Address the seminar on China Goes Global in the UK Parliament

Ma Xiuhong, Vice Minister of MOFCOM

尊敬的麦卡特尼国务部长，

Your Honor Secretary McCartney,尊敬的查普曼主席，

Your Honor Chairman Chapman,尊敬的沃尔夫先生，Your Honor Mr. Wolf,女士们、先生们，上午好！很高兴出席英国议会中国专题研讨会。今年，英国议会将举办系列研讨会，专题讨论中国的发展和经贸议题，我认为，这对进一步深化中英全面战略伙伴关系具有重要意义。感谢英国下院贸工特别委员会和议会中国小组的盛情邀请，使我有机会与英国议会和英国工商界的朋友共同讨论“中国走向世界”这一主题。在座的诸位朋友都是长期关注并致力于发展中英经贸关系的有识之士，我谨代表中华人民共和国商务部对你们为中英两国关系发展和双边经贸合作做出的积极贡献表示衷心的感谢！ 我发言的题目是，坚持对外开放的基本国策，全面发展互利共赢的中英经贸关系。The title of my speech is “Adhering to the basic state policy of opening up and developing comprehensive, mutually beneficial and win-win China-UK economic and trade relations”.女士们、先生们：

1978年中国实行改革开放以来，中国经济快速发展，人民生活明显改善，空前的社会变革和不断扩大的对外开放，给中国发展进步带来巨大活力，同时，也为世界经济增长注入新的动力。Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since 1978 when China started reform and opening-up, its economy has been developing rapidly and the living standards of the Chinese people have been notably improved. The unprecedented social changes and expanding liberalization have injected great vigor into China’s development and vitality into the global economy.

对外开放是中国的基本国策。改革开放28年来，中国经济社会发展取得了举世瞩目的成就。国内生产总值从改革开放初期的2165亿美元，增长到2006年的2.6万亿美元，年均增长9.6％，由世界第15位跃升到第4位；进出口额从206亿美元增长到1.7万亿美元，由第32位升至第3位；累计吸收外商直接投资超过7000亿美元，连续16年居发展中国家之首位；中国企业在海外直接投资超过730亿美元（不含金融领域的投资），2006年当年达到161亿美元，海外投资跃升至世界第13位。Opening-up is China’s basic state policy. Over the past 28 years of reform and opening up, China has witnessed remarkable achievements in economic and social development. China’s GDP has increased from 216.5 billion USD at the outset of reform and opening up to 2.6 trillion USD in 2006 with an annual growth rate of 9.6%, raising China’s global ranking from No. 15 to No. 4. China’s import and export has gone up from 20.6 billion USD to 1.7 trillion USD, up from No. 32 to No.3. China has accumulatively attracted more than 700 billion USD of FDI, ranking No.1 for 16 consecutive years among developing countries. The overseas direct investment (financial sector investment not included) by Chinese enterprises has exceeded 73 billion USD and registered at 16.1 billion USD in the year of 2006, jumping to the 13th place in the world.中国经济实现持续快速发展得益于对外开放和积极有效利用外资。利用外资是对外开放基本国策的重要内容。28年来，外商在华累计投资设立了近60万家企业，涉及农业、制造业、服务业等几乎所有领域，成为促进中国经济增长不可或缺的重要因素。2006年，外商投资企业工业增加值、进出口额、引进技术、缴纳税收占全国的比重分别达到29％、59％、51％和21％，直接就业人员超过2800万人，占全国城镇劳动就业人口的10％以上。截至2006年底，来华投资的国家和地区近200个，世界500强企业中480多家在华投资，外商投资设立的研发机构超过850个。28年对外开放的实践证明，积极合理吸收外资促进了中国经济持续快速健康发展，在中国建立和完善社会主义市场经济体制中发挥了重要作用。China’s sustained and rapid economic growth is attributed to opening-up and effective utilization of foreign direct investment. Attracting FDI is an important element of the basic state policy of opening up. 28 years of foreign investment has resulted in nearly 600,000 companies in China, covering virtually all sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and services. They have become an indispensable factor behind China’s economic growth. In 2006, foreign invested enterprises accounted for 29%, 59%, 51% and 21% respectively of China’s total industrial added value, import and export volume, technology transfer, and tax revenue. These enterprises directly employ more than 28 million people, or more than 10% of the total workforce in Chinese cities and towns. By the end of 2006, nearly 200 countries and regions and more than 480 Fortune 500 companies had invested in China. Over 850 R&D facilities had been set up in China with foreign investment. Opening-up in the past 28 years is a testimony that wise and active use of foreign investment has promoted sustained, rapid and sound economic development in China, and has played an important role in shaping and improving the socialist market economy.积极利用外资促进了中国开放型经济的形成。