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中英关系的新篇章:斯塔默访华与香港的桥梁作用

A New Chapter in Sino-British Relations: Starmer's Visit and Hong Kong's Role as a Bridge

Script

·访

Hello everyone, welcome to today's program, where we will delve into British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent high-profile visit to China.

访

This is the first visit by a British Prime Minister to China in eight years, and Starmer's trip not only included a meeting with President Xi Jinping but also seems to mark the official end of the previous "deep freeze" in relations.

Starmer did not come alone; he led a massive business delegation covering key sectors such as finance, pharmaceuticals, clean energy, and aviation.

访

The visit yielded concrete business results, for instance, the chairman of Chery announced intentions to establish a European headquarters in Liverpool.

150亿

Meanwhile, pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca also announced a US$15 billion investment in China over the next five years, which is undoubtedly a massive capital injection.

3010%5%

On the policy level, Beijing agreed to grant British citizens 30-day visa-free access and significantly lowered tariffs on British whisky from 10% to 5%.

Beyond these economic figures, Starmer specifically emphasized Hong Kong's role as a "unique and important bridge between the UK and China."

As noted by a Hong Kong commentator educated in the UK, Hong Kong has deep roots with the UK in terms of culture, institutions, and interpersonal relationships.

退

Against the current geopolitical backdrop, as Washington pulls back from providing certain global public goods, both China and the UK appear eager to fill the vacuum in global governance.

President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Starmer have both made ameliorating the effects of climate change and governing artificial intelligence policy priorities.

使

In this regard, as the only city in China practicing Common Law, Hong Kong is perfectly positioned to take the lead in formulating legal frameworks for AI usage in the financial industry.

This regulatory collaboration would complement the robust existing financial ties between Hong Kong and London, such as the London Metal Exchange's precious metals network.

西V&A

Furthermore, the memorandum signed between the West Kowloon Cultural District and the UK's V&A Museum indicates that such exchanges should not be limited to finance but should extend to cultural and educational realms.

2019

Of course, we cannot ignore the challenges; the 2019 protests and subsequent political changes remain sensitive topics in the hearts of many British people.

This has led some to harbor doubts about the current state of Hong Kong, even questioning whether it is still safe.

However, as the commentary suggests, rather than trading accusations, it is better to handle differences through pragmatic dialogue.

After all, face-to-face communication is always much better than shouting across the void or having no communication at all.

访

Starmer's visit may not solve every issue, but it has opened the door for re-engagement, and Hong Kong has a significant role to play in this.

Thank you for listening, and see you next time.

Key Vocabulary

访华fǎng huávisit to China

A formal term used for diplomats or officials visiting China. It combines 访 (visit) and 华 (China).

冷冻期lěng dòng qīdeep freeze / freezing period

Metaphorically refers to a period of stagnation or hostility in diplomatic relations.

单枪匹马dān qiāng pǐ mǎsingle-handed / alone

An idiom literally meaning 'single spear, one horse'. Used to describe doing something alone without help or accompaniment.

关税guān shuìtariff / customs duty

Tax imposed on imported goods. Measure word: 笔 (bǐ) or 项 (xiàng).

渊源yuān yuánorigin / source / deep historical connection

Refers to the history or source of a relationship or tradition.

治理zhì lǐgovernance / to govern

Often used in political contexts, such as 'global governance' (全球治理) or 'environmental governance'.

普通法pǔ tōng fǎCommon Law

The legal system based on custom and court rulings, used in the UK, US, and Hong Kong.

备忘录bèi wàng lùmemorandum

A written record or agreement, often used in 'MOU' (Memorandum of Understanding).

务实wù shípragmatic / practical

Dealing with things sensibly and realistically based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.

大有可为dà yǒu kě wéiwell worth doing / have a brilliant future

An idiom meaning there are great prospects or significant contributions to be made in a certain area.

Grammar Points

非...而是...

Indicates 'not... but...'. It negates the first part and affirms the second part.

斯塔默并非单枪匹马,他率领了一个庞大的商业代表团。

随着...

Means 'along with', 'as', or 'in the wake of'. It introduces a changing circumstance or condition.

随着华盛顿在某些全球公共产品提供上的撤退,中英两国似乎都渴望填补全球治理的真空。

与其...不如...

Means 'rather than... it is better to...'. Used to express a preference for the second option over the first.

与其相互指责,不如通过务实的对话来处理分歧。

不仅...还...

Means 'not only... but also...'. Used to add information.

斯塔默此行不仅会见了习近平主席,还似乎标志着两国关系正式走出了之前的“冷冻期”。

Proper Nouns

基尔·斯塔默Jī'ěr SītǎmòKeir Starmer习近平Xí JìnpíngXi Jinping奇瑞汽车Qíruì QìchēChery Automobile利物浦LìwùpǔLiverpool阿斯利康ĀsīlìkāngAstraZeneca华盛顿HuáshèngdùnWashington (referring to the US government)伦敦金属交易所Lúndūn Jīnshǔ JiāoyìsuǒLondon Metal Exchange西九文化区Xījiǔ WénhuàqūWest Kowloon Cultural DistrictV&A博物馆V&A BówùguǎnVictoria and Albert Museum

Sources

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