【笔译双语】驻英国大使刘晓明2018年度英国渣打集团峰会上的主旨演讲

刘晓明大使在2018年度英国渣打集团峰会上的主旨演讲：《推进中英“一带一路”合作，促进人类共同繁荣发展》

Keynote Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Standard Chartered Summit: Advance China-UK Belt and Road Cooperation for Common Development and Prosperity of Mankind

（2018年2月22日，英国伦敦）

London, 22 February 2018

尊敬的英国渣打集团全球首席经济学家大卫·曼恩先生，

Chief Economist David Mann,

尊敬的美国前总统外事顾问帕拉格·坎纳先生，

Mr. Parag Khanna,

女士们、先生们，

Ladies and Gentlemen,

很高兴出席2018年度渣打集团峰会。

It is a real delight to join you at the Standard Chartered Summit.

今天恰逢中国农历新年正月初七，根据中国古代神话，这是人类的诞辰日，俗称“人胜节”，反映出人们祈福纳吉、求平保安的愿望，以及对人类自身努力的尊重。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

Today is the seventh day of the Chinese New Year. According to Chinese mythology, this is the birthday of human and is celebrated as the "Human Victory Festival". This festival embodies our best wishes for happiness and peace, and the respect for our own hard efforts.

峰会举办方希望我谈谈对“一带一路”倡议、加强中英金融合作的看法。我认为，今天探讨这个话题可谓恰逢其时。因为“一带一路”承载着人们对和平安宁的期盼、对美好生活的向往，也凝结着世界各国共谋发展、共建繁荣的努力。中国同包括英国在内的各国加强“一带一路”合作，互惠互利，潜力巨大，正汇聚到共商共建共享的历史洪流之中，成为构建人类命运共同体的重要组成部分。

I was asked by the Summit organizer to talk about China-UK financial cooperation in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. In my view, there is no better day to talk about this subject because the Belt and Road Initiative reflects exactly people's aspiration for peace, tranquility and a beautiful life. It also embodies the hard efforts of all countries for common development and prosperity.

Cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative creates win-win opportunities and offers great potential. China, the UK and all the countries willing to take advantage of this Initiative can engage in extensive consultation, work on projects together and share the benefits. Together, we can make this Initiative a joint endeavour that contributes to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

2013年，习主席提出“一带一路”倡议。4年多来，“一带一路”逐渐从理念转化为行动，从愿景转化为现实，取得了举世瞩目的成就，受到越来越多国家欢迎，为促进全球经济发展做出了积极贡献，打造了“四大平台”：

The Belt and Road Initiative was first proposed by President Xi four years ago in 2013. Since then, we have seen this Initiative gradually translated from a concept into actions, and from aspirations into reality.

•      It has been a remarkable success.

•      It is welcomed by an increasing number of countries.

•      It has been a contribution to world economic growth.

This is because the Belt and Road Initiative provides four major platforms.

第一，“一带一路”是促进互利共赢的平台。目前，全球100多个国家和国际组织积极支持和参与“一带一路”建设，联合国大会、联合国安理会等重要决议也纳入“一带一路”内容。中国已同80个国家和国际组织签署了相关合作协议。2017年5月，“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛在北京成功举办，来自130多个国家和70多个国际组织的嘉宾齐聚北京，共商“一带一路”建设合作大计，中国与相关国家签署270多项合作成果。“一带一路”既致力于实现各国经济融合发展，也有利于推动经济全球化向着包容普惠方向发展。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

First, it is a platform for win-win results.

The Belt and Road Initiative has been written into important resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council. Over 100 countries and international organizations have voiced their support and interest in participating in this Initiative, and over 80 countries and international organizations have signed cooperation agreements with China.

In May last year, the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was successfully held in Beijing. At this Forum, participants from over 130 countries and over 70 international organizations shared their ideas on the Belt and Road development. A total of over 270 cooperation agreements were signed.

Such enthusiasm shows that this Initiative is bringing countries together in a joint endeavour to achieve development through cooperation and deliver inclusive economic globalization.

