张明大使：首先，我要感谢你的同情心。但我要明确的是，分化他人不是中国的传统，对欧洲“分而治之”也不符合中方的利益。中国支持欧洲一体化和欧洲团结，这是中国数十年来始终不变的明确立场。

Zhang: Well, thank you for the great sympathy that you showed to me. But I want to make it clear that it's not China's tradition to play anyone against another and not in China's interest to play European countries against each other. China supports European integration, and supports European unity. This is a clear and consistent position China has been sticking to for several decades.

　　就“一带一路”而言，我并不感觉在欧洲的工作越来越难做。中国始终将欧洲视作共建“一带一路”的天然伙伴，因为历史上，古丝绸之路就将中欧紧紧联系在一起。“一带一路”倡议刚刚提出时，可能有些欧洲朋友持怀疑或观望态度。但近年来，我看到欧洲伙伴对“一带一路”的兴趣在上升，态度也日趋积极。政治层面，中欧领导人一致同意推进“一带一路”倡议同欧盟互联互通战略加强对接。

In terms of the BRI, I do not see an uphill battle in Europe. China always sees Europe as a natural BRI partner because we shared the history of the ancient Silk Road. When the BRI was first introduced, some Europeans might be skeptical and hesitant. But over the years, I have seen an increasing interest and a more and more positive approach from European partners.

At the political level, Chinese and EU leaders have agreed to synergize the BRI and the EU's connectivity strategy.

　　BBC：话虽这么说，但实际情况却是朝相反方向发展。欧盟将中国定位为“制度性对手”，而不是合作伙伴。欧委会批评意大利与中国签署“一带一路”合作文件，和“一带一路”走得太近。欧盟“温柔”对待中国的日子结束了，现在对中国的怀疑大幅增加。您对此怎么看？

　　张明大使：欧盟的确说中国是“制度性对手”，但你忘了欧盟还说中国是全面战略伙伴和合作者。越来越多的欧盟成员国表示有兴趣参与 “一带一路”倡议，因为他们认为可以从“一带一路”合作中获益。欧盟机构也对与中国开展互联互通合作表现出极大兴趣。

BBC: Except for everything you were saying, it's counter to the direction that Europe is moving in. Europe is saying that its stance with regard to China is as a systemic rival now rather than someone with whom it should cooperate. The European Commission has been critical of Italy signing up to the Belt and Road Initiative, aligning itself too closely to this. This notion that there is a soft approach to Beijing is over when it comes to Brussels. There is a real sense now of much more skepticism towards Beijing. I wonder how you deal with that as you approach this two-day summit.

Zhang Ming: Well, as you said, the EU says that China is a systematic rival, but you forgot that the EU also says China is a comprehensive strategic partner, and also a collaborator. More and more EU member states show more interest in the participation of the BRI, because they see they can benefit from the cooperation and from the partnership in the framework of the BRI. And even the EU itself shows great interest in cooperation with China over connectivity.

　　BBC：您是否认为这次论坛在某种程度上是中国对批评声音的反驳？有些国家，包括欧盟在内，仍在批评中国贷款带来较高的“债务陷阱”风险。您是否认为高峰论坛的一大目标就是反驳这些批评声音，并以一个更加积极的方式阐释中方立场？

BBC: I wonder if you accept, though, that this summit in a way goes towards China's rebuttal, if you like. China has come under criticism. There are countries who continue to say, including the European Union as a bloc, that China is lending into very high-risk environment and that will trap countries. I wonder if you accept that this two-day summit is designed to counter those criticisms and present China's case in a more positive light.