驻芬兰大使陈立在芬兰巴锡基维协会发表演讲
Remarks at the Paasikivi Society by Chinese Ambassador H.E. Mr. Chen Li
2019年5月8日
8 May 2019
女士们，先生们，
Ladies and Gentlemen,
大家好！很高兴受邀参加今天的活动！
Good evening! It’s an honor to be here, and share with you some of my knowledge about the Belt and Road Initiative.
一些朋友可能知道，就在上个月底，第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛在中国北京举行，包括中国在内，38个国家的元首和政府首脑等领导人参加了论坛，论坛本身也受到了国际社会的密切关注。
You may know that, at the end of last month the second “Belt and Road” Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) was held in Beijing. With 38 countries’ heads of state and government attended, the Forum has attracted close attention from the international community.
近年来，“一带一路”已然成为一个高频词汇和热门话题，我发现，在欧盟，当人们谈到中国，或是谈到经贸投资、互联互通，经常都会提到“一带一路”。但是，我也发现，并不是所有人都能充分理解这个概念。今天，我就想借此机会和大家谈谈“一带一路”倡议历史经纬和发展现状。
In recent years, “Belt and Road” has become a frequently used word and a hot topic. I noticed, in EU when people talk about China, about economy, investment or connectivity, they often talk about “Belt and Road”. But I also noticed that, not everyone fully understand the concept. Therefore, I’d like to take today’s opportunity to answer some of the common questions.
首先，究竟什么是“一带一路”？“一带一路”又是怎么来的？让我们回到2013年9月，中国国家主席习近平出访哈萨克斯坦期间，在纳扎尔巴耶夫大学发表演讲，首次提出“丝绸之路经济带”倡议。一个月后，习近平主席在印度尼西亚国会演讲中提出共同建设21世纪“海上丝绸之路”。“丝绸之路经济带”加上21世纪“海上丝绸之路”，这就是“一带一路”倡议的由来。
The very first question would be “what on earth is Belt and Road?”, or “how does Belt and Road come into being?” Let’s go back to September 2013. When visiting Kazakhstan, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a speech in local University, where he raised the “Silk Road Economic Belt initiative”. And one month later, during a speech in the parliament of Indonesia, President Xi put forward the idea of jointly building “the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road”. With these two initiatives combined, the Belt and Road Initiative came alive.
“一带一路”是古丝绸之路的传承。2100多年前，中国最早的“外交官”之一、汉代的张骞两次出使中亚。此后中国的丝绸、茶叶、瓷器等商品传到古罗马等地，也带回了西方器物和文化。有人说这是人类历史上第一次全球化。古丝绸之路积淀了以和平合作、开放包容、互学互鉴、互利共赢为核心的丝路精神，这是人类文明的宝贵遗产。
As the name revealed, “Belt and Road” is inherited from the Ancient Silk Road. In Han Dynasty, 2100 years ago, a man named Zhang Qian, a pioneer “diplomat”, visited Central Asia twice, paving for the Ancient Silk Road. Later on through the silk road, China’s tea, silk, chinaware and other products with culture went all the way west to Rome, and products and culture from the west vice versa. People say it’s the very beginning of globalization. Through thousands of years, the Ancient Silk Road evolved its own spirit, featuring peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit.
中国提出共建“一带一路”倡议，就是想从古丝路精神中寻找解决当今世界发展问题的答案，通过促进亚欧大陆的互联互通，让更多的国家从全球价值链、产业链中获益，让更多的陆锁国变成陆联国。
The reason why China raised “Belt and Road” Initiative, is to seek solutions to development issues of today’s world from the Ancient Silk Road spirit. And by boosting connectivity between Asia and Europe, more countries will benefit from globalization. More land-locked countries will become land-linked. The BRI is guided by the principle of extensive consultation, joint construction and shared benefits.
“一带一路”始终坚持共商共建共享的法则，我们常说“一带一路”包括“五通”，即政策沟通、设施联通、贸易畅通、资金融通和民心相通：
We often say there are five priorities, or five pillars in the “Belt and Road” Initiative, namely policy coordination, facilities connectivity, free trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds.
一是政策沟通，即沿线各国可以就经济发展战略和对策进行充分交流对接，共同制定推进区域合作的规划和措施，协商解决合作中的问题，共同为务实合作及大型项目实施提供政策支持。
About policy coordination, countries may fully coordinate their economic development strategies and policies, work out plans and measures for regional cooperation, negotiate to solve cooperation-related issues, and jointly provide policy support for the implementation of practical cooperation and big projects.