第二、“一带一路”是促进开放合作的平台。2014年至2017年，中国同“一带一路”沿线国家贸易投资蓬勃开展，贸易总额超过4万亿美元，中国对“一带一路”沿线国家投资累计超过600亿美元。中国同“一带一路”建设参与国和组织开展了多种形式的金融合作。截至2017年底，亚洲基础设施投资银行批准总额超过37亿美元的20多个投资项目。丝路基金已签约17个项目，承诺投资70亿美元。这些新型金融机制同世界银行等传统金融机构各有侧重、互为补充，形成层次清晰、初具规模的“一带一路”金融合作网络。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

Second, the Belt and Road Initiative is a platform for open cooperation.

From 2014 to 2017, there has been a trade and investment boom along the Belt and Road.

•      Trade between China and countries along the routes exceeded $4 trillion.

•      Chinese investment in these countries topped $60 billion.

There has also been a rich variety of financial cooperation between China and participating countries and organizations.

•      As of the end of 2017, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) had approved over $3.7 billion in financing for over 20 projects.

•      The Silk Road Fund had signed agreements on 17 projects, pledging $7 billion in investment.

These newly-established financial bodies effectively filled the gaps left by traditional financial institutions such as the World Bank. The new and old together can form a financial network that funds different needs at different levels and in different fields of the Belt and Road cooperation.

第三、“一带一路”是促进文明交流的平台。“一带一路”传承和发扬丝路精神，蕴含着“和而不同”、“兼收并蓄”等东方智慧，其地域和国别范围源于但不限于古丝绸之路。“一带一路”致力于探讨多层次、宽领域的人文合作，加强教育、科技、文化、卫生、旅游、体育等领域交流合作。截至2017年底，中国已与53个沿线国家建立734对友好城市关系，与超过20个沿线国家实现公民免签或落地签。在“一带一路”建设中，中国与世界各国民众交流更加深入，相互了解与认识不断加强。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

Third, the Belt and Road Initiative is a platform for mutual learning between different civilizations.

This Initiative carries on the ancient Silk Road spirit. It embodies the Oriental wisdom of inclusiveness and "harmony without uniformity". It is meant to cover an area that includes but is not limited to the ancient Silk Road.

This Initiative calls for cultural and people-to-people cooperation on multiple levels and in a wide range of areas. It encourages exchanges and cooperation in education, science and technology, culture, health, tourism and sports.

As of the end of 2017, there were 734 pairs of sister cities between China and 53 countries along the routes. Moreover, mutual visa exemption or visa-on-arrival arrangements were agreed between China and 20 countries along the routes.

When the Chinese people and people from other countries come together to work on the Belt and Road, the exchanges between them and their mutual understanding will deepen.

第四，“一带一路”是促进规则共制的平台。4年多来的丰硕成果表明，“一带一路”倡议顺应时代潮流，适应发展规律，符合各国人民利益，具有广阔发展前景。我想强调的是，“一带一路”是公开、透明、开放、包容的倡议，始终秉持共商、共建、共享的原则，在市场规则和国际规则下运作。中国愿以“一带一路”为平台，继续同世界各国分享发展经验，共享发展成果，但不会干涉别国内政，更不会输出社会制度和发展模式。“一带一路”不是要取代谁、排挤谁，而是要把中国发展同各国发展结合起来，共同打造一条和平、繁荣、开放、创新、文明之路，共同推进建设人类命运共同体。

Fourth, the Belt and Road Initiative is a platform for joint decision making.

This Initiative has produced fruitful results over the past four years, because it represents the trend of the times and serves the people's interests. Such an Initiative will have broad prospects.

Here I want to emphasize that the Belt and Road Initiative is open, transparent and inclusive. It upholds the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. And it follows the market and international rules.

Through the Belt and Road cooperation, China is willing to share our development experience and growth benefits with other countries. But China will never interfere in other countries' internal affairs, or export our social system and development model.

In other words, China never intends to displace or exclude anyone.

•      What we want is China and the world developing together.

•      We hope to build a road of peace, prosperity, opening up and innovation, and a road that connects different civilizations.

And we hope to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

女士们，先生们，

Ladies and gentlemen,

三周前，梅首相成功访华，两国领导人就共同打造中英关系“黄金时代”增强版达成广泛共识，取得丰硕成果。在中英关系“黄金时代”迈入新阶段之际，我也愿与大家分享我对加强中英“一带一路”合作的看法。

Three weeks ago, Prime Minister May paid a successful visit to China. During the visit, the leaders of our two countries agreed to build China-UK "Golden Era" 2.0.

As the "Golden Era" enters a new stage, I want to share with you my thoughts on how

our two countries may enhance cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative.

