抓住新时代机遇，共创更美好未来
Seize the Opportunities in the New Era and Work Together to Create a Brighter Future
刘晓明大使在东亚银行成立百年庆祝活动上的致辞
Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Bank of East Asia 100th Anniversary Cocktail Reception
2019年4月4日，伦敦沙夫茨伯里大街75号
75 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, 4 April 2019
尊敬的东亚银行主席兼行政总裁李国宝爵士，
尊敬的伦敦金融城市长埃斯特林先生，
女士们、先生们：
Sir David,
Lord Mayor Alderman Estlin,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
大家晚上好！
Good evening!
很高兴出席今天的庆祝活动。我谨对东亚银行成立一百周年致以热烈祝贺！
It is a real delight to join you at tonight’s Reception. Let me begin by extending my warmest congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the Bank of East Asia!
一百年前，在第一次世界大战刚刚结束之际，一群新崛起的华商家族在香港创立了东亚银行。一个世纪以来，东亚银行不仅以香港为家，为当地企业提供现代金融服务，还积极开发中国内地业务，大力开拓海外市场，从创业走向创新，从创新走向创牌，逐步成长为全球知名香港金融服务集团。
A hundred years ago, shortly after the end of the First World War, the Bank of East Asia was founded by several Chinese families in Hong Kong. In the past century, the Bank of East Asia took root in Hong Kong and provided modern financial services to local companies. It has also made vigorous efforts to explore markets on Chinese mainland and overseas. Through entrepreneurship, innovation and brand-building, the Bank of East Asia has grown to be a global financial services group based in Hong Kong.
回首百年，沧海桑田。我们有很多感慨，也有很多收获。展望未来，我们充满期待，也充满信心。当今世界正经历百年未有之大变局，中国发展走进了新时代，中国与世界的关系也发生了历史性变化。正如习近平主席指出的：“世界繁荣稳定是中国的机遇，中国发展也是世界的机遇。”借此机会，我愿就如何抓住新时代的机遇与大家分享三点看法：
Looking back at a hundred years of pride and accomplishments, we have every reason to feel confident and expect greater achievements in the future. The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. China has entered a new era of development. Its relationship with the world has also experienced historic changes. As President Xi Jinping said, “Just as prosperity and stability in the world provide opportunities to China, China’s development also creates opportunities for the world.” As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bank of East Asia, I want to share with you my suggestions on how to seize the opportunities in the new era.
第一，要紧跟改革开放“大潮流”。坚定不移地推进改革开放，是决定当代中国命运的关键一招。改革开放已经走过40多年的历程，未来中国开放的大门将越开越大，改革的步伐将坚定向前、不会放慢。2018年，中国用行动展现主动向世界开放市场的决心，并不断提速金融业双向开放步伐，相继出台涉及外资银行、保险、证券、信托等行业政策举措。今年“两会”期间颁布的外商投资法，就是通过立法更好保护知识产权和吸引外商投资。中国近14亿人口的大市场，必将成为世界经济增长之源、活力之源。中国新一轮改革开放必将为东亚银行等港资企业带来更多发展空间和机遇。
First, follow the trend of reform and opening up. Reform and opening up hold the key to China’s future. China has implemented this policy for more than 40 years, and will continue to deepen reform and open its door wider to the world. In 2018, China showed the world its resolve to further open its market with concrete actions. The two-way opening up of the financial sector picked up speed. New measures covered foreign banks, insurance, securities and trust. At the just concluded “Two Sessions” of NPC and CPPCC, the Foreign Investment Law was adopted. This legislation will provide stronger legal safeguard for IPR protection and foreign investment in China. With a population of close to 1.4 billion, China will become a powerhouse for world economic growth. The new round of reform and opening up will bring more opportunities to Hong Kong-invested businesses, including the Bank of East Asia.
第二，要融入互联互通“大平台”。“一带一路”倡议提出6年来，已成为当今世界规模最大的合作平台和最受欢迎的公共产品。其中，粤港澳大湾区建设已成为“一带一路”建设中一颗靓丽的明珠。本月下旬，中国将举办第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，以互联互通为主线，同各方就高质量发展汇聚共识，打造新一批重点合作项目。“一带一路”是公开、透明、开放、包容、互利共赢的倡议，英国是“一带一路”的天然合作伙伴。中英可以在“一带一路”框架内开展更大范围、更高水平、更深层次的互利合作。共建“一带一路”及粤港澳大湾区建设将为东亚银行等港资企业实现更大发展，提供更广阔的平台。
My second suggestion is to get connected on the “big platform”. By “big platform” I mean the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Six years since it was proposed, BRI has become the world’s biggest cooperation platform and most popular public goods. This is best illustrated by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which has become a shining pearl of BRI. Later this month, China will host the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. We look forward to building up consensus with global partners on connectivity, high-quality development and new key cooperation projects. BRI is open, transparent, inclusive and beneficial for all. The UK, as a “natural partner” of China in advancing BRI cooperation, can work with China on broader, higher and deeper cooperation on BRI that are beneficial to both sides. I am sure BRI and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will provide a big platform for Hong Kong-based businesses, including the Bank of East China, to achieve greater development.
第三，要开拓中英合作“大视野”。今年是中英建立代办级外交关系65周年。随着中英关系深入发展，两国金融合作正朝着深度化、多元化、精细化方向发展。同时，香港与英国经贸、文化联系密切，在语言、区位、法律体系等领域具有独特优势。自1990年在伦敦成立第一家英国分行以来，东亚银行提供全面的零售和公司银行服务，满足当地华人需要，积极助力港英关系和中英合作，取得良好成效。希望东亚银行继续抓住中英关系“黄金时代”带来的合作机遇，深入挖掘潜力，加强优势互补，为两国企业提供更多、更优质的金融产品及服务，为中英金融等领域合作增添新动力、打造新亮点。
My third suggestion is to explore China-UK cooperation with a broad vision. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the level of chargé d’affaires. As China-UK relations continue to deepen, financial cooperation between our two countries has become deeper, more diverse and more intensive. Hong Kong has close economic, trade and cultural connections with the UK. It has unique advantages in language, geographical location and legal system. Since establishing the first UK branch in London in 1990, the Bank of East Asia has provided all-round individual and corporate services, and achieved good results. This has met the needs of Chinese community here in Britain. It has also contributed to Hong Kong-UK relations and China-UK cooperation. Going forward, I hope the Bank of East Asia will continue to seize the opportunities created by the China-UK “Golden Era”. I hope you will tap your potential and leverage your comparative strength, so as to provide more financial products and services of higher quality. I am sure this will create new impetus and highlights for China-UK cooperation in financial services.
女士们、先生们，
Ladies and Gentlemen:
英国有句名言：“明智者总是变机遇为财富”（A wise man turns chance into good fortune）。展望下一个一百年，我相信并期待，东亚银行一定能百尺竿头、更进一步，变更多机遇为财富，为中英金融合作添砖加瓦，为中英关系“黄金时代”增光添彩！
As an English saying goes, “A wise man turns chance into good fortune.” I hope and believe that, in the next 100 years, the Bank of East Asia will turn more chances into good fortune, make more contribution to China-UK financial cooperation, and deliver more golden fruits to the China-UK “Golden Era”!
谢谢！
Thank you!