刘晓明：疫情之下，某些西方政客还沉迷于冷战思维

5月5日，刘晓明大使出席英中贸协网上座谈会，发表题为《携手应对，化危为机，共创未来》的主旨演讲，并回答听众提问。

中国驻英国大使刘晓明

座谈会由英中贸协主席古沛勤爵士主持。英国国际贸易部和商业部国务大臣格林姆斯通勋爵、英中贸协名誉主席沙逊勋爵、英国中国商会方文建、毕马威会计事务所副主席塞耶，英国财政部、国际贸易部、农业部等中央政府官员，威尔士、诺丁汉市、布里斯托市、巴斯市等地方政府代表，英国石油、阿斯利康、毕马威、汇丰及英中贸协、英国中国商会、48家集团俱乐部、苏格兰商会等工商界代表，大英图书馆、英格兰和威尔士法律协会、牛津大学、伦敦大学学院、诺丁汉大学、卡迪夫大学、格拉斯哥大学等学界代表以及英驻华使领馆代表等共约500人出席。活动通过刘大使推特账号直播。中国国际电视台（CGTN）在其“脸书”账号进行直播，英国天空新闻台进行部分直播并滚动播放相关内容，彭博新闻、《每日快报》、《旗帜晚报》以及中央电视台、新华社、《中国日报》等进行了报道。主旨演讲全文如下：

尊敬的英中贸协主席古沛勤爵士，

英中贸协、48家集团俱乐部和英国中国商会各位企业家，

女士们、先生们：

大家上午好！

很高兴参加英中贸协网上座谈会。尽管我们现在面临各种困难，但借助现代科技手段，我们仍可以就共同关心的重要问题在线交流。

当前，新冠肺炎疫情仍在全球蔓延，给人类社会带来严峻挑战，严重威胁人民生命安全和身体健康，严重冲击全球生产和需求，严重影响经济社会发展。这场危机对世界各国而言，都是一次重大考验，使我们对构建人类命运共同体有了更切身的体会，对世界百年未有之大变局有了更深刻的认识。

面对危机，中国是如何应对的？

中国是最早向世界卫生组织报告疫情、最早甄别病原体、最早与世卫组织和有关国家分享病毒全基因序列、最早采取强有力全面防控举措、最早取得疫情防控重要阶段性成果、最早在全国范围推动复工复产的国家。中国在抗疫斗争中始终做到“三个坚持”：

**一是坚持以人民为中心。**习近平主席多次强调要“始终把人民群众生命安全和身体健康放在第一位”。疫情发生后，中国政府本着对人民负责的态度，第一时间构建起从中央到地方、全方位多层次网格化的防控体系，采取了最全面、最严格、最彻底的防控措施，坚持“四早”（早发现、早报告、早隔离、早治疗）和“四集中”（集中患者、集中专家、集中资源、集中救治）。实践证明，这些部署是及时的、果断的，举措是有力的、有效的，形成了全面动员、全面部署、全面加强疫情防控格局。

**二是坚持同舟共济。**中国不仅对本国人民生命安全和身体健康负责，也对全球公共卫生事业尽责。中国从一开始就采取公开、透明的态度，及时向国际社会报告疫情信息、共享病毒全基因序列、分享防控和诊疗经验，向17个国家派遣了19批医疗专家组，向包括英国在内的150多个国家和国际组织提供了口罩、防护服、检测试剂、呼吸机等急需的医疗物资援助。这场疫情能让世界各国更加深刻地认识到，唯有同舟共济、守望相助才能彻底战胜疫情。

**三是坚持团结协作。**国际货币基金组织预计，2020 年全球经济将收缩 3%，远超2008年国际金融危机引发的经济下滑。面对严峻形势，只有同舟共济，才能防止全球经济衰退演变为全球经济大萧条。不久前，习近平主席在二十国集团领导人特别峰会上强调，当前国际社会最需要的是坚定信心、齐心协力、团结应对，加强国际宏观经济政策协调，采取减免关税、取消壁垒、畅通贸易等共同举措，提振世界经济复苏士气。

