China News Service, London, February 1st. Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang was recently invited to attend the New Year celebrations held by the British business community and delivered a keynote speech entitled "Establishing Correct Understanding and Promoting Mutually Beneficial Cooperation". More than 100 important figures from the British business community attended the event.
Zheng Zeguang pointed out that China's economy has withstood downward pressure and achieved a growth of 5.2% in 2023, and remains an important engine of global development. The endogenous economic development momentum continues to increase, and domestic demand contributes more than 110% to economic growth. The International Energy Agency report believes that China will achieve its wind and solar energy development goals six years ahead of schedule. These facts strongly refute the negative arguments of some Western media that speak down on China, and fully demonstrate the strong resilience and huge potential of the Chinese economy. The basic long-term positive trend of China's economy will not change.
Zheng Zeguang pointed out that the Chinese central government recently announced a number of measures to support Hong Kong's status as an international financial center, including further deepening the interconnection of the financial markets between the mainland and Hong Kong, improving the level of opening up of the mainland's banking and insurance industries to Hong Kong, and supporting Hong Kong to consolidate its offshore RMB business. The hub status supports Chinese financial institutions to take root and serve the Hong Kong local market. This is also a huge benefit to British businesses.
Zheng Zeguang emphasized that with the implementation of Hong Kong's national security law, the improvement of the electoral system, and the advancement of the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability will be better guaranteed, and Hong Kong will better serve as a bridge for exchanges and cooperation between China and the world.
Zheng Zeguang said that those who clamor that China poses a challenge or even a threat to the UK and claim that the UK should "de-risk" China and reduce its dependence on China's supply chain are either out of ignorance and misjudgment of China, or are trying to shirk responsibility. It's a diversion and completely inconsistent with the facts. None of the current economic challenges facing the UK are caused by China. China has never been the creator of crises and conflicts, but has been a staunch force in solving problems and promoting peaceful development.
Zheng Zeguang pointed out that a stable and mutually beneficial Sino-British relationship is beneficial to both countries and the world. People of insight from both countries should work together to establish a correct understanding, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly safeguard the foundation of China-UK relations. It is hoped that the business communities of China and the UK will work together to make new contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and to the stability and long-term development of China-UK relations.
British business people attending the meeting said in their speeches that continuing to build a strong long-term partnership between Britain and China is in the interests of both countries and their peoples. They are willing to serve as a bridge between China and the United Kingdom and between China and the world, and play a role in promoting the stable development of Britain-China relations. positive effects. (over)