4年多来，英国社会各界对“一带一路”倡议的了解与认知不断加强，关注和参与日益深入，两国“一带一路”合作成果显著，主要体现在6个方面：微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

Over the past four years, the British public gained a better understanding of this Initiative. They are taking greater interest and having deeper participation in it. Our cooperation has produced fruitful results. This is reflected in the following six aspects:

一是政治共识不断深化。2015年10月，习主席对英国进行国事访问期间，双方领导人就拓展“一带一路”合作达成重要共识。梅首相访华期间，充分肯定“一带一路”倡议在国际上产生的重要影响，认为这将给中英合作带来更多机遇。两国领导人都表示愿意就“一带一路”开展更大范围、更高水平、更深层次的合作，促进全球和区域经济增长。这些政治共识为中英“一带一路”合作提供了明确的方向指引。

First, our two countries have deepened political consensus.

The important consensus on expanding Belt and Road cooperation was reached during President Xi's state visit to the UK in October 2015.

Prime Minister May again fully recognized the global significance of this Initiative during her visit to China. She believed that the Initiative would create more opportunities for China-UK cooperation.

The leaders of the two countries shared the willingness to expand, elevate and deepen cooperation on this Initiative, with a view to promoting global and regional economic growth.

This political consensus charted the course for the Belt and Road cooperation between our two countries.

二是政策沟通不断深入。习主席指出，“一带一路”建设不是另起炉灶、推倒重来，而是实现战略对接、优势互补。中方愿与英国“英格兰北方经济中心”等产业发展战略对接，实现“一加一大于二”的效果。2017年底举行的第九次中英经济财金对话上，双方就宏观经济政策、“一带一路”等达成72项合作成果。双方同意深化“一带一路”政府间交流与对话，充分发挥互补优势，在“一带一路”沿线开展第三方市场合作。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

Second, China and the UK have deepened policy coordination.

President Xi said, the pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative is not meant to reinvent the wheel; rather, it aims to complement the development strategies of countries involved by leveraging their comparative strengths.

In China-UK cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, China stands ready to match our policies with the development strategies of the UK, such as the Northern Powerhouse. If we can do this, we will achieve the multiplying effect.

At the ninth China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue held at the end of 2017, the two countries reached 72 cooperation agreements on macro-economic policies and Belt and Road development.

•      Our two governments will have deeper exchanges and dialogue on the Belt and Road Initiative.

•      We will complement each other with our comparative strengths.

And we will work together to explore a third market along the routes.

三是设施联通不断加强。2017年，义乌—伦敦班列首次往返，实现中英贸易物流全陆地运输，标志着中欧班列开通“最后一公里”，使“一带一路”延伸到欧洲最西端。中英合作旗舰项目—欣克利角C核电项目主体工程顺利开工，“华龙一号”通用设计审查进入第二阶段。中国总部基地集团投资17亿英镑的皇家阿尔伯特码头项目进展顺利。首个中英地方合作园区—青岛中英创新产业园建设启动，为中英地方合作注入新活力。

Third, China and the UK have enhanced infrastructure connectivity.

Let me give you a few examples:

•      In 2017, China Railway Express ran its first freight train between China's Yiwu and London. This offered a new, on-land option for the movement of goods between China and Britain, opened the last mile of the China-Europe Express Railway and extended the "Belt and Road" to the very western end of Europe.

•      The Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant, which is a flagship project in China-UK cooperation, has entered into construction phase. And Hualong One technology has moved to the second stage of the generic design assessment.

•      The Royal Albert Dock project, with an investment of £1.7 billion from the ABP, is running smoothly.

The first sub-national cooperation park between the two countries, the China-UK Innovation Industrial Park in Qingdao, has started construction. It is expected to inject new vitality into China-UK cooperation at the sub-national level.

四是贸易畅通不断提升。2017年, 中英双边货物贸易额790.3亿美元，英国对华出口增长近20%，显示出英国商品在中国市场的巨大潜力。目前，英国为中国在欧盟内第二大贸易伙伴，中国是英国第三大贸易伙伴。截至2017年底，中国对英累计非金融类直接投资191.4亿美元。投资领域涵盖高端制造、基础设施、研发中心等，超过500家中国企业落户英伦。

Fourth, China and the UK have increased bilateral trade and investment.

