□ 文/本刊綜合報道
中國駐外大使唱響“一帶一路”
□ 文/本刊綜合報道
2月25日,駐意大利大使李瑞宇出席了羅馬菲烏米奇諾機場舉行的“新絲綢之路的大門”研討會。羅馬機場執(zhí)行董事洛普勒斯蒂、工業(yè)家聯(lián)合會羅馬分會主席斯蒂爾佩和意外交部、拉齊奧大區(qū)代表與會發(fā)言,中國國航、東方航空、海南航空、國泰航空和意大利航空及多家中意媒體代表100余人出席會議。
李瑞宇大使在講話中介紹了中意關(guān)系的最新發(fā)展情況,高度評價中意旅游合作對促進兩國人民了解與友誼發(fā)揮的積極作用,希望意方抓住今年中意建交45周年和米蘭世博會契機,在機場、酒店等場所為中國游客提供更多的便利化服務(wù)措施,讓越來越多中國游客把羅馬作為來歐洲旅游的首站,讓意大利真正成為“新絲綢之路的大門”。
意方在發(fā)言中表示,不斷增長的中國游客給意經(jīng)濟發(fā)展帶來重要機遇。海航即將開通重慶至羅馬直航(4月27日開通),將進一步推動意大利加強同中國中西部地區(qū)合作與交流。近幾年,羅馬機場針對中國游客的特點,對工作人員進行中國禮儀培訓(xùn),并設(shè)置中文標識、提供免費熱水,以周到細致的服務(wù)努力提高中國游客的滿意度和舒適度。從2010年到2014年,經(jīng)羅馬機場往返中國大陸和香港的乘客增加了60%。相信在雙方共同努力下,意中旅游合作將取得更大成績。
研討會結(jié)束后,李大使還接受了新華社、國際廣播電臺和意媒體的采訪。
3月30日,駐烏茲別克斯坦大使孫立杰接受了新華社、中央電視臺、經(jīng)濟日報和文匯報記者的聯(lián)合采訪。
記者問:國家發(fā)展改革委、外交部、商務(wù)部剛剛聯(lián)合發(fā)布了《推動共建絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶和21世紀海上絲綢之路的愿景與行動》,烏方對此反應(yīng)如何?在共同建設(shè)“一帶一路”的過程中,烏方能夠發(fā)揮什么作用?
孫立杰說:烏方高度關(guān)注習(xí)近平主席提出的絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶倡議,希望積極參與其建設(shè),加強與中國和其他絲綢之路沿線國家的互利合作。烏方一直期待中方盡早提出具體設(shè)想或規(guī)劃,《推動共建絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶和21世紀海上絲綢之路的愿景與行動》文件的出臺,可謂是一場“及時雨”。
今天,我會見了烏第一副外長庫爾曼諾夫,向他提交了上述文件,介紹了“一帶一路”的背景、內(nèi)容和意義。烏方歡迎并認為這是一份重要文件,有助于烏和國際社會了解中方提出“一帶一路”倡議的深層次考慮,烏方將認真研究。我覺得,這份文件清晰地指出了“一帶一路”的目標、原則和內(nèi)容,其中指明的加強能源管道合作、推動區(qū)域電網(wǎng)升級改造、實現(xiàn)交通基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施互聯(lián)互通等合作重點,十分契合烏經(jīng)濟和社會發(fā)展需要,是中烏合作的優(yōu)先開拓方向。
2月17日,駐羅馬尼亞大使徐飛洪在羅最具影響的報刊《真理報》發(fā)表題為《弘揚絲路精神,續(xù)寫合作新篇》署名文章,重點介紹“絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”和“海上新絲綢之路”戰(zhàn)略構(gòu)想,展望中羅在“一帶一路”框架內(nèi)合作美好前景。
