商務部長中英經貿合作研討會致辭
尊敬的曼德爾森大臣，
尊敬的傅瑩大使，
各位企業家，女士們，先生們：
Right Honorable Lord Mandelson,
Honorable Ambassador Fu Ying,
Dear Friends from the Business Community,
Ladies and gentlemen,
下午好！今天，由中國機電產品進出口商會和英中貿易協會組織的中英經貿合作研討會在這裏隆重開幕。在此，我謹代表中華人民共和國商務部表示衷心的祝賀！今天，中英兩國政府和工商界的人士聚集在這裏，圍繞“新挑戰、新機遇”這一主題，深入探討應對危機、共謀發展的重大舉措，具有十分重要的現實意義。在此，我預祝研討會取得成功！
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，這場國際金融危機，使世界經濟陷入上世紀大蕭條以來最困難的境地。作爲一個外向度較高的發展中國家，中國的經濟發展，特別是對外貿易投資也受到了較大的衝擊。從2008年11月份開始，中國進出口貿易連續三個月出現負增長，吸收外商直接投資出現了明顯下滑趨勢。我們也注意到，英國經濟增長和就業也遭受了嚴重打擊。雙邊貿易也受到負面影響，今年1月，中英雙邊貿易額同比下降21.6%，下降幅度之大、速度之快是罕見的。
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.
當前，爲應對危機和挑戰，世界各國紛紛出臺了應對措施，這對提振信心、緩解危機起到了重要作用。但在危機面前，僅僅依靠單個國家的努力遠遠不夠，因爲在經濟全球化趨勢下，當今的世界經濟舞臺已經形成了“你中有我，我中有你”的局面。世界經濟發展的歷史早已證明，在危機面前，封閉與保護沒有出路，開放與合作纔是正途。此次我率領中國貿易投資促進團訪英，就是落實溫家寶總理本月初“信心之旅”的一次重要後續活動，充分表明了中國政府在困難形勢下，以實際行動反對貿易保護主義的態度與決心。
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.
新挑戰中往往蘊含着新的機遇。對於中英兩國來說，危機將促使我們延伸和拓寬互利合作的內涵。目前，中國各級政府和部門，正在積極落實保持經濟穩定增長的各項舉措。伴隨大規模民生工程、基礎設施和生態環境等領域的建設，包括英資企業在內的數十萬家在華外資企業將分享這些新的商機。我在中國各地調研過程中，感受到許多中國企業特別是民營企業，對歐優勢技術和裝備的採購具有濃厚的興趣。作爲中國在歐盟中的第三大貿易伙伴和累計第一大對華投資國，中英兩國在生物、信息、環保、低碳經濟、能源科技、新材料、醫藥衛生等領域，擁有巨大的合作潛力。中國還是世界服務貿易和高檔消費品增長最快的市場。這意味着英國大量知名品牌產品以及金融、分銷、設計、諮詢等服務業企業，會有更多機會參與中國市場的競爭。當然，也會有越來越多的中國企業具備與英國企業合作的實力。我們鼓勵中英雙方企業在各個領域擴大交流和深化合作，共同分享寶貴的發展機遇。
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.
女士們，先生們：
儘管當前我們遇到了嚴峻的挑戰，但以科技進步和生產要素全球配置爲基礎的經濟全球化趨勢不會逆轉，各國經濟相互聯繫和依賴的程度仍將繼續加強。英國是自由貿易思想的發源地，亞當•斯密的理論影響了200多年來的國際貿易實踐。選擇在這裏作爲我們此次貿易投資促進團的最後一站，賦予了此次活動更加特殊的意義。我們一路走過來，無論是老朋友還是新夥伴，無論是簽訂合同或者僅僅是洽談意向，大家都進行了坦誠而深入的溝通，取得了許多有形和無形的豐碩成果。更爲重要的是，我們向外界傳遞了秉持開放心態、攜手合作、共渡難關的誠意和信心。我們堅信，未來商機無限，春天終將來臨。
謝謝大家。
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.
