Strengthen the Foundation and Seize the Opportunities of Cooperation to Create a Brighter Future
留住青山，抓住机遇，赢得未来
Keynote Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Briefing to Chinese and British Business Community on “Two Sessions”
驻英国大使刘晓明在英工商界“两会”精神网上宣讲会上的演讲
June 9 2020
2020年6月9日
Chairman Perry,
Lord Sassoon,
Sir Sherard,
Chairman Fang,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
尊敬的英国48家集团俱乐部主席佩里先生，
尊敬的英中贸协荣誉主席沙逊勋爵，
尊敬的英中贸协主席古沛勤爵士，
尊敬的英国中国商会会长方文建先生，
女士们，先生们，
Good morning!
大家好！
It is a real delight to join you online. This is my first speech to the Chinese and British business communities on the “Two Sessions” of this year.
很高兴出席今天的网上座谈会。这是我在今年“两会”结束后，第一次向中英工商界介绍“两会”情况。
The annual “Two Sessions” are major political events in China. They provide the world with an important window to learn about China directly.
一年一度的“两会”是中国政治生活中的一件大事，也是世界近距离了解中国的重要窗口。
This year, the “Two Sessions” are special. They are held under unusual circumstances at an unusual time during the battle against Covid-19. Although shorter and with some adjustments to formats, the two sessions were no less substantial or fruitful.
今年的“两会”非常特殊，是在抗击新冠肺炎疫情的“非常时期”召开的一次“非常会议”，虽然会期变短、形式变新，但内容更多、举措更实。
My take on the “Two Sessions” is two-fold: More confident and greatly motivated. I would like to share my feeling of confidence and motivation with you by answering the following three questions.
我对今年“两会”的感受概括为八个字就是：“信心更足，干劲更大”。今天，我愿结合三个问题，把这种信心和干劲分享给各位中英工商界朋友。
The first question is, what are the prospects of China’s economic and social development amid Covid-19?
第一个问题，怎么看疫情下的中国经济社会发展形势？
Covid-19 is the biggest pandemic we have encountered in a century. It is a crucial test on the public health system. It is also a major test on the economy. In this test, China has done well.
百年未遇的疫情给国际社会带来公共卫生和经济双重考验。在这次大考中，中国取得了亮眼成绩。
On the public health front, China has achieved important and strategic success in containing the virus.
一方面，中国疫情防控取得重大战略成果。
Since the outbreak and under the direct leadership and command of President Xi Jinping, the whole nation has stood in unity and made utmost efforts to win the battle against the virus. The most strict, comprehensive and thorough measures of prevention and control were taken. In a little more than one month, we achieved preliminary success in containing the spread of the virus. In about two months, we reduced the number of daily new cases to single digit. In about three months, the battle of Wuhan and Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak, witnessed a decisive victory. At the same time, China has engaged in international cooperation in an open, transparent and responsible spirit. In record time, China informed the WHO and the relevant countries about the outbreak, published the genetic sequence of the virus, shared its experience of prevention, control and treatment, and provided strong support and assistance to countries in need to the best of its capability. At home, we did not let our guard down but stayed on high alert against imported cases and domestic rebound. We will continue to do so until the day of final victory.
疫情发生以来，在习近平主席亲自指挥、亲自部署下，全国人民上下同心、全力以赴，谱写了一曲团结奋战、共克时艰的抗疫之歌。中国采取了最严格、最全面、最彻底的防控举措，用一个多月的时间初步遏制了疫情蔓延势头，用两个月左右的时间将本土每日新增病例控制在个位数以内，用三个月左右的时间取得了武汉保卫战、湖北保卫战的决定性成果。与此同时，中方始终本着公开、透明、负责任的态度开展国际合作，第一时间向世界卫生组织及相关国家通报疫情信息，第一时间发布病毒基因序列，第一时间毫无保留与各方分享防控和救治经验，尽己所能为有需要的国家提供了大量支持和帮助。当然，我们并没有掉以轻心，始终坚持外防输入、内防反弹，始终保持高度警惕、严密防范，直到最终战胜疫情。
On the economic front, China has also achieved significant success in bringing economic and social activities back on track.