•      In 2017, bilateral trade reached $79.03 billion, with British export to China up by nearly 20%. This is clearly a good sign for the British goods in the Chinese market.

•      The UK is now the second largest trading partner of China in the EU, and China is the third largest trading partner of the UK.

As of the end of 2017, non-financial direct investment from China totaled $19.14 billion. Over 500 Chinese companies had set up businesses in the UK. Chinese investments are found mostly in high-end manufacturing, infrastructure, and research and development.

五是资金融通不断扩大。英国是第一个申请加入亚洲基础设施投资银行的西方大国，也是继中国之后第二个向亚投行专门基金注资的国家。英国还率先共同核准并签署《“一带一路”融资指导原则》，并设立了“一带一路”特使和专家理事会，宣布支持250亿英镑“一带一路”亚洲项目。双方共建首期10亿美元投资基金，投资于中、英及第三方市场。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

Fifth, China and the UK have expanded financial cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative.

In this respect, the UK is leading other major Western countries.

•      It is the first major Western country to apply to join the AIIB, and the second country after China to contribute to an AIIB special fund.

•      It is also the first to approve and sign the Guiding Principles on Financing the Development of the Belt and Road.

•      It is the first to appoint a special envoy to the Belt and Road Initiative, and set up the Expert Board.

•      It has pledged £25 billion in support of Belt and Road projects in Asia.

And it joined China in announcing the establishment of a bilateral investment fund, with an initial capital injection of $1 billion, for projects involving both our two countries and a third market.

六是民心相通不断促进。“国之交在于民相亲，民相亲在于心相通。”近年来，“英伦风”在中国风头不减，“中文热”在英国持续升温。中英两国在教育、文化、科学、卫生、民间交往等各领域广泛开展合作，人文交流空前活跃。两国友好省市关系增至64对，每年人员互访达150多万人次，为“一带一路”建设夯实民意基础，筑牢社会根基。

Sixth, China and the UK have built closer bond between the people of the two countries.

Closer bond between the people is key to enhancing state-to-state relations.

In recent years, the British culture shows enormous appeal to the Chinese public. And here in the UK, enthusiasm for learning the Chinese language is increasing.

Our two countries have carried out cooperation in a wide range of areas ranging from education to science, from health to cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The latter, in particular, is flourishing.

Currently there are 64 pairs of sister cities between our two countries. Mutual visits topped 1.5 million. This has helped gather public support for the Belt and Road Initiative.

中英“一带一路”合作取得的丰硕成果，离不开众多视野开阔、勇于开拓、不断创新的优秀企业。渣打集团就是其中的杰出代表。梅首相访华期间，在李克强总理和梅首相共同见证下，中国国家开发银行与渣打集团签署100亿人民币“一带一路”项目授信贷款谅解备忘录。渣打在“一带一路”沿线 45 个市场设有营业机构。2017年，渣打银行（中国）有限公司就参与超过50笔“一带一路”相关交易，价值总额超过100亿美元。 2020 年底前，渣打集团还将为“一带一路”项目提供至少 200 亿美元的融资支持。我对此表示赞赏。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

The fruitful results of China-UK Belt and Road cooperation cannot be achieved without the members of the business community who have a strategic vision and a pioneering and innovative spirit. Standard Chartered is one extraordinary example.

•      During Prime Minister May's visit to China, Standard Chartered and the China Development Bank (CDB) signed an MOU, witnessed by Premier Li and Prime Minister May. This MOU will provide 10 billion RMB yuan to facilitate Belt and Road projects.

•      As we know, Standard Chartered has operations in 45 markets along the Belt and Road. In 2017 alone, Standard Chartered China was involved in over 50 deals relating to Belt and Road projects. The total value was over $10 billion.

•      By the end of 2020, Standard Chartered is expected to provide at least $20 billion in financial support for Belt and Road projects.

Here I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Standard Chartered for these contributions.

