Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Celebration of the Fifth Anniversary of CCB London's Launch of UK RMB Clearing Services: Enhance Financial Cooperation and Deliver More "Golden Fruits"

驻英国大使刘晓明在中国建设银行人民币清算行成立五周年暨清算量突破40万亿元庆祝会上的讲话《推进高水平金融合作，打造开放共赢“黄金成果”》

尊敬的中国建设银行董事长田国立先生，

尊敬的伦敦金融城前市长鲍满诚爵士，

尊敬的英国政府“一带一路”特使范智廉爵士，

女士们、先生们，

大家下午好！

　　很高兴出席中国建设银行举办的双庆活动。2014年，作为李克强总理访问英国的成果之一，中国建设银行在伦敦成立人民币业务清算行。5年来，中国建设银行伦敦分行业务蓬勃发展，人民币累计清算量突破40万亿元，成为亚洲地区以外规模最大的清算行，书写了建行历史上具有里程碑意义的新篇章！我谨对这一成就表示热烈祝贺！

Chairman Tian Guoli,

Sir Charles Bowman,

Sir Douglas Flint,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good afternoon!

It is a real delight to join you at the event of double celebration for China Construction Bank. Back in 2014, CCB launched the RMB clearing services here in London. It was one of the outcomes of Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the UK. And it marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of CCB.

Over the past five years since then, CCB London has achieved remarkable progress, with a total clearing volume of 40 trillion RMB yuan. It is now the largest RMB clearing bank outside Asia. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to CCB on this major milestone!

　　今年是中华人民共和国成立70周年，也是中英建立代办级外交关系65周年。在这样一个回顾历史、展望未来的重要年份，我们庆贺中国建设银行伦敦人民币清算行取得的成就，具有重要意义，体现了“三个标志”：

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 65th anniversary of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the chargé d'affaires level. This is an important year! As we review our progress and look into the future, today's event bears three-fold significance.

　　第一，这标志着中英金融合作正不断走深走实。金融合作是中英合作最具活力、最具潜力的领域之一。中国建设银行人民币清算行地处伦敦这一全球金融中心，借助独特时区优势，协同北京和纽约两大资源，不仅实现了人民币清算业务对亚洲、欧洲和美洲主要工作时段的覆盖，更使伦敦成为中国与世界各国开展离岸人民币业务的重要平台。目前，伦敦已成为世界第一大人民币离岸外汇交易中心和全球第二大人民币离岸清算中心。

First, CCB's achievement bears witness to the ever-deeper and more substantial financial cooperation between China and the UK.

Financial sector is one of the most vigorous and promising in China-UK cooperation. London is a global financial centre. CCB London joins clearing banks in Beijing and New York to make sure that RMB clearing services can be offered during the majority of the working hours in Asia, Europe and North America.

CCB's RMB clearing services has also made London an important platform for RMB offshore transaction between China and other countries. London is now the world's largest RMB offshore trading hub and second largest RMB offshore clearing centre.

　　第二，这标志着中国金融业正坚定走向世界。改革开放40多年来，中国坚定不移扩大对外开放，奉行互利共赢的开放战略，有力提升了中国对外开放与国际合作水平。中国建设银行人民币清算行在伦敦的设立和发展，是中国金融业深度融入世界、惠及世界的一个缩影。下一步，中国将扩大服务业特别是金融业对外开放，与包括英国在内的各国扩大双向投资，促进贸易和金融往来，在开放中增进共同利益，在合作中实现互利共赢。

Second, CCB's achievement represents a firm step to integrate China's financial sector with the world.

In the past 40 plus years since the beginning of reform and opening up, China has been committed to opening its market and pursuing win-win cooperation at a higher level. The launch and growth of the RMB clearing services in London is an epitome of China's financial sector integrating with and delivering benefits to the world.

Going forward, China will open its services market wider, especially in the financial sector. China is ready to work with all countries, including the UK, to expand investment both ways, and enhance trade and financial exchanges. Through open cooperation, China hopes to expand common interests with other countries and achieve win-win results.