保持定力，坚定信心

Strengthen Determination and Shore up Confidence

 

驻英国大使刘晓明在中资企业线上座谈会的主旨演讲

Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Webinar with the Chinese Business Community in the UK

 

2020年7月22日

22 July 2020

 

尊敬的英国中国商会方文建会长，

Chairman Fang,

 

各位在英中资企业代表：

Representatives from the Chinese Business Community in the UK:

 

很高兴与大家在线上交流。前阶段，在英中资企业及英国中国商会积极开展疫情防控、支援国内抗疫、向英方捐助物资、推进复工复产，大家辛勤付出，表现卓越。我谨代表驻英国大使馆，向大家表示敬意！大家辛苦了！

It is a real delight to join you on-line. In the past months, the Chinese business community in the UK and CCCUK have taken vigorous actions in response to Covid-19, supporting the epidemic containment back in China, donating medical supplies to the UK, and working under the British Government guidelines to reopen and get your business up and running. You have made hard efforts and achieved remarkable outcomes. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, I would like to pay my tribute to all of you! Your work has been outstanding!

 

新冠肺炎疫情暴发以来，习近平主席与约翰逊首相两次通电话，就推进中英关系、加强两国抗疫合作达成重要共识。两国政府各部门积极落实这一重要共识，开展了多领域、多层次合作。中英双方本应珍惜这一良好势头，推动两国关系不断向前发展。但近一个时期，两国关系急转直下，出现一系列令人担忧的困难和挫折。大家都很关心：中英关系“怎么了”？在英中资企业“怎么办”？今天，我就来回答这两个问题。

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Boris Johnson have had two telephone conversations, during which they reached important agreements on advancing China-UK relations and enhancing joint response to the epidemic. The relevant government departments of the two countries have been working hard to implement these agreements and carry out cooperation in various areas and at different levels. There was a positive momentum in China-UK relationship that should be cherished so that further progress could be achieved. However, in recent weeks, this relationship has taken a sharp turn and run into difficulties and setbacks. Many Chinese businesses in the UK are probably asking themselves these questions: What is happening to China-UK relationship? What shall we do? Now let me give you my answer to these two questions.

 

第一个问题，中英关系怎么了？当前，中英关系面临严峻困难，遭受严重挫折。为什么？因为英方犯了“两大错误”：

The first question: what is happening to China-UK relationship? Currently, China-UK relationship is faced with grave difficulties and suffering serious setbacks. The reason for this is that two things have gone seriously wrong on the UK side.

 

第一，英方严重违反国际关系基本准则。互相尊重主权和领土完整、互不干涉内政和平等互利，是《联合国宪章》确立的国家间关系的基本原则，是国际法与国际关系的基本准则，也是中英关系的基本原则，被写入两国建立大使级外交关系的联合公报。自70年前英国在西方大国中率先承认新中国以来，中英关系历经风雨，总体保持前进方向。我担任驻英大使10年多来，见证了中英关系的起伏曲折。历史和实践一再证明，只要上述基本原则得到遵守，中英关系就向前发展；反之则遭遇挫折，甚至倒退。

First, the UK has violated the basic norms governing international relations. These basic norms include: mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit. These are the fundamental principles for state-to-state relations that are enshrined in the UN Charter. They are the basic norms of international law and relations. They are also the basic guidelines that have been written into the Joint Communiqué of China and the UK on exchange of ambassadors and form the bedrock for China-UK relationship. Seventy years ago, the UK was the first major Western country to recognize New China. Since then, despite winds and rains, the overall China-UK relationship has kept making progress. In my more than ten years as Chinese Ambassador to the UK, I have witnessed ups and downs, and twists and turns in China-UK relationship. History and facts have proved time and again that when the above-mentioned basic principles were observed, China-UK relationship would make progress; otherwise, this relationship would suffer setbacks or even retrogression.

 

近一个时期以来，英方一再违反这些重要原则。在涉港问题上，一些英国政客仍沉迷于殖民旧梦，无视香港早已回归中国的事实。英国政府粗暴干涉香港事务和中国内政，对香港国安法无端指责，对香港实施武器禁运，暂停与香港引渡协定，执意改变英国国民（海外）护照（BNO）政策，甚至宣称要给1997年后出生的“示威者”以“特殊签证”。英方在涉港问题上一错再错，严重违背自己的国际义务，严重干扰香港的稳定与繁荣。在涉疆问题上，英国罔顾事实、颠倒黑白，从双边和多边渠道对中国进行大肆抹黑攻击，恶意破坏中国形象，严重误导英国民众，严重毒化中英关系氛围。

To our deepest regret, these important principles have been violated time and again in recent developments. On Hong Kong: Some British politicians have refused to wake up from their colonial dream and ignored the fact that China has long resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. This has led to blatant interference from the British government in Hong Kong affairs, which are internal affairs of China, including groundless accusations against the National Security Law for Hong Kong SAR, extension of arms embargo to Hong Kong, suspension of the extradition treaty with Hong Kong and change to the policy involving BNO passport holders and even offers of special visas to so-called “protestors” born after 1997. By making one mistake after another on Hong Kong, the UK has brazenly contravened its international obligations and severely disrupted the stability and prosperity in Hong Kong. On Xinjiang: The UK has paid no respect for facts and confused right and wrong, recklessly flinging slanders at and discredit China, bilaterally and multilaterally. This has seriously misled the British public and poisoned China-UK relationship.