文章說,1月29日,我很榮幸出席約翰尼斯總統(tǒng)集體會見使節(jié)活動,聽取他關(guān)于羅外交政策演講。總統(tǒng)先生在講話中建議加強同中亞經(jīng)貿(mào)和能源合作,建設(shè)黑海、里海貨運走廊,連接歐洲、中亞和中國。這與中方“一帶一路”戰(zhàn)略構(gòu)想高度契合?!耙粠б宦贰边@一戰(zhàn)略構(gòu)想系沿途國家共同繁榮的有益路徑,也為中國同包括羅馬尼亞在內(nèi)的歐洲國家合作提供歷史機遇。包括羅馬尼亞在內(nèi)的中東歐國家地處亞歐絲路門戶,是中歐互聯(lián)互通不可或缺的環(huán)節(jié)。羅設(shè)有“絲路協(xié)會”,以絲路為主題的布加勒斯特論壇成為羅外交名片,充分體現(xiàn)羅與絲路的深厚淵源。中方高度重視發(fā)展對羅關(guān)系,愿同羅方一道,秉承絲路精神,深入落實中國—中東歐國家合作系列綱要及中羅兩國領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人共識,推進在能源、鐵路、港口、農(nóng)業(yè)等領(lǐng)域合作項目,讓電機轉(zhuǎn)起來、火車跑起來、人員動起來,將雙方合作意愿轉(zhuǎn)化為現(xiàn)實成果。作為新大使,我愿不懈努力,同羅方共繪合作多彩畫卷,為“一帶一路”建設(shè)作出新貢獻。
3月31日,駐克羅地亞大使鄧英在克主流報刊《晨報》發(fā)表題為《不是中國“獨奏曲”,而是各國“交響樂”》的署名文章,介紹中國發(fā)展新理念,“一帶一路”戰(zhàn)略構(gòu)想等,展望中克合作美好前景。
文章說,2015年,中國將繼續(xù)堅持獨立自主的和平外交政策,積極拓展全方位外交,核心就是“一個重點、兩條主線”。“一個重點”就是要全面推進“一帶一路”。“兩條主線”就是要做好和平與發(fā)展這兩篇大文章。當前,中克兩國都在全面深化改革,推動經(jīng)濟結(jié)構(gòu)轉(zhuǎn)型調(diào)整,中國對外開放的大門正越來越大。隨著“一帶一路”建設(shè)和中國—中東歐國家合作深入開展,兩國關(guān)系發(fā)展和各領(lǐng)域務(wù)實合作面臨新的機遇。
駐哈薩克斯坦大使張漢暉接受中新社、新華社聯(lián)合采訪,就中哈務(wù)實合作、共建“絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”等相關(guān)問題回答記者提問。3月9日,中國新聞網(wǎng)刊登題為《駐哈大使張漢暉:“光明大道”對接“絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”》的采訪文章。
文章說,關(guān)于“絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”建設(shè)的進展,張漢暉談到,經(jīng)過阿拉山口和霍爾果斯兩個節(jié)點的歐亞鐵路,目前已經(jīng)開通了“渝新歐”“漢新歐”“鄭新歐”“義新歐”等班列,雖然這些班列尚處于試運行階段,但對于活躍地方經(jīng)濟、直接溝通中國內(nèi)地同歐洲國家經(jīng)貿(mào)往來的重要作用已經(jīng)顯現(xiàn)出來。
中國阿拉山口站負責(zé)生產(chǎn)的副站長祁永維告訴中新社記者,2014年新增了數(shù)條從中國內(nèi)地省份發(fā)往歐洲的“五定班列”(定點、定線、定車次、定時、定價),“‘五定班列’現(xiàn)在幾乎每周都有”,搭乘“義新歐”,義烏的小商品經(jīng)阿拉山口被送往中亞小商品集散中心阿拉木圖,“蓉新歐”“渝新歐”則將成都、重慶生產(chǎn)的電子產(chǎn)品直接運抵歐洲市場。
柏林時間2014年8月14日凌晨4點,首趟渝新歐進口汽車整車回程班列由德國杜伊斯堡港成功出發(fā)。
3月末,格魯吉亞《信息周刊》用一個整版刊登了駐格魯吉亞大使岳斌的采訪文章。岳斌大使在采訪中詳細介紹了過去一年中格關(guān)系的發(fā)展情況、“絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”戰(zhàn)略構(gòu)想的深刻內(nèi)涵、中格教育合作成果以及中國節(jié)慶民俗。
問:格魯吉亞提出的“復(fù)興絲綢之路”戰(zhàn)略與中國有關(guān)。您如何看待該戰(zhàn)略,中方為此做了哪些工作?