女士们，先生们，

Ladies and gentlemen,

展望未来，中英加强“一带一路”合作，离不开中英金融合作的支撑，离不开两国工商界人士的努力。金融合作是中英合作的重点、亮点和增长点。近年来，中资银行国际化步伐加快，落户伦敦成为重要选择，在英设立分行的中资银行已达7家。两国央行领衔二十国集团绿色金融研究小组共同主席，两国共同发布《中英金融服务战略规划》。继英国政府发行首支30亿元人民币主权债券之后，中国财政部选择伦敦发行首支境外人民币主权债券，总额也是30亿元。此后，中国银行也在英发行首支绿色资产担保债券。伦敦已成为最具活力的人民币交易中心和离岸人民币市场之一，在人民币国际化进程中发挥了重要作用。

Looking ahead, China-UK cooperation on the Belt and Road hinges upon our financial cooperation and relies on the efforts of the business community.

Financial cooperation has been a priority, a highlight and a strong growth point between our two countries.

In recent years, Chinese banks have accelerated their exploration of the global market. In this process, many have chosen to secure a foothold in London. By now, seven Chinese banks have set up branches in Britain.

The People's Bank of China and the Bank of England also have close collaboration. They have co-chaired the G20 Green Finance Study Group and issued the China-UK Strategic Plan for Financial Services.

Cooperation on RMB internationalization is one of the highlights.

•      The British government issued the first RMB sovereign bond worth RMB 3 billion.

•      London was chosen by the Ministry of Finance of China to make its first overseas issuance of RMB sovereign bond, also worth RMB 3 billion.

This was followed by the issuance of the first Green Covered Bond in Britain by the Bank of China.

2018年是中国改革开放40周年，也是中英关系“黄金时代”加速发展之年。我希望双方把握“四大机遇”，推动中英“一带一路”和金融合作迈上新台阶：

The year 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. It is also the year to accelerate the China-UK "Golden Era".

In the new year, I hope both China and the UK will work together to take our Belt and Road cooperation and cooperation in the financial sector to a new stage by seizing the following four opportunities.

一是把握中英“黄金时代”增强版的历史机遇，加强政策对接。多年来，两国金融合作从无到有，不断深化，逐步形成“你中有我，我中有你”的互利共赢格局。梅首相访华期间，双方签署签订了总额约98.9亿英镑的商业大单，其中包括平安金融科技城等多项金融合作协议，将为英国新创2666个就业岗位。我们要通过政府间各层级对话机制，加强“一带一路”和金融合作等领域的政策对接。发挥好两国开发性和政策性金融机构的作用，推动金融机构深入探索合作规划和方向，加强发展融资合作，为中英关系“黄金时代”贡献更多“金融成果”。

The first is the historic opportunity of China-UK "Golden Era" 2.0. To seize this opportunity, we need to match our policies.

Over the past years, financial cooperation between China and the UK started from scratch, continued to deepen and became a two-way endeavour. It has proven to be win-win for both sides.

During Prime Minister May's visit to China, the two countries signed business contracts worth £9.89 billion. These include the agreement to build a finance and technology park in Xiong'an, the new district to the south of Beijing. They are expected to create 2,666 jobs for Britain.

It is important that we make full use of inter-governmental dialogues at all levels to match our policies for the Belt and Road and financial cooperation.

We should encourage development and policy institutions to play a positive role in our financial cooperation. We should also encourage financial institutions to explore new areas and make plans for the future of our financial cooperation. We should enhance our cooperation on development financing. Together, we can contribute more "financial fruits" to the China-UK "Golden Era".

二是把握“一带一路”的战略机遇，促进务实合作。“一带一路”建设不仅需要投融资合作，还涉及大量配套金融服务，包括代理行关系、银团贷款、资金结算和清算等，中国正积极推进在“一带一路”沿线国家设立金融服务平台。英国具备丰富的国际金融经验和成熟的管理制度，与众多沿线国家金融往来密切。双方可充分发挥协同作用，利用英国在融资、PPP、保险、绿色金融等领域的专业优势，加强基础设施领域合作。两国银行可通过深化跨境合作，持续推动“一带一路”建设，打造金融合作新亮点。

The second opportunity is the Belt and Road Initiative. This is a strategic opportunity for our two countries to advance business cooperation.

Belt and Road development creates a huge demand in not only investment and financing, but also services, such as agent banking relationships, syndicated loans, settlement and clearing.

Therefore, to advance the Belt and Road development, China encourages the establishment of financial services platforms in the countries along the routes.

The UK has rich experience in international finance and mature management expertise as well as close financial ties with many countries along the Belt and Road.

This paves the way for our two countries to work together to tap the British expertise in financing, PPP, insurance and green finance in support of infrastructure projects.