 

第二，英方对华认知与战略定位出现严重错误。英国一些政客抱持冷战思维，随美起舞，将中国视作挑战、威胁甚至“敌对国家”，扬言“清算”对华政策，甚至叫嚣发动对华“新冷战”。特别是近期英国政府改变涉华为决定，将华为排除出英国5G网络建设。这是一个错误决定，它的错误不仅反映在英国如何对待一家中国企业，而且关系到英国如何看待和对待中国的问题。是把中国看作机遇，还是威胁？是把中国看作伙伴，还是对手？是把中国看作友好国家，还是“敌对国家”或者“潜在敌对国家”？在这些大是大非问题上，英国政府显然做出了错误的判断和错误的选择。

Second, the UK’s perception of and strategic position on China are seriously wrong. Some British politicians have continued to see the world in Cold-War mentality and dance to the tune of the United States. They see China as a challenge, a threat, and even a “hostile state”. They clamoured for a “reckoning” with China, or even a “new cold war” against China. In particular, the UK Government recently changed its decision on Huawei, excluding Huawei from its 5G networks. This is a wrong decision. The issue of Huawei is not just about how the UK sees and deals with a Chinese company. It is about how the UK sees and deals with China. Does it see China as an opportunity or a threat? a partner or a rival? a friendly country, or a “hostile” or “potentially hostile” state? On these questions of principles, the UK Government’s judgment and decision have been obviously wrong.

 

我们对中英关系出现的困难和挫折感到痛心，但造成这一局面的责任完全在英方。中国从没有干涉英国内政，从没有把英国视作“威胁”或“敌对国家”。我们希望做英国的朋友和伙伴，但这不仅取决于中方，也取决于英方。我们始终认为，一个稳定健康发展的中英关系不仅符合中英两国人民的利益，也有利于世界的和平与繁荣。这样一对重要关系不应被英国内外反华势力所“绑架”。我们希望英方重归独立、理性、务实的对华政策，不要在错误的路上越走越远，否则最终结果必然是损人不利己。

We feel deep regret over the current difficulties and setbacks in China-UK relationship. However, the UK side should take full responsibility for the current situation. China has never interfered in the internal affairs of the UK. It has never seen the UK as a “threat” or a “hostile state”. China hopes to become a friend and partner of the UK. The feasibility of this hope is now up to not only China but also the UK. China always believes that a stable and sound China-UK relationship not only serves the interests of the people of both countries but also contributes to world peace and prosperity. This important relationship should not be “kidnapped” by anti-China forces in and outside the UK. It is our hope that the UK would return to independent, reasonable and practical policies towards China, and stop going down the wrong path. Otherwise, it stands to lose while harming others.

 

第二个问题，在英中资企业怎么办？面对中英关系的复杂局面，大家要保持定力，坚定信心，善做善成。希望大家坚定“三个信心”：

Now let me turn to the second question: How shall Chinese businesses in the UK respond? In face of the complex situation in China-UK relationship, the Chinese business community in the UK should strengthen determination, shore up confidence, take effective measures and achieve success. In particular, I hope you will strengthen confidence in the following three aspects:

 

一要坚定对国家的信心。昨天，习近平总书记主持召开企业家座谈会并发表重要讲话，指出当前中国经济发展呈现稳定转好态势，在疫情防控和经济恢复上都走在世界前列，强调立足中国，放眼世界，提高把握国际市场动向和需求特点的能力，提高把握国际规则能力，提高国际市场开拓能力，提高防范国际市场风险能力，带动企业在更高水平的对外开放中实现更好发展，促进国内国际双循环。总书记的讲话对所有在英企业都具有重要指导意义。

First, strengthen confidence in your own country. Yesterday, President Xi Jinping chaired a symposium with entrepreneurs and delivered an important speech. He said that China’s economy has reported stable performance and showed signs of improvement, and China is leading the world in both epidemic containment and economic recovery. He emphasized that entrepreneurs, while strengthening their domestic foothold, should have a global vision. This means: better judgment of the trend, demand and characteristics of the global market, better understanding of international rules, broader and more effective global reach, and greater ability to guard against risks in the global market. These could enable businesses to achieve better development in China’s higher-level of opening up, and make their domestic and global operations complement and reinforce each other. This speech provides an important guidance for all Chinese businesses here in the UK.

 

中国经济的强大韧性与潜力是中资企业在英经营发展的动力与信心之源。强大的祖国和14亿中国人民永远是你们的强大后盾。中方正在认真评估英方错误言行的影响与后果，我们将采取一切必要手段和措施，全力维护在英中资企业和机构的安全和正当合法权益。

The resilience and potential of China’s economy are the source of driving forces and confidence for Chinese companies to continue doing business in the UK and achieve success. A strong China and 1.4 billion Chinese people are always your staunched support. Right now, China is carefully evaluating the repercussions of the UK’s words and actions. We will take all necessary means and measures to safeguard the safety as well as the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese businesses and institutions in the UK.