另一方面，中国统筹经济社会发展也取得重大成果。
The epidemic had its impact on China’s economy, resulting in 6.8% contraction in the first quarter compared with the same period last year. It was actually the first quarterly contraction since 1992. This situation calls for coordinated efforts on both fronts, and that’s what China did. On the one hand, we have kept the regular containment measures in place; on the other, we have stepped up supportive policy to counter the impact of the epidemic and bolster economic and social development. Factories are reopening. Production lines are switched on. Shops and restaurants are ready to welcome customers. People are going back to work. And all these are done in an orderly manner. As of May 18th, large-scale enterprises were running on 99.1% capacity, where 95.4% of staff and workers were back to work. Manufacturing PMI was above the threshold for three months in a row, reaching 50.6% in May. In April, both the added value of large scale industrial enterprises and total electricity consumption were back in the positive zone, increasing by 3.9% and 1.3% respectively. Strong growth momentum has been shown in areas such as “stay-home economy”, “cloud office”, digital economy, artificial intelligence and medical care. From January to April, online retail sales of goods increased by 8.6% year-on-year. These positive signs and rapid recovery bear witness to the strong resilience and enormous potential of China’s economy. Therefore, I am full of confidence in China’s capability to claim final victory over the virus, restore economic growth and continue to achieve social progress.
受疫情影响，今年一季度中国经济同比萎缩6.8%，这是自1992年以来中国经济第一次出现季度性萎缩。面对严峻形势，我们坚持统筹疫情防控和经济社会发展，加大政策支持和对冲力度，在疫情防控常态化下有力有序有效地复工复产复市复业。截至5月18日，中国规模以上工业企业平均开工率和复岗率分别达到99.1%和95.4%；5月份制造业采购经理指数为50.6%，连续3个月保持在荣枯线以上；4月份规模以上工业增加值和全社会用电量增幅均由负转正，分别增长3.9%和1.3%；“宅家经济”、“云办公”、数字经济、人工智能、医疗健康等展现强劲发展势头，1至4月中国实物商品网上零售额同比增长8.6%。中国经济展现出强大韧性和潜能，持续呈现积极变化，总体上实现较快复苏。因此，我对中国最终战胜疫情、恢复经济社会发展充满信心！
Now let me turn to the second question: what is the direction of China’s development after the pandemic?
第二个问题，怎么看“后疫情时代”中国未来发展走向？
On this question, I think we need to keep an eye on the following four areas:
我认为，要关注四大重点方向：
First, China will realize its first centenary goal, that is, to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects and to eradicate absolute poverty in China. These are China’s goals in 2020 – the year of milestone significance in China’s development. These goals are the solemn promises of the Communist Party of China. They are the objective of several generations of Chinese people. When one fifth of the world’s population is free from abject poverty, such extraordinary progress would be nothing short of a miracle in the history of mankind. So, this year will mark a new starting point for China. We will then embark on a new journey towards another centenary goal.
一是全面建成小康社会，决战决胜脱贫攻坚。2020年在中国发展进程中是意义非常特殊的一年，中国将实现第一个百年奋斗目标即全面建成小康社会，中国将完成决战决胜脱贫攻坚目标、消除绝对贫困。这是中国共产党对中国人民的庄严承诺，也是几代中国人奋斗目标，更是人类发展史上的奇迹。中国将在新的发展起点上，开启实现第二个百年奋斗目标的新征程。
Second, China will strengthen the weaknesses in public health governance, and work with the rest of the world to bring the pandemic under control. Our public health and medical system has played a crucial role in containing the virus at home. However, weaknesses and shortfalls were also exposed. There are experiences and lessons to be learned. We need to optimize the system for disease prevention and control, improve epidemic monitoring, early warning and emergency response, and increase investment in R&D in the area of health care. We must do these in order to strengthen our capability of responding to major public health emergencies.
二是弥补卫生治理短板，共同打赢疫情防控阻击战。在这次应对疫情中，中国公共卫生和医疗体系发挥了重要作用，但也暴露出来一些短板和不足。我们将总结经验、吸取教训，建立健全疾病预防控制体系，抓紧提升疫情监测预警和应急响应能力，加大卫生健康领域科技投入，提高应对突发重大公共卫生事件的能力和水平。
At the same time, China will continue engaging the world in making a joint response to Covid-19. In the coming two years, China will provide 2 billion dollars in international aid. This will go to the countries that are battling the virus and at the same time trying to restore socio-economic order, especially in developing countries. China will establish a mechanism of cooperation between hospitals in China and 30 hospitals from Africa. We will also accelerate the building of the Africa CDC headquarters. China will also take an active part in international cooperation on R&D of vaccines. When we are successful in developing a vaccine and put it to use, we will make it a global public good, especially ensuring vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries. China will join hands with other countries to improve global governance on public health and build a global community of health for all.