答:早在兩千多年前,古絲綢之路就將中格兩國緊密聯(lián)系在一起。2013年9月,中國國家主席習(xí)近平提出了“絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”戰(zhàn)略構(gòu)想,其主要內(nèi)容與格國家發(fā)展戰(zhàn)略有諸多契合點。第一,絲綢之路是一條發(fā)展之路。格魯吉亞地處歐亞結(jié)合部,是“絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”的重要沿線國。格政府提出將格打造成連接歐亞的商品、物流中轉(zhuǎn)樞紐和交通運輸中心,“絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”的建設(shè)無疑將為格方實現(xiàn)上述戰(zhàn)略目標提供新的契機。格副總理克維里卡什維利不久將率團訪華,雙方將簽署共建“絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”備忘錄以及啟動中格自貿(mào)協(xié)定談判可行性研究的聯(lián)合聲明等文件。同時,中方積極支持并將派團出席格方擬于今年10月舉行的“絲綢之路國際論壇”。
第二,絲綢之路是一條合作之路。目前,有越來越多的中國企業(yè)表現(xiàn)出在格投資興業(yè)的興趣,去年中國成為格最大投資來源國就是一個很好的例證。
第三,絲綢之路是一條友誼之路。中方提出的“絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”戰(zhàn)略構(gòu)想的一項主要內(nèi)容就是增進絲綢之路沿線各國人民之間的友好感情,深化傳統(tǒng)友誼。目前,中格雙方已就今年人文交流做出了初步安排。格方計劃派團參加2015北京國際藝術(shù)節(jié),第比利斯國立美術(shù)學(xué)院也在積極組織格畫家參與2015年北京國際美術(shù)雙年展,中方也將派藝術(shù)團體來格訪演。此外,雙方教育合作也將邁上新臺階。
3月26日,駐奧地利大使趙彬在奧地利主流媒體《維也納日報》發(fā)表題為“中國為何如此看重奧地利”的署名文章。
文章說,中國與奧地利保持了長期良好的關(guān)系。當前,中奧關(guān)系蓄勢待發(fā)。中國在推進“四個全面”戰(zhàn)略布局,即全面建成小康社會、全面深化改革、全面推進依法治國和全面從嚴治黨,也在實施“絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”和“21世紀海上絲綢之路經(jīng)濟帶”戰(zhàn)略,這將給中歐關(guān)系和中奧合作帶來新的機遇。奧地利可以憑借自身優(yōu)勢,在中歐合作中發(fā)揮三大獨特作用。一是橋頭堡。奧地利可以成為中國投資進入歐洲的橋頭堡。二是轉(zhuǎn)車臺。奧地利是文化大國,憑借悠久的歷史、燦爛的文化、獨特的人文風(fēng)情和優(yōu)美的自然風(fēng)光吸引著越來越多的中國游客。2014年中國赴奧人數(shù)近50萬人次,且呈上升趨勢??梢灶A(yù)見,隨著中奧、中歐關(guān)系的不斷發(fā)展和人員往來的日益頻繁,奧地利作為中轉(zhuǎn)站的作用將會越來越突出。三是領(lǐng)舞者。
Chinese Ambassadors Promote “One Belt, One Road”
On February 25, Li Ruiyu, Chinese Ambassador to Italy attend the workshop of “Gateway of New Silk Road”in Fiumicino, Rome. Airport executive director Lopresti, president of Rome Council of Confindustria, MAE and Lazio Region delegates spoke during the workshop. Over 100 representatives from AirChina, China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airlines, Alitalia and many Chinese and Italian media attended the workshop.
Ambassador Ii introduced the updates of China-Italy relationship and spoke highly on the positive role of tourism and partnership between both nations on promoting understanding and friendship of our peoples. He hoped that Italy could capitalize the opportunity of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relation with China and the World Expo in Milan, offer more convenient services and facilities to Chinese tourists in airports and hotels and thus more and more Chinese tourists will consider Rome as their first stop in Europe and Italy can truly become the “Gateway of New Silk Road”.
The Italian party said in the speeches that the ever growing Chinese tourists bring crucial opportunities to its economy. Hainan Airlines will soon open up a direct flight from Chongqing to Rome on April 27, which will further stimulate partnerships and exchanges between Italy and West China. In recent years, the airport of Rome has performed Chinese etiquette training to its staff to address needs of Chinese tourists, set up Chinese signs, offered free boiled water and tried to raise the satisfaction and comfort level of Chinese tourists with considerate and detailed services. From 2010 to 2014, passengers travel to Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and the other way around via the airport of Rome increased by 60%. With concerted effort from both parties, it is believed that the Italy-China tourism partnership will scale new heights.