二是设施联通，在尊重相关国家主权和安全关切的基础上，加强沿线国家基础设施建设规划、技术标准体系的对接，共同推进国际骨干通道建设，逐步形成连接亚洲各次区域以及亚欧非之间的基础设施网络。强化基础设施绿色低碳化建设和运营管理，在建设中充分考虑气候变化影响。
About facilities connectivity, on the basis of respecting each other’s sovereignty and security concerns, countries may improve the connectivity of their infrastructure plans and technical standards, jointly push forward the construction of international passages, and form an infrastructure network connecting all sub-regions in Asia, and between Asia, Europe and Africa step by step. At the same time, efforts should be made to promote green and low-carbon infrastructure construction and operation management, taking into full account the impact of climate change on the construction.
三是贸易畅通，解决投资贸易便利化问题，消除投资和贸易壁垒，构建区域内和各国良好的营商环境，积极同沿线国家和地区共同商建自由贸易区，促进贸易平衡，拓展相互投资领域，推动新兴产业合作。
Thirdly, about free trade. Countries shall improve investment and trade facilitation, and remove investment and trade barriers for the creation of a sound business environment within the region and in all related countries. China will discuss with countries and regions on opening free trade areas. And to promote trade balance, expand mutual investment areas, push forward cooperation in emerging industries.
四是资金融通，在各方努力下，推动构建长期、稳定、可持续、风险可控的多元化融资体系，为“一带一路”建设提供足够的资金保障。
Fourthly, about financial integration. With joint efforts, all parties shall promote to build a stable and sustainable financial system with diversified sources, and make sure the risks are under control. So as to provide enough funds for the building of the “Belt and Road”.
五是民心相通，传承和弘扬丝绸之路友好合作精神，广泛开展文化交流、学术往来、人才交流合作等，为深化双多边合作奠定坚实的民意基础。
Last but not least, about people-to-people bond. We should carry forward the spirit of friendly cooperation of the Silk Road by promoting extensive cultural and academic exchanges, personnel exchanges and cooperation, etc. This will win public support for deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
“一带一路”是中国改革开放的升级。去年是中国改革开放40周年，中国已成为世界第二大经济体，130多个国家的最大贸易伙伴，有望成为世界最大的消费市场。同时，中国发展仍然面临区域不平衡问题特别是西部地区发展状况落后。西部地区拥有全中国72%的国土面积、27%的人口，但只有20%的经济总量，对外贸易和对外投资均只占全国总量的7%。中国希望通过共建“一带一路”，开展新一轮高水平对外开放，为世界发展提供更多投资机遇、市场机遇和合作机遇。我们也希望通过共建“一带一路”，为中国自身的发展创造新空间、开辟新机遇，特别是推动西部地区从对外开放的“后卫”变“前锋”，形成陆海内外联动、东西双向互济的开放格局。
For China, the “Belt and Road” Initiative will further promote its reform and opening-up. Last year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up policy. Thanks to the policy, China has become the world's second largest economy and the biggest trading partner of more than 130 countries. It is expected to become the world’s biggest consumer market. Meanwhile, China is still confronted with development imbalance among different regions. The less developed western region, with 72 percent of China’s landmass and 27 percent of its total population, accounts for only 20 percent of the GDP and 7 percent of foreign trade and outbound investment. The Chinese government hopes that joint efforts to develop the BRI will push a new round of its high-standard opening-up, and generate more opportunities for investment, market and cooperation to the world. We hope that such efforts will also create new opportunities for China’s development. And the western region of China, a latecomer in opening-up, will catch up and even take the lead, shaping a prospect of interconnected and mutually beneficial development between the western and the eastern parts. To use a metaphor in football pitch, China’s western region may be a back now, but it can be a forward soon.
“一带一路”是加强全球经济治理的新解决方案。在当今世界面临百年未有之大变局、不稳定和不确定性增加的大背景下，中国希望通过“一带一路”倡议，为多边主义提供支持，为建设开放型世界经济提供动力，为解决全球发展问题贡献力量。“一带一路”倡议秉承共商共建共享原则，向世界上所有感兴趣的国家开放，积极对接国际规则标准，不搞封闭的小圈子；由各国共同协商、共同推进，不走地缘博弈的老路，不搞赢者通吃的零和游戏。中国以实际行动继续坚定地作全球经济治理的积极参与者、建设者和贡献者。
For the world, the BRI could be a new solution to better global economic governance. The world is facing changes unseen in a century and growing uncertainties and destabilizing factors. In such a context, China hopes the BRI could provide support for multi-lateralism, help building an open world economy and contribute to the global development. The BRI upholds the rules of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits, and is open to all interested countries around the world. It’s in line with the current international rules and standards rather than forming an exclusive club. The BRI is advanced by all participating countries through extensive consultation rather than playing any geopolitical game or the winner-takes-all, zero-sum game. With concrete action, China will actively participate in and contributes to the global economic governance.
那么，截至目前，“一带一路”的结果如何？
So, what’s the result of the “Belt and Road” so far?
