发展是最好的安全保障
Development: The Best Guarantee to National Security
驻立陶宛大使申知非在立主流媒体立陶宛论坛网发表署名文章
Lithuanian Media Publish a Signed Article by Ambassador Shen Zhifei
2019年4月23日
23 April 2019
春回大地，万象更新，中欧关系发展也迎来“暖春”。前不久，中国国家主席习近平成功访问意大利、摩纳哥和法国。近期，第二十一次中国-欧盟领导人会晤和第八次中国-中东欧国家领导人会晤成功举办，分别发表了内容丰富、具有实质意义的《中欧联合声明》和《中国-中东欧国家合作杜布罗夫尼克纲要》，见证签署了多项合作协议。中国与欧盟一道，发出维护多边主义和开放型世界经济、反对贸易保护主义和单边主义的坚定声音。中欧双方领导人表示，此次会晤对中欧双方的一次“双赢”。欧洲理事会主席图斯克表示：“在当前纷繁复杂的国际形势下，欧中谈判达成这份联合声明，这是我们共同努力的结果，是我们共同的胜利。”欧盟委员会主席容克说：“欧盟的立场十分清楚：我们对中国有信心，我们对中欧关系有信心，我们愿意手拉手合作。”立陶宛总理斯克韦尔内利斯出席中国-中东欧国家领导人会晤，中立签定立陶宛小麦输华议定书，双方农业合作取得新进展。立各界予以积极评价。
At this fascinating time of lush green, China-EU relations has ushered in another “warm spring”. Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid fruitful visits to Italy, France and Monaco. Earlier this month, the 21st China-EU Summit and the 8th Summit of Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries concluded with full success, as demonstrated in the China-EU Joint Statement and Dubrovnik Guidelines for Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries and a dozen of cooperation agreements signed. Both sides staked out the position of maintaining multilateralism and open world economy while opposing trade protectionism and unilateralism. European Council President Donald Tusk commented “We managed to agree a joint statement, which sets the direction for our partnership based on reciprocity. This was our common effort and it is our common success.” European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker remarked “We believe in China and we believe in our partnership. And we are ready to work together and at the same time be more ambitious in standing up for our interests and values.” Lithuanian Prime Minister S. Skvernelis attended the 16+1 Summit and witnessed the signing of Protocol on Lithuanian wheat exports to China, which pushed China-Lithuanian agricultural cooperation to a new height.
然而，我也注意到立陶宛少数网络媒体刊载的关于中欧关系、“16+1合作”的负面评论。在ALFA总编辑发表的《中国谜题：如何理解崛起中的超级大国》、Delfi网站《中国巨龙悄然潜行：北京雄心》等文章中，歪曲中欧和中国-中东欧合作的新进展新成绩，竭尽抹黑之能，称“中国瞄准意大利、希腊等老欧洲的薄弱环节”、“中国向黑山等国提供大量贷款，导致这些小国陷入债务困境，而中国则将通过这些债务实现对相关国家的政治影响力”，得出“发展对华关系的短期利益蕴于长期威胁中”等结论。
Nevertheless，I have also noticed some negative comments on China-EU relations and “16+1 Cooperation” from Lithuanian internet media. Distortions of the latest achievements in China-EU and 16+1 cooperation are found in articles like “Chinese puzzle: how to understand this rising power” written by editor-in-chief of Alfa and “China sneaking from the South: Beijing’s ambition in Europe is part of a long and careful strategy” posted on Delfi.lt. The authors seemed to have been exhausting their efforts in discrediting China by claiming “It primarily targets the fragile spots of the countries in the Old Continent”, “The highway built in Montenegro is stalling and Montenegro is at the verge of bankruptcy as a result of building the highway using Chinese credit” to imply “China poses long-term threat and challenge to EU and Lithuania alone amid short-term interest”.
不得不说，这些言论严重歪曲事实，是不负责的。作者依然带着顽固的冷战思维，质疑中国开展对外合作的政治目的，竭力兜售“中国安全威胁论”，向立陶宛官方制定对华政策“献计献策”，对中欧关系的评价和前景展望与欧盟领导人亦相去甚远，反映出作者狭隘的安全观和全球视野，缺乏与时俱进的战略思维，毒害舆论氛围，误导广大读者。
It has to be said that these articles have represented a grave distortion of facts and a distinct lack of responsibility. Harboring deep-rooted cold war mentality, the authors doubted the political purposes of China’s international cooperation, advocated “China security threat” theory and advised Lithuanian government on China policy accordingly. Regrettably, the comment and outlook on China-EU relations, far from that of EU leaders, only reflect their narrow security approach and limited global vision that is lagging behind the times. As misleading as can be, the articles indeed poison the atmosphere of reasonable public discussion.
