第三次是间接的机缘。1998年，朱镕基担任总理后首次出访，就来到了英国。访问期间，中英发表了联合声明，宣布建立面向21世纪的全面伙伴关系，为中英关系的长期健康稳定发展奠定了坚实的基础。今天，中英“全面伙伴关系”已升格为“全面战略伙伴关系”，两国政治互信不断加强，各领域互利合作不断深入，两国人民之间的了解和友谊与日俱增。中国古语说：“前人栽树，后人乘凉”。我作为中国驻英大使，深感当前中英关系的良好局面来之不易，也深知肩上的责任重大，我愿与英国各界共同努力，推动中英关系不断向前发展。
The third occasion was his first outbound visit as the Chinese Premier in 1998. It was to this country. Though I was not part of his delegation, Britain has connected us. It was during the visit that China and the UK issued a Joint Statement. This announced the establishment of a comprehensive partnership for the 21st century. This created a solid foundation for a healthy and stable China-UK relationship. Today, the comprehensive partnership has advanced to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This partnership features ever strengthening political and mutual trust; deepening win-win cooperation across the board and increasing understanding and friendship. The 'Partnership for Growth' between our countries bodes well for the future. As an ancient Chinese saying goes, "fathers plant trees so that sons and grandsons rest in their shades." As the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, I am fully aware of my deep responsibilities to uphold the hard-won good relations between our two countries. I am very ready to work with all communities of Britain to bring our relationship forward.

1998年朱镕基总理访问英国时，参观了格林尼治天文台，并在现场就东西方关系回答了记者提问。他说：“我刚才已经横跨了东半球和西半球，关系很好。我一个人就可以把它们跨过去了，而且我把它们连接起来了”
Premier Zhu visited the Greenwich Observatory during his 1998 visit. He was asked about East-West relations and in response revealed his wit and insight. He said: "I just crossed the Prime Meridian and reached the Western Hemisphere! My feeling is that the Western is getting along quite well with the Eastern Hemisphere. You see - it is not difficult - I did it all by myself - and I connected the two hemispheres!"

的确，朱镕基先生就是一位连接东西方的中国领导人，《朱镕基答记者问》英文版就是他连接东西方的一个新的重要纽带！
Premier Zhu Rongji is a leader who connects East and West and the launch of Zhu Rongji Meets the Press is another milestone in building understanding between East and West.

最后，我祝愿《朱镕基答记者问》英文版发行圆满成功！
祝中英两国关系不断向前发展！
祝中英两国人民的友谊地久天长！
谢谢！
I sincerely wish the book a very wide global readership! And wish the China-UK relationship continued progress and our two peoples ever-lasting friendship. Thank you.