改革促进中国发展，开放推动世界进步

Reform Advances Development in China and Opening up Promotes Progress in the World

 

驻英国大使刘晓明在基尔世界事务论坛上的主旨演讲

Speech at the Keele World Affairs Meeting by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming

 

英国基尔大学，2018年12月6日

Keele University, 6 December 2018

 

尊敬的基尔世界事务论坛主席博因顿先生，

尊敬的基尔大学校长麦克米兰教授，

女士们，先生们，

Chairman Bill Boynton,

Vice-Chancellor Trevor Mcmillan,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

大家晚上好！

Good evening!

 

感谢基尔世界事务论坛的盛情邀请和基尔大学的热情接待。博因顿主席告诉我，我是第一个在基尔世界事务论坛发表演讲的中国大使，我对于创下这项新记录倍感荣幸。

Let me begin by extending my thanks to Keele World Affairs for your kind invitation and to Keele University for your warm hospitality. Chairman Boynton told me that I am the first Chinese Ambassador to speak at Keele World Affairs meetings. I regard it as a great honour.

 

博因顿主席希望我介绍一下中国的改革开放及对世界的影响。这个话题可谓恰逢其时。今年恰好是中国改革开放40周年。40年前，中国开启了改革开放的伟大历史征程。40年来，从解放思想到锐意改革，从与世界接轨到深度融入世界，中国人民用勤劳和智慧书写了人类发展史上的奇迹。正如习近平主席所说，“改革开放这场中国的第二次革命，不仅深刻改变了中国，也深刻影响了世界”。

I am asked by Chairman Boynton to talk about China’s reform and opening up, and its influence on the world. I think this is a timely topic as this year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up. Forty years since China embarked on this great and historic journey, we have liberated our minds and carried out courageous reform; we have reached out to the world and become an integral part of the globalization process. With diligence and wisdom, the Chinese people have created a miracle in the history of human development. Just as President Xi Jinping said, “Reform and opening up, which is China’s second revolution, has not only profoundly changed the country but also greatly influenced the whole world.”

 

孔子说：“四十而不惑”。所谓“不惑”，就是对事物发展变化有了清晰了解，对自身选择不再疑惑。今天，我想结合中国的改革开放谈三个问题，帮助大家更好了解中国的发展变化及中国对世界的影响：

Confucius said, “At forty, one has no doubts.” After forty years of reform and opening up, China has no doubts about its choice forty years ago. Today, in the context of reform and opening up, I would like to share with you my views on three questions. I hope what I am going to say will provide you with a better understanding of China’s development and its influence on the world.

 

第一个问题，改革开放给中国带来了什么变化？我认为改革开放给中国带来的变化是巨大的、深刻的、历史性的。

The first question is: How is China changed by reform and opening up? In my opinion, the changes are enormous, profound and historic.

 

首先，中国经济实现了划时代的腾飞。40年前，中国GDP总量仅为1750亿美元，居世界第10位，占世界经济比重只有2%。今天，中国GDP总量达12万亿美元，按不变价计算增长了33.5倍，占世界经济15%左右。中国已成为世界第二大经济体、第一大工业国、第一大货物贸易国、第一大外汇储备国，220多种产品产量居世界第一。40年来，中国国内生产总值年均增长约9.5%，创造了二战后一个国家GDP增长持续时间最长、增长率最高的世界纪录。

First, China’s economy has grown by epoch-making leaps and bounds. Forty years ago, China was the tenth largest economy, with a GDP of $175 billion and accounting for 2% of the world’s total. Over the past forty years, China has maintained an average annual growth rate of 9.5%. This is the world’s highest GDP growth rate for the longest time since the Second World War. Today, China’s GDP stands at $12 trillion, increasing 33.5 times in real terms and accounting for 15% of the world’s total. It is the world’s second largest economy with the biggest foreign exchange reserves. It is also the biggest industrial country, largest trader in goods and top producer of more than 220 products.