立陶宛各界对安全问题的担忧有一定历史由来，也有现实因素。近来世界虽总体和平，但一些地区和国家仍处在武装冲突和战争的阴影之下，“逆全球化”思潮、贸易保护主义和民粹主义抬头，人类面临的不稳定不确定因素有上升趋势。然而，在此情况下，如果继续饱守“你输我赢、你兴我衰”的冷战思维和零和博弈，信奉狭义安全和绝对安全，无异于历史的倒退，将进一步加剧国际关系和国际治理碎片化，最终危害各国的安全和发展利益。
Concerns over security issues in Lithuania have been shaped by both historical origins and realistic considerations. Though the world has maintained overall peace, some regions and countries are still living in the shadow of armed conflict and war while anti-globalization, trade protectionism and populism are on the rise. Humankind is faced with growing destabilizing and uncertain factors. However, sticking to cold war mentality and zero-sum mindset as well as believing in narrow sense and absolute security in the current global background is nothing but backtracking of history. It is expected to lead to further fragmentation of international relations and global governance, eventually harming development and security interests of all countries.
我认为，安全利益要在不断提高发展水平和自主发展能力中实现。发展是维护和平与安全的最佳途径。开辟顺应时代潮流、符合本国国情的发展道路，融入全球发展大势，以合作促进本国经济增长与繁荣，才能更好地维护国家利益和安全。安全利益要在全方位、高水平和深层次的国际合作中实现。既让自身过得好、也让别人过得好，才能更好地实现自身安全，有力应对共同面临的问题和挑战。欧盟及各成员国开展对华合作，促进各领域的交流，符合各方的安全与发展利益，只会带来更多的全新发展机遇，而不是安全威胁。
In my perspective, security interest is to be defended by promoting development and upgrading capacity building. Development stands as the best way to maintain peace and security. A country’s national interests and security are better secured by economic growth and prosperity amid full integration into global development. It is only realized by blazing a path consistent with the trend of the times and its own national conditions. Security interest is also to be defended in an all-around, high-level and in-depth international cooperation. Only by promoting the well-being of its own and others, can a country better guarantee its security and respond to major challenges in an effective effort. EU and its member states’ cooperation and communication with China in various fields serve the interests of all parties, bringing increasing development opportunities rather than security threats.
16+1合作机制作为“一带一路”倡议和中欧全面战略合作伙伴关系的重要组成部分和有益补充，建立7年来缘何不断发展成熟？这是因为，与中国携手，为中东欧国家切实增添了发展动力。雪中送炭的合作项目、从无到有的基础设施，中国—中东欧合作有着强劲的实际需求，也给不少国家带来了实实在在的获得感，推动中东欧国家缩小和欧盟内其他国家的差距，促进欧盟国家间互联互通和欧洲的总体稳定与发展。正因为如此，希腊主动申请加入该合作机制，也得到各国的一致认可。
As an important part of and helpful complement to “Belt and Road” Initiative and China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, what lies behind 16+1 Cooperation’s growing from strength to strength over the past 7 years? New momentum of growth has been added to Central and Eastern European countries in their joint actions with China. Cooperation opportunities of projects and programs have been offered timely in need. Infrastructure constructions have been started from scratch. The cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries is in vigorous demand and has delivered tangible benefits to more people. It serves to narrow the gap between Central and Eastern European countries and other EU member states as well as to promote connectivity between EU countries, thus contributing to the stability and prosperity of EU as a whole. For this reason, Greece applied for joining “16+1” and has been approved by all the member states.
