携手构建中欧友谊合作之桥——傅聪大使在离任招待会上的致辞（中英文）
2024-04-08
携手构建中欧友谊合作之桥
——傅聪大使在离任招待会上的致辞
（2024年3月27日，布鲁塞尔）
尊敬的各位来宾，
女士们，先生们，朋友们，
大家晚上好！
感谢各位嘉宾和朋友出席我的离任招待会。2022年12月10日我在寒风中抵达布鲁塞尔，出任第15任中国驻欧盟大使，那天的场景还历历在目。回首过去470多天，我致力于以习近平主席同欧方领导人确定的方向为指引，推动中欧关系克服困难和挑战，不断向前迈进。刚刚播放的视频里，看到一张张熟悉的脸庞，一幕幕难忘的画面，感慨颇多。谨借此机会与大家道别，并向一直以来致力于推动中欧关系发展，给予我和中国驻欧盟使团工作大力支持和帮助的各位朋友致以诚挚谢意！
再过几天就是习近平主席历史性到访欧盟总部十周年的日子。2014年，习近平主席在欧洲学院发表重要演讲，提出中国愿同欧洲一道，在亚欧大陆架起一座友谊和合作之桥，打造中欧和平、增长、改革、文明四大伙伴关系，建设更具全球影响力的中欧全面战略伙伴关系。10年来，世界发生巨大变化，但中欧友谊合作之桥的建设从未止步,中国对发展中欧全面战略伙伴关系的愿景从未改变。尽管面临一些困难和挑战，但我很荣幸能够和大家一道，共同见证中欧间的许多大事、要事和喜事，携手构筑中欧之间理解互信、合作共赢、沟通交流的桥梁。
我们共同夯实了理解互信之桥。去年以来，中欧各层级交流机制全面重启，中欧关系呈现巩固发展的良好势头。我有幸三次参与接待欧盟领导人访华，特别是去年底第二十四次中欧领导人会晤成功举行，习近平主席同欧盟两位主席举行会见，就深化合作达成重要共识，将中欧高层交往推向高潮。作为重要的全球性力量，双方在联合国、世贸组织、二十国集团等多边框架内密切沟通协调，共同为维护多边主义、完善全球治理贡献力量。
我们共同拓宽了合作共赢之桥。我到任后参加的第一场活动，就是和中欧工商界朋友对话交流。中国是欧盟最主要的贸易伙伴，每小时有近1亿美元的商品货物在中欧间流转。去年中欧班列开行1.7万列、发送190万标箱，成为畅通中欧及沿线国家贸易的“稳定器”和“加速器”。中欧地理标志保护合作成果惠及双方亿万民众。中欧在数字经济、绿色环保、新能源、人工智能等新兴领域合作也在扎实推进。
我们共同丰富了沟通交流之桥。以心相交，方能成其久远。我清晰地记得，在布鲁塞尔中国文化中心，我们一边品茗一边欣赏中国传统茶艺。在中欧论坛等活动上，我和学者记者朋友畅谈中欧关系的历史、现状和未来。在大学校园，我和学生老师坦诚友好交流，答疑解惑。中方致力于进一步便利双方人员往来，已给予10个欧盟成员国免签待遇。再过两天，双方将在北京举行高级别人文交流对话机制新一次会议，相信将为中欧人文交流注入新动力。
这些实实在在的例子彰显了中欧关系的强劲韧性和活力。当然，中欧之间的“桥”并非都是通途大道，有的还有沟沟坎坎，甚至是“堵点”“卡点”。在我离别之际，我真诚告诫欧方朋友们，给中国同时贴上伙伴、竞争者、制度性对手三种标签不符合事实，也不可行。正如中国外长王毅近日指出，这就好比汽车开到十字路口，红灯、黄灯、绿灯三种信号灯同时亮起，这车还怎么开？中国一直以来都是各国值得信赖的合作伙伴。希望欧方看到，唯有合作才能确保经济安全，打着“去风险”旗号，频繁使用反补贴、反倾销等保护性贸易政策工具，不仅会对中欧关系造成负面影响，也不符合欧方自身长远利益。
中欧历史文化、社会制度、发展阶段不同，有差异并不奇怪，关键是要通过友好合作加以应对。作为全球两大力量，中欧关系不仅关乎中欧双方，更具有世界意义。今年初，习近平主席在同访华的比利时首相德克罗会晤时再次指出，面对变乱交织的国际形势，中欧之间需要架更多的“桥”。中欧之间多一座桥，对话与合作就多一分力量，和平与稳定就多一份希望，开放与共赢就多一种可能。明年中欧将迎来建交50周年，维护好中欧关系巩固发展的良好势头，推动中欧关系稳中有进，需要更多“铺路架桥”而非“挖沟筑墙”。中方愿同欧方一道架设更多友谊之桥、合作之桥，努力消除鸿沟和分歧。相信只要双方本着相互尊重、同舟共济的精神携手向前，中欧全面战略伙伴关系的明天必将更加美好、更加广阔、更加光明！
女士们，先生们，朋友们，
中方一直致力于同世界各国分享中国式现代化发展红利。今年的中国全国两会刚刚闭幕，再次发出中国将扩大高水平对外开放、促进互利共赢的积极信号。中方将加快构建新发展格局，着力打造市场化、法治化、国际化一流营商环境， 持续放宽市场准入，让开放的大门越开越大。中国经济长期向好的基本面没有改变。随着改革深入和产业转型升级，中国经济必将迸发出更加持久的活力，为世界经济注入更多动力，为欧方提供更多机遇。我们愿同欧方加强发展战略对接，深化优势互补，在更高水平更广范围内实现互利共赢，实现共同发展。
女士们、先生们、朋友们，
海内存知己，天涯若比邻。出使欧盟的日子将成为我宝贵的人生财富。离别之际，万分不舍。我愿再次向所有关心中国发展、支持中欧友好事业的朋友们表示最诚挚的谢意！
我也要感谢与我一起日夜并肩奋战的使团全体同事们。我为有这样一支敢于拼搏、勇于奋斗、甘于奉献的团队感到骄傲！
我还要感谢我的夫人黄俊，感谢你一直以来的理解、支持与陪伴，是你增添了我应对挑战、攻坚克难的意志和力量。
最后，衷心祝愿中欧全面战略伙伴关系欣欣向荣，中欧人民的友谊历久弥坚。无论身处何地，我将一如既往关注和支持中欧关系，继续为增进中欧交流与合作牵线搭桥！期待与大家重逢。
谢谢大家！
Let’s Join Hands in Building Bridges of Friendship and Cooperation between China and Europe
Speech by Ambassador Fu Cong at the Farewell Reception
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
Good evening.
Thank you all for gracing my farewell reception. It is with a heavy heart that I begin my speech today. I still remember the day when I first arrived in Brussels on a wintry morning of December 2022.
