宋哲大使在歐洲議會人民黨黨團早餐會的演講

架起理解和互信的橋樑—《里約》後的中歐關係
——在歐洲議會人民黨黨團舉行的早餐會上的主旨演講
中國駐歐盟使團團長 宋哲大使

Build a Bridge for Understanding and Mutual Trust China-EU Relations after the Lisbon Treaty
--Keynote Address at the Breakfast Meeting of the Bureau the People's Party at the European Parliament
by Ambassador Song Zhe

尊敬的卡蘇利蒂斯副主席
各位議員朋友：

Vice President Kasoulides,
MEPs and Friends,

很高興應邀出席今天的早餐會，與歐洲議會人民黨黨團的朋友們就中歐關係交流看法。今天是中國農曆虎年正月初十，我先給大家拜個晚年。

I am very pleased to be invited to this breakfast meeting and exchange views on China-EU relations with friends of the bureau of the People's Party at the European Parliament. First of all, may I extend my new year greetings to all of you, because according to Chinese lunar calendar, today is the 10th day of the first month of the Year of the Tiger.

過去一年，中歐關係總體保持了平穩良好發展。雙方領導人一年之內四次會晤，其頻度爲近年來罕見。三份共同文件的發表，凸顯了當前國際形勢下中歐戰略伙伴關係所具有的全球戰略意義。儘管受到國際金融危機的衝擊和影響，中歐經貿合作勢頭有增無減。歐盟連續第七個年頭保持中國最大貿易伙伴地位。歐盟對華投資不降反升，歐盟成爲中國第三大外資來源地。中歐務實合作不斷取得突破。第一個中歐文學翻譯出版高層論壇、第一個中歐文化產業論壇、第一次中歐貿易統計合作專家級磋商、第一次中歐教育政策研討會、第一個衛生和食品安全對話機制，都在不到一年時間裏爲中歐關係帶來了新的活力。法蘭克福國際書展中國主賓國活動和不久前剛剛閉幕的歐羅巴利亞—中國藝術節則大大拉近了雙方人民的距離。我們爲中歐關係取得的成就感到欣喜。

Over the past year, China-EU relations have maintained stable and sound development. Leaders of the two sides met four times within the year, such frequency rarely seen in recent years. The release of three joint documents highlighted the global and strategic implications of China-EU strategic partnership in the context of the current international situation. Despite the impact of international financial crisis, economic cooperation and trade between China and the EU continued its positive momentum. For seven consecutive years, the EU has maintained its position as China's largest trading partner. Last year, EU investment in China kept on increasing, making the EU China's third-largest source of foreign investment. Our cooperation in other fields also witnessed breakthrough last year. We organized the first China-EU high-level forum on literary translation, the first China-EU forum on cultural industries, the first expert-level consultations on China-EU cooperation in trade statistics, the first China-EU education policy seminar, and the first health and food security dialogue. These have altogether brought new vitality to our relations. The Frankfurt International Book Fair, with China being the main guest of honor, and the recently concluded Europalia-China Art Festival, have brought people from both sides closer to each other. In view of this, we are rejoiced at the achievements of China-EU relations.

當前，中歐關係正處於“后里約”和“後危機”的雙重過渡期。從歷史角度看，未來幾年可能是中歐關係的一個關鍵戰略定型期。在此期間，中歐關係需要逐步適應和順應“后里約”和“後危機”時代的變化，並努力在未來國際格局中佔據應有的位置。

At present, China-EU relations enter into a "post-Lisbon Treaty" and "post-financial crisis" era. This is what I call a "double transition" period. The next few years could be a defining moment and strategic opportunity for China-EU relations. During this period, China and the EU, in building our relations, need to adapt and conform to the changes of times, and make efforts to put our relationship at its rightful place in the future international pattern.

我注意到，隨着中歐各自的發展以及國際形勢的演變，在歐洲，有些人對中國的發展以及中歐關係產生了這樣或那樣的疑慮。從去年顧德明的《中歐關係實力報告》，到今年格蘭特的《中國和平崛起再思考》，都反映出一種對中國發展的不信任和不安全感，以及對中歐關係的一種悲觀情緒。

I have noticed that, along with the development of China and the EU, and the evolution of international situation, some in Europe become skeptical about China's development and China-EU relations in one way or another. From last year's Power Audit of China-EU Relations by Francois Godement, to this year's Rethinking China's Peaceful Rise by Charles Grant, a number of commentaries reflect a sense of distrust and insecurity towards China's development, and a pessimistic mood towards China-EU relations.

