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Ambassador Zheng Zeguang Delivers a Speech at the Welcome Luncheon Hosted by the UK National Committee on China
2022-06-25 17:14

On 21 June, UK National Committee on China held a luncheon at The New Club in the City of Edinburgh, Scotland, to welcome the visiting Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang. Ambassador Zheng delivered a speech at the luncheon, while the Committee's Chairman Frank Slevin hosted the event and delivered a welcome speech, and Chair of Center for China and Globalisation International Expert Council Alistair Michie delivered a speech of thanks on behalf of those present. Friends from the Scottish government, business, finance, education and other sectors attended the event.

Ambassador Zheng firstly explained China's views on the current international situation, emphasizing that China always champions peace and opposes war, advocates unity and refuses division, and stands for cooperation and rejects confrontation. He pointed out that regardless of the changes in the international situation, people of all countries should adhere to the right direction of dialogue and cooperation, and resolutely oppose and resist the erroneous ideas of "decoupling" or "new cold war".

Ambassador Zheng also introduced the important achievements of China in coordinating pandemic prevention and control and economic and social development. He stressed that China remains committed to the “dynamic zero” policy, always gives top priority to people’s lives and health, and China’s infection and fatality rates maintains the world’s lowest. China is making every effort to contain the new outbreak of Omicron variant and to promote comprehensive and orderly resumption of work and production. He said China has the confidence in achieving the important targets for economic and social development this year.

Ambassador Zheng said he hoped the trip to Scotland would be one to deepen mutual understanding and trust, facilitate mutually-beneficial cooperation, and enhance mutual learning. In recent years, the China-Scotland relationship has maintained a sound momentum of development. The two sides have seen frequent mutual visits at all levels. The Government of Scotland has issued several China engagement strategies, and has overall planning for deepening the two sides’ friendly cooperation. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the ambassadorial diplomatic relationship between China and the UK. “The Chinese Embassy in the UK and Chinese Consulate General in Edinburgh stand ready to join hands with all sectors in Scotland, and keep to the right direction of dialogue and cooperation to open up new prospects for cooperation,” added the Ambassador.

Ambassador Zheng noted, with highly complementary industries, China and Scotland have enormous potential for cooperation. Scotland has taken part in the China International Import Expo for several years in a row. More than 250 Scottish companies have joined hands with their Chinese partners to provide a rich variety of quality products for consumers in China. China is not only Scotland’s largest source of import but also its seventh largest export market, including the third largest market for Scottish salmon and fifth largest market for Scottish whiskey. Several Chinese companies have invested in Scotland and continued to expand their cooperation in the areas of energy, retail, automobiles and innovation. They have contributed their share to local employment and economy. The Ambassador hoped that the business communities of the two sides will seize the opportunities to expand cooperation in green development, digital economy, clean energy, creative industries and green finance, so as to create more highlights.

Ambassador Zheng mentioned that both China and Scotland have time-honored history and profound culture. The two sides share broad prospect in deepening cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. At present, nineteen Scottish universities have established partnership with universities in China. Over 50,000 students in more than 300 primary and secondary schools are learning the Chinese language. Nearly 20,000 Chinese students are studying in Scotland. The two sides have also carried out various forms of exchanges and cooperation in the areas of tourism, art, film and television. Every year, the world-renowned Edinburgh Art Festival attracts a large number of Chinese art groups. The giant pandas Sunshine and Tiantian have won the hearts of the Scottish people and become goodwill ambassadors for our two sides. “I hope the pandemic will be over soon and the cultural exchanges and mutual learning between our two sides will become even closer and stronger,” said the Ambassador.

Friends from all walks of life at the event welcomed Ambassador Zheng and his delegation to Scotland, speaking positively of the traditional friendship and expressing their support for expanding exchanges and cooperation between Scotland and China. Mr. Slevin said that the UK National Committee on China is willing to build a platform and broaden channels for China and the UK to strengthen dialogue, facilitate cooperation, learn from each other and play an active role in promoting the healthy and positive development of China-UK relations.

Chinese Consul General to Edinburgh Ma Qiang, Counsellor Hua Mei, wife of Ambassador Zheng, Minister Counsellor Zhang Jin, Minister Counsellor Zeng Rong and Counsellor Zhang Limin of the Chinese Embassy in the UK attended the event.

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