After the workshop, ambassador Li also took the interviews from Xinhua News Agency, CRI and Italian media.
On March 30, Sun Lijie, Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan accepted a group interview to reporters from Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, Economic Daily and Wen Wei Po.
Question: Two days ago, the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China jointly issued the “Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road”. What is the response from Uzbekistan? What role could Uzbekistan play in the process of jointly building the Belt and Road?
Answer: Uzbekistan attaches great importance to the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative raised by President Xi Jinping, and wish to be actively engagedin its construction so as to enhance mutually-beneficial cooperation with China and other counties along the Silk Road. Uzbekistan has hoped that China would bring forth a detailed vision or blueprint at an early date. Therefore, the issue of the Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road can be compared to a “timely rain”.
Today, during my meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Alisher Kurmanov of Uzbekistan, I presented the document to him, and introduced him the background, contents and significance of the “One Belt, One Road”initiative. The Uzbekistan party recognized it as a very important document which will help Uzbekistan and the international community to understand the underlying consideration of the initiative, and Uzbekistan will study the document with thoroughness. I think this document clearly points out the target, principles and contents of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. Cooperation highlights stated in the document such as enhancing energy pipeline cooperation, upgrading regional power grid and realizing transport infrastructure connectivity fit perfectly with Uzbekistan’s economic and social development, and will become priorities in the China-Uzbek cooperation.
On February 27, Xu Feihong, Chinese Ambassador to Romania penned a signed article named “Seek New Cooperation in the Silk Road Spirit” on Romania’s most influential newspaper Adev?rul, giving highlights to the strategic vision of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and picturing a promising prospect for China-Romania cooperation within the Belt and Road framework.
In the article he writes that “on January 29, I was honored to attend Romanian president Klaus Iohannis’ group meeting with diplomatic envoys, and listened to his speech on Romania’s foreign policy. During his speech, His Excellency proposed the enhancement of trade and energy cooperation in Central Asia and the construction of Black Sea-Caspian Sea Cargo Corridor to link Europe, Central Asia and China. This proposal is highly relevant to China’s strategic vision of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative which will help bring prosperity to countries along the Belt and Road and provide historic opportunity for China to cooperate with European countries including Romania. The Central and Middle Eastern European Countries (CEEC) including Romania stand as gateway countries on the Silk Road and represent indispensable links in the China-Europe connectivity. The connection between Romania and Silk Road could also be reflected from the Silk Road Association in Romania and Bucharest Forum which takes Silk Road as its theme and has become a name card for Romania’s diplomacy. China values the China-Romania relations greatly and would like to work with Romania in the Silk Road spirit to implement series of cooperation outlines between China and the Central and Middle Eastern European Countries, carry out the consensus reached between the Chinese and Romanian leaders, push forward cooperation in areas like energy, railways, ports and agriculture, and let the humming machines, running trains and moving personnel to turn the cooperation intention into real fruits. As the newlyappointed ambassador, I stand ready to work with the Romania side with unremitting efforts to paint colorful pictures of China-Romania cooperation and make fresh contribution to the construction of “One Belt, One Road”.
On March 31, Deng Ying, Chinese Ambassador to Croatia published signed article named “Not China'sSolo, but a Symphony Performed by All Relevant Countries” on Jutarnji list, a mainstream newspaper in Croatia, introducing new development concepts of China, the strategic vision of the “One Belt, One Road”initiative and looking into the promising prospect for China-Croatia cooperation.
According to the article, in 2015 China will continue to pursue the independent foreign policy of peace and actively explore an all-round diplomacy with “one key focus and two main themes” as its core. One key focus is to make all-round progress in the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, while “two main themes” refer to the promotion ofpeace and development. At present, both China and Croatia are striving for comprehensively deepening reform and economic structural reform and adjustment. China is opening up its door wider and wider. And with the “One Belt, One Road” initiative in place and the China-CEEC cooperation going deeper, there will be new opportunities for China and Croatia in the development of their relations and in their pragmatic cooperation in various areas.
Zhang Hanhui, Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan gave a group interview to China News Service and Xinhua News Agency, and answered relevant questions concerning China-Kazakhstan pragmatic cooperation and jointly building Silk Road Economic Belt. On March 9, Chinanews.com published an interview article named “Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Hanhui: ‘Bright Thoroughfare’ to Match ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’’’.
