Ambassador Zhou Pingjian: Why No Challenge Will Hold Back China's Development

　　2019年6月9日，驻尼日利亚大使周平剑在尼《每日信报》发表署名文章，宣介《关于中美经贸磋商的中方立场》白皮书内容。《领导者报》《国民报》《商业日报》《领航报》（7日）、《人民报》（6日）刊发该文。全文如下：

On June 6-9, 2019, Nigerian leading newspapers Daily Trust, Peoples Daily, Leadership, The Nation, Pilot and BusinessDay published an article written by Ambassador of China to Nigeria Dr. Zhou Pingjian, Why No Challenge Will Hold Back China's Development. The full text goes as follows:

　　“中美贸易战，谁会胜出？”

　　不久前我就中国发展和对外关系向阿布贾大学师生做演讲时，被问及这样一个问题。

　　贸易战不会有赢家。坦诚说，中国要“贸易”，不要“战”。

Which side will win out in the ongoing trade war, China or the US?

That was a question I was asked the other day, when I had the honour and pleasure to address hundreds of students in the prestigious University of Abuja on China's development and its foreign relations.

No one will emerge as the winner in a trade war. China wants trade, not war. Honestly.

　　2017年新一届美国政府上任后，以加征关税等手段相威胁，频频挑起与主要贸易伙伴之间的经贸摩擦。2018年3月以来，针对美国政府单方面发起的中美经贸摩擦，中国不得不采取有力应对措施，坚决捍卫国家和人民利益。同时，中国始终坚持通过对话协商解决争议的基本立场，与美国开展多轮经贸磋商，努力稳定双边经贸关系。中国的态度是一贯的、明确的。中美合则两利，斗则俱伤，合作是双方唯一正确的选择。对于两国经贸分歧和摩擦，中国愿意采取合作的方式加以解决，推动达成互利双赢的协议。但合作是有原则的，磋商是有底线的。

Since it took office in 2017, the new US administration has threatened additional tariffs and other measures and provoked frequent economic and trade friction with its major trading partners. In response to the economic and trade friction unilaterally initiated by the US since March 2018, China has had to take forceful measures to defend the interests of the nation and its people. At the same time, committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation, China has engaged in multiple rounds of economic and trade consultations with the US in an effort to stabilize the bilateral commercial relationship. China's position has been consistent and clear -- that cooperation serves the interests of the two countries, that conflict can only hurt both, and that cooperation is the only correct choice for both sides. Concerning their differences and frictions on the economic and trade front, China is willing to work together with the US to find solutions, and to reach a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement. However, cooperation has to be based on principles. There are bottom lines in consultations.

　　中国最近发布的《关于中美经贸磋商的中方立场》白皮书重申：“在重大原则问题上中国决不让步。对于贸易战，中国不愿打，不怕打，必要时不得不打，这个态度一直没变。”

　　国务院新闻办公室6月2日发布的白皮书全文约8300字，完整、准确地还原了中美经贸磋商的过程，介绍了事实真相。除前言和结束语外，共包括三部分，分别是美国挑起对华经贸摩擦损害两国和全球利益，美国在中美经贸磋商中出尔反尔、不讲诚信，中国始终坚持平等、互利、诚信的磋商立场。

"China will not compromise on major issues of principle," the newly-issued white paper by China, namely China's Position on the China-US Economic and Trade Consultations, reaffirms, " China does not want a trade war, but it is not afraid of one and it will fight one if necessary. China's position on this has never changed. "

Besides a preface and a conclusion, the 8,300-character white paper issued on June 2 by State Council Information Office devotes three sections to elaborate on the damages of the trade frictions provoked by the United States, the U.S. backtracking on its commitment in the consultations, and China's commitment to credible consultations based on equality and mutual benefit. It offers a complete and accurate account of the whole process of consultations and presents the facts and truth.