Looking back, I am proud to say that the past 15 months has been a rewarding experience and indeed a great honor to serve as the 15th Chinese Ambassador to the European Union.
As you have seen in the video, I have spared no effort in promoting the relationship between China and the EU, under the guidance of the direction jointly set by President Xi Jinping and EU leaders.
I have been very fortunate to be personally involved in expanding the cooperation across different priority areas, with much success, despite many of the challenges and hurdles.
Now the time has come for me to say goodbye to Brussels. I cannot however, leave without expressing my profound gratitude for all the gracious support you have given to me, and to the friendship and cooperation between China and the European Union.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
In a few days it will be the 10th anniversary of President Xi’s historic visit to EU Headquarters. And it was at the College of Europe in Bruges that President Xi proposed the idea of building bridges. He said that China hopes to work with European friends to build a bridge of peace and cooperation across the Eurasian continent.For that, we need to develop partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization, so that China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership will take on greater global significance.
10 years on, the world has changed dramatically. But the idea of building bridges is even more relevant, and China’s commitment to the comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU remains unchanged.
I am very pleased to see that we have built many bridges of understanding and mutual trust, win-win cooperation and close exchanges.
Let me begin with the political front. The relationship has shown a strong momentum of growth, since the resumption of exchanges and dialogues at all levels in 2023. This is evidenced by President Michel and President von der Leyen’s visits to China, which I am pleased to be part of, three times.
The highlight was the 24th China-EU Summit held last December, during which President Xi Jinping met with the two Presidents and important consensus was reached on promoting our cooperation.
On the multilateral front, China and the EU work closely in communication and coordination within the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the G20. We are making joint efforts in upholding multilateralism and improving global governance.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much we have achieved in practical cooperation. Actually, the first event I attended after my arrival in Brussels was to meet friends from Chinese and European business communities. China is now a primary trading partner of the EU, with nearly 100 million dollars worth of goods being traded every hour between the two sides.