 

目前，中国经济由高速增长转向高质量发展。中国在载人航天、探月工程、超级计算、北斗导航、量子通信等高技术领域取得重大突破，在高铁、移动通讯、核电等领域处于世界先进水平。以高铁为例，中国形成了世界上速度最快的铁路系统。每天早上8点，就有1700多列高铁在中国版图上穿梭，平均84秒就有一辆高铁驶过最繁忙的上海站。上个月我回国述职，乘坐了从北京至南京的高铁，1000多公里仅需4个小时。上周，我乘火车去苏格兰鹰谷开会，不到600公里的路走了整整6个小时。现在，英国朋友问我，英国什么时候会有中国式的高铁？我说，希望这一天不会太遥远。

Today, China is shifting from high-speed growth to high-quality growth. We have achieved major breakthroughs in manned space programme, lunar exploration, supercomputer, satellite navigation, quantum communications and other hi-tech fields. In areas such as high-speed rail, mobile telecommunications and nuclear energy, China is also a leader in the world. Take high-speed rail for example. China has built the world’s fastest railway network. Every day at eight o’clock in the morning, there are more than 1,700 express trains running across China. On average, one express train passes through Shanghai Railway Station, the busiest in China, every 84 seconds. While on home leave in China last month, I took an express train from Beijing to Nanjing more than 1,000 kilometres away. It took me only four hours. Last week, I traveled from London to Gleneagle of Scotland less than 600 kilometres away, and spent six hours on the train. My British friends asked me, when will the UK have a high-speed rail network like China’s? I said, I hope it won’t be long.

 

尤其值得一提的是，中国新产业、新业态、新模式不断涌现。中国数字经济蓬勃发展，移动支付用户已经超过5亿，正引领全球支付体系迈入新时代。每年11月11日，中国有一个类似“黑色星期五”的网购狂欢节。今年“双11”当天，网购成交量超过2000亿元人民币，相当于中英年度贸易额的三分之一。

Another good example is the booming new industries and business models. With more than 500 million people using mobile payment, the digital economy is thriving in China. China is leading the new era of global payment system. On November 11th, China’s equivalent of “Black Friday”, online shopping topped 200 billion RMB yuan in a single day. This is one third of the annual trade between China and the UK.

 

第二，中国人民生活发生了天翻地覆的变化。40年来，中国人民生活从短缺走向充裕、从贫困走向全面小康，提前完成联合国“千年发展目标”、“可持续发展议程”的减贫要求。中国绝对贫困人口从7.7亿减少至3000多万，累计减贫7.4亿人，占同期全球减贫人口总数70%以上。中国已建成分别覆盖超过9亿人和13亿人的基本养老保险和医疗保险体系，实现了九年制义务教育全面免费，织就了世界上最大的社会保障网络。居民收入持续较快增长，连续多年“跑赢”同期国内生产总值的增速。

Second, reform and opening up have changed the life of the Chinese people beyond recognition. The past 40 years have seen shortage replaced by affluence and poverty replaced by moderate prosperity. In poverty reduction, China has hit the targets set by the Millennium Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the UN ahead of schedule. China’s population in absolute poverty has dropped from 770 million to a little over 30 million. This means 740 million people have been lifted out of poverty. That accounts for more than 70% of the concurrent world total. In social security, China has built the world’s largest network, with a basic pension insurance system covering more than 900 million people and a basic health insurance system covering 1.3 billion. On top of that, we have put in place a nine-year free and compulsory education system. In household income, the increase has been faster than GDP growth for many years.