According to the article, for the progress of the Belt construction, Ambassador Zhang mentioned the Eurasian railway which goes pass Alataw Pass and Horgos. Currently, “Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe”, ”Wuhan-Xingjiang-Europe”, “Zhengzhou-Xinjiang-Europe’and “Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe” railways have been put through. Although those railways are only in trial phase, the significant roles they will play to directly link the hinterland of China and European countries in trade and business has already been reflected.
Qi Yongwei, Deputy Head of Alataw Pass railway station who is responsible for the production told China News Service that in 2014 a few “Five Fixed” trains (fixed stops, routes, train numbers, time tables and prices) were lunched, going from inland China to Europe. “Five Fixed’’ trains are running on a weekly basis. Small commodities from Yiwu city are transported to Central Asia small commodity distribution center in Almaty via “Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe” railway, while the “Chengdu-Xinjiang-Europe” railway and “Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe” railway are taking IT products produced in Chengdu and Chongqing directly to the European market.
At the end of March, Information Week in Georgia used a whole page to cover its interview with Yue Bin, Chinese Ambassador to Georgia. In the interview Ambassador Yue Bin thoroughly introduced the development of China-Georgia relations over the past year, the underlying connotation of the “Silk Road Economic Belt” strategic vision, fruits for the China-Georgia education cooperation, and folk customs at Chinese Festivals.
Question: The strategy of “Reviving the Silk Road”proposed by Georgia is relevant to China. How do your view this strategy? How did China contribute to it?
Answer: More than two millennia ago, China and Georgia were closely linked by the ancient Silk Road. InSeptember 2013, Chinese president Xi Jinping proposed the strategic vision of building “Silk Road Economic Belt”, the main contents of which are highly relevant to Georgia’s national development strategy. First, the Silk Road is a road for development. Georgia stands at the junction of Europe and Asia and represents an important country along the Belt. The Georgian government proposed to build Georgia into a transit hub for commodities and logistics and a transportation center linking Europe and Asia. The construction of the Belt will no doubt bring new opportunities for Georgia to meet its strategic target. Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili will soon lead a delegation to visit China. The two sides will sign documents such as the Memorandum of Understanding of Strengthening the Construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt, and the Joint Declaration of Launching the Feasible Studies on China-Georgia Free Trade Agreement Negotiations. At the same time, China will actively support and send delegation to attend the Great Silk Road forum planned to be held in Georgia in October this year.
Second, the Silk Road is a road for cooperation. Currently, more and more Chinese enterprises are showing interest to invest and do business in Georgia. A good example is that China has become the largest investor for Georgia last year.
Third, the Silk Road is a road for friendship. One main content of the China’s “Silk Road Economic Belt”strategic vision is to enhance the friendly relations among people in countries along the Belt and deepen the traditional friendship. At present, China and Georgia have come up with the initial arrangement for this year’s people-to-people exchange. The Georgia side will send delegation to attend 2015 Beijing International Art Festival; the Tbilisi State Academy of Art is actively organizing Georgian painters to join the 2015 Beijing International Art Biennale; and the Chinese side will also send art troupe to perform in Georgia. Besides, education cooperation between the two sides will also reach a new level.
On March 26, Chinese Ambassador to Austria Zhao Bin published singed article named “Behind China’s Focus on Austria” on Austria’s mainstream media Wiener Zeitung.
According to the article, China and Austria have maintained a good and long-term relationship. And the China-Austria relations strand ready for further development. China is rolling out the strategic blueprint of “Four Comprehensives”--"comprehensively" building a moderately prosperous society, deepening reform, governing the country according to law, and enforcing strict party discipline,and are lunching the strategy of Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which will bring about new opportunities for China-Europe relations and China-Austria cooperation. Austria stands in a favorable position and can play three unique roles in the China-European cooperation. Firstly, as a bridgehead. Austria can serve as a bridgehead for the Chinese investment going into Europe. Secondly, as a transit point. Austria is a country rich in culture. Its time-honored history, splendid culture, unique customs and beautiful natural scenery are attracting more and more Chinese tourists. In 2014, Austria received 500,000 person times of Chinese visitors, and the figure is still climbing. It is foreseeable that with the China-European and China-Austria relations going deeper and the exchanges of people becoming more frequent, Austria’s role as a transit point will become more prominent. Thirdly, as a pacesetter.