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On 1 September 2017, China Daily published an interview with Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming to the UK in its newspaper and on its website. Ambassador Liu stressed that Chinese investment in the UK is an opportunity not a threat. The full text is as follows:
2017年9月1日，驻英国大使刘晓明接受《中国日报》欧洲分社社长李文莎和高级编辑厄克特专访，强调中国投资对英国是机遇不是威胁。《中国日报》英国版及其网站予以全文刊登。专访实录全文如下：
China Daily: Recent years have seen rapid increase of Chinese investment in the UK which becomes a major highlight of China-UK business cooperation. What is the reason behind such growth? What areas are the Chinese investors focusing on?
中国日报：近年来，中国对英投资迅速增长，成为中英经贸合作中的最大亮点之一。请问原因何在？中国投资主要集中在哪些领域？
Ambassador Liu: There is an old saying in China, "Mountains and seas cannot distance people who are of the same mind." This year marks the 45th anniversary of the ambassadorial diplomatic relations between China and Britain and it is also a year for consolidating the China-UK Golden Era. Business ties between our two countries have always been a stabilizer and propeller for our bilateral relations. The rapid growth of mutual investment over the years has become a major highlight of our mutually beneficial cooperation.
刘大使：中国有句古语叫“志合者，不以山海为远。”今年是中英建立大使级外交关系45周年，也是中英关系“黄金时代”深入发展之年。中英经贸关系一直是中英关系的“稳定器”和“助推器”。近年来，两国相互投资迅猛发展，已经成为两国互利合作的一大亮点。
For seven years and more in the UK, I have attended more opening ceremonies of Chinese businesses in Britain than any other events. Recently, I attended the groundbreaking ceremony of ABP Royal Albert Dock in London. This project, with a total investment of 1.7 billion pounds, is the first greenfield project invested by Chinese businesses and the first Chinese-invested major project in Britain with mixed financing. The Dock will be built into an urban complex of offices, homes and retail commerce. It will go on to become an important part of London's third business and financial district which will vigorously drive the development of eastern London.
我在英工作7年多，出席最多的活动之一就是中国在英企业的开业仪式。举例而言，不久前我参加了总部基地皇家阿尔伯特码头项目开工庆典仪式，该项目总投资规模达17亿英镑，是中国企业在英开发的首个绿地项目，也是中资企业在英首个采用混合融资模式合作的大型项目，建成后将成为集商业、住宅、零售为一身的综合体，成为伦敦打造第三大商务金融区的主要项目，将有力推动整个东伦敦地区的发展。
This project is an epitome of Chinese investment in Britain. So far, non-financial direct investment from China has totaled at 18 billion US dollars and more than 500 Chinese companies have settled down in Britain, more than any other European country. The expansion is not only seen in the number of investment projects, but also in the width of areas, expanding from traditional sectors such as trade, finance, telecommunication to other fields including new energy, high-end manufacturing, infrastructure, R&D, etc.
该项目只是中国在英众多投资的一个缩影。目前中国在英非金融类直接投资达180亿美元，500多家中资企业落户英国，居欧洲之首。投资项目众多，领域不断扩大，正在从贸易、金融、电信等传统部门向新能源、高端制造、基础设施、研发中心等广泛领域延伸。
I believe there are three opportunities for Chinese investors coming to Britain.
我认为中国对英投资面临三大机遇：
First, the "Golden Opportunity". Chinese President Xi Jinping's "Super State Visit" to the UK in 2015 heralds the building of the China-UK global comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century and the China-UK Golden Era. During the G20 Hangzhou Summit 2016 and the Hamburg Summit 2017, Chinese President Xi and British Prime Minister May reaffirmed in their meeting the shared commitment to jointly building the China-UK Golden Era. The frequent high-level interactions and strengthened political mutual trust create a "golden opportunity" for China's rapidly growing investment in the UK.
一是“黄金机遇”。习近平主席2015年对英进行“超级国事访问”，双方同意构建面向21世纪全球全面战略伙伴关系，开启了中英关系“黄金时代”。2016年杭州和2017年汉堡G20峰会上，习主席和梅首相两次会晤，再次确认中英关系“黄金时代”的大方向。两国高层互动频繁，政治互信不断增进，为中国对英投资迅速增长提供了“黄金机遇”。
Second, the development opportunity. China and the UK have highly similar development strategies, which will produce inexhaustible dynamics for investment cooperation.