 

中国已经形成规模为4亿多的世界上最大中等收入群体，这一数字已超过美国总人口，消费能力和消费需求大幅提升。举例而言，上个世纪70年代，中国老百姓家庭的消费水平是百元级的，即“三转一响一咔喳”——手表、缝纫机、自行车，收音机和照相机；到了80年代，家庭消费水平升级为千元级的，即“三机一箱”——电视机、洗衣机、录放机和电冰箱；到了九十年代，家庭消费水平是万元级的，即“两电一调”——电脑、电话和空调。进入21世纪，中国百姓家庭消费水平晋升为十万到百万元级，消费水平以汽车、住房和旅游为代表。

Today, China has the world’s largest middle-income population, that is, more than 400 million. This is larger than the entire population of the United States. Consumer needs and spending power have kept growing. In the 1970s, the main “dream items” of Chinese households were watches, sewing machines, bicycles, radios and cameras. The average costs were a few hundred yuan. In the 1980s, the “dream items” changed to TV set, washing machine, tape recorder and refrigerator. The average costs rose to a few thousand. In the 1990s, computer, phone and air conditioner became the new “dream items”, each costing more than ten thousand yuan. Today, the “dream items” for the 21st century Chinese households are house, car and holiday. The average spending ranges from hundreds of thousands to several million yuan.

 

第三，中国与世界的关系发生了历史性的变化。40年来，中国坚持打开国门搞建设，成功实现从封闭半封闭到全方位开放的伟大转折。从引进来到走出去，从加入世界贸易组织到共建“一带一路”，中国连续多年对世界经济增长贡献率超过30%，已成为世界经济增长的稳定器和动力源。中国提出构建人类命运共同体、建立新型国际关系等理念，其中构建人类命运共同体理念已经被写入联合国和二十国集团等文件，为人类和平与发展事业做出了自己的贡献。

Third, reform and opening up have transformed China’s relations with the world. For 40 years, China has stayed committed to opening up the country to the outside world. The once closed and semi-closed country became one that opens up on all fronts. From embracing foreign businesses at home to exploring access to the world, from becoming a WTO member to proposing the Belt and Road Initiative, China has played the role of world economic stabiliser and powerhouse. China’s contribution to global growth has been more than 30% for many years in a run. China has also contributed to world peace and development by proposing to build a community with a shared future for mankind and a new type of international relations. The former has been endorsed in documents of the UN and the G20.

 

当前，越来越多的中国人走出国门，从事商贸、投资、求学、旅游等活动。2017年中国在境外设立企业超过3万家，在海外劳务人员约100万，留学生约137万。2017年全年，中国公民出境旅游人数超过1.3亿人次，同比增长7%。上个月，我们在上海成功举办了首届中国国际进口博览会，这是迄今世界上第一个以进口为主题的国家级展会。172个国家、地区和国际组织参会，3600多家企业参展，意向成交额达578.3亿美元。英国是博览会主宾国之一，安德鲁王子和福克斯国际贸易大臣率50多家英国企业参会，双方签署了约20亿英镑的合作协议。

Today, more and more Chinese are trading, investing, studying or holidaying abroad. As of 2017, there were more than 30,000 Chinese companies, about one million Chinese contract workers and 1.37 million Chinese students all over the world. Chinese tourists made more than 130 million overseas trips in 2017, which was 7% more than the previous year. Last month, the first China International Import Expo was successfully held in Shanghai. This was the first-ever national-level Expo dedicated solely to import. Delegations from 172 countries, regional economies and international organizations gathered in Shanghai, more than 3,600 companies took part in the Expo and $57.83 billion worth of deals of intended purchases were signed. The UK was a country of honour at the Expo, where more than 50 British companies led by The Duke of York and Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox signed about £2 billion of deals with Chinese companies.