我的看法是,在“後危機”和“后里約”時代，中歐戰略伙伴關係發展的歷史動力不但沒有減弱，反而增強了；中歐關係發展的前景不僅不會變得黯淡，反而會更加光明。過去幾十年來，歐盟的一體化建設和中國的和平發展，既給中歐人民帶來了實實在在的好處，也爲促進世界的和平與發展作出了重要貢獻，同時把中歐這兩大古老文明緊緊地聯繫在一起。在全球化和多極化深入發展的今天，中歐既是世界上兩支重要的積極、和平力量，更是解決所有全球性挑戰不可或缺並可以相互信任和依賴的重要夥伴。中歐進一步加強全面戰略合作，符合雙方各自發展的需要，亦是未來世界和平、發展與進步事業的需要。

In my view, in the "post-Lisbon Treaty" and "post-financial crisis" era, the historic force that drives forward China-EU strategic partnership has not weakened, but strengthened. The prospect for the development of China-EU relations, instead of becoming desolate, will become even brighter. Over the past few decades, the EU's integration and China's peaceful development have not only brought real benefits to the people of China and Europe, but also made important contributions to world peace and development, linking our two ancient civilizations ever closely. Today, with globalization and multi-polarization gaining momentum, China and the EU represent the world's two major positive force for peace, and stand as each other's important and indispensable partner, who can be reliable and trusted upon in building joint response to global challenges. To further strengthen China-EU comprehensive strategic cooperation, not only serves our future growth, but also serves world peace, development and progress.

推動中歐關係發展需要戰略思維、勇氣和視野，必須要在歷史的大框架中審視，規劃和運籌。中國的改革開放和歐盟一體化建設都是歷史上沒有任何先例可循的創舉。中國的改革開放是“摸着石頭過河”，歐盟的內聯外擴，特別是《里約》後的歐盟又何嘗不是在“摸着石頭過河”呢？我們敢於開風氣之先，朝着理想的目標不斷邁進，必須披荊斬棘，克服重重障礙和困難。這期間，我們不時享受着成功的喜悅，也品味了諸多挫折的沮喪。但不管怎樣，我們前進的方向是明確和堅定的。時至今日，歐盟繼續致力於推進一體化建設，中國也繼續致力於走和平發展道路。中國將繼續堅定支持歐盟一體化進程，同時也希望歐盟理解和支持中國走和平發展道路。

Promoting China-EU relations requires strategic thinking, courage and vision. It also requires observation, planning and management with a historical perspective. Neither China's reform and opening-up nor the EU's integration has any precedent to follow. China's reform and opening up is like "crossing the river by feeling the stones", and perhaps the same could be said for the EU integration, especially after the Lisbon Treaty. We both started something new and have been forging ahead unremittingly towards our ideals. We both have overcomed many obstacles and hardships and there are many ahead. We both rejoice at moments of success, and feel frustrated at setbacks. However, the direction to move forward is clear and firm. The EU remains committed to promoting its integration, and China stands committed to the path of peaceful development. China will continue to firmly support the EU integration process, and we also hope that the EU understands and supports China's peaceful development.

必須看到，中歐關係中還存在一些問題或隱憂，如不及時加以妥善處理，可能會對中歐關係產生消極影響。這些問題至少可歸納爲兩大差距：

It must be noted that for China-EU relations, there are still some problems or hidden worries. If not properly handled, they may have a negative impact on China-EU relations. These problems can be summed up as two major gaps:

一是實質和表象的差距。中歐關係實際上是健康和富有成果的。中歐作爲全面戰略伙伴，互爲重要貿易伙伴，有着完備的政治對話機制，各領域合作範圍之寬、程度之深，都在大國關係中名列前茅。

First, the gap between substance and coverage. China-EU relations are healthy and fruitful in substance. We are comprehensive strategic partners, important trading partners and we have sophisticated political dialogue mechanism. The scope and the depth of cooperation between China and EU are among the best in big-power relationships.