中国通过积极有效利用外资，引进了大量先进技术、人材、资金以及先进的管理经验和市场营销理念，引入了国际竞争机制、国际规则和国际标准，推动了人们思想解放与观念更新，在促进技术进步、推动产业结构调整升级的同时，加速了中国融入世界经济的进程。Active FDI utilization facilitates the creation of an open economy in China. Through efficient and active use of foreign capital, China has brought in a large amount of advanced technology, talents, investment, management expertise, marketing models, international competition mechanisms, as well as international rules and standards. This has further freed and updated people’s mindset and accelerated China’s integration into the world economy on the back of technological advancement and industrial restructuring and upgrading.中国的对外开放是“引进来”与“走出去”相结合的对外开放。中国政府在鼓励外商来华投资的同时，支持并鼓励有实力的中国企业到海外投资。在中国政府的大力推进下，近年来，中国企业实施“走出去”战略实现了较大跨越。截至2006年底，中国企业在160多个国家和地区投资设立了近8000企业，中方直接投资金额超过730亿美元。中国企业在海外投资已由初期的以进出口贸易、航运和餐饮为主，拓展到制造业、农业合作、资源开发、工程承包和研究开发等众多领域，投资方式也从单一的投资办厂，发展到跨国并购、股权置换、境外上市、设立研发中心、创办工业园区等多种形式。China’s opening-up is a combination of “inviting in” and “going global”. As one of the two important sides of our basic state policy of opening-up, “going global” has been identified as a major national strategy by the Chinese government. To promote the development of an open economy, while boosting inward investment, the Chinese government also encourages competent Chinese enterprises to invest overseas and actively explore foreign trade and economic cooperation. Encouraged by the government, Chinese enterprises have made great strides in implementing the strategy of “going global”. By the end of 2006, nearly 8,000 Chinese-invested enterprises had been set up in some 160 countries and regions with direct Chinese investment surpassing 73 billion USD. The areas of overseas Chinese investment have expanded from import and export, shipping and catering to cover manufacturing, agricultural cooperation, resource development, project contracting, R&D and others. Meanwhile, the forms of investment have also diversified from the simple business establishment to cross-border mergers and acquisitions, equity swap, overseas listing, R&D centers and industrial parks.改革开放使中国人民生活明显改善。28年间，中国城镇人均可支配收入增长了30倍；农村人均纯收入增长了23倍；贫困人口从2.5亿减少到2300万人，2亿多人摆脱绝对贫困。在过去的10年中，中国城镇和农村居民的人均消费水平显著提高，住房面积的增长超过40％，手机用户激增至3.9亿个，大众文化娱乐生活更加丰富多彩；高等教育实现了历史性跨越，总规模增至2300万人。2006年，中国的网民高达1.37亿人，居世界首位；汽车销售721万辆，居世界第二；网络游戏用户超过1亿人；旅游业高速发展，国内旅游人次13.9亿，出境旅游人次3452万。Reform and opening-up has substantially lifted Chinese people’s living standards. Over the past 28 years, the per-capita disposable income in Chinese cities and towns has increased by 30 times, the per capita net income in rural areas has risen by 23 times and the population in poverty has decreased from 250 million to 23 million with more than 200 million people out of absolute poverty. Over the past 10 years, per capita consumption in Chinese urban and rural areas has increased by a large margin with housing area up by over 40% and mobile phone subscribers rising to 390 million. The public now has more choices for cultural life and entertainment. Higher education has made a historical leap-forward, reaching a population of 23 million people. In 2006, China ranked No.1 with 137 million Internet-users and No.2 with a 7.21-million-unit car sale. Online game subscribers exceeded 100 million; and tourism also grew at a high speed with inbound and outbound tourists hitting 1.39 billion person-times and 34.52 million person-times respectively.中国的对外开放促进了世界经济的和谐发展。28年的改革开放，已经使中国经济深深融入全球经济，随着经济的快速发展，中国正在成为世界经济增长新的动力。目前，中国GDP占全球的比重虽然不到5％，但对世界经济增长的贡献率达到10％以上；对外贸易占全球的比重虽然不到7％，但对世界贸易增长的贡献率达到12％。日益扩大的国内需求，使中国迅速跃升为世界第三大进口市场，中国的大量进口为众多的贸易伙伴创造了更多的国内生产和就业机会；与此同时，质优价廉的中国产品，减少了进口国的支出，提高了消费水平，增进了各国消费者福利。事实证明，中国的发展是和平的发展，开放的发展，和谐的发展，与世界各国互利共赢的发展。中国的发展离不开世界，世界的繁荣也需要中国。