。中國提出倡議並積極推動「一帶一路」建設，始終堅持公開、透明、開放、包容、互利共贏的宗旨，始終秉持共商、共建、共享的原則，在市場規律和國際規則下運作，為世界經濟開放合作發展搭建了新平臺、樹立了新機制，開創了全球經濟開放合作的新格局，給各國人民帶來了實實在在的利益。
The third answer to how to break the ice is assuming the responsibility of a major stakeholder.
China is ready to embrace the world. We believe that 「a partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance」.
No country can achieve development in self-isolation; No country can alone address the many challenges facing mankind. The world is already a community with a shared future, where interests are intertwined and countries are deeply interdependent.
This is the backdrop of the Belt and Road Initiative that China has proposed and has been actively promoting.
This Initiative is open, transparent and inclusive.
It follows the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit.
It will respect the law of the market and international rules.
And it is a new platform, a new mechanism and a new format for open economic cooperation.
The Belt and Road Initiative will surely bring concrete benefit to all those who are ready to play a part in it.
女士們，先生們，
Ladies and Gentlemen,
中英兩國遠隔千山萬水，歷史文化不同，政治體制各異。兩國從外交關係正常化到建立全面夥伴關係、到全面戰略夥伴關係、再到面向21世紀的全球全面戰略夥伴關係，這也是一段不斷「破冰前行」的旅程。中英關係「破冰前行」的經驗可以概括為「三個A」：
Despite the geographical distance, cultural gap and political differences between China and the UK, our two countries have established diplomatic relations and elevated their ties to first comprehensive partnership, then comprehensive strategic partnership and now global comprehensive partnership for the 21st century.
This has been a journey of continuous icebreaking. There is a great deal we can learn from this ice-breaking journey in which China-UK relations made huge progress. I would like to use three A’s to sum up this valuable experience.
首先，登高望遠（Aiming High），堅持戰略方向。在中英高層交往中，兩國領導人始終從世界大勢和國際大局出發，錨定中英關係的戰略定位，把握兩國關係的大方向。2015年，習近平主席成功對英進行國事訪問，開啟了中英關係「黃金時代」。今年初，梅首相成功訪華，兩國領導人一致同意賦予中英關係「黃金時代」新的時代內涵，提升兩國關係的戰略性、務實性、全球性和包容性，為兩國開放合作擘畫了新藍圖。
The first A is aiming high. This means adhering to the strategic direction of China-UK relations.
In China-UK high-level exchanges, the leaders of our two countries have always had in mind the over-arching trend in the world and the big picture of the international situation. That is how they agreed on the strategic definition of and charted the course for China-UK relations.
In 2015, President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to the UK and started the 「Golden Era」 of China-UK relations. Prime Minister May’s visit to China early this year was also successful. The leaders of our two countries agreed to bring the China-UK 「Golden Era」 up to date by building a more strategic, practical, global and inclusive relationship. This has rolled out a new blue print for inclusive cooperation between China and the UK.
第二，敢為人先（Audacity），堅持開放創新。中英雙方攜手努力，開創了兩國合作的諸多「第一」：英國在西方大國中第一個承認新中國，第一個與中國開展貿易往來，第一個發行人民幣主權債券，第一個申請加入亞投行，第一個向亞投行基礎設施項目注資，第一個籤署《「一帶一路」融資指導原則》，第一個任命「一帶一路」特使、設立專家理事會，第一個對中國核電企業開放市場、第一個同中國籤署《科技創新合作戰略》。兩國還在國際上高舉開放合作旗幟，反對貿易保護主義，維護多邊貿易體制，推進全球貿易投資自由化便利化，共同構建開放型世界經濟。
The second A is audacity. This means daring to be open and innovative.
Britain was the first major Western country to recognise new China and the first to trade with China. More recently, Britain achieved more first’s, including:
The first foreign country to issue RMB-denominated bond,
The first among major Western countries to apply to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank,
The first foreign country to inject capital into AIIB infrastructure development projects,
The first major Western country to sign the Guiding Principles on Financing the Development of the Belt and Road,
The first country to appoint a special envoy to the Belt and Road Initiative and set up the Expert Board,
The first to welcome Chinese nuclear investors, and
The first to sign with China the Joint Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation.
China and the UK have also worked together in upholding inclusive cooperation in the international arena. We are both opposed to trade protectionism and uphold the multilateral trade regime. We both advocate international trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation. We are both committed to building an open world economy.
第三，求同存異（Agree to disagree），堅持相互尊重。中英由於歷史文化、社會制度和價值觀念不同，在一些問題上存在分歧是正常的。雙方應在相互尊重和平等相待的基礎上，通過對話增進互信，減少分歧，求同化異。我認為，這是中英關係健康穩定發展的前提和基礎。
The third A is agree to disagree. This means mutual respect.
