相互信任是中英合作的基础——欣克利角考验中英互信
Mutual Trust Is the Foundation of China-UK Cooperation – Hinkley Point Is a Test of Mutual Trust between China and Britain
2016年8月9日，英国主流大报《金融时报》纸质版和网络版以及中文网同时刊登驻英国大使刘晓明题为《相互信任是中英合作的基础——欣克利角考验中英互信》的署名文章，全文如下：
On 9 August, the Financial Times and its website published a signed article by Ambassador Liu Xiaoming entitled “Mutual trust is the foundation of China-UK cooperation – Hinkley Point is a test of mutual trust between China and Britain”. The full text is as follows:
近来，在英国政府宣布将对英格兰西南部新建核电站项目重新进行评估之后，欣克利角核电项目再次被媒体炒得沸沸扬扬。我想谈谈我的看法。首先，我想澄清三个基本事实。
Hinkley Point is once again a subject of speculation and debate following the announcement by the UK government that it wants to hold a fresh review into the proposed project for a new nuclear power station in south-west England. With this in mind, clarification is needed on three basic facts regarding the project.
一是发展核电是英国自身能源规划的实际需求。英国长期以来在民用核能领域走在世界前列，清洁高效的核电站一度是英国人的骄傲。近20年来，英国的核电发展有所停滞，现有的15个核电站大多数已达到设计寿命，正渐次退役。英国《能源白皮书》预测，到2025年全英将只有一个核电站仍在运行，英国电力供应将面临重大短缺。核电相较于其他的现代清洁能源，有着运行成本低、维护技术成熟及发电稳定等优点，自然成为英解决电力需求的重要选项。
First, nuclear power is central to UK energy policy aimed at meeting the country’s long-term needs. Britain has long been a pioneer in the field of civil nuclear energy, and once took pride in its clean and effective power plants. However, a two-decade pause in it nuclear programme means that most of the country’s 15 reactors are approaching the end of their intended working life.According to the UK’s energy white paper, by 2025 only one nuclear plant will still be running, raising the risk of major power shortages. Nuclear power, with its advantages over other modern clean energy sources – namely, low operational costs, mature maintenance technologies and steady output – is a significant option for meeting the UK’s demand for electricity.
二是欣克利角核电项目不是临时起意、仓促上阵的，而是英、法、中三方本着互利互惠、合作共赢精神，经过深思熟虑达成的重要成果。在英、法、中达成合作协议前，英法两国有关部门和欧洲委员会均对欣克利角项目进行了研究论证和审批，相关企业和媒体也就项目的投入产出成本、施工工期和技术安全性等议题进行了广泛深入讨论。历经十年磨砺，该项目只待顺利启动实施，早日为英国提供安全、可靠和可持续的能源。
Second, Hinkley Point is not the result of some whimsical idea or rushed decision. It is the considered outcome of a mutually beneficial tripartite partnership between Britain, France and China. Before the three parties reached agreement it had gone through research, verification and approval by the authorities in Britain and France as well as the European Commission.There have also been extensive and thorough discussions by all involved and in the media regarding the project’s cost-effectiveness, its timeline and the safety of the technology. After more than 10 years of preparations, this project is ready to move ahead towards generating safe, reliable and sustainable electricity.
三是中国企业是英国核电建设最好的合作伙伴。参与欣克利角项目的中国广核集团，是中国最大的核电运营商，也是全球最大的核电建造商，占全球核电在建装机容量的近1/5。从全球范围看，这是一个有技术、有资金，同时也有丰富的核电站管理和运营经验的优质伙伴。
Third, the UK could not have a better partner than the China General Nuclear Power Corporation. The latter is the biggest nuclear power provider in China. It is also the world’s biggest builder of nuclear reactors, involved in the construction of one-fifth of the nuclear generators worldwide. This is a partner with world-class technology, the necessary financial resources and rich experience in the management and operation of nuclear plants.
围绕欣克利角项目，媒体炒得最凶的还有一个安全问题。我也想就此谈谈我的看法。英国的核能监管体系和法律制度是世界一流的，英国政府监管部门有丰富的经验，也有充分的能力保证核电站的安全。中国发展核电30多年来，一直保持着良好的运行业绩和安全水准，在核电发展和监管方面的成就得到了国际机构的高度评价。同时，英、法、中三国都是国际原子能机构的成员。因此，法、中两国在英投资的核电项目，必将遵守国际通行标准和英国当地标准。
A further issue central to the debate is that of security. The UK has a state of the art supervision regime and legal system. Its regulatory authorities are experienced and adequately resourced to ensure the safety of nuclear plants. China likewise has a fine record of 30 years of safe operation of nuclear facilities. Its nuclear energy programme and supervision are highly acknowledged by international agencies. The three Hinkley Point partners are members of the International Atomic Energy Agency. So, the French and Chinese partners are subjecting themselves to both international and British standards.
建设核电站投资巨大，风险亦大。核电领域的多国合作是国际通行做法。中国的许多核电站都是通过国际合作建成的，其中有美国公司、加拿大公司、法国公司、俄罗斯公司。有国际规范的监督管理制度作为保障，我们从不担心外国公司会控制中国的核电站。事实证明，正是这些国际合作成就了中国核电产业的快速发展。
Building a nuclear plant involves a huge amount of financial resources and enormous risks. That explains why multinational co-operation is accepted practice across the globe. Many of China’s nuclear reactors are built in co-operation with US, Canadian, French and Russian companies. Thanks to the safeguards of international standards, there has never been a concern that foreign companies might control China’s nuclear reactors. The rapid progress of China’s nuclear power industry is proof of the success of international co-operation.
英国素以对外资开放著称，并引以为自豪。我也认可这一点。正是由于英国的开放，中国已成为英国在欧洲外的第二大贸易伙伴，英国亦成为中国企业海外投资的主要目的地之一。过去5年里，中国对英投资超过其在德、法、意的投资总和。这些成绩的取得还有一个重要原因，就是中英双方坚持相互尊重，相互信任。如果说英国的开放是中英合作的条件，那么相互信任则是中英合作的基础。
Britain takes pride in being a country that is open to foreign investors. Rightly so. It is exactly because of such openness that China has become the UK’s second-largest non-European trading partner. Britain is one of the key destinations for Chinese companies seeking to invest overseas. Over the past five years, such companies have invested more in the UK than in Germany, France and Italy combined.An important reason why this has been possible is that both China and the UK have consistently respected and trusted each other. If Britain’s openness is a condition for bilateral co-operation, then mutual trust is the very foundation on which this is built.
当前中英关系正处在一个重要历史时刻，相互尊重和信任更显弥足珍贵。我希望英国继续对中国开放，希望英国政府继续支持欣克利角核电项目，尽早做出决定，确保项目顺利实施。我深信，只要我们都珍惜中英关系来之不易的大好局面，不断扩大和深化各领域合作，中英关系就能保持强劲发展势头，继续造福两国人民。
Right now, the China-UK relationship is at a crucial historical juncture. Mutual trust should be treasured even more. I hope the UK will keep its door open to China and that the British government will continue to support Hinkley Point – and come to a decision as soon as possible so that the project can proceed smoothly.It has not been easy for China and the UK to have come this far. As long as both sides cherish what has been achieved and continue to expand and deepen our co-operation across the board, bilateral relations will maintain their strong momentum and work for the wellbeing of both the Chinese and British people.