China’s opening-up has promoted the harmonious development of the world economy. After 28 years of opening-up, the Chinese economy is now deeply integrated with the global economy. With rapid economic growth, China is becoming a new driving force for global economic growth. At present, China’s GDP takes up only less than 5% of the world’s total, yet its contribution to global economic growth is over 10%. China’s foreign trade volume accounts for less than 7% of the world’s total, but its contribution to global trade growth is 12%. As domestic demand grows, China has quickly assumed the status as the world’s third largest importer, creating more manufacturing and job opportunities for many trade partners. At the same time, high-quality and low-price Chinese goods have saved the costs for importing nations, raised the level of consumption and brought greater good to consumers in those countries. Facts have proven that China’s development is in peace and harmony, through opening-up and in the context of win-win and mutually beneficial development with other countries. China cannot develop without the world, while the world needs China for its prosperity.中国的对外开放已进入到一个新的阶段。加入世贸组织，大大加速了中国改革开放的进程，是中国对外开放新的里程碑。入世5年来，中国认真遵守WTO规则，全面履行入世承诺和义务，积极调整对外贸易政策，不断完善市场经济体制，坚定不移地加强对知识产权的保护。China has entered a new stage of opening-up. China’s WTO accession has fast-tracked its reform and opening up, in addition to being a milestone in the whole process. Five years into accession, China has faithfully followed WTO rules, fully honored its WTO commitments and obligations, actively adjusted its foreign trade policy, consistently built on its market economy and unswervingly strengthened IPR protection.5年来，中国政府清理并修订了约3000部法律、法规和部门规章，建立了符合WTO规则的法律体系和比较完善的知识产权制度，不断加大执法力度，并大大提高了透明度，中国的对外开放进入法制化的新阶段。5年来，中国将关税总水平从15.3％下降到9.8％，放开贸易经营权和分销权，取消非关税措施，向外资开放银行、保险、证券、电信服务、分销等100多个服务贸易部门，中国已经成为全球最开放的市场之一。In these five years, the Chinese government streamlined and amended about 3,000 laws, regulations and department rules, established a WTO-compatible legal framework and a fairly comprehensive IPR system, intensified law enforcement, and improved transparency. China’s opening-up has entered a new stage ruled by law. In these 5 years, China lowered its general tariff level from 15.3% to 9.8%, opened trading and distribution rights, removed non-tariff measures, and liberalized more than 100 services sectors such as banking, insurance, securities, telecommunications service and distribution. Now China is one of the most liberalized markets in the world.中国全面履行入世承诺和进一步对外开放市场的努力取得明显成效。5年来，中国从220多个国家和地区进口了2.7万亿美元的商品，2006年进口额近8000亿美元，比2001年增长了3.3倍，由世界第六大进口市场跃升为仅次于美国、德国的全球第三大进口市场，占世界的比重由3.4％上升至6.5％；吸收外资金额高达3088亿美元，占中国28年累计吸收外资总额的49.2％。对外投资金额377.3亿美元，占累计海外投资总额的51.5％。金融领域全面开放，仅05、06两年，中国银行业吸收外商直接投资额就超过181亿美元，截至2006年底，74家境外银行在华设立了312家营业性机构，28家境外战略投资者投资参股了21家中资银行，31家境外金融机构在华设立了31合资证券公司和基金公司，另有44家境外保险公司在华设立了115个保险营业机构，中国4家最大的商业银行均已成功在海外上市。China’s efforts in honoring WTO commitments and opening wider to the outside world have paid off tangibly. Over the past 5 years, China have imported commodities with worth 2.7 trillion USD from some 220 countries and regions. In 2006, the import volume reached 800 billion USD, 4.3 times that of 2001. As a result, China’s global ranking as an importer has jumped from No.6 to No.3, only after the US and Germany, and its share also increased from 3.4% to 6.5%. In the same year, 308.8 billion USD of foreign investment was channeled into China, accounting for 49.2% of the total attracted FDI for the past 28 years. Outward investment amounted to 37.73 billion USD, accounting for 51.5% of the total accumulative outward investment. Financial sector liberalization is full-fledged. In 2005 and 2006 alone, the banking sector attracted over 18.1 billion USD of FDI. By the end of 2006, 74 foreign banks had set up 312 operations in China. 28 foreign strategic investors had invested and joined stock in 21 Chinese banks. 