 

同时也应看到，中国仍是世界上最大的发展中国家，人口多、底子薄、人均水平低，发展不充分、不平衡、不可持续等问题仍很突出。目前，中国人均国内生产总值排在世界第71位，人类发展指数全球位列第91位。中国还有3000万贫困人口、8000多万残疾人，需要照顾的老年人口超过2亿，每年需要解决就业人口就达1500万。我曾在中国最贫穷省份之一甘肃省担任省长助理，深知中国发展挑战巨大、任务艰巨。作为一个拥有13亿多人口的大国，中国的前进道路仍然充满困难和挑战。但有中国共产党的领导，有13亿人民的勤劳和智慧，我们有信心、有能力攻坚克难，开创更加美好的未来。

However, despite the tremendous progress, China remains the world’s largest developing country. Our population is large. Our economic foundation remains weak. In terms of per capita GDP, we are a long way behind many other countries in the world. On the whole, we still face the bottlenecks of insufficient, imbalanced and unsustainable development. Let me give you some numbers. China ranks the 71st in the world in per capita GDP and the 91st in human development index. There are still 30 million Chinese living in poverty, more than 80 million people with disabilities, over 200 million pensioners in need of care and about 15 million new workforce in need of a job every year. I once served as Assistant Governor of Gansu, one of the least developed provinces in China. I know from personal experience the severe challenges China has to face and the daunting tasks China has to shoulder. As a big country with more than 1.3 billion people, China is bound to encounter numerous difficulties and challenges on its way ahead. But under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and with the diligence and wisdom of 1.3 billion Chinese people, we have the confidence and capability to overcome difficulties and create a beautiful future.

 

第二个问题，中国为什么会发生这样的变化？我认为原因主要有三个：

The second question I wish to discuss with you is: Why is China able to achieve these changes? I think there are three reasons.

 

一是中国始终坚持走自己的路。一个国家的道路走得对不对、好不好，要用事实来说话，要看这个国家发展得怎么样、老百姓日子过得怎么样。中国的发展成就充分证明，中国选择了一条适合本国国情的发展道路。历史上，中国曾经尝试过不少外来制度，但都水土不服，无法生根。最后在中国共产党的领导下，逐步探索并形成了中国特色社会主义道路，才使中国实现从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃。新时代中国特色社会主义道路是中国人民选择的、最适合中国的道路。

First, China has been following a path of its own choice. How do you judge whether a country has taken the right path, or the one that suits? I think you have to prove with concrete facts whether this path is leading to better development and higher standard of living. China’s achievements are strong proof that China has chosen a development path that suits its national conditions. Historically, China experimented with many foreign governance systems. But these could not settle in or take root. After trial and error, the Communist Party of China led the nation onto the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Years of hard efforts along this path have enabled China to gain independence, grow prosperous and become strong.

 

中国特色社会主义道路是在改革开放的实践中形成和发展起来的，它不仅改变了中国的面貌，也拓展了发展中国家走向现代化的途径，为解决人类问题贡献了中国智慧和中国方案，表明通向现代化的道路不止一条，只要找准正确方向、驰而不息，“条条大路通富强”。

Socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era is the choice of the Chinese people. It is gradually defined in the process of reform and opening-up. It is the most suitable path for China. It has led China to a profound transformation. It is an effective way to development and modernization. It represents China’s wisdom and solution in addressing the problems of human society. And it shows that there could be many roads leading to prosperity. Countries only have to find the right direction and stick to it.

 

二是中国始终以开放包容的姿态拥抱世界。“海纳百川，有容乃大”。世界上有200多个国家和地区，有不同文化、种族、宗教和不同社会制度。在全球化时代，任何国家都不能关起门来搞建设，要开放就需要包容。包容就是要尊重各国自主选择社会制度和发展道路的权利，把世界多样性转化为发展活力和动力；包容就是要推动不同文明取长补短、交融互鉴，把文化差异性转化为推动人类社会进步、维护世界和平的纽带。

The second reason is that China has embraced the world with open arms. “The ocean is vast because it admits all rivers.” The world is composed of more than 200 countries and regions. They are different in culture, race, religious belief and social system. Globalisation is a way of life that no one can escape from. No country can achieve development behind closed doors. But openness requires one to be inclusive. Being inclusive is about respecting other countries’ rights to choose their own social systems and development paths independently. It is about turning diversity into dynamism. Being inclusive is also about encouraging mutual learning between different civilisations, so that the different strengths of diverse cultures could be channeled into promoting social development and safeguarding world peace.

