Keynote speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the 'Icebreakers' 2020 Chinese New Year Dinner: Seize Opportunities for Cooperation and Achieve Greater Breakthroughs

The second opportunity arises from the new round of technological and industrial revolution.

Economic globalisation is an irreversible trend. This is both a historical conclusion and a reflection of the reality. Openness creates opportunities, integration promotes development, and cooperation delivers win-win results.

As the fourth industrial revolution is unfolding, new technologies, new industries and new business models keep cropping up. This is the best time to enhance open cooperation.

China and the UK are both committed to building an open economy. Our two countries share consensus on safeguarding free trade and opposing protectionism.

China is opening its market wider and improving its business environment. In particular, the Foreign Investment Law and its implementing regulations, which took effect on January 1st, cut short the negative list for foreign investment and strengthen legal protection of the rights and interests of foreign investors, especially IPR.

China and the UK should keep up with the trend of the times, and expand cooperation on AI, big data, clean energy and digital economy. We could also carry out high-standard, high-quality and sustainable cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, and take the lead in building a new type of economic globalisation which is open, inclusive, win-win and balanced.

At the same time, it is our hope that the UK will continue to foster a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, including Huawei, so as to create sound conditions for deeper cooperation between our two countries.

The third opportunity lies in cooperation on addressing climate change. This will contribute to the green development in China, in the UK and around the world.

China has taken vigorous steps to address climate change. It pursues green, low-carbon and sustainable development. This concept of green development has been our guidance and driving force in tackling climate change.

The UK has also attached great importance to the issue of climate change. Prime Minister Johnson and his cabinet have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Later this year, China will host COP15 to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UK will host COP26 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change respectively. These conferences will be good opportunities for closer China-UK cooperation on climate change, environmental protection and wildlife protection.

Our two countries could explore new concepts, ideas and models of development, and promote green development. This will add positive energy to the sustainable development in our two countries and around the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends:

Cooperation is based on mutual respect.

In the past year, British friends from all walks of life, especially the business community, have been committed to the principle of mutual respect and mutual trust, and have made positive contribution to China-UK cooperation. I would like to express my appreciation for this.

It is my hope that, in 2020, you could continue working together with your Chinese partners, respect and trust each other, learn from each other and engage in mutually-beneficial cooperation. I am sure you will make more positive energy, achieve more business breakthroughs and contribute more "golden fruits" to China-UK golden era.