The banks of our two countries can seize this opportunity to deepen cross-border cooperation. This will in turn advance Belt and Road development and create new highlights in financial cooperation between our two countries.

三是把握中国扩大开放的市场机遇，拓展业务往来。中共18+1做出了进一步扩大对外开放的战略部署，中国对外开放的大门只会越开越大。中国将积极稳妥推进金融业对外开放，欢迎英国金融企业利用中国扩大开放带来的机遇，拓展在华业务。渣打集团获批熊猫债承销资格，将有利于促进两国金融领域合作。中英两国可在进一步加强资产管理、银行业、资本市场、保险业和养老金等领域交流合作基础上，共同引领绿色金融、金融科技、普惠金融等发展。从2018年起5年内，预计中国将进口8万亿美元的商品、吸收6000亿美元的外来投资，这将为各国提供更广阔的市场和合作机会。今年11月，首届中国国际进口博览会将在上海举办，预计超过100个国家的企业将参展，中方欢迎渣打集团等英国知名企业赴华参展，积极展示英国优质的产品和服务。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

The third opportunity is the continued opening up of the Chinese market.

At the 19th Party Congress, China decided to open its doors wider to the world.

As part of the opening-up efforts, China will open its financial sector steadily and actively. British financial corporations are encouraged to come and seize this opportunity and expand their business in China.

Last month, Standard Chartered received a lead underwriting license for overseas non-financial corporate Panda bonds. This is a fresh boost to the financial cooperation between China and the UK.

Our two countries have every reason to enhance exchanges and cooperation in asset management, banking, capital market, insurance and pensions. Building on these efforts, we can go on to lead the world in green finance, financial science and technology, and inclusive finance.

China plans to import $8 trillion of goods and open up a $600 billion market to foreign investment in the next five years starting from 2018. To the world of business, this means bigger market and more opportunities for cooperation.

This November, the first-ever China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai. Companies from over 100 countries are expected to take part in this event. British companies, including Standard Chartered, are all welcome to this Expo to advertise your high-quality products and services.

四是把握“人民币国际化”的合作机遇，扩大合作深度。中国将继续深化金融改革，扩大资本市场开放，推进人民币汇率市场化改革，稳步提高人民币国际化水平。英国作为世界领先的全球金融服务中心，在支持人民币国际化进程中始终发挥着重要作用。随着人民币汇率制度市场化改革的稳步推进，双方应抓住机遇，继续推进中英跨境人民币业务，支持在中英两国贸易和投资中使用人民币计价结算。进一步发挥英国人民币清算行作用，继续推动伦敦离岸人民币市场发展，推进两国金融市场互联互通，实现互利共赢。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

The fourth opportunity lies in the internationalization of RMB.

China is determined to deepen financial reform, open its capital market wider to the world, and let the market play a bigger role in deciding the RMB exchange rate. These efforts will help advance RMB internationalization.

As a leading global financial centre, London has played an important role in supporting the RMB internationalization.

As I have just mentioned, China is steadily advancing the reform in RMB exchange rate to make it more responsive to the market. There is an opportunity here for our two countries to expand RMB cross-border business and encourage the use of RMB as a clearing currency in bilateral trade and investment.

It is also important that we further tap the role of the RMB clearing bank in the UK, and develop the offshore RMB market in London. Through these efforts, we will improve the connectivity between the financial markets of our two countries and achieve win-win results.

女士们，先生们，

Ladies and gentlemen,

习主席在今年春节贺辞中表示，“春节是新的开始，预示着新的希望”。今年是狗年，在中英文化中，“狗”都代表着勤奋和忠诚。我期待在新的一年中，中英金融界朋友们能携手前行，开拓进取，推动中英“一带一路”合作再上新台阶，为打造中英关系“黄金时代”增强版贡献智慧和力量！

President Xi said in his Chinese New Year message, the New Year is a new beginning and promises new prospects.

This year is the Year of the Dog. In both China and the UK, dog is a symbol of diligence and loyalty.

I hope in the new year, friends from the financial sector of our two countries will join hands to take China-UK Belt and Road cooperation to a new high and to contribute your wisdom and strength to building the China-UK "Golden Era" 2.0!

最后，祝愿大家狗年吉祥如意、繁荣兴旺！

In conclusion, I wish everyone present a happy and prosperous Year of the Dog!

谢谢！

Thank you!