刘晓明致第五届中英地方领导人会议启动仪式的贺辞：《聚合地方资源，应对全球挑战》
刘晓明大使致第五届中英地方领导人会议启动仪式的贺辞：《聚合地方资源，应对全球挑战》
Message from H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming to the Launch Reception for the Fifth China-UK Regional Leaders’ Summit: Pool Regional Strength and Address Global Challenges
值此第五届中英地方领导人会议倒计时1个月之际，我谨代表中国驻英国大使馆，向本次启动仪式表示热烈祝贺！对“中部引擎”计划团队为会议所作筹备工作表示衷心感谢！
On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on the launch and one month countdown of the fifth China-UK Regional Leaders’ Summit! My heartfelt thanks go to the Midlands Engine team for their meticulous preparation for the Summit!
中英地方领导人会议是习近平主席2015年对英国事访问的成果之一，是两国之间首个地方合作机制。自2016年启动以来，机制会议足迹遍及伦敦、上海、贝尔法斯特和大连，为促进中英地方合作、提升两国关系发挥了重要作用。我很高兴得知，第五届中英地方领导人会议将于今年2月17日至19日在伯明翰举行，届时数百名中英地方政府、企业和院校代表将云集伯市，对接战略、洽谈合作、共谋发展。
China-UK Regional Leaders’ Summit is one of the outcomes of President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the UK in 2015. It is the first mechanism regional cooperation between our two countries. Previous meetings of the Summit had been held in London, Shanghai, Belfast and Dalian since the first in 2016. Over the years, the Summit has played an important role in promoting China-UK regional cooperation and advancing our bilateral relations.
I am glad to learn that the fifth China-UK Regional Leaders’ Summit will be held in Birmingham from 17 to 19 February. It will bring together hundreds of representatives from local governments, businesses and universities of our two countries to match development strategies, explore cooperation and seek common development.
地方合作是中英关系的重要支柱，地方往来是两国友谊的坚实根基。今年是中英关系“黄金时代”五周年。我衷心希望，第五届中英地方领导人会议在两国关系新征程中发挥好“三大作用”：
Regional cooperation and exchanges constitute an important pillar for China-UK relations and a solid basis for China-UK friendship. As we celebrate the fifth anniversary of the China-UK “Golden Era” this year, I sincerely hope that the fifth China-UK Regional Leaders’ Summit will play three important roles on the new journey of China-UK relations.
一是挖掘中英战略对接新机遇。当前，中英两国区域发展都面临新形势，中国正深入实施京津冀协同发展、粤港澳大湾区建设、长三角一体化发展等区域协调发展战略。英国将“英格兰中部引擎”和“英格兰北部经济中心”作为振兴经济的施政重点。双方应加强优势互补和战略对接，为地方政府与企业牵线搭桥，力争达成更多合作成果。
First, I hope it will create new opportunities through matching the development strategies of our two countries.
Regional development in both China and the UK is facing new opportunities. China is promoting the coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, the building of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the integration of Yangtze River Delta. Here in the UK, Midlands Engine and Northern Powerhouse are important focuses of government efforts to revitalise the economy.
The Summit could serve as a bridge between Chinese and British governments and businesses to dovetail their development strategies and bring their complementary strengths together, so as to achieve more fruitful outcomes.
二是积蓄两国友好互信新能量。当前，在英中国留学生已近20万，两国人员往来屡创新高，去年高达200万人次。两国之间航线持续增多，每周已达168个航班。双方应携手努力，为深化两国人文交流增添更多新活力，为增进民心相通注入更多正能量。
Second, I hope the Summit will deepen China-UK friendship and mutual trust.
Close to 200,000 Chinese students are studying in the UK. Mutual visits between our two sides reached two million last year, setting a new record. Every week, 168 flights operate between our two countries and this figure is still increasing.
This Summit could serve as an opportunity for China and the UK to work together to give new vitality to the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between our two countries and contribute to building closer bond between our peoples.
三是共担应对全球挑战新使命。当前，国际格局深刻调整，单边主义、保护主义甚嚣尘上。中英都是具有国际影响的负责任大国，两国地方政府与企业应坚持开放包容理念，维护自由贸易，支持多边主义、反对贸易保护主义，共同唱响合作共赢的时代强音。
Third, I hope the Summit will shoulder the new mission of addressing global challenges.
The international landscape is experiencing profound adjustment. Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise. As major players of global influence, China and the UK shoulder important responsibilities.
This Summit could encourage local governments and businesses of our two countries to stand up for free trade, support multilateralism and oppose protectionism in the spirit of openness and inclusiveness. Together we can take the lead in the pursuit of win-win cooperation.
最后，祝第五届中英地方领导人会议启动仪式圆满成功！
In conclusion, I wish the launch of the fifth China-UK Regional Leaders’ Summit success!
来源：中国驻英国大使馆 日期：2020年1月23日
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