中英是共同抗疫的合作伙伴。在一个多月时间里，习近平主席与约翰逊首相两次通话，就中英合作抗疫和两国关系达成重要共识。胡春华副总理与英国财政大臣苏纳克、中央外事工作委员会办公室杨洁篪主任与英国内阁秘书兼首相国家安全顾问塞德维尔、王毅国务委员兼外长与英国外交大臣拉布、卫生健康委马晓伟主任与英国卫生大臣汉考克多次通电话，我在伦敦与英国政府主管大臣和高官保持沟通。

中英在抗疫中密切协调合作，不仅相互提供抗疫物资，而且加强防疫信息分享和经验交流，推进疫苗和药物研发等领域合作。中英两国都坚定支持多边主义，支持世卫组织在全球抗疫中发挥重要作用，支持加强二十国集团框架内的抗疫合作，推动完善全球卫生治理。中英两国都是经济全球化和贸易自由化的重要参与者、推动者、获益者。在这个特殊时期，两国更应坚持奉行开放共赢理念，坚定支持自由贸易，坚决捍卫多边主义，共同保障全球产业链、供应链的开放、稳定和安全。

当国际社会集中力量共同抗疫的时候，美国一些政客却到处造谣诽谤。他们罔顾中国为世界抗疫做出的巨大努力、巨大牺牲和巨大贡献，将疫情政治化、把病毒标签化、对中国污名化。

令人遗憾的是，英国也有少数政客，沉迷于冷战思维，把中国比作前苏联，有的要对中英关系进行“重新审视”，有的要发动新的冷战。这些言论是一种“政治病毒”，如任其发展，将毒化中英两国乃至国际社会团结抗疫的气氛，损害中英政治互信和各领域合作。我们对此必须高度警惕，强烈反对，坚决抵制。我们要奉劝他们：中国不是前苏联。冷战的时代早已结束，和平与发展是当今时代的主题，也是中英共同致力于实现的目标。

中英企业家一直是推动中英友好合作的生力军，也是促进世界繁荣稳定的重要力量。尽管这次疫情造成中英贸易额短期下滑，一些企业难免面临回款、物流等方面困难，但中英两国经济优势互补的事实没有变，经贸投资合作的基础没有变，两国企业对中英合作的信心也没有变。在中国的文字中，“危机”一词既包括“危”，也包括“机”，我们注重危中寻机、化危为机。如何化危为机，实现逆势发展，我有三点建议：

**一是抓住中国经济率先复苏的机遇。**随着中国疫情防控向好态势进一步巩固，中国经济复苏发展的态势稳健。截至4月下旬，中国规模以上工业企业平均开工率已达99.1%，人员复岗率达到95.1%。中国4月份制造业采购经理人指数为50.8%，连续两个月处于荣枯线以上。根据中国商务部对8200多家外资重点企业的调查，截至4月28日，复产率超过70%的外资企业占76.6%。此次疫情也为中国经济加快转型升级带来机会，包括“宅经济”、“云办公”、数字经济、人工智能、医疗健康等领域都具有很大发展潜力。例如，中国已经成为全球医疗用品的主要供应地，这不仅是中国对全球抗疫的贡献，也有助于打造未来的产业链、供应链。中国将继续扮演“世界工厂”、“世界市场”的角色，仍将是世界经济发展的重要动力源。希望英国企业审时度势、抢占先机，借力中国经济，率先踏上复苏发展的轨道。