The China-Europe Railway Express ran more than 17,000 cargo trips last year, carrying1.9 million containers. This important rail link has greatly facilitated the trade flows between China and Europe, and countries along the route.
The China-EU Geographical Indications agreement is another vivid example. By protecting Chinese and European agricultural and food names, the agreement benefits millions of people on both sides.
We are also working together on emerging areas such as digital economy, green development, new energy and artificial intelligence, with robust dialogue mechanisms created and practical cooperation on the ground expanded.
I will not forget to mention another key pillar of our relationship, people-to-people ties. In that respect, I had many wonderful memories, from appreciating Chinese tea culture in the Chinese Cultural Center in Brussels, to discussing China-EU relations with scholars and journalists at the China-Europe Forum and on many other occasions. I also enjoyed my friendly and candid conversations with students and faculties on the campuses of several renowned universities in Belgium.
Our exchanges didn’t stop there. To further people-to-people contacts, China has recently offered visa-free entry for more than ten European countries. On Friday, a new round of China-EU High-level People-to-people Dialogue will take place in Beijing, which is bound to add new momentum to the enhancement of contacts between the people of both sides.
These examples speak to the strength of our relationship and the great potential for future growth.But I would be less than candid if I did not mention that there are also frictions and frustrations.
Upon departure, please allow me to repeat this to my dear European friends. The tripartite description of China as a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival is inappropriate and does not correspond to reality. As my Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently put it, this characterization is like driving to a crossroads and finding the red, yellow and green lights all on at the same time. It can only cause confusion and distraction.
China has long proved to be a trustworthy partner with countries around the world. Economic security, on the other hand, will only be strengthened through more cooperation, not less. Protective trade policies or instruments such as the frequent use of anti-subsidy and anti-dumping measures, under the banner of de-risking will not advance the China-EU relationship. Neither will they benefit the long-term interests of EU.
With our different history, culture, social system and stage of development, it is not surprising that we may sometimes disagree with each other on certain issues. The most important thing is to deal with our differences in a friendly and collaborative way. As two major powers, there is so much at stake in what we do or fail to do together.
President Xi Jinping talked about the idea of building bridges again early this year when meeting with visiting Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. He said that facing the turbulent international situation, China and the EU need to build more bridges, for dialogue and cooperation, for peace and stability, and for openness and mutual benefit.
China and the EU have come a long way in engagement. Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. It is important for us to build on the relationship and maintain its positive momentum for more progress.
Instead of erecting walls or digging holes or creating small yards, we need to build more roads and bridges. We need to redouble our collective efforts to bridge gaps and differences.
I am confident that so long as we respect each other and tackle the challenges together, the future of our comprehensive strategic partnership will be better and brighter.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
Let me turn to China’s economic development. China is on the path towards modernization and we welcome other countries to profit from the opportunities in this process.
Some of you may know China’s Two Sessions, which refers to the annual joint plenary sessions of China’s top political advisory and legislative bodies. The most important take-away from the just-concluded Two Sessions is China’s commitment to further expanding its openness at a higher level in pursuit of mutual benefits.
Going forward, China will foster a new development paradigm, develop a world-class, market-oriented and law-based business environment. The market access will be further widened, and the door of China will be opened even wider to the world.
Let me also emphasize that China’s economy will continue to grow in the long run with the deepening of the reform and the acceleration of industrial transformation and innovation. This will, in turn, drive global economy upward and offer more opportunities to our European partners. We believe by aligning our development strategies and promoting our complementarities, we will be able to achieve mutual benefits and common development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
The past 15 months has been an unforgettable journey. My time here will be an important asset of my life. This farewell is not the end, it cannot be the end of the memories and friendships we created with each other.
I want to say thank you to every single person present tonight, for your support and your friendship.
I am grateful to my colleagues in the Chinese Mission who work hard every day to support my work. There is a lot to look back on with pride and a sense of accomplishment, and this was only possible with your support and dedication.
Last but not least, I would also like to thank my wife, Huang Jun, for her constant support and understanding, for her staying by my side and giving me strength and courage.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As I am about to begin my next adventure, I shall always be an advocate and a bridge for China-EU partnership and will watch this relationship with great interest no matter where I am.
Now, please allow me to propose a toast to the strength of China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and to the lastingfriendship between the people of China and the European Union. Cheers!
Thank you!