“一带一路”倡议提出近6年，已成为最受欢迎的全球公共产品和前景最好的国际合作平台之一。下面，我想用事实说话，以一些数据和案例简要地同各位分享“一带一路”的总体进展情况。
It has been nearly six years since the BRI was put forward. And it has become one of the most promising international public products and one of the most popular international cooperative platforms. Following are some numbers and examples:
第一，“一带一路”得到国际社会的广泛支持和积极参与。统计显示，截至上月已有127个国家和29个国际组织同中方签署“一带一路”合作文件。“一带一路”有关合作理念还写入了联合国、二十国集团、亚太经合组织、上海合作组织等重要国际机制的成果文件。今年3月习近平主席访问欧洲期间，意大利成为首个加入“一带一路”倡议的七国集团国家。今年4月举行的第21次中国—欧盟领导人会晤联合声明也明确表示，双方将继续推动中国“一带一路”倡议和欧盟欧亚互联互通战略、泛欧交通运输网络对接。上个月，除去国家和政府首脑，共150多国的近5000名代表出席了第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，其中包括芬兰环境部常秘波卡女士。
First of all, there is a growing support and participation of the international community. Statistics show that, so far, a total of 127 countries and 29 international organizations have signed BRI cooperation documents. Meanwhile, the BRI vision has been included in documents of major international institutions including the United Nations, the G20, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. During President Xi’s visit to Europe this March, Italy became the first G7 country to join the BRI. The Joint Communique of the 21st China-EU Summit clearly states that, the two sides will continue to forge synergies between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the EU strategy on Connecting Europe and Asia as well as the EU Trans-European Transport Networks. Last month, besides heads of state and government, 5,000 representatives from 150 countries attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, including the Permanent Secretary of the Finnish Ministry of Environment, Mdm. Hannele Pokka.
第二，“一带一路”带动全球互联互通不断加强，为全球经济增长提供了强大动力。在共建“一带一路”框架内，以“六廊、六路、多国、多港”为主线的互联互通格局不断深入。以中欧班列为例，目前班列累计开行超过12000列，可到达欧洲15个国家的49个城市。近6年来，中国同“一带一路”相关国家贸易总额超过6万亿美元，投资超过800亿美元。世界银行报告指出，“一带一路”合作将使全球贸易成本降低1.1%－2.2%，推动中国－中亚－西亚经济走廊上的贸易成本降低10.2%，还将促进2019年全球经济增速至少提高0.1%。
Secondly, the BRI has boosted global connectivity and provided strong impetus for economic growth. Under the framework of BRI, physical connectivity of “six economic corridors, six connectivity networks, and multiple countries and ports in different parts of the world” is basically formed. One of the major projects, China-Europe Railway Express, has already reached over 12,000 trips, connecting China with 49 cities in 15 European countries. Over the past six years since the BRI was put forward, the trade volume between China and relevant countries has surpassed 6 trillion US dollars, with more than 80 billion US dollars of Chinese investment in those countries. The latest studies by the World Bank and other international institutions suggest that the BRI cooperation will cut the costs of global trade by 1.1 to 2.2 percent and those of trade along the China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor by 10.2 percent. In 2019, the BRI cooperation will contribute at least 0.1 percent of global growth.
第三，“一带一路”给沿线国家带来了实实在在的好处，助力经济发展和民生改善的成功故事不断涌现。“一带一路”倡议最初提出的地方——世界最大内陆国哈萨克斯坦，在中国找到了太平洋出海口；中欧班列的首条线路终点站——德国杜伊斯堡，在当地投资的中国企业从2014年的40家增加到目前的100多家，仅物流领域就在当地新增了超过6000个就业岗位。在乌兹别克斯坦，中国公司用900天时间在安集延地区修建了一条19公里长的隧道。建成后，当地人仅用4个多小时就能抵达首都，而火车穿越整条隧道仅仅需900秒。900天成就了900秒的奇迹，赢得了当地人民的热烈欢呼。在肯尼亚，中国帮助修建的蒙内铁路连接最大港口蒙巴萨和首都内罗毕，是肯尼亚百年来新建的第一条铁路。300多家当地企业参与建设，当地员工占比超过90%。铁路开通后，蒙内两地运输时间从原来10多个小时缩短为4个多小时，物流成本至少降低40%，带动GDP增长1.5%。中国同沿线国家共同建设的82个境外合作园区，上缴东道国税费20多亿美元，为当地创造了近30万个就业岗位。上个月李克强总理访问克罗地亚期间考察的佩列沙茨跨海大桥项目就是一个使用欧盟资金和标准，中国公司通过公开竞投，在公正的环境下承建的项目，是第三方市场合作的典范。
Thirdly, the BRI has delivered fruitful outcomes in boosting economic growth and improving people’s lives in relevant countries. Like Kazakhstan, the world’s largest land-locked country and where the BRI was put forward, has gained access to the Pacific Ocean through the Lianyungang port in China; Thanks to regular China-Europe Railway Express freight services, in Duisburg of Germany, as the first destination of China-Europe Railway Express, the number of Chinese companies operating in the city has grown from 40 in 2014 to more than 100 now. Statistics from the Duisburg City Council show that, in the city’s logistics sector alone, such freight services have created more than 6,000 jobs. In central Asian country Uzbekistan, a 19-kilometer-long tunnel in the Andijan region was built in just 900 days. Now the locals can reach the capital in just four hours and it takes merely 900 seconds for the train to go through the tunnel. The 900-second miracle created in 900 days is warmly applauded by the local community. In African country Kenya, the railway connecting Kenya’s biggest port city Mombasa to its capital Nairobi built by China is the first railway constructed in the country in the last 100 years. More than 300 Kenyan companies were involved in the construction and over 90 percent of the workers were locals. The railway, now in operation, has cut the travel time between Mombasa and Nairobi from more than ten hours to just over four, lowered logistics costs by at least 40 percent and contributed 1.5 percent of Kenya’s GDP growth. The list of BRI successful stories can go on and on. In total, the 82 cooperation parks jointly built by China and other participating countries have created more than 2 billion US dollars in tax revenue and about 300,000 jobs for host countries. In April, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited the Peljesac Bridge project in Croatia. This project is mainly covered by funds from EU. It is acquired by Chinese enterprises through open bidding, following market principles and abiding by rules of the EU. It can be seen as a good example of third-party cooperation.