同时，中国将继续加强国际抗疫合作，提供国际援助，用于支持受疫情影响的国家特别是发展中国家抗疫斗争以及经济社会恢复发展；建立30个中非对口医院合作机制，加快建设非洲疾控中心总部；积极参与国际疫苗研发合作，中国新冠疫苗研发完成并投入使用后将作为全球公共产品，特别要实现疫苗在发展中国家的可及性和可担负性。中国将与国际社会携手完善全球公共卫生治理体系，共同构建人类卫生健康共同体。
Third, China will follow the new development concept and focus on the quality of economic growth. This year’s “Two Sessions” did not set a growth target. This is a down-to-earth approach. China will continue to implement the measures known as “six stabilize”, that is, to stabilize employment, stabilize the financial market, stabilize foreign trade, stabilize investment, stabilize FDI and stabilize economic expectations. Specific steps will be taken to protect employment, basic livelihood, market entities, food and energy security, stable industrial and supply chains, and normal operation of the grass root communities. These will promote steady and high-quality growth of the economy and deliver more benefits to the people. The year 2020 is the last year for realizing China’s 13th Five-Year Plan. It is time to formulate the 14th Five-Year Plan and draw a new blueprint for greater progress in China’s high-quality economic growth.
三是贯彻新发展理念，推动经济高质量发展。今年“两会”没有制定全年经济增长具体目标，这体现了我们实事求是的作风。我们将扎实做好稳就业、稳金融、稳外贸、稳外资、稳投资、稳预期的“六稳”工作，全面落实保居民就业、保基本民生、保市场主体、保粮食能源安全、保产业链供应链稳定、保基层运转的“六保”任务，以保促稳，稳中求进，确保经济增长更有质量，更好惠及人民。今年也是“十三五”规划的收官之年，我们将制定“十四五”规划的新蓝图，推动中国经济高质量发展迈出更大步伐。
Fourth, China will remain committed to reform, opening up, and to building an open world economy. China is deepening reforms by streamlining administration, delegating power, improving regulation and upgrading services; China is promoting market-based allocation of production factors; China is fostering an enabling environment for the development of the private sector; China is also carrying out a new round of pilot reforms to encourage innovation in all sectors. These reform measures represent China’s commitment to sustainable development, known metaphorically in Chinese as “conserve the green mountains” and “save the future for posterity”. I call it China’s wisdom and determination. On the front of opening-up, China will further implement the Foreign Investment Law, shorten the negative list for foreign investment by a big margin, accelerate the establishment of Hainan free trade port, and make the online 127th China Import and Export Fair and the third China International Import Expo successful. These measures represent China’s confidence in opening its market wider to the world even at this unusual time. No matter how the situation in the world develops, China will remain committed to deepening reform and promoting development through opening up. We believe closer business cooperation between countries will bring win-win results.
四是坚持改革开放，构建开放型世界经济。中国正深化“放管服”改革，推进要素市场化配置改革，优化民营经济发展环境，深化新一轮全面创新改革试验，这一系列举措彰显了中国以改革“留住青山、赢得未来”的智慧和决心。中国将进一步落实《外商投资法》，大幅缩减外资准入负面清单，加快海南自由贸易港建设，筹办“网上广交会”、第三届进博会，这彰显出中国在非常时期扩大开放的信心和底气。无论外部环境如何变化，中国将坚定不移以开放促改革促发展，加强与各国经贸合作，实现互利共赢。
Now let me turn to the third question: what are the prospects of China-UK business cooperation after the pandemic?
第三个问题，怎么看“后疫情时代”中英经贸合作？
The outbreak did pose challenges to the normal business cooperation between our two countries, and caused temporary downslide in bilateral trade. But the impact will be temporary and controllable. Yesterday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a telephone conversation with Foreign Secretary Raab. The two sides agreed that enhancing the mutually-beneficial cooperation between China and the UK is in the fundamental and long-term interests of both our peoples. I believe China-UK business cooperation after the pandemic faces four opportunities.
