2015年CRI Cameron: Talks with Xi beyond Bilateral Ties

 

David Cameron is credited with coining the term "golden" to describe the UK's current ties with China.

This is a term which has been sprinkled around liberally through the talking points on both sides in the lead-up to Xi Jinping's trip to the UK this week.

However, Cameron is suggesting he'd like to add a new buzz-word to the mix.

"Well, "Golden", I think, is one of the words I introduce. But the word I'd use today, I think, is opportunity, because I think the opportunities for Chinese investments into the United Kingdom are absolutely beneficial both to Britain and to China, I think, the opportunity for British businesses to expand and grow in China. I think the opportunities for our young people to attend universities together and learn from each other, I think, those are big opportunities. So the word I would use is "opportunity", a strong relationship."

When it comes to specifics, David Cameron says he wants to take his conversation with Xi Jinping beyond bilateral¹ ties.

"Trade is growing, investment is growing, the people-to-people contact is increasing, not least with 135,000 Chinese students studying here in Britain. I think it's an opportunity to review all of those things, but also talk about how Britain and China can work together on some of the global issues, talking about climate change, tackling² poverty, making sure that the world institutions like the United Nations are working for the benefit of the world."

China is Britain's fourth-largest trading partner.

The bilateral trade topped 70 billion US dollars in 2013 and is expected to hit 100 billion by the end of this year.

Trade is something Cameron says is also going to be high on his agenda³ during his time with the Chinese President.

"What we've seen in the last ten years is actually a quadrupling of British exports to China, as the Chinese economy has been one of the drivers of world growth, and I think that will continue. China's growth has been remarkable⁴. Obviously, there are issues at the moment that are being addressed in China. I'm sure the growth will continue. So, we can continue to have a situation that benefits both our countries."

Its widely-expected the two leaders are also going to discuss the impact the newly-signed Trans-Pacific Partnership⁵ agreement is going to have on global trade.

The UK's role in the Asian Infrastructure⁶ Investment Bank is also likely to be one of the main economic talking-points.

"Britain is a global trading nation, the fifth largest economy in the world. We've always had trading and investment relationships right around the world including right across Asia. So, being involved in the development of this important institution, it is clearly in our national interest and, I think, will be to the benefit of the AIIB as well."

Beyond the UK's role in Asia, Cameron also says his government still wants to see more Chinese investment moving the other way.

"Britain is one of those open economies in the world. We encourage overseas investment and China is investing more in Britain than other European countries. And the change we will see is obviously the investment into our infrastructure; new Chinese companies are helping⁷ people creating wealth and jobs."

A meeting between David Cameron and Xi Jinping is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 Downing Street.

It's widely expected the two are going to oversee⁸ the signing of a number of new agreements connected to a new nuclear power plant in the UK, as well as China's involvement in a new high-speed rail project.

For CRI, I'm Luo Wen.

1 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

2 tackling   

n. 扭住, 抱住, 卷起

参考例句：

• a bottom-up approach to tackling the problem 处理这个问题的自下而上的方法
• There are three essentially different ways of tackling the problem. 解决这个问题有三种根本不同的方法。

3 agenda   

n.议事日程，记事册

参考例句：

• We now proceed to the next item on the agenda.我们现在着手讨论下一项议题。
• If there is no objection,the agenda is adopted.如果没有意见，议程就通过了。

4 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

5 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

6 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

7 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

8 oversee   

vt.监督，管理

参考例句：

• Soldiers oversee the food handouts.士兵们看管着救济食品。
• Use a surveyor or architect to oversee and inspect the different stages of the work.请一位房产检视员或建筑师来监督并检查不同阶段的工作。