**二是抓住构建开放型世界经济的机遇。**中国过去40多年来取得巨大成功，得益于改革开放；中国未来继续成功，有赖于坚持改革开放。因此，不管全球新冠肺炎疫情向何处发展，中国的改革将继续推进，对世界开放的大门将越开越大。当前中国政府正全面落实准入前国民待遇加负面清单制度，研究进一步压减负面清单条目，同时继续推进自贸试验区、自由贸易港建设。第127届广交会将于今年6月在网上举办，第三届中国国际进口博览会将于11月举办，这些为中国与世界加强互利合作提供了宝贵机会。我们欢迎在座各位出席这两场重要活动。此外，中英双方也正在探讨商谈自由贸易协定的安排。英国是中国在欧洲第三大贸易伙伴，中国是英国第三大货物出口市场，英国是中国在欧洲地区最大投资目的地国。我相信，推动构建开放型世界经济，将会给未来中英经贸合作注入新的活力，为中英两国共同推动重振世界经济提供重要机遇。

**三是抓住共建“健康丝绸之路”的机遇。**在全球抗疫过程中，我们更加认识到，只有长远布局人类卫生健康事业，提升全球公共卫生治理水平，支持联合国及世界卫生组织在完善全球公共卫生治理中发挥核心作用，打造人类卫生健康共同体，才能在与病毒的斗争中做好准备、赢得先机。“一带一路”建设既致力于实现各方经济融合发展，也有助于维护地区及世界的和平与稳定，是通往人类卫生健康共同体的重要途径。携手打造“健康丝绸之路”，为完善全球公共卫生治理提供了新思路，也为高质量共建“一带一路”开辟了新的合作空间。疫情发生后，中欧班列为欧洲国家及时获得医疗物资和生活必需品搭建了绿色通道。在全球贸易出现萎缩的背景下，中欧班列将发挥国际运输新动脉的作用，降低疫情对中欧产业链、供应链合作带来的冲击和影响。我相信，在“一带一路”建设的新空间里，英国经验、智慧、创意与中国资金、技术、市场化能力一定能实现优势互补。

女士们，先生们

大疫带来大考，大考推动大变。面对新冠肺炎疫情这场大考，世界各国都要回答一系列问题：要经济全球化还是要逆全球化？要开放还是要封闭？要合作还是要对抗？要多边主义还是要单边主义？我相信，中英两国的答案高度契合。只要我们坚定信心、守望相助、化危为机、深化合作，就一定能战胜疫情，就一定能开创更加美好的未来！

谢谢！

下面我愿回答大家的提问。

（答问部分待续）

Sir Sherard,

Members of the China Britain Business Council, the 48 Group Club and the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning!

It is a real delight to join you at CBBC webinar. Thanks to modern technology, we are able to exchange views on line on some very important issues to both our countries in this difficult time.

The spread of Covid-19 around the world poses a grave challenge to human society. It seriously threatens the safety and health of the people, strikes a heavy blow to global production and demand, and severely undermines the economy and our societies.

This public health crisis is a major test to all countries of the world. It is living proof that the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century and that, in this world, we all belong to a community with a shared future.

In face of this crisis, how is China responding?

   China is the first country in the world to report the epidemic to the WHO,

   the first to identify the pathogen of the virus,

   the first to share the full genetic sequence of the virus with the WHO and other countries,

   the first to adopt comprehensive and effective measures of prevention and control,

   the first to achieve preliminary but important success in containing the virus,

   and the first to start to bring economic activities back to normal across the country.

In this battle against the virus, China has followed three principles:

First, saving lives. The people are the focus of all our efforts.

President Xi Jinping has reiterated that we should always regard the safety and health of the people as the top priority.

Acting responsibly in record time after the outbreak, the Chinese Government established an all-dimensional and multi-layered network of prevention and control that involves everyone, from the Central Government down to grass root communities.

The measures we have taken are the most comprehensive, strict and thorough the world has ever seen.

The principles of early diagnosis, early report, early quarantine and early treatment have been followed.

Covid-19 patients were admitted into designated hospitals that offer best experts, sufficient resources, and timely and tailored treatment.

Facts prove that these measures were timely, decisive and effective. The whole nation was under overall planning and fully mobilized to meet the crisis head on and bring the virus under control.