二是发展机遇。中英两国发展战略高度契合，为中英加强投资合作提供了源源不断的动力。
On one hand, China is working hard to dovetail its Belt and Road Initiative, 13th Five-Year Plan and Made in China 2025 with the UK's Industrial Strategy and UK Industry 2050 and working with Britain to expand investment cooperation into infrastructure building related to new energy, high speed rail, airport, etc.
一方面，中方正努力将“一带一路”倡议、“十三五”规划、“中国制造2025”等与英国现代产业发展战略、“英国工业2050”等进行对接，不断拓展在新能源、高铁、机场等基础设施投资领域合作。
On the other hand, Britain has a series of advantages such as leading capabilities in high-tech, finance and creative industry, an open, mature market, and a rule-based, transparent and convenient business environment. They make Britain one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. China has sufficient capital and human resources, strong marketing capabilities and advanced high-speed rail and new energy technologies. Our two countries can put our respective strengths together for common development through closer cooperation.
另一方面，英国在高科技、金融、创意产业等领域实力强大，市场开放度和成熟度高，营商环境规范透明、便捷便利，一直是世界上投资吸引力最高的国家之一。中国在资本、劳动力、市场转化能力、高铁、新能源等方面优势突出，双方完全可以通过深化合作实现优势互补，共同发展。
Third, the historic opportunity. At present, China's economy is growing steadily. China is on its way towards national renewal and moderate prosperity. This is providing lasting, strong momentum to sustain stability and boost growth in the world, Britain included.
三是历史机遇。目前，中国经济稳步发展，在民族振兴和建设小康社会道路上不断迈出新步伐，为包括英国在内的世界各国稳定与发展提供了持久、强劲的动力。
Britain is already in negotiation with the EU on Brexit. Despite of different predictions on the prospects of the negotiation result, a stable and prosperous Britain and Europe serves the interests of all and remains a broad consensus. I think Brexit brings both challenges and opportunities but there are far more opportunities than challenges. Britain's commitment to building a truly "Global Britain", to staying open and upholding free trade also means historic opportunities for Chinese investors.
英国与欧盟脱欧谈判已全面展开，各方对谈判前景众说纷纭。但稳定、繁荣的英国和欧洲符合各方利益，也是大家的共识。我认为，英国脱欧，机遇与挑战并存，机遇大于挑战。英方正致力于打造“全球化英国”，多次表明脱欧后将坚持包容开放、坚持自由贸易，这将为中国投资者提供难得的历史机遇。
China Daily: It is said that the British Government plans to set up a new investment review body to see if foreign investment imposes threats to the UK's national security. Are you concerned about this?
中国日报：据英国媒体报道，英国政府可能会成立“投资审查委员会”，负责监督外国对英投资是否存在国家安全隐患。你对此主要有哪些关切？
Ambassador Liu: I have taken notice of recent reports in the media about the possible establishment of an "investment review body". But so far, the British Government has made no official announcement.
刘大使：我注意到近期一些媒体关于英国拟成立“投资审查委员会”的报道，但英国政府迄未发布正式声明。
China has no objection to Britain's regular project, environment and security evaluation on business acquisitions. But we are opposed to any discriminative measures under any excuses against Chinese investors. We hope the British side will have enough confidence to steer clear of protectionist measures rather than looking at China's investment through "cold war tainted spectacles".
对外资并购进行正常的项目评审、安全审核、环境评估，中方不持异议，但坚决反对以任何理由对中国投资实行歧视性的措施。希望英方能排除保护主义思潮干扰，继续保持自信，切勿戴着“冷战”色彩的有色眼镜看待中国投资。
Thanks to joint efforts, China is now the UK's second largest trading partner outside Europe while Britain is the biggest destination for Chinese investment in Europe. This has not come easily. China is committed to economic globalization, and trade and investment liberalization. We oppose to protectionism and will continue to open up wider to the world. We hope the British side will not discriminate against foreign investment and stay transparent in making relevant policies, fully recognize and protect the legitimate interests of foreign investors including those from China, and continue to ensure an open environment and a level playing ground for business.
中国是英国在欧洲外的第二大贸易伙伴，英国是吸引中国投资最多的欧洲国家。这一成绩来之不易，是双方共同努力的结果。中方始终致力于推动经济全球化和贸易投资自由化，反对贸易保护主义，不断扩大对外开放。我们希望英国在制定投资政策时，坚持非歧视和透明化原则，充分考虑和维护包括中国企业在内各国投资者的合法权益，继续营造开放和公平的竞争环境。
China will continue to follow closely any adjustment made to Britain's foreign investment policy, so as to make clear where we stand and advise Chinese investors duly and in time. In the meantime, we will continue to encourage Chinese companies that are ready and able to expand their internationally operations by investing overseas, including coming to the UK, to follow market rules and international practice and to seek in-depth cooperation and win-win results with their global partners.