It is natural for China and the UK to disagree on some issues due to our differences in history, culture, social system and value. But we have managed to enhance mutual trust, reduce differences and seek common ground through dialogues on the basis of equality and mutual respect. This is, in my view, the premise and foundation of a sound and stable China-UK relationship.
女士們，先生們，
Ladies and Gentlemen,
青年代表著國家的未來，也代表著中英關係的未來。我衷心希望，「青年破冰者」能繼續發揚「破冰精神」，撐起中英乃至世界各國開放合作的風帆。在此，我願為兩國青年提三點希望：
Young people are the future of a nation. You are also the future of China-UK relations. I hope the 「Young Icebreakers」 will carry forward the 「icebreaking」 spirit and advocate open cooperation between China and the UK, and indeed cooperation between all the countries in the world.
Here are my three hopes for you:
一是要有「臨利害之際不失故常」的辨別力。面對複雜變化的世界，要善於撥雲見日，把握歷史規律，認清世界大勢。歷史和現實告訴我們，世界已經成為你中有我、我中有你的地球村，開放才能帶來進步，合作才會實現共贏。希望你們放眼長遠，堅持開放合作，努力實現共同繁榮。
First, I hope you will keep cool and carry on in face of vicissitudes. To see the complicated and changing world in its true light, one must learn the laws of history in order to dispel the clouds and let the sun’s beam shine through.
The past and present have told us that we are living in an interdependent global village. Here, openness brings progress and cooperation leads to win-win results. I hope our young icebreakers will keep your eyes on the long-term and strive for common prosperity through inclusive cooperation.
二是要有「天下難事必做於易」的續航力。開放合作是一篇大文章，但只要找準利益交匯點，紮實推進每一項合作、掃除每一個障礙，才能一磚一瓦地壘起共同發展的大廈。中英兩國經濟優勢互補，合作潛力巨大。希望你們發揮實幹和創新精神，積極探索雙方在金融、能源、人工智慧、數字經濟等領域的合作機遇，不斷為中英合作的大廈添磚加瓦，為全球經濟的增長鋪路架橋。
Second, I hope you will be persevering in your endeavour. Every big thing starts with something small. Every long journey begins with a single step.
Inclusive cooperation is a massive endeavour. Partners in cooperation need to identify their converging interest, take solid steps in every project and remove every obstacle in order to build the grand edifice of common development brick by brick.
China and the UK are natural partners in development. We have highly complementary economies and huge potential for cooperation. I urge our young icebreakers to get down to business and be innovative. The opportunities for China-UK cooperation in financial services, energy, artificial intelligence and digital economy are out there for you to explore. Your efforts could not only add building blocks to China-UK cooperation but also pave the way for global economic growth.
三是要有「計利當計天下利」的包容力。「浩渺行無極，揚帆但信風」。中英作為世界上有影響的大國，雙方合作具有全球輻射影響。中英兩國都有責任為世界經濟繁榮穩定做出更大貢獻，都有責任堅持貿易自由化，推動經濟全球化進程更有活力、更加包容、更可持續。希望你們堅持共商共建共享的精神，積極參與「一帶一路」合作，把中英合作成果帶給更多國家，讓更多人們共享經濟全球化的益處，為構建人類命運共同體做出自己的貢獻。
Third, I hope you will be inclusive and think beyond narrow self-interest.
「Boundless is the ocean where we sail with favourable wind.」 China and the UK are major countries with international influence. The cooperation between our two countries has a global impact. Both countries have the responsibility to do more for the economic prosperity and stability in the world. Both have the duty to adhere to free trade and to push for more vigorous, more inclusive and more sustainable economic globalization.
I urge our young icebreakers to actively participate in the cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative and stay true to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit. This will enable more countries to taste the fruit of China-UK cooperation. It will allow more people to share the benefit of economic globalization. This will be your contribution to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
女士們，先生們，
Ladies and Gentlemen,
「青年者，人生之王、人生之春、人生之華也」。青年是最富有激情、最敢為人先、最有凌雲壯志的群體。我衷心希望48家集團俱樂部和「青年破冰者」，能夠傳承「破冰精神」，揚起開放共贏、合作發展的風帆，堅定「破冰前行」，為構建人類命運共同體、為建設一個更加美好的世界貢獻自己的智慧和力量！
Youth is the king,
Youth is the spring,
Youth is the flower of life.
Young people are the most passionate, the most daring and the most high-hearted.
I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that the 48 Group Club and the 「Young Icebreakers」 will carry forward the 「icebreakers」 spirit, raise the sail towards open and win-win cooperation and break the ice to move forward.
I am sure you will contribute your wisdom and energy towards the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. You will make our world a better and more beautiful place.
謝謝大家！
Thank you.