但近年來，中歐關係似乎給人留下了問題成堆的印象。究其原因，主要是中歐之間的分歧和問題往往被人爲地放大和突出了。一些媒體爲了吸引眼球，熱衷於挖掘和炒作中歐關係中的問題和分歧；一些人明知中歐在人權等問題上的理念差異無法在短期內彌合，卻仍出於各種原因，不時公開對中國的內政說三道四；更有甚者，一些人爲了撈取個人政治資本，不惜在涉及中方核心利益的問題上挑戰中方底線，破壞雙方之間的政治氣氛，引發民衆的對立情緒。久而久之，人們對中歐關係的理解和印象逐漸偏離了正軌，開始聚焦於人權等消極因素。我認爲，出現上述現象是很令人遺憾的。

But in recent years, China-EU relations seem to give people an impression that there are a lot of problems. The main reason is that differences and problems between China and Europe are often artificially amplified and highlighted. In order to attract attention, some media are keen to explore and inflate problems and differences in China-EU relations. Some people understand clearly that China and the EU will not be able to bridge their gaps of concept on issues such as human rights in short term, yet for various reasons, they would keep on making irresponsible remarks publicly on China's internal affairs from time to time. To make matter worse, in order to stock up personal political capital, some even challenge the bottom line on issues concerning China's core interests, which brings damage to the political atmosphere between the two sides and trigger public antagonism. Over time, people's understanding and impressions of China-EU relations gradually deviate from the right track and began to focus more on negative factors, such as human rights. It is indeed regrettable that things would have gone this way.

二是興趣和認識的差距。中歐都被彼此古老燦爛的文明深深吸引，有着強烈的認識對方、瞭解對方的興趣。不久前，我們使團舉辦了“中國春節走進歐洲議會”活動，僅開幕式現場的歐洲朋友就達600多人。在第二天舉行的歐洲議會對華關係非正式對話會上，與會人數超過預期整整一倍，很多人一直站到會議結束。這是歐洲渴望接近中國、瞭解中國的真實寫照。但在“想了解”和“瞭解”之間還存在相當的距離。坦率地講，我感到歐洲對中國的認識還遠遠不夠，很多人對中國的印象甚至還停留在十幾年甚至幾十年前的水平。

Secondly, the gap between interest and knowledge. China and the EU both enjoy an ancient and splendid culture, which is deeply attractive to each other. Both have strong interest to know more about each other and understand each other. Not long ago, our mission held some functions to present the Chinese New Year to the European Parliament, the opening ceremony alone attracted more than 600 guests and friends. On the next day of the opening, the European Parliament held a session of informal dialogue on relations with China, the number of participants was double than expected, and many people were standing till the end of the session. This is a vivid portrayal of Europe's desire to move closer to China and understand China. However, there is still considerable distance between the desire and reality. Frankly, I feel that Europe's understanding of China is far from enough, and many people see China as it was 10 years or even decades ago.

歐洲對於中國同樣如此。歐洲的文學、藝術令幾代中國人陶醉；埃菲爾鐵塔和圓形鬥技場每年至少招來100萬中國遊客；五大聯賽吸引着億萬中國球迷，我也是其中一個。但中國百姓也時常對歐盟有着許多問號。他們不明白，到底是布魯塞爾說了算，還是27個首都說了算？爲什麼一些歐盟國家總是在雙邊做好人，在多邊做惡人？他們不明白，爲什麼同樣性質的事情發生在歐美是正常的，而發生在中國就要備受責難？爲什麼歐洲人看起來對13億中國人的人權進步漠不關心，卻格外在意個別所謂“人權衛士”或罪犯的人權和絕對自由，甚至在沒有弄清基本事實的情況下發表不負責任的聲明？他們還不明白，既然中歐已是全面戰略伙伴，爲什麼還要繼續維持歧視性的對華軍售禁令？

The other way round, China's understanding of Europe also remains to be further improved. European literature and art enthralls generations of Chinese people. Now each year, at least 1 million Chinese tourists come to Europe to visit the Eiffel Tower and the Collosseum. Hundreds of millions of Chinese football fans watch the five major European leagues on TV, and I am one of them. But the Chinese people also have many question marks on the EU. They do not understand whether Brussels has the final say, or the 27 capitals all share the final say? Why some EU countries act as "good guy" as member states, but "bad guy" on the EU front? They do not understand why China is often blamed for some domestic issues that are not taken notice at all if they take place in Europe or the US? Why do Europeans seem to be aloof from the overall human rights progress for 1.3 billion Chinese people, but are particularly interested in the human rights or absolute freedom of a few so-called "human rights defender" or even criminals? Why do they issue irresponsible statements even without some basic knowledge of the actual happenings? They do not understand, why does the EU continue to maintain discriminatory arms embargo against China, when China and the EU are already comprehensive strategic partners for such a long time?