疫情虽然对中英正常经贸往来带来挑战，双边贸易出现短暂下滑，但疫情的冲击是暂时的、可控的。昨天，中国国务委员兼外长王毅与英国外交大臣拉布通电话。双方表示，中英在广泛领域加强互利合作符合两国人民的根本、长远利益。我认为，“后疫情时代”中英经贸合作面临四大机遇：
First, the opportunities of China’s economic recovery. By 2019, China has been the largest contributor to world economic growth for 14 years in a row, contributing around 30% of growth in recent years. China will remain a major economic powerhouse for the world in the years to come. Now, as the world is fighting the pandemic, China is taking the lead in bringing economic activities back on track. In this process, we have accumulated useful experience. The UK is also gradually easing the lockdown and restoring its economy. China and the UK could share experience, make full use of the “fast track” for businesses, and work together to realize economic recovery after the outbreak.
一是中国经济率先复苏的机遇。截止2019年，中国对世界经济增长贡献率已连续14年位居世界第一，近年来保持在30%左右，中国将继续成为世界经济增长的主要发动机。中国复工复产走在世界前列，探索和积累了不少有益经验做法。英国也正在逐步解封、恢复经济。中英两国可加强相关经验交流，用好用足“快捷通道”，实现“后疫情时代”两国经济携手复苏、共同发展。
Second, the opportunities of China’s expanding market. China is the world’s second largest consumer market, with a population of 1.4 billion, including more than 400 million middle-income earners. Last year, China’s per capita GDP crossed the 10,000-dollar threshold for the first time. As China continues to expand domestic demand and increase market access, businesses of all countries could find enormous opportunities for cooperation and development. We welcome British businesses at the upcoming online 127th China Import and Export Fair and the third China International Import Expo to be held in November. These will be great opportunities to share in the benefits that China’s market has to offer.
二是中国市场持续扩大的机遇。中国有14亿人口和4亿多中等收入群体组成的全球第二大消费市场，去年中国国内生产总值人均首次突破1万美元。未来随着中国加快实施扩大内需战略，进一步放宽市场准入，必将为各国企业带来更大合作机遇和发展空间。我们欢迎英国企业积极参加即将举办的“网上广交会”和今年11月举行的第三届进博会，共享中国市场红利。
Third, the opportunities of new business models and new driving forces. During the outbreak, emerging economic sectors have shown enormous potential and vitality. These include “stay-home” economy, digital economy, medical care, FinTech and green development. Businesses of our two countries could seize these opportunities, leverage our respective strengths, and enhance cooperation on innovation in new business models and new driving forces, so as to foster more growth points. Last month, ByteDance, a well-known Chinese technology company made an official announcement that it would place its TikTok European headquarters in London. This is certainly a new highlight in China-UK cooperation.
三是新业态新动能发展的机遇。在这次疫情中，“宅家经济”、数字经济、医疗健康、金融科技、绿色发展等新领域展现出强大潜力和活力。中英两国企业可抓住机遇，发挥各自优势，加强新业态新动能的创新合作，打造更多新增长点。中国今年5月，知名科技企业字节跳动正式将旗下抖音公司欧洲总部设立在伦敦，成为疫情下中英合作的新亮点。
Fourth, the opportunities of multilateral business cooperation. China and the UK are both staunch supporters for free trade. Our two countries could enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral mechanisms such as the G20 and the WTO. It is important we join hands to uphold the multilateral trading system, build an open world economy, and ensure the global industrial chain is open, safe and stable. We could also expand cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, financial services and public health, including in a third market, under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. This will provide new impetus for China-UK cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative.
四是拓展多边经贸合作的机遇。中英都是自由贸易的坚定支持者，双方可在二十国集团、世贸组织等多边机制内加强协调合作，共同维护国际多边贸易体系，维护开放型世界经济，维护全球产业链开放、安全、稳定。双方还可加强“一带一路”框架下在基础设施、金融、公共卫生等领域合作，拓展第三方合作，为中英“一带一路”合作注入新动力。
Ladies and Gentlemen:
女士们，先生们，
Today is a special day for China-UK relationship. On June 9th, 1898, the Convention between Great Britain and China Respecting an Extension of Hong Kong Territory was signed, leasing the New Territories to the UK for 99 years. Today, after 122 years, Hong Kong is part of China, and China-UK relationship has witnessed tremendous changes.
