砥砺笃行，引领未来
Forge Ahead Towards a Brighter Future
驻英国大使刘晓明在中国银行伦敦分行成立九十周年庆典的讲话
Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Bank of China London Branch
2019年11月22日
22 November 2019
尊敬的中国银行副行长孙煜先生，
尊敬的伦敦金融城市长罗素先生，
尊敬的中国银行伦敦分行行长方文建先生，
尊敬的48家集团俱乐部主席佩里先生，
尊敬的各位议员，
女士们，先生们：
Executive Vice President Sun Yu,
Lord Mayor William Russell,
General Manager Fang Wenjian,
Chairman Stephen Perry,
My Lords,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
大家晚上好！
Good evening!
很高兴出席今天的庆典活动。我谨代表中国驻英国大使馆，对中国银行伦敦分行成立90周年表示热烈祝贺！
It is a real delight to join you at today’s celebration. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on the 90th anniversary of Bank of China London Branch!
90年前，中国银行落户英国，开设伦敦经理处，成为中国现代银行业在海外设立的第一个分支机构，标志着中国企业迈出国门、走向世界的第一步。
Ninety years ago, Bank of China set up its first overseas office in London. It was the pioneer of modern Chinese banking sector. It was the very first step in a long journey in which Chinese companies explored the global market and made solid footprints.
90年来，中国银行伦敦分行一直是中华民族伟大复兴征程的“参与者”。抗战时期，中行伦敦分行发行救国公债，协助华侨华人募捐，积极为中国人民“站起来”贡献力量。改革开放以来，中行伦敦分行充分发挥自身优势，大力促进对外经贸合作，助力中国金融业走向世界，为中国人民“富起来”、“强起来”贡献力量。
For 90 years, Bank of China London Branch has been a participant in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. During the Chinese people’s war against Japanese aggression, Bank of China London Branch issued government bond to raise fund in the overseas Chinese community for the resistance. This effort was a valuable contribution to the struggle of the Chinese nation to “get back on her feet”. Since China began reform and opening up, Bank of China London Branch has been leveraging its strength to facilitate foreign trade and extend the global reach of China’s financial sector. These efforts have given the Chinese nation powerful impetus on its way towards prosperity and greatness.
90年来，中国银行伦敦分行深耕英国，服务社会，开拓进取，不断壮大，成为中英金融合作的“领军者”和促进当地繁荣发展的“贡献者”。
For 90 years, Bank of China London Branch has cultivated the British market and provided services to the local people. In this process, it has explored new frontiers and grown stronger. It has become a champion for China-UK financial cooperation and a contributor to the prosperity and development of the local community.
90年风雨兼程，90载砥砺笃行。站在新的历史起点上，我对中国银行伦敦分行有三点期待：
After 90 years of persistent and strenuous efforts, this proud institution is standing at a new historical juncture. I would like to share with you my three hopes for Bank of China London Branch.
一是继续做中英开放合作的引领者。不久前，习近平主席在第二届中国国际进口博览会开幕式上发表重要讲话，强调各国应共建开放合作、开放创新、开放共享的世界经济。多年来，中行伦敦分行在对外开放合作中敢为人先，创造了多项第一：协助中国财政部在伦敦发行首支境外人民币主权债券，协助英格兰银行发行首个西方主权国家人民币债券，在伦敦证券交易所发行首支中国绿色资产担保债券，成为英国外资银行协会70年历史中首家出任主席单位的亚洲银行。希望中国银行充分利用深厚历史积淀，不断锐意进取，继续引领中国金融业走向世界。
First, I hope it will continue to be a leader in China-UK cooperation. At the opening ceremony of the second China International Import Expo early this month, President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. He proposed that all countries work together to build an open world economy through cooperation, with innovation and for mutual benefits. Over the years, Bank of China London Branch has been a pioneer in promoting cooperation between Chinese financial institutions and their British counterparts. It has created many “first’s”. It was entrusted by the Ministry of Finance of China to issue the first RMB sovereign bond overseas. It joined hands with Bank of England to issue the first RMB-denominated sovereign bond of a Western country. It listed China’s first green bond at the London Stock Exchange. And it was the first Asian bank to take the chair of the Association of Foreign Banks in the UK in its 70 years of history. It is my hope that Bank of China will build on these achievements and continue to strive forward. I am sure you will continue to be a leading Chinese financial institution in the global market.