第四，“一带一路”倡议始终在不断更新以满足绿色发展的需要。我注意到芬兰人十分重视气候变化和环境保护。中国坚持《巴黎协定》，积极倡导并推动将绿色生态理念贯穿于共建“一带一路”倡议。中国与联合国环境规划署签署了关于建设绿色“一带一路”的谅解备忘录，与30多个沿线国家签署了生态环境保护的合作协议。建设绿色丝绸之路已成为落实联合国2030年可持续发展议程的重要路径，100多个来自相关国家和地区的合作伙伴共同成立“一带一路”绿色发展国际联盟。中国在2016年担任二十国集团主席国期间，首次把绿色金融议题引入二十国集团议程，成立绿色金融研究小组，发布《二十国集团绿色金融综合报告》。中国发布《关于推进绿色“一带一路”建设的指导意见》、《“一带一路”生态环境保护合作规划》等文件，推动落实共建“一带一路”的绿色责任和绿色标准。
Fourthly, the BRI is keeping itself up-to-date, to meet the needs of green development. I am aware that Finns pay a lot of attention to climate change and environmental protection. Upholding the Paris Agreement, China actively advocates and encourages the integration of green development into the joint efforts to build the “Belt and Road”. China has signed a MOU on building green “Belt and Road” with the United Nations Environment Program, and agreements on cooperation in ecological conservation with over 30 countries along the routes. Since building green “Belt and Road” has become an important means to implement the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, more than 100 partners from the relevant countries and regions have established the International Coalition for Green Development on the Belt and Road Initiative. In 2016, under China’s presidency of the G20 summit, green finance became a key agenda item for the first time. A Green Finance Study Group was set up. And it released the “G20 Green Finance Synthesis Report”. China has issued documents such as “Guidance on Promoting Green Belt and Road” and the “Belt and Road Ecological and Environmental Cooperation Plan”, with the aim of fulfilling its responsibilities and standards in building green Belt and Road.
当然，一千个人眼中有一千个哈姆雷特。世界是丰富多彩的，各方对“一带一路”的看法也是多种多样的。事实上，中国也非常重视各方对“一带一路”倡议的看法。我们相信，这将帮助我们更好地预见风险和挑战，从而进一步改善我们的工作。
Of course, just as there are 1,000 interpretations of Hamlets, it is only natural that people have different views about the BRI. China places great importance to opinions and views of all parties on the BRI. We believe that they can help us have a better view of possible risks and challenges, so we are able to improve our work.