今天对中英关系而言，还是一个特殊的日子。1898年6月9日，当时的清政府与英国在北京签订《展拓香港界址专条》，将新界租借给英国，期限99年。122年后的今天，时移世易，香港早已回归中国，中英关系也今非昔比。
However, some UK politicians still cling to the Cold-War and colonial mentality, and refuse to accept the fact that Hong Kong has been returned to China and is now a special administrative region of China. They made irresponsible remarks recently on the national security legislation for the Hong Kong SAR and interfered in Hong Kong affairs, which are China’s internal affairs. The Chinese side strongly opposes this.
然而，英国仍有一些政客固守“冷战思维”和“殖民心态”，仍未认清香港已经回归中国、是中国一个特别行政区的现实。近来，他们对香港特区维护国家安全立法说三道四，干预香港事务和中国内政，中方对此坚决反对。
With regard to the national security legislation for the Hong Kong SAR, I want to emphasize that making laws on national security is purely an internal affair of a nation. It falls within the legislative power of the nation and the responsibility of the central government, and brooks no external interference. This is true for China as it is true for the UK. The national security legislation for the Hong Kong SAR targets the very few actions and activities that gravely jeopardize national security. It will not affect the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong. It will not change Hong Kong’s independent judicial power, including the power of final adjudication. It will provide better safeguards for the rights and freedom of the Hong Kong residents. It will ensure better protection of the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors in the city. It will guarantee better rule of law and business environment in Hong Kong. And it will strengthen people’s confidence in “One Country, Two Systems”, and in Hong Kong’s development in the future.
对于香港国安立法，我想强调的是，国家安全立法完全是一国内政，属于国家立法权力和中央事权，英国如此，中国同样如此，不容外部势力干预。香港国安立法，针对的是极少数严重危害国家安全的行为和活动，不影响香港的高度自治，不改变香港独立的司法权和终审权，有利于保障香港居民的权利和自由，有利于保护外国投资者在港正当权益，有利于维护香港的法治和营商环境，也有利于巩固各方对“一国两制”和香港发展前景的信心。
This legislation has won the support of the majority of Hong Kong people. Many countries have also upheld justice and expressed their appreciation and support for this legislation. A prosperous and stable Hong Kong is in the interests of both China and the UK. I have noticed that some big British businesses in Hong Kong have expressed their understanding and support with regard to the legislation. I think this is a wise and visionary move. It is my hope that the British business community will view the national security legislation for the Hong Kong SAR from an objective and reasonable perspective. I hope you will contribute positive energy to the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.
此次立法，得到了香港绝大多数民众的支持和拥护，也得到世界上很多主持公道正义国家的赞赏和声援。香港保持繁荣稳定不仅符合中国的利益，也符合英国的利益。我注意到，一些英国在港大企业表示理解和支持香港国安立法，这是明智远见之举。希望英国广大工商界人士客观理性看待香港国安立法，为香港保持长期繁荣稳定贡献正能量。
Ladies and Gentlemen:
女士们、先生们，
President Xi Jinping said, we must find new opportunities in crisis, and open up new prospects amid changes. In face of the difficulties and challenges, discussions are important in helping us see things clearly. But it is more important to take actions. I hope the Chinese and British business communities will strengthen confidence, stay motivated and seize the opportunities. We must race against the clock to make up for the losses caused by the pandemic. Let us work together to turn crisis into opportunities for more outcomes, open up new prospects for win-win cooperation, and create a better and brighter future for China-UK relations!
习近平主席最近说，要“努力在危机中育新机、于变局中开新局”。面对困难挑战，我希望各位工商界人士不仅要坐而论道，更要起而行之，坚定信心，抓握机遇，鼓足干劲，把失去的时间抢回来，把疫情造成的损失补回来。我们共同努力，化危为机，打造更多务实成果，开辟更新合作局面，为中英关系赢得更加美好的未来！
Thank you!
谢谢大家！