31 overseas financial institutions had set up 31 securities and fund management joint ventures in China. 44 foreign insurers had set up 115 insurance agencies in China. And China’s top 4 commercial banks have successfully listed abroad.在新的历史时期，中国将以更加积极的姿态走向世界。目前，中国正进入全面建设小康社会，努力构建社会主义和谐社会的关键时刻，经济发展处在一个新的历史起点上。中国是世界上最大的发展中国家，人口多、底子薄，城乡和区域发展差距很大，人均国内生产总值仍排在世界100位之后。中国改变生产力不发达的状况是一项长期而艰巨的历史任务。基于对国情清醒的认识，为实现到本世纪中叶基本实现现代化的宏伟目标，中国必须坚持以改革开放为动力，适应经济全球化趋势的新发展，紧紧把握世界经济结构新一轮调整的难得机遇期，把对外开放提高到一个新的水平。In the new era, China will embrace the world with a more positive stance. At present, China is at the crucial stage of building a well-off society and a harmonious socialist society. Its economic development is at a new starting point in history. China is the largest developing country with a huge population, a less-developed foundation, a large gap between urban and rural development and among different regions. Per-capita GDP still ranks behind 100th in the world. To change under-developed productivity will be a long and arduous task for China. Given a clear understanding of its national conditions and with a view to meeting new development targets for the new era, China must stick to reform and opening-up, adapt to new trends of economic globalization, and firmly seize the hard-won opportunities in the new round of world economic restructuring, thus bringing opening-up to a new level.中国将坚持扩大内需的方针，并继续实施平衡的贸易政策。中国将加强与国际多边和区域经济组织的合作，继续促进和推动贸易与投资便利化进程。中国将在平等互利的基础上加强和扩大同世界各国的交流与合作，推动经济全球化朝着有利于共同繁荣的方向发展。China will adhere to the policy of expanding domestic demand and continue to practice a balanced trade policy. It will strengthen cooperation with international, multilateral and regional economic organizations, and carry forward trade and investment facilitation. It will intensify and expand exchanges and cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefits, to gear economic globalization towards common prosperity.中国已经确立了到2020年全面建设小康社会，国内生产总值达4万多亿美元的奋斗目标。拥有13亿人口、经济快速稳定发展的中国，孕育着无限的商机，将为包括英国在内的众多合作伙伴提供潜力巨大的市场和更多的合作机会。China has set the target of building a well-off society and reaching a 4-trillion-USD GDP by 2020. With its 1.3-billion population, fast and stable economic development, China is a source of unlimited business opportunities, and will provide its many partners, the UK and others, with a large market and greater cooperation possibilities.Ladies and Gentlemen,今年是中英建交35周年。英国是西方大国中率先承认中华人民共和国的“破冰者”，也是最早同新中国开展经贸往来的国家之一。中英建交35年来，双边关系取得了长足的发展。2004年，中英建立了全面战略伙伴关系，双边战略利益不断扩大，重点领域合作成果显著，两国人民的相互了解和友谊与日俱增。中英关系的深入发展，推动两国经贸合作进入了一个新的阶段。This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UK. The UK was an “icebreaker” among all western countries to first recognize the People’s Republic of China, and one of the first few to start trade and economic relations with new China. Over the past 35 years of China-UK diplomatic relationship, we have made remarkable achievements bilaterally. In 2004, a comprehensive strategic partnership was forged between the two. Since then, bilateral strategic interests have been expanding. Cooperation in key areas has yielded encouraging results. The mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples has deepened. The deepening of Sino-UK relationship has pushed our trade and economic cooperation into a new stage.近年来，中英两国高层互访频繁，胡锦涛主席、温家宝总理相继访英，布莱尔首相和普雷斯科特副首相也多次访华。两国在各层次的交流与合作不断加强。这不仅有力促进了两国关系的健康发展，也极大推动了两国的经贸合作。In recent years, China and the UK have witnessed frequent high-level exchange of visits. President Hu Jintao and Premiere Wen Jiabao successively visited the UK. Prime Minister Blair and Deputy Prime Minister Prescott also visited China on many occasions. Exchanges and cooperation at various levels are also picking up, which not only promotes healthy relationship between the two countries, but also boosts trade and economic cooperation.