有人问“一带一路”是否增加了一些国家的债务，导致了所谓的“债务陷阱”？我们的回答是否定的。一国债务的成因本身很复杂，有的是经济基本面出了问题，有的是历史遗留的旧账。“一带一路”倡议提出仅六年时间，简单地将这些国家长期以来的债务问题归咎于中国是没有道理的。中国提供的贷款“门槛低”，不附带苛刻的政治条件，为推进沿线国家建设发挥了巨大作用。我刚才已经列举了很多例子，就不多赘述。我想就一些媒体对一些陷入所谓的“债务陷阱”的国家进行分析。根据斯里兰卡央行统计，2017年来自中国的贷款仅占斯卡外债的10%左右，其中61.5%是低于国际市场利率的优惠贷款，债权规模低于亚洲开发银行的14%、日本的12%和世界银行的11%。中方贷款并不构成斯外债的主要负担。根据巴基斯坦政府的数据，巴42%长期债务来自多边机构贷款，中国贷款仅占10%。中国向巴基斯坦提供的优惠贷款利率约2%，远远低于西方国家向巴提供的贷款。2000年至2016年，中国对非贷款仅占非洲总体对外债务的1.8%，且主要集中在基础设施等行业。迄今没有任何一个非洲国家抱怨是因为同中国合作而陷入债务危机；相反，很多非洲国家领导人都积极评价中国对非投融资合作，期待同中国扩大有关合作。中方已在“一带一路”倡议中加强金融风险管控。近期，中国财政部部长刘昆在第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛上介绍了《“一带一路”债务可持续性分析框架》。这份文件以世界银行和国际货币基金组织使用的类似标准为基础，旨在“防范化解”与“一带一路”项目有关的“债务风险”。
Some concerns the so-called “debt trap”. In my opinion, it’s quite complicated how debts are formed in a country. It has only been less than six years since China put forth the BRI. But the debt problem of developing countries has a much longer history. So it would be unfair to blame the BRI or China for their debt problem. The loans China offers normally have lower interest rate than average loan in the market. They could play crucial roles for the development of the relevant countries. About the so-called debt problems reported by the media, let’s see whether they are reasonable. In Sri Lanka, according to their central bank, only 10% of their foreign debt in 2017 was from China. Of the Chinese loans, 61.5% were concessional loans below the international market interest rate. Loans from China were still less than those from the Asian Development Bank’s 14%, Japan’s 12% and the World Bank’s 11%. So it’s clear to see that China’s loans are not the main burden of Sri Lanka’s foreign debt. In Pakistan, according to the government’s statistics, 42% of their longtime debt comes from multilateral financial institutions. Debts from China only accounts for 10%. And the interest rate of China’s concessional loan to Pakistan is about 2%, far lower than loans from Western countries. In Africa, from 2000 to 2016, China’s loans merely take up 1.8% of their foreign debts in total, and most of China’s loans are used in infrastructure. So far, not a single African country attributes their debt risk to China. On the contrary, many African leaders speak highly of their financial cooperation with China, and they expect to enlarge the cooperation. From China’s perspective, the Chinese side has strengthened risk control on the finance arrangement of the Belt and Road initiative. Not long ago, Mr. Liu Kun, Financial Minister of China, briefed a document named Debt Sustainability Framework for Participating Countries of the Belt and Road Initiative. This document, based on similar standards of the World Bank and IMF, mainly aims to prevent and solve the possible debt risk related to Belt and Road projects.
有人认为“一带一路”是中国的地缘政治工具，是中国版的马歇尔计划。如果说两者之间具有共同点，那就是两者都推动了基础设施建设，或者说都是和平时期的倡议或计划。但是二者本质上完全不同。首先，马歇尔计划是以美国为主导、单方面向欧洲国家投资和输出产能的经济援助计划，带有抗衡苏联、助美称霸的政治目的。而“一带一路”是国际经济合作倡议，建立在自愿参与、平等互利的基础之上，不附加任何条件、不搞单向输出或强加于人，最终目标是要实现合作共赢。其次，马歇尔计划很明显是区分对待，拉拢西欧国家，排斥苏联东欧阵营。而“一带一路”是开放包容进程，不以意识形态划界，不搞零和游戏，只要各国有意愿，中国都欢迎。“一带一路”倡议是中国为世界提供的重要公共产品，不是地缘政治工具，这一点得到了国际社会的高度认可。联合国秘书长古特雷斯曾表示，共建“一带一路”倡议与联合国新千年计划宏观目标相同，都是向世界提供的公共产品。
Some people think BRI as a geopolitical tool of China, compared it to China’s Marshall Plan. It may appear that the two initiatives have something in common, as they are both about investment in infrastructure in peacetime. But other than that, they are quite different. First, the Marshall Plan was dominated by the US to serve its political purpose, and it was a one-way investment. The BRI, on the contrary, is on a voluntary basis. There are no pre-conditions or forced attempts. Second, the Marshall Plan had clear geopolitical and ideological goals. It was targeted to the Western Europe. The Soviet Union and Eastern Europe were excluded. The BRI, on the other hand, focuses on economic cooperation and connectivity. It is open and inclusive. There are no boundaries. And we do not play zero-sum games. Countries are welcome to join as long as they are interested. In fact, the BRI is highly recognized by the international community as a public product. As UN Secretary-General said in the second BRF, the world will benefit from a Belt and Road Initiative that accelerates efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
还有人说“一带一路”是中国转移过剩产能。“一带一路”倡议包括政策沟通、设施联通、贸易畅通、资金融通、民心相通，而不只是产能方面的合作。事实上，中国与“一带一路”沿线多国进行的是基于经济互补性的跨国产能合作，不是把过时的和污染的产能转移出去，而是与当地国家共同协商、设计、建造新产业。虽然有一些产能在中国来说是相对富余过剩，却是在国际市场竞争下形成的优质产能，既符合众多发达国家的市场需求，也符合“一带一路”沿线国家的市场需求。例如，中国企业参与承建的努奥光热电站项目，将让摩洛哥超过100万家庭用上清洁能源。与此同时，中国也在向沿线国家转移先进的科技创新成果。刚刚发布的《共建“一带一路”倡议：进展、贡献与展望》报告显示，目前中国与沿线国家签署了46个科技合作协定，同东盟、南亚、阿拉伯国家、中亚、中东欧共建了5个区域技术转移平台，还在推动北斗导航系统、卫星通讯系统和卫星气象遥感技术服务沿线国家建设。
Also, some people claimed that the BRI is China’s attempt to transfer overcapacity. As we know, the BRI is more than cooperation on production capacity. Most participating countries are mutually complementary in economy with China. Technically speaking, some capacities are relatively excessive in China, but they are of good quality and were formed through competition in international markets. Those capacities can meet the requirement in developed countries, and are needed in countries participating the BRI. Let me share with you one more example. In Morocco, China participated in the second and third phase of a solar power station named Noor. It is estimated that over 1 million households get access to clean energy because of it. Apart from capacity cooperation, China also shares advanced scientific innovations with related parties in the meantime. According to a newly published report, China has signed 46 scientific cooperation agreements with participating countries and co-built five regional platforms for technological transfer with ASEAN, South Asia, Arabic countries, Central Asia, Central and Eastern Europe. And China also makes its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, satellite communication systems and satellite meteorological remote sensing technologies available to them.