二是继续做中英金融合作的促进者。伦敦是世界金融中心，中国银行伦敦分行是在英国规模最大、持续经营时间最长的中资银行。目前已有35家大型中资金融机构在英国开展业务。中英金融合作发展势头强劲，双方在金融科技、普惠金融、绿色金融等领域的合作潜力巨大。中国金融业开放进程加快，包括全面取消在华外资银行、证券公司、基金管理公司等金融机构业务范围限制等，将为中英金融合作提供新机遇和新空间。希望中行伦敦分行继续发挥自身优势，打造更多合作亮点，为促进中英金融合作发挥更大作用。
Second, I hope Bank of China London Branch will continue to be a promoter of China-UK financial cooperation. London is a world financial centre. Thirty-five large-scale Chinese financial institutions have set up businesses here. China-UK financial cooperation enjoys a strong momentum. There is enormous potential in the areas of FinTech, inclusive finance and green finance. China is accelerating the opening up of its financial sector. It will abolish completely the business scope restrictions on foreign financial institutions in China such as banks, securities firms and fund management companies. This will create new opportunities and new space for China-UK financial cooperation. It is my hope that Bank of China London Branch will continue to leverage its strengths, create more highlights of cooperation, and play a bigger role in advancing China-UK financial cooperation.
三是继续做中英关系的推动者。上世纪50年代，中行伦敦分行积极为中英经贸往来“破冰之旅”牵线搭桥，近年推动成立英国中国商会，代言在英中资企业，促进两国经贸合作。中行伦敦分行积极服务当地社会和民生，近3年在英纳税额累计2.3亿英镑，解决当地就业超过600人。中行伦敦分行还投身公益慈善事业，积极推动中国文化走进千家万户。希望中行伦敦分行继续立足当地，服务当地，贡献当地，打造亮丽的“中国名片”，讲好精彩的“中国故事”，筑牢中英友谊纽带。
Third, I hope Bank of China London Branch will continue to be a contributor to China-UK relations. In 1950s, Bank of China London Branch facilitated the “icebreaking” trade between China and Britain. In recent years, it initiated the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, which has become a powerful voice for the Chinese companies here in this country and has done a great deal in promoting China-UK business cooperation. Moreover, Bank of China London Branch has never stopped giving back to the local community. In the past three years, it has paid 230 million pounds in tax and offered more than 600 jobs. It has also engaged in charity works and enriched cultural diversity of this international metropolis by supporting Chinese culture events. I hope that Bank of China London Branch will continue to focus on local business, improve local services and give back to the local community. I am sure you will continue to serve as a shiny name card for China, help more British people understand China’s stories and build a closer bond between our two countries.
女士们，先生们，
Ladies and Gentlemen:
今年是中华人民共和国成立70周年，也是中英建立代办级外交关系65周年。当前，世界正处于百年未有之大变局，国际金融市场发展面临新形势，中国高水平对外开放呈现新格局。衷心祝愿中行伦敦分行继续展现卓越胆识，抓时代机遇，顺世界大潮，率中国之先，为中英关系“黄金时代”添砖加瓦，为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦做出新的更大贡献!
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It is also the 65th anniversary of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the chargé d’affaires level. The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. The international financial market is faced with new prospects. China is opening its market at a higher level. I am sure Bank of China London Branch will continue to display its outstanding vision, seize the opportunities, move along with the trend of our times and take the lead in open cooperation. I look forward to your new, greater contribution to promoting the China-UK “Golden Era” and to realising the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation!
谢谢大家！
Thank you!