其實，縮小上述差距，爲中歐關係營造良好的政治、人文和輿論環境並不困難。中歐雖然相距遙遠，歷史文化背景迥異，但我們對和平與發展的嚮往，對友誼與合作的珍視是完全一致的。早在1827年，歌德曾對他的助手說，中國人“幾乎和我們有着同樣的思想、行爲和感情”。我相信，只要我們將心比心，推己及人，用真心去感知對方,用真誠去感動對方，用對話與合作去擴大理解共識，用寬容和信任去消除誤解分歧，中歐關係就能平安渡過“後危機”和“后里約”的調整期，結出更多的豐碩果實，造福於中歐人民，造福於世界人民。

In fact, it is not that difficult to narrow these gaps and create a good political, cultural, and public opinion environment for China-EU relations. Although we are far apart geographically and different in historical and cultural background, we now have many things in common, not least in pursuing peace and development and in cherishing friendship and cooperation. As early as in 1827, Goethe said to his assistant that the Chinese people have almost the same thoughts, behaviors and feelings like us in Europe. I believe, as long as we care about each other's feelings, be sincere to each other, build more understanding and consensus through dialogue and cooperation, and remove misunderstanding and differences with accommodation and trust, China-EU relations will be able to ride safe through the "post-crisis "and" post-Lisbon Treaty" period of transition and bring more benefit to the people of China, Europe and the world.

在這方面，歐洲議會可以發揮獨特的重要作用。歐洲議會是歐洲民意的代表。中歐立法機構、各專門委員會以及各黨團之間的交流，不僅有助於雙方增進對彼此政策的瞭解，更有助於加強雙方民衆的溝通，縮小認知差距。更重要的是，根據我個人的瞭解，《里約》後的歐洲議會正從“後排乘客”變爲“前排副駕駛”，在歐盟對外關係中的影響和作用越來越大。從這個意義上講，歐洲議會是中歐關係發展的重要利益攸關方。歐洲議會完全可以在歐盟對華關係中扮演更加積極的角色，發揮更加積極的作用，爲推動中歐關係的發展做出更加積極的貢獻。人民黨黨團作爲歐洲議會第一大黨團更是責無旁貸。相信在未來中歐關係發展史上，以及中歐立法機構和政黨交流史上，人民黨黨團今後均會留下濃墨重彩的一筆。

In this regard, the European Parliament can play a unique and important role. The European Parliament represents the European public opinion. Exchanges between China and the EU's legislative bodies, special committees, as well as political groups, not only enable the two sides to better understand each other's policies, but also help to strengthen people-to-people contacts and narrow the gaps in perception. More importantly, according to my personal understanding, after the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament will move from passenger seat in the back to co-driver seat in the front, holding stronger influence and role in the EU's external relations. In this sense, the European Parliament is an important stakeholder of the China-EU relations, and shall play a more positive role, exert more positive influence and make more positive contribution to the development of China-EU relations. The People's Party group, as the largest political group in the European Parliament, is duty-bound in every means. I am confident that the EPP will leave a strong and impressive mark in the history of China-EU relations, as well as in the history of exchange between China and the EU's legislative bodies and political parties.

尊敬的各位議員朋友，

MEPs and Friends,

我們都是中歐關係發展事業的重要參與者，肩負着共同的使命和責任。我們既是歷史的見證者，更是歷史的塑造者。歲月不居，時不我待。我期待着與歐洲議會以及人民黨黨團的議員朋友們共同努力，在中歐之間架起一座理解和互信的橋樑，爲中歐人民不斷增進相互理解與信任、爲中歐關係的長期健康穩定發展做出應有的貢獻。

As we all are participants in developing China-EU relations, we have a joint mission and share common responsibility. We are not only witnesses of history, but also makers of history. I look forward to working together with the European Parliament and Members of the People's Party group, to build a bridge of understanding and mutual trust between the people of China and Europe, and contribute to long-term, healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

謝謝大家。下面歡迎大家提問。

Thank you. Now I am ready to take your questions.