Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Hunan-UK Future Innovation Summit: Cooperation on Innovation Leads to a Bright Future

Governor Xu,

Baroness Fairhead,

Lord Sassoon,

Chairman Perry,

Chairman Fang,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning!

It is a real delight to join you at the Hunan-UK Future Innovation Summit. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, let me begin by extending a warm welcome to Governor Xu and his delegation!

Innovation is the soul of a nation's progress. It is the force behind the growth of state-to-state relations. It is timely that today's Summit focuses on innovation.

At the just concluded sessions of the National People's Congress of China and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Report on the Work of the Government 2019 was adopted. In the basic plans and main tasks outlined in the Report, innovation is one of the priorities.

This means China will pursue innovation-driven development

· by fostering an environment that is innovation-friendly,

· by improving our capacity and efficiency at innovation,

· and by encouraging private sector startups and innovation.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the level of chargé d'affaires. The most prominent characteristic of China-UK relations over the past 65 years has been our innovative and pioneering spirit.

What better way to celebrate this anniversary than with a Summit that focuses on future innovation – a Summit that brings together the best minds of all areas from both our two countries to explore the opportunities for future cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends:

Hunan Province and the UK are similar in size and population. Like the British, the people of Hunan are known for their pioneering and innovative spirit. There is great potential for the two sides to engage in cooperation on innovation.

First, both Hunan and the UK are cradles of great people with a pioneering spirit.

Hunan has been a land of abundance and the birthplace of great people. As the Chinese sayings go,

· "When the provinces of Hunan and Hubei have a bumper harvest, there would be enough food for the whole country."

· And "There is no other place which boasts so many talented people like the State of Chu - an ancient name for Hunan.

Hunan is the birthplace of

· Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People's Republic of China;

· Wei Yuan, the first Chinese in modern times who "opened his eyes to see the world";

· And Zeng Guofan, the pioneer of China's modern society.

Hunan is also the place where Yuan Longping, the "father of hybrid rice", conducted most of his research work.

Governor Xu himself is an outstanding representative of such a pioneering spirit.

· He has worked in the field of aerospace for many years;

· He won the special award of the National Science and Technology Progress Award;

· And he has been an Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics.

The UK, as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, has a profound tradition of science and technology and a unique culture of innovation. It is the birthplace of numerous world-famous scientists and great thinkers, such as James Watt, Isaac Newton, James Joule, Charles Darwin, Adam Smith and Bertrand Russell. These pioneers have had extensive and profound influence on the world.