读懂新时代中国，构建人类命运共同体

尊敬的中宣部副部长、国务院新闻办主任蒋建国先生，

尊敬的中国国家创新与发展战略研究会会长郑必坚先生，

尊敬的西班牙前首相冈萨雷斯先生，

尊敬的意大利前总理蒙蒂先生，

尊敬的芬兰前总理万哈宁先生，

尊敬的贝格鲁恩研究会联合创始人嘉德尔斯先生，

女士们、先生们、朋友们：

大家下午好！

很高兴出席“新时代中国”国际研讨会开幕式。

随着中国进入新时代，今天研讨会的主题可谓恰逢其时，它回答了两个问题：一是为什么要读懂新时代的中国，二是怎样读懂新时代的中国。

关于第一个问题，我有三点建议要与大家分享。

第一，这是抓住“中国机遇”的现实需要。中国是世界第二大经济体，对世界经济增长的贡献率超过30%，已成为世界经济的重要贡献者、世界和平的坚定维护者、全球治理的积极建设者。2017年中共十九大的成功召开，标志着中国特色社会主义进入新时代。新时代中国前进的步伐将更加坚定、更加稳健：2020年全面建成小康社会，2035年基本实现社会主义现代化，到21世纪中叶建成富强民主文明和谐美丽的社会主义现代化强国。新时代的中国将给各国带来更多新机遇，而只有那些真正了解中国的人，才能抓住“中国机遇”，搭上中国发展快车。

第二，这是构建人类命运共同体的时代呼声。当今世界正处在大发展、大变革、大调整之中。随着经济全球化深入发展，世界已变成地球村，各国成为你中有我、我中有你的命运共同体。新时代中国外交的总目标，就是要推动构建新型国际关系、构建人类命运共同体。这不是一个或几个国家的事情，需要世界各国一道努力，共同参与全球治理，共同分享发展成果，共同推动发展进步。作为世界上最大的发展中国家和全球影响力日益上升的新兴国家，中国更加需要世界，世界也更加需要中国。

第三，这是缩小中西方“认知鸿沟”的必要途径。我从事外交工作40多年，对中西方“认知鸿沟”深有感触。40多年来，我目睹中国走上改革开放的道路，人民生活水平不断改善，国际地位不断提升。但西方对中国的“认知鸿沟”仍然存在。要缩小“认知鸿沟”，需要双方的努力。西方要改变旧思维，摒弃西方中心论，努力从中国历史、文化和传统中寻求今日中国思维、理念和政策的根源，更加全面、客观、深入地了解和理解当代中国。中国则要更加积极主动地向西方民众讲好中国理念、中国观点和中国故事。我想，这正是“新时代中国”国际研讨会的意义所在。

关于如何读懂新时代中国，我也想与大家分享三点建议。

第一，要全面认识中国共产党。要读懂中国，就先要读懂中国共产党。中国共产党不同于西方任何一个政党，是一个拥有近9 000万党员、带领近14亿中国人民开创美好新时代的政党，是一个具有优良传统、强大生命力、始终全心全意为人民服务的政党，是一个坚持为中国发展谋长远、为中国人民谋幸福、为人类进步事业而奋斗的政党。中国共产党始终把为人类做出新的更大的贡献作为自己的使命。

第二，要深刻研读《习近平谈治国理政》。今天上午我出席了《习近平谈治国理政》第二卷多语种图书首发式。这部著作集中反映了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的发展脉络和主要内容，充分体现了中国共产党为推动构建人类命运共同体、促进人类和平与发展崇高事业贡献的中国智慧和中国方案。这部书是全面了解中国最系统、最权威的著作，是读懂中国的宝典，是解读中国的金钥匙。

第三，要近距离了解中国国情和民情。“百闻不如一见”。我的不少英国朋友对此深有感触，“现场真实版”中国和“西方报道版”中国反差很大。高铁、网购、移动支付、共享单车，这些被称为中国的“新四大发明”，不仅让他们见证了中国在新一轮技术革命中的大发展，更让他们认识到中国是一个发展日新月异、民众活力四射、文化开放包容的国度。

习近平主席指出，“读懂中国是一个双向交流的过程”。历史一再证明，只有与时代同步伐、与世界共命运的人，才能赢得光明的未来。我衷心希望各位专家学者积极投身于“双向交流的过程”，通过各种方式了解和感受中国的新发展、新气象、新宏图，与我们一道讲好中国故事，为促进中国与世界的交流与合作，为构建人类命运共同体，为建设一个更加多彩、光明、美好的世界贡献力量！

最后，我预祝“新时代中国”国际研讨会圆满成功！

谢谢大家！

Understanding China in the New Era is Key to Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

Minister Jiang Jianguo,

Chairman Zheng Bijian,

Mr. González,

Mr. Monti,

Mr. Vanhanen,

Mr. Gardels,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends,

Good afternoon!

