商务部长中英经贸合作研讨会致辞

尊敬的曼德尔森大臣，
尊敬的傅莹大使，
各位企业家，女士们，先生们：
Right Honorable Lord Mandelson,
Honorable Ambassador Fu Ying,
Dear Friends from the Business Community,
Ladies and gentlemen,

下午好！今天，由中国机电产品进出口商会和英中贸易协会组织的中英经贸合作研讨会在这里隆重开幕。在此，我谨代表中华人民共和国商务部表示衷心的祝贺！今天，中英两国政府和工商界的人士聚集在这里，围绕“新挑战、新机遇”这一主题，深入探讨应对危机、共谋发展的重大举措，具有十分重要的现实意义。在此，我预祝研讨会取得成功！

Good afternoon.
Today, we hold the Seminar on China-Britain Economic and Trade Cooperation jointly organized by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Mechanic and Electronic Products and the China-Britain Business Council. On behalf of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, I’d like to extend heartfelt congratulations on its opening. It brings together government officials and business people from China and Britain to explore ways to tackle the crisis and promote development. The theme --- “New Challenges, New Opportunities”, is highly relevant. I look forward to a successful meeting.

毋庸置疑，这场国际金融危机，使世界经济陷入上世纪大萧条以来最困难的境地。作为一个外向度较高的发展中国家，中国的经济发展，特别是对外贸易投资也受到了较大的冲击。从2008年11月份开始，中国进出口贸易连续三个月出现负增长，吸收外商直接投资出现了明显下滑趋势。我们也注意到，英国经济增长和就业也遭受了严重打击。双边贸易也受到负面影响，今年1月，中英双边贸易额同比下降21.6%，下降幅度之大、速度之快是罕见的。
Without doubt, this international financial crisis has landed the world economy in the most difficult situation since the Great Depression. China, as a developing country with heavy reliance on foreign trade, is experiencing a hard time in economic growth, particularly in foreign trade and investment. Since November 2008, China’s imports and exports have seen negative growth for 3 consecutive months, while inward investment has been sliding. We’ve also noted that economic growth and employment here in Britain has also been dealt a heavy blow. Two-way trade between China and Britain has suffered as well. In January 2009, bilateral trade value dropped 21.6% year on year. The gravity and speed of the decline are unprecedented indeed.

当前，为应对危机和挑战，世界各国纷纷出台了应对措施，这对提振信心、缓解危机起到了重要作用。但在危机面前，仅仅依靠单个国家的努力远远不够，因为在经济全球化趋势下，当今的世界经济舞台已经形成了“你中有我，我中有你”的局面。世界经济发展的历史早已证明，在危机面前，封闭与保护没有出路，开放与合作才是正途。此次我率领中国贸易投资促进团访英，就是落实温家宝总理本月初“信心之旅”的一次重要后续活动，充分表明了中国政府在困难形势下，以实际行动反对贸易保护主义的态度与决心。
To tackle the crisis and challenges, countries have taken various countermeasures, contributing greatly to restoring confidence and mitigating the consequences of the crisis. However, in the face of a crisis, efforts of a single country are far from enough. In a world featuring globalization, economies are inextricably interwoven with each other. The history of world economy has proven that insulation and protectionism offers no way out; openness and cooperation is the right recipe to heal a crisis. The visit of the China Trade and Investment Promotion Delegation, which I lead, to Britain is an important follow-up to Premier Wen Jiabao’s “Trip of Confidence” earlier this month. It shows the stance and resolution of the Chinese government to oppose protectionism under difficult circumstances.

新挑战中往往蕴含着新的机遇。对于中英两国来说，危机将促使我们延伸和拓宽互利合作的内涵。目前，中国各级政府和部门，正在积极落实保持经济稳定增长的各项举措。伴随大规模民生工程、基础设施和生态环境等领域的建设，包括英资企业在内的数十万家在华外资企业将分享这些新的商机。我在中国各地调研过程中，感受到许多中国企业特别是民营企业，对欧优势技术和装备的采购具有浓厚的兴趣。作为中国在欧盟中的第三大贸易伙伴和累计第一大对华投资国，中英两国在生物、信息、环保、低碳经济、能源科技、新材料、医药卫生等领域，拥有巨大的合作潜力。中国还是世界服务贸易和高档消费品增长最快的市场。这意味着英国大量知名品牌产品以及金融、分销、设计、咨询等服务业企业，会有更多机会参与中国市场的竞争。当然，也会有越来越多的中国企业具备与英国企业合作的实力。我们鼓励中英双方企业在各个领域扩大交流和深化合作，共同分享宝贵的发展机遇。

New challenges often present new opportunities. To China and Britain, this crisis will serve as a catalyst to enrich our reciprocal cooperation. At present, governments at all levels in China are in full gear to implement measures targeted at maintaining the steady growth of economy. With the execution of large-scale projects in public welfare, infrastructure, and ecological environment, hundreds of thousands of companies with foreign including British investment will be able to share these new business opportunities. During my investigation and study tours around China, I found that many Chinese enterprises, especially private ones, are very interested in buying more advanced technology and equipment from Europe. Among all EU countries, Britain is the third largest trade partner for China and has made the most investment in cumulative terms. Our two countries enjoy huge potential in such fields as biology, information and environmental technology, low-carbon economy, energy technology, new materials, pharmaceuticals and healthcare. China is the fastest-growing market for international services trade and high-end goods, which could be translated into more opportunities for many famous British brands and companies in such service sectors as finance, distribution, design and consultancy to compete in the Chinese market. Of course, more and more Chinese companies will possess the caliber to cooperate with British companies. We encourage companies from the two countries to further deepen exchanges and cooperation in every field and share those valuable opportunities.

女士们，先生们：
尽管当前我们遇到了严峻的挑战，但以科技进步和生产要素全球配置为基础的经济全球化趋势不会逆转，各国经济相互联系和依赖的程度仍将继续加强。英国是自由贸易思想的发源地，亚当•斯密的理论影响了200多年来的国际贸易实践。选择在这里作为我们此次贸易投资促进团的最后一站，赋予了此次活动更加特殊的意义。我们一路走过来，无论是老朋友还是新伙伴，无论是签订合同或者仅仅是洽谈意向，大家都进行了坦诚而深入的沟通，取得了许多有形和无形的丰硕成果。更为重要的是，我们向外界传递了秉持开放心态、携手合作、共渡难关的诚意和信心。我们坚信，未来商机无限，春天终将来临。
谢谢大家。
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Despite the severe challenges in front of us, globalization based on scientific advance and global allocation of resources will remain irreversible. Economies will be even more linked to and dependent on each other. Britain is the birthplace of the idea of free trade. Adam Smith’s theories have influenced international trade over the past 200 odd years. Selecting Britain as the last lag of our trip has added special significance to this event. Along the way, we have had candid and in-depth dialogues with friends old and new. We have reaped tangible and intangible fruits by signing contracts or negotiating intentions. Most importantly, we have demonstrated to the rest of the world our sincerity and confidence to tide over the difficulties by opening mind and joining hands. We believe that there are boundless opportunities in the future, and spring is right around the corner.
Thank you.