中英经贸合作的迅速发展是两国关系良好发展的集中体现。2004年，温家宝总理访英时与布莱尔首相共同提出了中英贸易额三年内达到200亿美元的目标。事实上，这一目标的实现仅用了一年时间。2006年，两国贸易额再上新台阶，突破300亿美元大关，达307亿美元，同比增长25%。在新世纪，中英两国贸易额保持了年均增长20%的良好势头。按目前的发展趋势，两国领导人所设定的到2010年中英双边贸易额达到400亿美元的第二阶段发展目标有望于2008年提前实现。The fast development of China-UK trade and economic cooperation fully demonstrates the sound relationship between the two countries. In 2004 during Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to the UK, he and Prime Minister Blair laid down the target of a 20-billion-USD bilateral trade within 3 years. Actually it only took us one year to meet the target. In 2006, China-UK trade was on a new page, exceeding 30 billion USD at 30.7 billion, with a year-on-year increase of 25%. In the new century, China-UK trade remains robust with average annual growth at 20%. Judging from the current momentum, the phase-II target set by Chinese and British leaderships of a 40-billion-USD bilateral trade by 2010 will hopefully be met ahead of schedule in 2008.英国是中国在欧盟中的第三大贸易伙伴，同时也是欧盟第一大对华投资国。截至2006年底，英国企业累计在华投资设立企业达5359个，实际投资139亿美元。近年来，中国企业对英国投资也在逐步扩大，一些有实力的公司已经或者正在考虑在英国建立商业机构。中国银行和中国工商银行先后在伦敦开展业务；华为和中国电信集团将欧洲总部设在伦敦；上海汽车集团和南京汽车集团参与了与罗孚公司的合作，上汽集团还在伯明翰投资设立了研发中心。The UK is China’s third largest trade partner and top investor within the EU. By the end of 2006, UK-invested projects in China had reached an accumulative total of 5,359, with an actual investment of 13.9 billion USD. In recent years, many British companies have continued to expand their China business. BP and Shell have again scaled up their investment in China. British banking corporations such as HSBC, StandardChartered and RBS all participated in China’s banking sector. A number of British business giants such as AstraZeneca and Tesco are bringing new investment or projects to China. We’re also delighted to see growing Chinese investment in the UK. Some capable Chinese companies already established or are considering establishing commercial presence in the UK, first Bank of China, then the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, both have started business in London. Huawei and China Telecom have located their European headquarters in London. Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation and Nanjing Automobile Corporation have partnered with MG Rover. The Shanghai automaker has also set up a R&D center in Birmingham.尽管中英经贸合作起步早、基础好、发展快，但同两国的经济实力和实际需要相比，还有很大发展潜力。2005年，中英经济规模分列世界第四和第五位，进出口贸易规模分列第三和第六位，但是双边贸易占中国对外贸易的比重不足2%，占英国对外贸易的比重不足3%。虽然英国是世界第三大对外投资国，中国是世界第三大吸收外商直接投资国，但英对华投资占英对外投资的比重不足1%，占中国吸收外资比重不足2%。英国对华技术出口也远远低于德国和法国，中英经贸合作潜力巨大，前景广阔。这就要求中英两国政府、企业等各界进一步加强交流与合作，拿出当年“破冰者”的勇气和智慧，推动经贸合作更上一层楼。Despite having an early start, a solid foundation and a robust momentum, China-UK trade and economic cooperation still leaves a lot to be desired when compared to the economic strengths and actual needs of both countries. In 2005, China and the UK ranked as the 4th and 5th economy in the world and No.3 and No.6 in terms of import and export. However, China-UK bilateral trade only accounted for less than 2% of China’s total foreign trade and less than 3% of the UK’s. The UK was the world’s third largest investor and China the third largest FDI recipient, however, the UK’s investment in China was less than 1% of its total outward investment and less than 2% of FDI inflow into China. The UK is also far behind Germany and France with regard to technology exports to China. Since China and the UK enjoy enormous potential and ample prospects for trade and economic cooperation, it is imperative that the two governments and business communities strengthen exchanges and cooperation, pass along the courage and wisdom of the former icebreakers, and elevate this cooperation to a higher level.中英两国在国际经贸事务中立场相近，合作良好。英国一贯倡导自由贸易，反对贸易保护主义。