 

当今世界正经历新一轮大发展大变革大调整。随着世界多极化、经济全球化、社会信息化深入发展，世界上不同制度、不同文化、不同发展阶段的国家相互紧密依存、利益深度交融，达到人类历史上前所未有的广度和深度，已逐步形成利益共同体、责任共同体和命运共同体。冷战思维、零和博弈已经不合时宜，本国优先、独善其身只能四处碰壁，开放包容、和平合作才是唯一正确选择。

The world is undergoing a new round of profound development, transformation and adjustment. Increasing multi-polarity, economic globalisation and IT application have drawn countries of the world closer. Despite their differences in social system, culture and development stage, countries are more inter-dependent and their interests are more deeply integrated to an extent and depth unprecedented in human history. This has turned the world into a community with shared interests, shared responsibilities and a shared future. In the dynamics of this community, Cold-war and zero-sum-game mentality is outdated; “Putting one’s own country first” and “minding one’s own business” do not work; Being open and inclusive, and pursuing peace and cooperation are the only right choice.

 

三是中国始终秉持合作共赢的精神发展与其他国家的合作。合作共赢是中华文化的精神内核。改革开放40年，中国走向世界、融入世界的方式始终是通过合作共赢实现的。中国始终认为，考虑自身利益，做好自己的事的同时，不能损害其他国家利益，必须同舟共济，努力加强政策协调，减少负面外溢效应，让世界各国实现联动增长，在普惠中追求共赢。

The third reason is that China has engaged in win-win cooperation with other countries. Win-win cooperation is at the centre of the Chinese culture. In 40 years’ of reform and opening up, it is through win-win cooperation that China reached out to the world and deepened its integration with the world. Countries have their own interests to take care of and goals to pursue. But these should not be done at the expense of the interests of other countries. In a world of inter-connected development, countries are all in the same boat and need to come to each other’s assistance, enhance policy coordination and strive for win-win results. The Belt and Road Initiative is aimed at enhancing connectivity.

 

今年是习近平主席提出“一带一路”倡议5周年。“一带一路”建设秉持共商共建共享的原则，它源于中国，惠及世界，已成为世界各国合作共赢的平台。5年来，“一带一路”建设从理念转化为行动，从愿景转变为现实，从“写意画”走向“工笔画”。截至今年9月，中国已与140多个国家和国际组织签署合作文件。中欧班列累计开行数量突破1万列，到达欧洲15个国家43个城市，去年初义乌—伦敦班列顺利实现首次往返。中国与沿线国家货物贸易累计超过5万亿美元，与13个沿线国家签署或升级了5个自贸协定，成为25个沿线国家最大贸易伙伴。中国对“一带一路”沿线国家投资超过860多亿美元，其中在沿线国家建立82个经贸开发区，吸引6000个项目，创造24万多个工作岗位，给当地创造税收几十亿美元。明年，中国还将举办第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，我们欢迎英国各界朋友积极参与。

It has been five years since President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This Chinese Initiative has delivered benefits to the whole world over the past five years. It follows the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and serves as a platform for win-win cooperation between all countries in the world. In the past five years, the BRI has been translated from an idea to actions, from a vision to reality. To borrow a terminology of traditional Chinese painting, the sketch of BRI is now completed with “freehand brushwork” and it is time to attend to the details with “fine brushwork”. By last September, China had signed cooperation agreements with more than 140 countries and international organisations. More than 10,000 China Railway Express trains have travelled between China and 43 cities in 15 European countries. Early last year, a China Railway Express train made its first-round trip between China’s Yiwu and London. Trade in goods between China and countries along the routes has exceeded $5 trillion. China has signed or upgraded five trade agreements with 13 countries and is now the largest trading partners of 25 countries along the routes. China has also invested more than $86 billion and helped establish 82 economic and trade cooperation zones in countries along the routes. These zones now host 6,000 projects which have created more than 240,000 jobs and contributed billions of dollars in tax to the local community. Next year, China will host the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. It is open to British friends from all walks of life.

