驻英大使刘晓明：中英共建美好未来

What matters is how we deal with these differences. China and Britain need to respect each other’s concerns, strengthen mutual trust and, in this way, engage in ‘win-win’ cooperation. I believe this is how we can increase deeper shared understanding. Differences should be discussed by open dialogue rather than standing in the way of our relations.
中国与英国历史文化、社会制度、价值观念和发展阶段各异，两国之间在一些问题上有分歧本属正常，但关键是如何妥善处理这些分歧。我们应当相互尊重对方关切，加强政治互信建设，树立合作共赢理念，增进彼此了解和理解，我们应当让分歧仅仅成为两国间对话沟通的议题，而不是让分歧成为影响两国关系发展的障碍。

In the Chinese language there is a saying: ‘No hassle, no friendship.’ I have learned that there is an English equivalent: ‘No discord, no concord.’ In recent months The Daily Telegraph has reported on snags in China-UK relations; I hope we are getting over the difficult times and we now have a better understanding of each other’s concerns, our respective interests and common values. This means we are in a better position to properly manage our differences.
中国有句古语：“不打不成交”，英语中也有同样的谚语：“没有分歧就没有共识”（No discord, no concord）。 事实上贵报就曾经报道过中英间的龃龉。我希望当事情过去后，我们彼此更加了解对方的关切，更加了解自己和双方共同利益所在，更加知道如何妥善处理分歧。

I have noticed that Prime Minister David Cameron recently reaffirmed British policy toward Tibet, saying: “We recognise Tibet as part of China. We do not support Tibetan independence, and we respect China’s sovereignty” He also stated that Britain wants to have a strong and positive relationship with China.
我注意到卡梅伦首相不久前在议会下院重申了英国政府的涉藏政策，即英国尊重中国的主权，承认西藏是中国的一部分，不支持“西藏独立”，并表示英方愿发展强劲和积极的对华关系；我也注意到黑格外交大臣最近在议会再次重申上述政策，并表示英方理解涉藏问题的敏感性和中方关切。

Most recently, Foreign Secretary William Hague has reiterated this policy in Parliament and made clear that Britain understands Chinese sensitivities and concerns about Tibet. Following these statements, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Mr Hague had a phone call earlier this week. This phone call was a great moment. Both sides stated their commitment to improving bilateral relations and strengthening Anglo-Chinese exchanges and cooperation in various fields. I hope this phone call marks not only the beginning of the end, but also the start of a new chapter in our relations.
本周初，中国外长王毅和英国外交大臣黑格进行了一次具有重要意义的通话，双方在通话中都一致表示重视改善和发展双边关系，致力于加强各领域交流合作。我衷心地希望这是“结束的开始”，两国关系从此翻开新的一页。中英之间已经失去了太多的时间，现在是双方面向未来，加紧开展合作的时候了。

Much time has been lost in the mutually shared aim of advancing the interests of our two countries. It is high time that we looked to the future and stepped up our cooperation. Six months ago, I was interviewed on BBC Newsnight by Gavin Esler. He quoted Rudyard Kipling’s famous phrase: ‘East is East, West is West, and never the twain shall meet.’ I replied that the right way for East and West to meet is to ‘discard pride and prejudice and apply sense and sensibility.’ I believe this is also the right way for China and Britain to meet and work for an even brighter future for Anglo-Chinese relations.
半年前，BBC 《新闻之夜》节目主持人凯文·艾斯勒采访我时曾引用英国诗人吉卜林的一句话：“东方是东方，西方是西方，东西方永不携手”。当时，我回答说，东西方相处之道是摒弃“傲慢与偏见”，培养“理智与情感”。现在，我更加相信中国和英国可以也应该携手合作，共建美好未来。