Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the celebration of the 90th anniversary of Bank of China London Branch: Forge ahead towards a Brighter Future

尊敬的中国银行副行长孙煜先生，

尊敬的伦敦金融城市长罗素先生，

尊敬的中国银行伦敦分行行长方文建先生，

尊敬的48家集团俱乐部主席佩里先生，

尊敬的各位议员，

女士们，先生们：

　　大家晚上好！

　　很高兴出席今天的庆典活动。我谨代表中国驻英国大使馆，对中国银行伦敦分行成立90周年表示热烈祝贺！

Executive Vice President Sun Yu,

Lord Mayor William Russell, 

General Manager Fang Wenjian,

Chairman Stephen Perry,

My Lords,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good evening!

It is a real delight to join you at today's celebration. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on the 90th anniversary of Bank of China London Branch!

　　90年前，中国银行落户英国，开设伦敦经理处，成为中国现代银行业在海外设立的第一个分支机构，标志着中国企业迈出国门、走向世界的第一步。

　　90年来，中国银行伦敦分行一直是中华民族伟大复兴征程的“参与者”。抗战时期，中行伦敦分行发行救国公债，协助华侨华人募捐，积极为中国人民“站起来”贡献力量。改革开放以来，中行伦敦分行充分发挥自身优势，大力促进对外经贸合作，助力中国金融业走向世界，为中国人民“富起来”、“强起来”贡献力量。

Ninety years ago, Bank of China set up its first overseas office in London. It was the pioneer of modern Chinese banking sector. It was the very first step in a long journey in which Chinese companies explored the global market and made solid footprints.

For 90 years, Bank of China London Branch has been a participant in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

During the Chinese people's war against Japanese aggression, Bank of China London Branch issued government bond to raise fund in the overseas Chinese community for the resistance. This effort was a valuable contribution to the struggle of the Chinese nation to "get back on her feet".

Since China began reform and opening up, Bank of China London Branch has been leveraging its strength to facilitate foreign trade and extend the global reach of China's financial sector. These efforts have given the Chinese nation powerful impetus on its way towards prosperity and greatness.

　　90年来，中国银行伦敦分行深耕英国，服务社会，开拓进取，不断壮大，成为中英金融合作的“领军者”和促进当地繁荣发展的“贡献者”。

　　90年风雨兼程，90载砥砺笃行。站在新的历史起点上，我对中国银行伦敦分行有三点期待：

For 90 years, Bank of China London Branch has cultivated the British market and provided services to the local people. In this process, it has explored new frontiers and grown stronger. It has become a champion for China-UK financial cooperation and a contributor to the prosperity and development of the local community.

After 90 years of persistent and strenuous efforts, this proud institution is standing at a new historical juncture. I would like to share with you my three hopes for Bank of China London Branch.

　　一是继续做中英开放合作的引领者。不久前，习近平主席在第二届中国国际进口博览会开幕式上发表重要讲话，强调各国应共建开放合作、开放创新、开放共享的世界经济。多年来，中行伦敦分行在对外开放合作中敢为人先，创造了多项第一：协助中国财政部在伦敦发行首支境外人民币主权债券，协助英格兰银行发行首个西方主权国家人民币债券，在伦敦证券交易所发行首支中国绿色资产担保债券，成为英国外资银行协会70年历史中首家出任主席单位的亚洲银行。希望中国银行充分利用深厚历史积淀，不断锐意进取，继续引领中国金融业走向世界。

First, I hope it will continue to be a leader in China-UK cooperation.

At the opening ceremony of the second China International Import Expo early this month, President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. He proposed that all countries work together to build an open world economy through cooperation, with innovation and for mutual benefits.

Over the years, Bank of China London Branch has been a pioneer in promoting cooperation between Chinese financial institutions and their British counterparts. It has created many "first's".

It was entrusted by the Ministry of Finance of China to issue the first RMB sovereign bond overseas.

It joined hands with Bank of England to issue the first RMB-denominated sovereign bond of a Western country.

It listed China's first green bond at the London Stock Exchange.

And it was the first Asian bank to take the chair of the Association of Foreign Banks in the UK in its 70 years of history.

It is my hope that Bank of China will build on these achievements and continue to strive forward. I am sure you will continue to be a leading Chinese financial institution in the global market.