那么，芬兰在“一带一路”倡议合作框架下有何机遇？
So, what about Finland? Where are the opportunities?
芬兰是中国在北欧最重要的贸易伙伴之一。据芬兰海关统计，2018年中芬贸易总额达到82亿欧元，同比上年增长了2.7%，继续创造着全球金融危机以来最好成绩。中国是芬兰全球第四大贸易伙伴，也已连续16年成为芬兰在亚洲的最大贸易伙伴。中芬两国携手共建“一带一路”，既有坚实的基础，也有广阔的前景，我认为，双方要做的、能做的事有很多：
Finland is one of the most important trading partners of China in the Nordic region. According to Finnish customs, the trading volume between China and Finland in 2018 reached 8.2 billion Euros, a 2.7% increase from the previous year. It’s a new high since the global financial crisis. China is Finland’s fourth largest trading partner in the world, and has been the largest in Asia in a consecutive 16 years. I think there are many things to do and can be done from China and Finland under the framework of BRI:
首先，政治互信是开展合作的重要基础。芬兰是最早承认新中国的西方国家之一。近年来，中芬关系一直稳步发展。2017年4月，习近平主席对芬兰进行了国事访问。2019年刚开年，尼尼斯托总统就应邀访华，成为今年首位访华的外国国家元首。在不到两年的时间里，两国元首实现互访，开创了中芬关系史上新的历史记录，我很荣幸作为中国大使见证了这一历程。两国立法机关、政府、司法、政党、军队、地方等各领域、各层级保持着密切交流，每年约40个省部级团组互访，芬兰许多政府官员对“一带一路”倡议表现出了浓厚的兴趣和热切的合作意愿，中芬穿越历史的友谊历久弥新。
First, political mutual trust is an important base for cooperation. Finland is one of the first western countries to recognize new China. In recent years, China-Finland relations enjoyed steady development. In April 2017, President Xi paid a state visit to Finland. And at the beginning of this year, President Ninistö paid back a state visit to China, as the first head of state to visit China this year. In two years, the two heads of state exchanged visits, marking a new record in the bilateral relations. As Ambassador, I’m so proud to witness all the process. The two countries also maintain frequent exchanges in areas of legislative bodies, government, judiciary, political parties, army, and local government of all levels. Every year, there are about 40 ministerial level delegation’s visit each other. And we have seen many Finnish politicians and officials showing keen interest in the BRI cooperation.
第二，立体化交通网络逐渐成型，互联互通面临广阔空间。芬兰虽然是北欧国家，却是中国距离欧洲最近的路径之一，可谓是中国通向欧洲的“桥头堡”。截至目前，芬兰航空已开通七条直飞中国的航线，今年4月，中国西藏航空开通了济南—赫尔辛基航线，成为首家执飞芬兰的中国航空公司。不久后，另一家中国航空公司——吉祥航空也将开通上海—赫尔辛基航班。两国数千公里的地理距离只用几个小时即可跨越。此前我提到了中欧班列，2017年11月，中欧班列科沃拉—西安线路通车，这是中国同北欧的首趟中欧班列。一年后，赫尔辛基—合肥线开通。我多次听到芬兰朋友说希望将芬兰打造成连通欧亚的交通枢纽，有些朋友提及冰上丝绸之路和数字丝绸之路。近年来北极海缆、北极航道、北极铁路、赫尔辛基—塔林隧道等项目多次被提及，为双边合作提供了巨大空间。
Second, multi-dimensional transport networks are emerging, and there are even broader spaces for connectivity. Being a Nordic country, Finland lies in the shortest paths between China and Europe and can be regarded as a gateway. So far, Finnair has seven flight destinations in China. In this April, China’s Tibet Airlines launched Jinan-Helsinki route, making itself the first Chinese airline operating flights to Finland. Soon after, China’s Juneyao Airlines will operate another Shanghai-Helsinki route in June. Thousands of kilometers’ distance can be passed in hours’ time. Speaking of China-Europe Railway Express again, in November 2017, Xi’an-Kouvola link was launched, as the first ever railway link to join China and Nordic countries. And one year later, Hefei city and Helsinki was connected, too. On many occasions, I heard from Finnish friends that Finland wanted to be a central point of transport networks connecting Europe and Asia. And some talk about the visions of Ice Silk Road and Digital Silk Road. As it goes, some related projects, for example the Northeast Passage cable, the Arctic sea routes, the Arctic railway, the tunnel between Helsinki and Tallinn have been discussed. All these ideas provide broad space for the cooperation of the two countries.