我们将继续关注英国的外资政策调整动向，及时表明中方立场，并提醒中国企业。同时，继续鼓励有意愿、有能力、有条件的中国企业“走出去”，“走进英国”，按照市场原则和国际惯例，深化务实合作，实现互利共赢。
China Daily: Some British politicians express concerns over China's investment in the UK, which necessitates the set-up of the above-said review body. What's your take?
中国日报：一些英国政客认为，中国对英投资令人担忧，所以需要成立上述委员会。你对此怎么看？
Ambassador Liu: Britain is one of the world's most liberal and open-minded nations in trade and investment. But recently, from the British media and some politicians, we hear worries about "China's appetite to buy out Britain", claims that "Chinese investment threatens the UK's national security", and demands for "protection against investment from China." I also noted that the mainstream view of the British business community is not in support of this but rather believes this is a step backward from free trade and will do no good to Britain's economy. I think the arguments of the so-called "Chinese investment threats" are groundless and harmful.
刘大使：英国是全球对贸易和投资最开放、最自由的大国之一。但近期英国媒体和一些政客担心“中国买断英国”，炒作所谓“中国投资威胁论”，主张采取“贸易与投资保护主义”措施限制中国投资。同时，我们也注意到，英国企业界主流并不支持这样的做法，认为这是自由贸易的倒退，不利于英国经济发展。我认为所谓“中国投资威胁论”的担忧不仅站不住脚，也是有害的。
First, Chinese investment in the UK is open and transparent. It will pose no threat to the UK's national security. Chinese investment in Britain mainly focuses on civil and livelihood related areas. In some key infrastructure projects such as communication and nuclear plants, Chinese investors' strict adherence to British laws and regulations in environment, health and security, their efforts to fulfil corporate social responsibility, and their contribution to creating jobs, have been widely recognized.
首先，中国对英投资是公开透明的，不会威胁英国国家安全。中国企业在英投资主要集中在民用、民生领域，即便参与通讯、核电等一些重要基础设施领域，也严格遵循英方环保、卫生、安全等各项法律法规，积极履行企业社会责任，为当地创造大量就业机会，得到各界充分肯定。
People who know little about Chinese companies operating internationally often point to their "state-owned" background as potential security risks. In fact, many state-owned enterprises in China are listed companies. They are no different in operation standards from those European or US multinationals and their business performances are completely open and transparent to the public. Moreover, more and more Chinese investors coming to the UK are private businesses. Huawei, Geely, BYD, 4PX and Powerlink are all good examples of private Chinese companies investing in the UK.
一些人可能对中国企业“走出去”还不甚了解，担忧所谓“国有”背景或安全隐患。实际上很多中国国企都是上市企业，经营标准与欧美跨国企业相仿，业绩公开透明，并且民企投资的比重也不断上升。华为、吉利、比亚迪、递四方、Powerlink等都是中资民企在英投资合作的典范。
Second, Britain needs to be open-mined, inclusive and confident when it comes to foreign investment. Britain is a country with a territory of 240,000 square kilometers and a population of 65 million people. But this country's long standing, huge influence in international politics, economy, science and technology, culture, etc, remain globally visible till this day. A key to Britain's continued success is its open and inclusive business attitude.
其次，应以开放、包容、自信的心态看待外国对英投资。英国虽然只有24万平方公里国土和6500多万人口，但长期在国际政治、经济、科技、文化等领域拥有重要影响，重要原因之一就是英国始终坚持开放包容的精神，这已成为英国延续成功的精神基因。伦敦金融城就是最好的例子。
One case in point is the City, the "square mile" renowned not only as the heart of London and the British economy but also a financial centre of the world. This could not have been possible without the City's open, liberal and inclusive policies and environment. The UK on its way to building a "Global Britain" should continue to live up to such spirit. The UK's sound inspection and monitoring system for foreign acquisitions, underpinned by the UK Company Law, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and other laws, should be a source of confidence.
伦敦金融城号称只有“1平方英里”，但其不仅是伦敦乃至英国的经济心脏，也是享誉全球的国际金融中心，这离不开它开放的心态和包容的监管环境。为打造“全球化英国”，英方也更需要将这种开放包容精神发扬光大。英国拥有健全的外资并购审查和监管体系，《英国企业法》、《金融服务与市场法》等法律有关规定全面、严格，在对待外资方面英方理应拥有足够的自信。