The second principle is helping each other.

China has acted responsibly not only for the safety and health of the Chinese people but also with global public health in mind.

From the very beginning of the outbreak, China has been sharing what we know with the international community, from reporting the epidemic and providing full genetic sequence of the virus, to sharing experience of prevention, control and treatment.

China has also sent 19 medical teams to 17 countries, and donated much-needed medical supplies, such as masks, protective gowns, testing kits and ventilators, to more than 150 countries and international organisations, including the UK.

This public health crisis proves that helping each other is the only way to a final victory over the virus.

The third principle is standing in solidarity.

According to IMF estimation, the world economy will contract by 3% in 2020. The slide will be much worse than that caused by the international financial crisis in 2008. In face of the grave situation, only solidarity can tide us over and prevent the economic slowdown from evolving into a depression.

At the Extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit two months ago, President Xi Jinping said, “At such a moment, it is imperative for the international community to strengthen confidence, act with unity and work together in a collective response.”

He also said that “we need to enhance international macro-economic policy coordination” and “take collective actions – cutting tariffs, removing barriers, and facilitating the unfettered flow of trade”, so as to “restore confidence for global economic recovery”.

China and the UK are partners in the battle against Covid-19.

In a matter of one month, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Boris Johnson had two telephone conversations, during which they reached important agreement on China-UK joint response to the virus and the overall China-UK relations.

There have been frequent telephone conversations

   Between Vice Premier Hu Chunhua and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak;

   Between Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi and Cabinet Secretary and National Security Adviser Sir Mark Sedwill;

   Between State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab;

   And between Health Minister Ma Xiaowei and Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

I myself have close communication with UK government secretaries, ministers and senior officials.

China and the UK have engaged in close coordination and cooperation in fighting against the epidemic. We have provided each other medical supplies, shared information and experience, and conducted joint R&D of vaccine and medicines.

China and the UK are both strong advocates of multilateralism. We both support the important role of the WHO in the global response to the virus, stand for stronger cooperation under the framework of the G20, and work to improve global public health governance.

Both China and the UK are important participants, facilitators and beneficiaries of economic globalisation and trade liberalisation. In this difficult time, it is all the more important that our two countries uphold open and win-win cooperation, support free trade, safeguard multilateralism and ensure that the global industrial and supply chains are open, stable and safe.

While the international community is focusing on the fight against Covid-19, some US politicians are busy with spreading rumours and slanders. They turned a blind eye to China’s enormous efforts, sacrifice and contribution, and politicize public health issue by sticking the virus label on a specific region and stigmatizing China.

Regrettably, a few politicians in the UK have been addicted to the Cold-War mindset. They compare China to the former Soviet Union, urge a “review” of China-UK relationship and even call for a new Cold War.

Such talks are a “political virus”. If go unchecked, they will poison China-UK joint effort and even international solidarity just as it is needed most in the battle we are fighting. They will also undermine China-UK political mutual trust and cooperation across the board.

We must stay on high alert and say no to these remarks. We should make it clear to the trumpeters of such fallacy that China is not the former Soviet Union, that the Cold War has ended for good, and that peace and development are the theme of our times and the common goal of China and the United Kingdom.

The Chinese and British business communities have always played an important role in developing China-UK friendly cooperation and promoting prosperity and stability in the world.

The outbreak of Covid-19 has caused temporary slide in China-UK trade. Some companies may encounter difficulties in payment collection and logistics. On the brighter side, the positive factors of China-UK relations remain unchanged:

   The economies of our two countries are still highly complementary;

   The foundation for economic, trade and investment collaboration is still solid.

   Our businesses are still confident in China-UK cooperation.

The Chinese word for “crisis” is a combination of two meanings, namely, crisis and opportunities. In face of a crisis, we always focus on finding opportunities in the crisis and turning the crisis into opportunities.