第三，经贸投资合作量、质齐升。除双边贸易额稳步增长以外，近年来中国对芬兰投资迅速增长，两国相互投资已经基本持平。去年下半年，芬兰中资企业协会也应运而生。腾讯公司收购芬游戏公司股份、安踏公司收购芬体育公司等大型投资项目一度成为了热点新闻。芬兰已有多家企业在华成功经营。包括我在内，很多中国人的第一部手机都是诺基亚，通力、瓦锡兰、斯道拉恩索、美卓等在中国都是知名度很高的品牌，芬兰的肉、奶、鱼制品陆续走上中国民众的餐桌。现在，中国国际进口博览会为芬兰企业进入中国市场提供了一个绝佳的平台。去年的首届进博会上，芬兰派出了规格高、规模大的政府和企业代表团参会，其间签订的订单量居北欧国家首位，而首件入关展品正是来自芬兰的生物能源汽车。不久前，中国驻芬兰使馆举办了第二届进博会路演活动，现场有5家芬兰企业报名了今年的进博会，甚至还有1家企业提前报名了明年的进博会。
Third, economic and commercial cooperation and investment are growing in both quantity and quality. In addition to trade volume, China’s investment in Finland witnessed a rapid growth in recent years. The investments to each other now are basically on the same level. As a natural result, the Chinese Enterprises Association in Finland was established last year. And some major investment, like Tencent’s purchase of the Finnish game company Supercell and Anta’s purchase of the Finnish sports company Amer Sports became hits in the media. As for Finnish enterprises, many of them have already made success in China. Many Chinese people, including me, had Nokia as the first mobile phone. Kone, Wärtsilä, Stora Enso, Metso are well-known brands in China. Finnish products of meat, milk and fish are now served on Chinese people’s tables. The China International Import Expo (CIIE) has been an excellent platform for Finnish enterprises to enter China’s market. The first CIIE last year was warmly embraced by Finland. Finland sent a high-level delegation from the Government and enterprises to the event, and signed the biggest sum of agreements and contracts among the Nordic countries. And the very first exhibit was a biofuel car from Finland. Not long ago, the road show of the second CIIE was held in our Embassy. Five Finnish enterprises registered on the spot, and one of them even registered for next year’s CIIE in advance.
第四，资金融通为“一带一路”合作提供重要支撑。“一带一路”倡议框架下，特别是亚太地区基础设施建设和互联互通需求很大，缺口很大。据有关机构统计，该地区每年需要约17000亿美元投入基础设施建设，这不可能由一国包办，需要大家一起干。亚洲基础设施投资银行正是在此背景下建立，芬兰是亚投行创始成员国之一。中方一直同各方开展“一带一路”三方或多方合作，欢迎世界银行、亚洲开发银行、欧洲复兴开发银行等金融机构参与，德国西门子公司、英国渣打银行、美国通用电气公司等企业已经通过三方或多方合作拿到了大额订单，我们也希望看到有更多的芬兰企业参与类似合作。
Fourth, financial integration is an important support for Belt and Road cooperation. Under the framework of BRI, especially Asian and Pacific areas have a huge demand for infrastructure construction and connectivity. According to some institutes, the area requires 1.7 trillion US dollars for infrastructure. Of course it cannot be handled by one single country. It calls for all parties to get involved. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was established under such a background. And Finland is one of the founding members of AIIB. Recently, China has been working with a dozen of countries on third-party cooperation. And the participation of financial institutions like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are also welcomed. The German firm Siemens has worked with more than 100 Chinese companies in exploring markets, providing gas turbines, steam turbines, generators and other equipment to BRI projects. The US company GE won equipment orders worth 2.3 billion US dollars from BRI projects. The British bank Standard Chartered will provide at least 20 billion US dollars of financing for BRI projects by the end of 2020. We would like to see more Finnish involvements in this regard, too.