It is a real delight to join you at the opening ceremony of the Seminar on“China in the New Era.”

I think this seminar is highly timely as it draws our attention to two very important questions.

With regard to the question of why, I have three answers.

First, the world needs to understand China in the new era in order to seize the Chinese opportunities.

Today, China is the second largest economy in the world and contributes over 30%to world economic growth. It is an important contributor to world economy, a firm upholder of world peace and an active participant in global governance.

Last year’s 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China ushered in a new era for socialism with Chinese characteristics.

In the new era, China will move forward with firm and steady steps:

In this process, China will create new opportunities for all countries. To be able to seize these opportunities and catch the express train of China’s development, one needs to truly understand China in the new era.

Second, the world needs to understand China in the new era in order to appreciate the true meaning of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The world is undergoing profound changes and transformation. Globalisation has turned the world into a village, namely a community with a shared future.

The overarching goal of China’s diplomacy in the new era is to promote the building of a new type of state-to-state relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

This is not the work for one or a few countries. Everyone must pitch in. We should all take part in the global governance. We should push for common progress. And we could all share the fruits of development.

China is the largest developing country and an emerging economy with growing global influence. China and the world certainly need each other in this great endeavour of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Third, to understand China in the new era helps bridge the divide in mutual knowledge between China and the West.

In my over 40 years of diplomatic career, I have experienced too much of this divide between China and the West.

China has seen tremendous improvements in the life of its people and a huge increase in its global influence since reform and opening-up policies were introduced 40 years ago. However, there is still a knowledge deficit in the West when it comes to China. Bridging of this divide in mutual knowledge requires the eforts of both sides.

The West needs to change its old mindset and discard Western-centrism. It needs to look for the origin of China’s thoughts, principles and policies in its history, its culture and its heritage. This could be the beginning of a comprehensive, objective and deep understanding and appreciation of contemporary China.

China for its part needs to take more initiatives in telling the West about China’s thoughts, China’s views and China’s story. That is why, I think, it is so meaningful and important to have this seminar on China in the new era.

Now, let me turn to the second question, that is, how to understand China in the new era. I want to share with you my three suggestions.

My first suggestion is to fully understand the Communist Party of China.

This is the first step to understanding China.

The Communist Party of China is diferent from any political party in the West.

This Party has nearly 90 million members and is leading nearly 1.4 billion Chinese people into a beautiful new era.

This Party has fine traditions and strong vitality. It is devoted fully to serving the people.

This is a Party that sets the goal to achieve long-term development for China, to pursue happiness for the Chinese people, and to promote progress of all mankind.

The Communist Party of China takes as its mission to make newer and greater contribution to mankind.

My second suggestion is to read and study the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China .

Earlier this morning I had the honour to attend the launch of the multi-language editions of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume II) .

This book tells the evolvement and reflects the essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It embodies the Chinese wisdom and Chinese solution that the Communist Party of China contributes to building a community with a shared future for mankind and promoting world peace and development.

This is the most systematic and authoritative book on China. It ofers a golden key to a comprehensive understanding of China.

My third suggestion is to visit China and get to know the country and its people at close range.

Seeing is believing.

Many of my British friends marvel at what they see in China. In their words, the real China is completely diferent from the Western media version.

They have seen with their own eyes the“four great new inventions”of China,namely high-speed rail, mobile payments, e-commerce and bike-sharing. In these inventions, they have witnessed China’s tremendous achievements in the new round of technological revolution. They have also applauded the rapid growth, met the vigorous people and experienced the open and inclusive culture of China.

President Xi said,“Understanding China requires two-way communication.”

This is also the requirement of our times and our shared future. As we have learnt from history, only those who follow the trend of the times and care about the destiny of the world will win a bright future.

I sincerely hope that everyone present today will actively engage in this“two-way communication.”

I hope you will try to gain a better understanding of China’s new development and new plans, and then join us to tell the world about China’s story.

With enhanced exchanges and cooperation between China and the world, we could make greater contribution to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

We could make our world a more colorful, more splendid and more beautiful place.

In conclusion, I wish the Seminar on“China in the New Era”a great success!

Thank you! JzXc6tbzF21NXfoXIeovL7dW5I0VBYhoM9Whl3Et9JyjGyYXElFjL4s7r7DHoKOP