 

第三个问题，中国的变化将来给世界带来什么？我认为，中国将在世界上发挥三个作用：

Now let me come to my third and last question: What do the changes in China mean to the world? I believe that China will play an important role in the world in the following three aspects:

 

首先，中国是世界经济的建设者。多年来，中国一直是世界经济增长的主要引擎之一。1997年亚洲金融危机肆虐之时，中国坚持人民币不贬值，宁愿自己承受压力，支持周边邻国渡过难关。2008年国际金融危机席卷全球，中国经济保持强劲增长，成为稳定世界经济的压舱石，并为之后的复苏做出了不可替代的贡献。预计未来15年，中国进口商品和服务将分别超过30万亿美元和10万亿美元。

First, China is a contributor to world economy. Over the years, China has been a key engine driving world economic growth. In 1997, when the financial crisis hit Asia, China’s currency came under enormous downward pressure. But China stood firm, kept the RMB stable and help its neighbors tide over the difficulties. In 2008, when the financial crisis engulfed the world, China maintained robust growth. It served as a ballast stone for the world economy, and made indispensable contribution to the economic recovery afterwards. In the coming 15 years, China plans to import more than $30 trillion of goods and more than $10 trillion of services.

 

作为最大的发展中国家，中国是发展中国家的真诚朋友和密切伙伴。中国通过分享经验、提供援助、培训人员等各种方式支持其他发展中国家加快脱贫。中国迄今已向160多个国家和国际组织提供了近4000亿元人民币发展援助。中国的对外援助坚持不附加任何政治条件，尊重受援国的需要，助力提升各国的自主和可持续发展能力，受到了发展中国家的广泛欢迎。今年9月，中非合作论坛北京峰会成功召开，达成一系列重要成果，进一步凝聚了中非合作论坛框架下55方、26亿人民团结合作的意愿和共识。会上，中国为下阶段中非务实合作提出了产业促进、设施联通、贸易便利、绿色发展、能力建设、健康卫生、人文交流、和平安全“八大行动”，决定再向非洲提供600亿美元支持，同时免除部分非洲国家债务。

As the world’s largest developing country, China is a sincere friend and close partner of other developing countries. Through experience sharing, aid and personnel training, China has supported other developing countries in their fight against poverty. As of today, China has provided nearly 400 billion RMB yuan in development aid to more than 160 countries and international organisations. In doing so, China did not attach any political strings and always attends to the needs of recipient countries and aims to improve their capability of independent and sustainable development. This is why Chinese assistance is always warmly received by the developing countries. Last September, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held a successful Summit in Beijing. Fifty-four countries and the AU Commission participated in the Summit, representing 2.6 billion African people. The Summit saw the signing of important outcomes and the consolidation of African aspiration and consensus for unity and cooperation. It rolled out eight major initiatives on industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, green development, capacity building, health care, people-to-people exchange, and peace and security. China also pledged $60 billion in support of African development and canceled the debts of some African countries.

 

第二，中国是世界和平的守护者。作为联合国安理会常任理事国，中国肩负着维护世界和平的特殊责任。在世界战火纷飞的每一个角落，都有中国维和人员的身影。中国已经是联合国维和行动第二大出资国和安理会五常中派遣维和军事人员最多的国家。已累计派出3.7万人次军警官兵参与维和行动，有21位中国军人和警察在联合国维和行动中献出了宝贵生命。中国军舰连续10年在亚丁湾、索马里海域执行护航，先后保护了6000多艘船舶的安全，其中也包括英国商船。中国已组建完毕8000人规模的维和待命部队及常备维和警队。此外，中国在非洲部署了首支直升机分队，为联合国及有关国家维和人员开展多项培训。