In this time of difficulties, how do we turn the crisis into opportunities and speed up development? I have the following three suggestions:

First, as China’s economy takes the lead to recover, there will be opportunities up for grabs.

China has Covid-19 under control and continues to consolidate the initial success. Its economy is showing a steady momentum of recovery.

As of the end of April, 99.1% of the large-scale enterprises have been reopened, and 95.1% of staff and workers are back to work.

Manufacturing PMI was above the threshold in both March and April, reaching 50.8% in April.

According to a survey conducted by China’s Ministry of Commerce covering more than 8,200 key foreign companies, 76.6% have powered-on over 70% of their production capacity by April 28th.

The battle against Covid-19 has also created opportunities for China’s economic transformation and upgrading. It has given rise to “stay-at-home economy”, “cloud office”, digital economy, artificial intelligence and health care. The potential for further growth in these areas will be huge.

China has become a major global supplier of medical products. This represents China’s contribution to the global response to Covid-19 pandemic, and helps strengthen the industrial and supply chains for these products in the future.

China will continue to be the “factory” and the “market” of the world. And China will remain an important powerhouse for world economic growth.

It is my hope that British businesses will seize the opportunities in China’s economy and take the lead in global economic recovery once the pandemic is over.

Second, as China pursues open world economy, there will be opportunities up for grabs.

China’s enormous success in the past 40 plus years is attributed to reform and opening up. Going forward, deeper reform and further opening up will continue to enable China to achieve even greater success.

China will continue deepening reform and opening its market wider to the world. This will not be held back by Covid-19.

The Chinese Government is implementing fully the policy of pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list. It is also working on shortening the negative list, and promoting the building of pilot free trade zones and free trade ports.

The 127th China Import and Export Fair will take place online in June, and the third China International Import Expo will be held in November. Both events will create valuable opportunities for the mutually-beneficial cooperation between China and the rest of the world. We look forward to seeing you all at these important events.

Moreover, China and the UK are engaging in discussions on the arrangements for a free trade agreement.

China is the third largest export market for goods from the UK. The UK is the third largest trading partner of China in the EU. It is also the largest destination for Chinese investment in Europe.

I believe that in building an open world economy, China and the UK will find new impetus for their trade and economic cooperation in the future. Our two countries could also identify important opportunities for revitalizing the world economy.

Last but not least, the opportunities in building a “Silk Road of Public Health” will be up for grabs.

The on-going battle against Covid-19 tells us that we must make long-term plans for global public health if we want to be well prepared for and gain the advantage in any future outbreaks. This means we should improve governance, and in doing this, we must enhance the leading role of the UN and the WHO. We must come together as a community

The Belt and Road Initiative offers an important route to building a community of public health.

With its goal of promoting economic growth along the route, and safeguarding regional and global peace and stability, BRI can help partners build stronger and more efficient public health. Building a “Silk Road of Public Health” could contribute to improving global public health governance.

In turn, this could open up more space for high-quality cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative. In response to Covid-19 outbreak, China Railway Express opened a green channel for medical supplies and daily necessities to reach Europe in time and hassle-free.

Amid shrinking global trade, China Railway Express will facilitate the movement of goods across borders between China and Europe to alleviate the impact of the epidemic on the industrial and supply chains.

I am confident that China and the UK could benefit from tapping the potential of the BRI. The UK’s experience, knowledge and creative ideas will complement with China’s capital, technology and commercialization capability. Together we can go for win-win results.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Covid-19 is a major test which will bring major changes. In face of this test, countries of the world must respond to a series of questions:

   Do we embrace economic globalisation or reject it?

   Do we stay open or hide behind closed doors?

   Do we work together or fight each other?

   Do we go for multilateralism or resort to unilateralism?

I am sure China and the UK have the same answers to these questions.

I am confident that as long as we stand firm, come to each other’s aid, turn crisis into opportunities and deepen cooperation, we will claim final victory over the virus, and create a better and brighter future!

Thank you!

Now I would like to take your questions.