Ambassador Liu Xiaoming attends the 'Together We Fight against the Virus - UK and China, United We Stand' event jointly hosted by the city of London and Chinese and British business communities and delivered keynote speech

On February 28, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming attended the "Together We Fight against the Virus - UK and China, United We Stand" Event jointly hosted by the City of London and Chinese and British business communities, and delivered a keynote speech entitled Together We Fight against the Virus. More than 300 guests were present at the event, including Alderman William Russell, Lord Mayor of the City of London, Fang Wenjian, Chairman of China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK), Lord Sassoon, President of China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), Richard Burn, HM Trade Commissioner for China of the UK, Sir Peter Estlin, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Sir Charles Bowman, Sir David Wootton, Sir David Brewer and representatives from Chinese and British sectors of politics, business, culture, education and media.

Ambassador Liu said in his speech that through last week's telephone conversation between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the two leaders expressed their confidence in victory over the epidemic and agreed that China and the UK will shoulder the responsibility and work together to ensure this victory. The joint event held by the City of London, and Chinese and British business communities has demonstrated that "we have firm determination to win this battle against the virus". In face of the epidemic, President Xi Jinping has given instructions and mapped out plans in person. China has taken decisively the most comprehensive, strict and thorough measures which have taken initial effect. By upholding the spirit of being open, transparent and responsible, China has shared information about the epidemic with all the relevant parties in a timely manner. Ambassador Liu expressed his confidence that, "with the solidarity of the Chinese people and broad support of the international community, this battle against the virus can be won". "We have strong confidence in the long-term growth of China's economy," the Ambassador said. The epidemic will inevitably have an impact on China's economy. However, China's economy is highly resilient and has enormous potential. The fundamentals that sustain long-term growth have not changed and will not change. Last week, President Xi Jinping called a meeting to lay out fifteen priorities in epidemic prevention and control as well as social and economic development. China is fully confident in turning the crisis into opportunities, minimizing its impact, and achieving this year's goals for social and economic development, so as to make new and greater contribution to the world economy. "We have untiring perseverance in promoting the steady and sustained development of China-UK relations," said the Ambassador, adding that "as we fight the epidemic, we are deeply grateful for the support coming from all quarters in the UK." This year marks the fifth anniversary of the China-UK "Golden Era" launched by President Xi Jinping's state visit to the UK. President Xi and Prime Minister Johnson agreed in their telephone conversation last week that the two countries should work together to make new progress in the next decade of China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership. Going forward, China and the UK should keep to the right direction of the China-UK "Golden Era", take China-UK cooperation to a new level and join hands to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

In closing, Ambassador Liu reiterated, "China will stand united with the international community, including the UK, in the spirit of the community with a shared future for mankind. We will pull in the same direction and go all out to win this battle against the virus. I am sure that China and the UK will emerge from the test of the epidemic with stronger mutual trust, closer cooperation and deeper friendship. And China-UK "Golden Era" will yield more "golden fruits".

Lord Mayor Russell said, President Xi Jinping once said "a friend in need is a friend indeed". The deep friendship between the City of London and China shines through the hardship of fighting the Covid-19 outbreak. The City of London is ready to work closely with China to battle with the epidemic and provide support to Chinese people. He wished China a speedy victory over the disease and a bright future. Regarding UK-China relationship, the Lord Mayor said that the City of London has been making positive progress in cooperation with China in recent years. Not long ago, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation, through which the two leaders have reached major consensus on the continuous development of the UK-China "Golden Era" and new opportunities in strengthening cooperation between the City of London and China. The City of London is well positioned to further enhance cooperation with China in such areas as financial service, and to achieve mutually beneficial and win-win outcomes.

Burn said that China is the UK's third largest trade partner, and the trade cooperation between the two countries is an important part of UK-China relationship. At this critical moment of fighting against the virus, the British government will give its support to the British companies for their continuing businesses in China and appreciate the Chinese government's support as well. The UK and China should display solidarity at this moment of difficulty and stand together against the Covid-19 epidemic. He expressed confidence that China's economy and UK-China trade will be resumed in no time after the epidemic.

Lord Sassoon said, since the outbreak of Covid-19, there are many touching stories of the corporate members of CBBC in giving their support by donating money and material supplies. China is a significant trade partner of the UK and the trade volume between the two countries in 2019 was a record high. CBBC will stick together with China through the hard times and continue to offer its full support to China in fighting against the virus. He hoped that the economic and trade cooperation between the UK and China will be back on track at an early date.

Fang Wenjian said, the Chinese companies in the UK were deeply touched and encouraged by people from all walks of life in the UK for their generous support to China in battling with the virus. The telephone conversation between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has injected strong impetus to China-UK relationship. CCCUK will join hands with various sectors in the UK to keep the vitality of the sound cooperation between China and the UK, so as to make contribution to China-UK relationship.

At the event, young British students from Guildhall School of Music & Drama put on a flash mob singing of Chime of the Dawn Bells, expressing the British people's firm support to the Chinese people, especially those in Wuhan, in combating with the virus and passing on the profound friendship between the peoples of the two countries in pulling together in times of trouble. The young students' emotional singing deeply inspired the audiences and resonated in the Guildhall.

Guests at the event expressed their sympathy and sent regards to the Chinese people in fighting against the virus and their appreciation to the Chinese government for its speedy and efficient response to the epidemic outbreak. They spoke highly of China's effective measures and the positive outcomes, commending China on its enormous sacrifice to curb the global spread of the virus. They expressed their confidence that China will eventually win this war over the virus and China's economy will continue to grow. The British business community is ready to join China in battling with the epidemic, maintaining the vitality of their cooperation and making new achievements inthe "Golden Era" of China-UK relations.

During the event, Ambassador Liu talked with Wuhan students in the UK, expressing his sympathy to them. He shared information on the positive outcomes currently achieved in the epidemic prevention and control in China, and China-UK cooperation in response to the epidemic outbreak. Ambassador Liu urged the students to be confident and tell the stories of Wuhan's heroic battle against the epidemic and stories of China-UK friendship. The students expressed their thanks to Ambassador Liu for his sympathy and concerns, their confidence in China's victory over the virus, and their willingness to play an active role in China-UK collaboration to fight the epidemic and promote China-UK friendship.

Ambassador Liu also gave an interview to China Daily, in which he emphasized the significance of the event and shared his confidence in the prospects of China-UK relations.