第五，民众心灵距离不断拉近，人文交流好戏连台。芬兰是首个迎来中国大熊猫的北欧国家。2018年初，我先后参加了大熊猫“华豹”、“金宝宝”的机场迎接仪式和艾赫泰里动物园熊猫馆开馆仪式，我也常说芬兰是少数拥有三位中国大使的国家。两只大熊猫抵芬已满一年，听说过去的一年内赴艾赫泰里游客数从20万增长至30万，很高兴看到中国大熊猫在芬兰深受喜爱。今年是2019“中芬冬季运动年”，年初尼尼斯托总统访华期间，两国元首共同为冬季运动年开幕。双方年内计划开展近70场丰富多彩的各类活动，在人员培训、器材和场地建设、活动组织等领域继续开展良好合作，相信这将有助于中国实现“3亿人上冰雪”的目标，也有助于中国举办2022年北京冬奥会。中国访芬游客过夜数高速增长，芬兰独特的教育理念、生活方式等受到中国民众特别是年轻人认可和推崇，漫画《芬兰人的噩梦》在中国走红，“精芬”成为网络热词。
Fifth, the emotional distance between the two peoples is getting closer, and we have enjoyed sound cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Finland is the first Nordic country to have giant pandas. At the beginning of 2018, I was present at the airport arrival ceremony to greet the panda pair, Lumi and Pyry. And I also attended the opening ceremony of the Panda House in Ähtäri Zoo. I often say that Finland is one of the few countries that have three Chinese Ambassadors. Now, it has been over a year since the pandas came. I was told that the number of tourists to Ähtäri increased from 200,000 to 300,000 in a year. We are happy to see how much Finns love the pandas. This year is China-Finland year of Winter Sports. During President Ninistö’s visit to China in January, the two Presidents attended the inaugural ceremony of the theme year. About 70 events of all kinds are expected to be held through the whole year. And the two sides will continue good cooperation on training, facilities and venues, events planning and other areas in winter sports. We believe this will help to realize our aim of having 300 million people to do winter sports. And it will also contribute to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The number of overnights of Chinese tourists in Finland grew rapidly in the past years. Meanwhile in China, Finnish ideas of education and the way of life are embraced by Chinese citizens, especially young people. The comic book Finnish Nightmare is so popular in China. And we have a buzzword Jingfen. It literally means “spiritually Finnish”.
欧洲的情况又是如何？
Finally, what about Europe?
早在2000多年前，中国和欧洲就由古丝绸之路结下了友谊。在世界不稳定和不确定性增加的当下，中欧更是捍卫多边主义和经济全球化的重要力量。今年上半年，习近平主席、李克强总理分别对欧洲进行访问，充分体现中国对欧洲的重视。欧盟机构及成员国积极响应和参与“一带一路”倡议，奥地利、塞浦路斯、捷克、希腊、匈牙利、意大利、葡萄牙等欧盟成员国领导人出席了上个月举行的第二届“一带一路”高峰论坛。目前中欧正在积极对接“一带一路”倡议和欧亚互联互通战略，商讨中欧投资协定等重要文件。芬兰是欧盟成员国，今年下半年将担任欧盟轮值主席，任期适逢下届欧盟机构开局。“良好的开端是成功的一半”，我们希望芬兰在轮值主席任期内将充分发挥自身作用，为下届欧盟机构对华合作以及参与“一带一路”创造良好条件，打下坚实基础。我们也相信“一带一路”倡议将延续古丝绸之路精神，为包括中欧在内的各国和各国人民带来福祉，相信“一带一路”将成为和平之路、繁荣之路、开放之路、绿色之路、创新之路、文明之路。
Dating back to 2,000 years ago, China and Europe gained friendship and was connected because of the Ancient Silk Road. In a world today with increasing instability and uncertainties, China and Europe are supposed to defend multi-lateralism and economic globalization. In the first half of this year, Chinese President Xi and Premier Li both visited Europe. The first state visit we received this year is from an EU country – Finland. It showcases how China values Europe. The EU institutions and member states actively respond to and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. State leaders of Austria, Cyprus, Czech, Greece, Hungry, Italy, Portugal attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The two sides have been discussing the synergy of BRI and the EU strategy on Connecting Europe and Asia as well as the EU Trans-European Transport Networks. Also, a China-EU Investment Agreement is on the agenda. Finland is a member of the EU, and will be the rotating chair from this July. As a Chinese saying goes, well begun is half done. We hope that Finland will do a good job as EU’s Chair and also lay solid foundations for the EU-China cooperation, including BRI cooperation. We also firmly believe that the BRI will take the spirit of the Ancient Silk Road and benefit countries and peoples in Asia and Europe and other parts of the world. The Belt and Road will be a road of peace, a road of prosperity, a road of openness, a road of green development, a road of innovation and a road bringing together different civilizations.
谢谢大家！
Thank you!