‘Daring’ UK on right road with China
Envoy says he’s impressed by British stance on Xi’s initiative
Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom, told China Daily in an exclusive interview that he was “deeply impressed” by the strong support shown by many British friends for the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative — a blueprint launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013.
“The UK was the first major Western power to join as a full member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the second contributor after China to inject capital into the AIIB special fund. These moves speak to Britain’s entrepreneurship, of daring to take the lead, and Britain’s farsightedness and truly global vision.
“They also reflect the vigorous momentum of the winwin cooperation between China and Great Britain,” the veteran diplomat said.
The initiative is a modern version of the ancient Silk Road that linked China and Europe at the time of Marco Polo, an Italian explorer and trader who exploited the route in the 13th and early 14th centuries.
Xi’s proposal consists of land and maritime links connecting China with the rest of Eurasia and beyond.
“I believe that, with the concerted efforts of China and the UK, our cooperation on the proposal will go a long way and deliver more benefits to the people of our two nations,” the ambassador said.
UK Chancellor Philip Hammond will attend the upcoming Belt and Road Forum For International Cooperation in Beijing specifically as a personal envoy of Prime Minister Theresa May, who has said she strongly supports the initiative.
“This provides a valuable opportunity for China-UK cooperation on the Belt and Road,” Liu said. “At present, China and Britain are working together to advance projects in the field of nuclear power, high-speed railways and other infrastructure projects.”
The ambassador said he believes the forum, which is set for Sunday and Monday, will facilitate stronger synergy between respective development plans, “which will help unleash the potential in bilateral investment, trade and forecast, and give rise to tangible outcomes of China-UK cooperation on the Belt and Road”.
Liu dismissed suggestions that the UK will miss out because it is not directly on the proposed route from China.
Not long ago, China Railway Express made the return trip between Yiwu, Zhejiang province, and London. “This was the very first time ChinaUK trade was completely connected by land transportation.
It also means China Railway Express has completed its ‘last mile’ and has extended the Belt and Road to the very western point. This is a landmark event,” Liu said.
By-product
One apparent tangible by-product of the Belt and Road Initiative is a plan by a Chinese developer to construct 15,000 affordable homes in the Dagenham area of East London, not far from the arrival point of the China Railway Express service.
The envoy stressed that Britain’s role in the proposal is not limited by geography.
“For example, the UK has an advanced and international financial sector, and mature professional service industries in law and consulting. These are what countries along the Belt and Road routes need for setting up financial service platforms and improving legal systems.
“The UK has prestigious think tanks and education institutions, and world-class R&D and innovation capabilities. These are all intellectual resources to support the Belt and Road projects,” he said.
Addressing the broader issue of China-UK relations, the ambassador, who moved to the UK in 2010, said relations could not be swayed by a single incident.
“Last year, Britain voted to leave the European Union and the government went through a reshuffle. But developing positive ties with China remains the consensus of all British political parties.”
Developing positive ties with China remains the consensus of all British political parties.” Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom
Contact the writer at liwensha@chinadaily.com.cn