 

二要坚定对企业自身实力的信心。在英中资企业都是各自行业领域的翘楚，具备相当的国际竞争力和国际化经营经验，也都经历过不少严峻考验。不少企业已在英深耕经营多年，为当地带来大量就业和税收，为促进相关产业发展作出积极贡献。这些不是那些别有用心的英国政客和媒体抹黑和打压就能抹杀的。以华为为例，我曾说，世界很大，有足够的空间让华为发展。我们中国人常说：西方不亮东方亮。西方人也说，这扇门关了那扇门开。华为在170个国家运营，英国不让干，还有169个国家。美国打压、英国禁用不会阻止华为的发展步伐，只会激励华为迎难而上、变得更强大。这对其他中资企业也是一样的道理。

Second, I hope you will strengthen confidence in yourselves. Chinese businesses in the UK are among the leading companies in their respective industries. You are highly competitiveness and rich in experience in the global market, and you have withstood severe tests. Many of you have been in the UK for many years, during which you created huge job opportunities and tax revenue for the local communities, and made positive contribution to the development of the relevant industries here in this country. Such contribution will never be written off by the discrediting words or suppression of some ill-intentioned British politicians and media. Take Huawei for an example. As I said, the world is big enough for Huawei to continue to grow. We Chinese people often say, when it turns dark in the West, embrace dawn in the East. There is a similar saying in the West, which goes, when one door shuts, another opens. Huawei has business operations in 170 countries. If the UK closes its door, there are still 169 doors open. Neither the suppression of the US nor the ban of the UK will stop progress of Huawei. They will only spur Huawei on to meet the challenges head on and grow even stronger. The same is true for other Chinese businesses.

 

三要坚定对中英人民友谊和中英经贸合作长远发展的信心。在“后脱欧时代”和“后疫情时代”，英国要打造“全球化英国”，绕不开、离不开中国。如果英国选择与中国“脱钩”，就是与机遇脱钩、与增长脱钩、与未来脱钩。即使在当前中英关系面临困难的情况下，英国政府也不得不承认，要与中国保持建设性关系。英国社会主流特别是工商界仍希望深化对华合作。中英经济互补性强，利益融合深，合作领域广，长远发展依然前景可期。中英两国人民友谊深厚。近来，中国大使馆包括我本人，每天收到大量英国民众来信，表达对反华势力的愤怒，对中英关系的支持。这也正是中英关系基础之所在、力量之所在。因此，我希望大家要继续以实际行动讲好“中国故事”和“中英合作共赢”的故事，争取更多理解和支持；同时继续与英方合作伙伴、业务客户、社区群众充分沟通，保持良好合作关系，为中英关系的未来深耕细作。

Third, I hope you will strengthen confidence in the friendship between the Chinese and British people and the long-term prospects of China-UK business cooperation. After Brexit and Covid-19, there is no way to bypass or exclude China if the UK wants to build a “global Britain”. “Decoupling” from China means decoupling from opportunities, decoupling from growth and decoupling from the future. Even at the current moment when China-UK relationship is facing difficulties, the UK Government has to acknowledge that it must maintain a constructive relationship with China. The mainstream of the British society, especially the business community, still hopes to deepen cooperation with China. China and the UK have highly complementary economies, deeply integrated interests and extensive cooperation. There are promising prospects for further economic cooperation between the two countries. The people of the two countries have profound friendship. Recently the Chinese Embassy and myself have been receiving a large number of letters from British people every day, who expressed their disagreement with anti-China clamour and their support for China-UK relationship. This friendship forms the foundation of and gives strength to China-UK relationship. Therefore, it is my hope that with your continued presence, you will go on to tell the story of China and the story of China-UK win-win cooperation, so as to gain more understanding and support for your operations here in the UK. It is also important to contribute, communicate and get along with your partners, your clients and your local communities here in this country, and lay the bricks for the foundation of China-UK relationship in the future.

 

习近平总书记指出，优秀企业家必须对国家、对民族怀有崇高使命感和强烈责任感，主动为国担当、为国分忧。在英中资企业是中英关系发展的稳定器、助推器和扬声器。当前形势越复杂、挑战越严峻，就越需要我们坚定必胜信心，科学研判形势，把握蕴藏机遇，化解风险挑战。无论风云如何变幻，中国驻英使馆都将一如既往为在英中资企业提供支持和服务，为大家排忧解难、保驾护航！

President Xi Jinping said, an outstanding entrepreneur has a strong sense of mission and responsibility; an outstanding entrepreneur would take the initiative to take up responsibilities for the country and help address the concerns of the country. Chinese businesses in the UK have always played the role of a stabilizer, a propeller and a loudspeaker for better China-UK relationship. The more complex the situation is and the more severe the challenge is, the more important that we strengthen confidence, keep the big picture in mind, seize the opportunities and address the risks and challenges. Whatever the change, the Chinese Embassy in the UK will provide, as always, support and services for Chinese businesses here in this country. We will address your difficulties and provide necessary safeguards!

 

谢谢大家！

Thank you!