Second, China is a defender of world peace. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China shoulders and has fulfilled the special responsibilities of safeguarding world peace. Wherever war rages, Chinese peacekeepers stand in harm’s way. China is the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest contributor of peacekeeping personnel among the P5. China has sent a total of 37,000 Chinese military and police officers to various UN missions and 21 brave Chinese soldiers gave their life for the lofty cause of peacekeeping. China has set up an 8,000-strong peacekeeping standby force and a standby peacekeeping police force. In the Gulf of Aden and off the Coast of Somalia, China has carried out escort missions for ten consecutive years, ensuring the safe passage of more than 6,000 ships, including those from the UK. In Africa, China has deployed the first helicopter unit and provided a number of personnel training courses for the UN and relevant countries.

 

中国参与了当今几乎所有国际和地区热点问题的解决进程，在朝核、伊朗核、缅甸、阿富汗、叙利亚、南苏丹、反恐等问题解决进程中贡献中国智慧，提出中国方案，发挥着建设性作用。在朝鲜半岛核问题上，中国始终坚持实现半岛无核化、维护半岛和平稳定、通过对话解决问题，积极推动美朝接触和南北关系缓和，发挥了不可替代的重要作用。

China has been a partner in the international response to almost all regional and hotspot issues. From the Korean Peninsula to Iran, from Myanmar, Afghanistan to Syria and South Sudan, and in the fight against terrorism, China has contributed its wisdom, propose its solutions and played a constructive role. On the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, in particular, China has played an indispensable role. We stay committed to denuclearisation of the Peninsula, to peace and stability on the Peninsula, and to addressing problems through dialogues. China has also facilitated contacts between the US and the DPRK and the ease of tensions between the North and the South.

 

第三，中国是世界秩序的捍卫者。当今世界正处于重要十字路口，国际规则受到冲击，多边机制面临挑战，国际局势充满不稳定和不确定性。坚持多边主义、自由贸易，还是听任单边主义、保护主义肆虐蔓延？这是关系到各国的未来发展，关系到人类前途命运的关键问题。中国始终认为，在国与国交往中，存在差异和出现分歧在所难免，关键是要在相互尊重的基础上，按照公认的国际规则，以务实和建设性方式管控和化解分歧。因此，我们积极维护以联合国为核心的多边体制，反对任何一方按照自己的意愿随意取舍或选择规则。

Third, China will be an upholder of world order. The world is standing at an important crossroads. The international rules are under attack, the multilateral system is facing challenges, and the international landscape is strewn with instabilities and uncertainties. Shall we uphold multilateralism and free trade, or allow unilateralism and protectionism to spread? This is a critical question that bears on the development of all countries and the future of mankind. China always believes that in state-to-state relations, it is natural that countries have different opinions. It is crucial that we manage, control and address these differences on the basis of mutual respect, in accordance with the universally-accepted international rules, and in a practical and constructive manner. Therefore, we should uphold the multilateral system with the UN as its core and oppose cherry-picking rules according to one’s own will.

 

中国始终积极融入现行国际体系，参与了当今世界几乎所有重要政府间国际组织，签署了300多项国际公约，在全球治理体系中发挥着越来越重要的作用。中国加入世界贸易组织的谈判历时15年，尽管付出了代价，但我们履行了所有承诺，坚持融入世界经济体系。中国愿在维护多边贸易体制核心价值、保障发展中成员发展利益、遵循协商一致决策机制的基础上，与英国及其他国家一道，共同推进世贸组织改革。

China has been active in integrating with the existing international system. China has taken part in almost all the important inter-governmental organisations in the world and signed more than 300 international conventions. It is playing an increasingly important role in the global governance system. The negotiations on China’s accession to the WTO lasted 15 years. Despite all the cost, China has fulfilled all pledges and remained firm in being a part of the world economic system. China stands ready to work with the UK and other countries to advance the reform in the WTO on the basis of upholding the core values of the multilateral trade regime, protecting the interests of developing members and following the principle of consultation and consensus.