相关评论指责中国在对外合作中制造所谓“债务陷阱”，这种荒谬观点不值一驳，很多参与并受益于“一带一路”倡议和“16+1合作”的沿线国家政府、企业和民众都用事实和数据予以有力的批驳。无论是项目选择，还是投融资合作，都是各方共同商量并进行风险评估和投资可行性分析，必须履行严格的审批程序。包括中国在内的28个国家还共同制定了《“一带一路”融资指导原则》，强调在提供项目融资时需要确保债务的可持续性。到目前为止，没有一个国家因为参与共建“一带一路”和“16+1合作”而陷入债务危机，相反，很多国家通过参与“一带一路”合作走出了“不发展的陷阱”，期待扩大对华合作。所谓黑中合作高速公路项目停滞、黑山政府濒临破产更是无稽之谈，事实是该项目进展良好，对此，黑山总理最有发言权。
As for the “debt trap” accusations against China, it is not even worth refuting. The governments, business communities and the general public of many countries that have participated in and benefited from the BRI have spoken up and debunked such groundless assertions with facts and figures. Decisions made under the BRI framework, whether project selection or investment and financing cooperation, are all based on full consultation among the parties and on the basis of conducting due risk assessment and investment feasibility study, as well as subjected to strict approval procedures. China and other 28 countries have jointly adopted the Guiding Principles on Financing the Development of the Belt and Road, which highlights the need to ensure debt sustainability in project financing. Not a single country has got trapped in a debt crisis since its participation in the BRI or 16+1 Cooperation to date. Quite on the contrary, through participating in BRI cooperation, many countries have got out of the trap of “no development” and look forward to expanding cooperation with China. It is even more groundless that “The highway project in Montenegro is stalling” and “It’s leading to the bankruptcy of Montenegro Government”. As a matter of fact, according to the Montenegrin Prime Minister, the project is currently progressing smoothly. No one is in a better position to judge the issue than the Montenegrins.
立陶宛是欧盟成员国、开放经济体，在世界营商环境排名前列。立陶宛是“一带一路”倡议和“16+1合作”机制的积极参与国，2018年，中立双边贸易总额再创新高，立陶宛成为首届中国国际进口博览会首个签约国，参展取得圆满成功，立陶宛企业对参加第二届中国进博会热情高涨。作为“一带一路”互联互通的中欧班列正在给立陶宛打造欧亚物流中心的雄心提供无限机遇。抓住增长的良好势头，推动中立双方务实合作取得更多硕果符合两国共同利益，也是中立双方当前的共同任务。跳不出冷战思维的束缚，将永远无法摆脱“安全威胁”的梦魇。坚持冷战思维，戴着有色眼镜看待中国的发展与崛起，对中欧合作说三道四，将束缚自己的思维和手脚，贻误发展良机，影响自身的安全和发展利益。我真诚希望对中欧、中立合作心存疑虑的人认真研读《中欧联合声明》和《中国-中东欧国家合作杜布罗夫尼克纲要》，准确把握中欧合作的走向与机遇，以全球视野、战略高度和理性思维，理解中国对外开放和发展，理解中欧、中立关系，真正做立陶宛国家安全和发展利益的捍卫者、促进者和推动者。
Being a member state of EU, Lithuania is an open economy and ranks high globally in regards of business environment. Lithuania takes an active role in “Belt and Road Initiative” and “16+1 cooperation”. In 2018, bilateral trade volume has hit record high. Lithuania has been the first country to sign a letter of intent to attend China International Import Expo. In view of the great reward at the first EXPO, Lithuanian companies are highly enthusiastic about attending the second EXPO. China-Europe Railway Express, connectivity project of “Belt and Road Initiative”, presents boundless potential for Lithuania’s ambition of building Europe-Asia Logistics Center. Maintaining this good momentum and achieving more fruitful results of practical cooperation serves the interests of both China and Lithuania and is therefore the common task for both sides. On the contrary, the nightmare of security threat is never to be shaken off clinging to outdated cold war mentality. One will only find himself left with shackles if he sees China’s development through colored lenses and makes groundless accusations against China-EU cooperation. Furthermore, development opportunities will be missed, resulting in harming its own development and security interests. I sincerely hope that those doubting China-EU and China-Lithuania cooperation go over Joint statement of the 21st EU-China summit and Dubrovnik Guidelines for Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, grasp the direction and opportunities of China-EU cooperation, understand China’s opening-up policy and its relation with EU and Lithuania from a global and strategic perspective in a rational way of thinking, so as to be genuine defenders, advocators and promoters of Lithuanian development and national security interests.