On 13 March 2022, the China Media Group launched the project “To the Future Together”. H.E. Zheng Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, delivered congratulatory remarks at the online launch ceremony of the project. The following is the full text of the remarks.
Carry forward the “Icebreaking” Spirit and
Create a Better Future
13 March 2022
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends:
It’s my pleasure to join you at the launch ceremony of the CMG project “To the Future Together”.
In the 1950s, at the height of the Cold War, British entrepreneurs, represented by Mr Jack Perry, broke through Western blockade against New China and started the trade and economic partnership between China and the UK. Since then, generations of “icebreakers” have persisted in this endeavour to promote the growth of China-UK relations.
Earlier this year, President Xi Jinping sent a message of congratulations to the “Icebreakers” 2022 Chinese New Year Celebration. President Xi commended the historic contribution of the first generation of “icebreakers” and showed the way forward for today’s visionary people from both countries in expanding the mutually-beneficial cooperation and deepening friendship between China and the UK. That was an encouraging message.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ambassadorial diplomatic relations between China and the UK. For half a century, this relationship has overcome various disruptions and obstacles, and made historic progress. History tells us that cooperation serves the fundamental interests of both China and the UK. Given their different national conditions, our bilateral relationship should follow the principle of mutual respect and win-win cooperation.
Today, as we stand at the new historical juncture, it is all the more important for us to emulate the “icebreaking” spirit. It is my hope that visionary people from our two countries will answer the call of President Xi Jinping, take over the baton from the old generation of “icebreakers”.
We should work together to enhance mutual understanding, reduce misperception and increase mutual trust. We should handle our differences properly and respect each other’s core interests. We should strengthen dialogue at all levels, encourage people-to-people exchanges, and explore ways to braoden cooperation wherever possible. We should draw inspiration from the past 50 years and work tirelessly for the sound and steady development of China-UK relations in the years to come.
I hope that you will all become icebreakers and bridge builders. Let’s join hands to create a better future for China-UK relations together. By doing so, we will not only serve the fundamental interests of our two countries, but also help promote peace, stability and prosperity of the world.
In conclusion, I wish the project “To the Future Together” great success!
Thank you!