我们对英国在欧盟内积极推动对华经贸合作表示赞赏，对英国积极推动欧盟承认中国完全市场经济地位、反对欧盟对中国产品实行反倾销措施表示感谢。中国坚信加强和改善多边贸易体制是实现公平贸易和推动全球贸易自由化的根本和首选途径。英国在全球多边贸易体系中发挥着重要作用，作为WTO新成员，中方愿与英方加强协调与合作，共同推动多哈发展回合谈判取得积极进展，为最终实现多哈发展回合的目标做出贡献。China and the UK share similar positions and sound cooperation in international trade and economic affairs. The UK is always for free trade and against trade protectionism. We appreciate the UK’s active push within the EU for greater trade and economic cooperation with China and we’re grateful for UK’s positive role in facilitating the EU’s recognition of China’s Market Economy Status and opposing the EU’s antidumping measures against Chinese products. China firmly believes strengthening and improving the multilateral trading system is the first and fundamental means to fair trade and global trade liberalization. The UK plays a vital role in the multilateral trading system. As a WTO member, China is ready to step up coordination and cooperation with the UK, jointly promote positive progress on the Doha round of talks and contribute to the final success of the Doha round.Ladies and Gentlemen,中国自2006到2010年实施的第11个五年规划将把中国经济带入新的稳定增长期。在此期间，中国将深化改革，变得更为开放和自由。在接下来的五年中，中国的年均GDP增长预计将超过8%。中国政府利用内需作为经济增长的重要引擎之一，并采取一系列措施进一步扩大商品和服务市场。若年均增长率达到13%，消费品和生产资料零售总额将在2010年达到约4.8万亿美元。若增长达到16%，中国的进口将在2010年达到1.2万亿美元。中国经济发展前景广阔，开放的市场孕育着无限商机。The 11th Five-year Plan China is implementing from 2006 to 2010 will bring the Chinese economy into a new phase of steady growth, in which, China will deepen its reform, and will become more open and liberalized. Over the next five years, China’s annual GDP growth is estimated at above 8%. The Chinese government uses domestic demand as one of the important engines for economic growth, and is adopting a series of measures to further expand the commodity and services markets. If the average annual growth rate could reach 13%, the total retail sales of consumer goods and production factors would reach around 4.8 trillion US dollars by 2010. If the rate could reach 16%, China’s import would achieve 1.2 trillion US dollars by 2010. China enjoys broad prospect for economic development, and offers abundant business opportunities in its opening market.中英两国在经济结构和发展水平上差异较大，但两国经济互补，经贸合作互惠。这一特性是两国间经贸关系发展的基础和动力。China and the United Kingdom have big differences in economic structure and development level. The two economies are complementary, and the trade and economic cooperation is mutually beneficial. This nature is the basis and driving force for the sustained development of trade and economic ties between the two nations.在座的许多朋友都见证和促进了中英经贸关系的发展。我希望，英国议会和商界的朋友将继续为两国的共同发展做出贡献。让我们合作共创美好未来。Many friends present here today have witnessed and promoted the development of Sino-UK economic and trade ties. I hope that, members of the UK Parliament and business community will continue their contribution to the common development of our two countries. Let’s work together for a better future.谢谢大家！

It’s my great pleasure to attend the seminar on China Goes Global at Westminster. This year the UK Parliament will have a series of discussions focusing on China’s development and economic and trade issues. I believe this exercise is vital to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UK. I would like to thank the Committee on Trade and Industry of the Lower House and the China Group of the Parliament for their warm invitation, for giving me the opportunity to join the discussion on China Goes Global with friends from the UK Parliament and business community. All the friends present here are people of vision, who watch closely and are committed to the development of Sino-UK economic and trade ties. On behalf of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your positive contribution to our bilateral relations as well as trade and economic cooperation.