 

大家都很关心当前的中美贸易摩擦。在不久前二十国集团领导人峰会上，中美两国元首成功会晤并达成共识，同意停止加征新的关税，并指示两国经济团队加紧磋商，朝着取消所有加征关税的方向，达成互利双赢的具体协议。这是一个积极进展。中美作为两个大国，合则两利、斗则双输。我想强调的是，有些人根据几百年来大国兴衰的历史，认定国强必霸，认为中国今后也会称霸，甚至会挑战和取代美国在世界上的领导地位。这是一个重大战略误读和误判。中国坚持走的是和平发展道路，坚持一条有别于其他大国崛起的发展道路。中国既不会去成为谁，也不会去挑战谁，更不会去取代谁。单边主义、保护主义最终只能是“搬起石头砸自己的脚”。中国始终主张通过平等对话与协商，按照规则和共识予以妥善解决。中国的立场，不仅是在维护自身正当权益，也是在维护自由贸易体系，维护国际规则秩序，维护世界经济复苏的前景，维护世界各国的共同利益。

I know many of you have been following closely the trade frictions between China and the US. Several days ago, President Xi Jinping and President Trump had a successful meeting during the G20 Summit. They reached consensus on not imposing new additional tariffs. They also agreed to instruct the economic teams of the two sides to step up negotiations toward the removal of all additional tariffs and a concrete agreement leading to win-win results. This is a positive development. China and the US are both major countries. Cooperation will benefit both countries while confrontation serves the interests of neither side. Some people seem to believe that the history of the rise and fall of big countries will repeat itself and that a country with increasing strength will surely seek hegemony. Along this logic, they conclude that China will seek hegemony in the future and even challenge or replace the leading role of the US in the world. This is a major strategic misunderstanding and misjudgment concerning China. I wish to reiterate that China is committed to the path of peaceful development. This development path is different from previous emerging powers. China will not take the role of other country, or challenge or still less replace any country. In state-to-state relations, unilateralism and protectionism will backfire. Anyone going down this path is “lifting a stone only to drop it on one’s own feet”. Differences do exist between countries. The proper way to address them is equal-footed dialogue and consultation according to rules and based on consensus. This is China’s position. By taking this position, China not only safeguards its own legitimate rights and interests but also upholds the free trade system, defends the international rules and order, protects the prospects of world economic recovery and advance the common interests of all countries in the world.

 

女士们，先生们，

朋友们，

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends,

 

“万物并育而不相害，道并行而不相悖”，这是中国对世界的理解。中国是一本厚重的书，这本书里没有对外侵略，没有奴役他国，没有国强必霸，有的是“改变自己，影响世界”的中国逻辑，有的是“兼容并蓄、开放包容”的中国智慧，有的是“平等协商，劝和促谈”的中国方案。希望今天我的演讲能作为大家今后阅读中国这本书的一个序章。我期待大家不断增进对中国的了解和认知，希望中英两国人民与世界人民携手努力，共同为构建人类命运共同体贡献力量！

We have a saying in an ancient Chinese classic which goes like this: “All living creatures grow together without harming each other; all roads run parallel without interfering with one another.” This represents China’s view of the world. If we compare China to a book, this is not one about invading or enslaving other countries, or strength leading to hegemony. This is a book about China’s logic, which says “be you better self and influence those around you”; This is a book about China’s wisdom, which champions inclusiveness and openness; This is a book about China’s solution, which advocates equal-footed consultation and peace talks. I hope my speech will serve as a preface to this book. I hope you will open this book, read it and gain a better understanding of China. And I hope the people of our two countries will join hands with people all over the world to build a community with a shared future for mankind!

 

谢谢大家！

Thank you!

 

现在我愿意回答大家的提问。

Now I would like to take your questions.