决策者｜21世纪两个文明古国的典范关系

Editor's note: Decision Makers is a global platform for decision makers to share their insights on events shaping today's world. H.E. Archil Kalandia is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the People's Republic of China. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

编者按：“决策者” （Decision Makers）是一个全球平台，供决策者分享他们对当今世界重大事件的见解。阿尔赤·卡岚第亚是格鲁吉亚驻中华人民共和国特命全权大使。文章仅代表作者观点，而非本台观点。

Georgia and China, countries with ancient civilizations, rich histories and unique cultures, have developed wide-ranging, mutually beneficial and forward-oriented relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992. 

格鲁吉亚和中国都是历史悠久、文化独特的文明古国，自1992年建交以来，两国发展了广泛、互利和具有前瞻性的双边关系。

Through this 30 years, friendly and cooperative relations at bilateral and multilateral levels have been steadily developing. Despite the distance and relative disparity in size and population, Georgia and China managed to establish sound cooperation in international affairs and enjoy exemplary relations, based on respect and equality. It is of high importance for Georgia that China, a member of the United Nations Security Council and an important actor in the Global affairs, unequivocally upholds the basic principles of International Law and UN Charter and strongly supports sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. On its part, Georgia fully supports and goes in line with the one-China principle. 

在这30年里，双边和多边层面的友好合作关系稳步发展。尽管格鲁吉亚和中国相距遥远，在面积和人口方面也有差距，但两国还是在国际事务中建立了良好的合作关系，并在平等尊重的基础上建立了堪称典范的关系。中国作为联合国安理会成员和全球事务的重要参与者，坚定维护国际法和《联合国宪章》的基本原则，坚决支持格鲁吉亚的主权和领土完整，格方认为这一点非常重要。格方也完全支持并坚持一个中国原则。

At the political level, the governments of Georgia and the People's Republic of China put every effort in deepening bilateral partnership that is well demonstrated in intensification of high-level contacts and reciprocal visits that positively influences the rising trend of B2B (business-to-business) and people-to-people cooperation and translates into various joint projects that benefits the peoples of our states.    

在政治层面，格中两国政府全力深化双边伙伴关系，加强高层接触和互访，不断推动企业合作和人文交流向前发展，将行动切实转化为各类合作项目，惠及两国人民。

We highly value and appreciate China's support and assistance through very challenging times during COVID-19 pandemic. Undoubtedly, the partnership during the pandemic made our ties even stronger.

我们高度重视并感谢中国在新冠肺炎疫情期间提供的支持与帮助，与我们携手共克时艰。毫无疑问，疫情期间双方守望相助进一步强化了两国关系。

COVID-19 vaccines purchased from China arrive at Tbilisi International Airport, Tbilisi, Georgia, April 3, 2021. /Xinhua

Good momentum of trade and economic cooperation

经贸合作势头良好

We are witnessing the strengthening of bilateral trade-economic cooperation. Since a free trade agreement (FTA) was signed, our bilateral relations have elevated to a new level and became a good example of win-win cooperation.

我们见证了格中双边经贸合作不断加强。格中自贸协定签署以来，两国关系迈上新台阶，成为合作共赢的典范。

FTA between Georgia and China came into force from January 1, 2018. Based on this document, many products originated in Georgia are getting duty-free access in the Chinese market. Besides, the FTA between Georgia and China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region became effective since February 2019. China is becoming one of the biggest opportunities for Georgian producers. Several years ago, Georgia also joined the China-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as a founding member.

格中自贸协定于2018年1月1日正式生效。根据这份文件，许多原产于格鲁吉亚的商品可以零关税进入中国市场。此外，格鲁吉亚与中国香港特别行政区之间的自由贸易协定自2019年2月起生效。开拓中国市场正成为格鲁吉亚生产商的最大机遇之一。几年前，格鲁吉亚还作为创始成员国加入了中国主导的亚洲基础设施投资银行。

Furthermore, we have free trade regimes with European Union (EU), European Free Trade Association (EFTA), including Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Iceland, and with Commonwealth of Independence States (CIS) countries, as well as with Turkey, which significantly increases the country's export and investment potential, allowing companies in Georgia to get a duty free access to the market of 2.3 billion people. 

此外，我们与欧洲自由贸易联盟（包括瑞士、列支敦士登、挪威、冰岛等）、独联体国家以及土耳其建立了自由贸易关系，这大大增加了格鲁吉亚的出口和投资潜力，使格鲁吉亚企业能够零关税进入23亿人口的市场。

Despite the pandemic, in 2021, bilateral trade volume between Georgia and China increased up to 24 percent. As the only country in the region with FTA with China, Chinese market became the first export market for Georgia's products for the second consecutive year.

尽管有疫情影响，2021年格中双边贸易额仍增长了24%。作为该地区唯一与中国签订自由贸易协定的国家，中国市场连续第二年成为格鲁吉亚商品的最大出口市场。

Wine is a part of the Georgian identity and a fundamental element of the social fabric. Georgia is the home of the earliest grape wine and viniculture discovered thus far. The evidence of 8,000-year-old wine clearly explains the depth of the wine culture in Georgia.

葡萄酒是格鲁吉亚的国家特色，也是社会结构的基本要素。格鲁吉亚是迄今为止发现的最早的葡萄酒酿造地和葡萄种植地。8000年前的葡萄酒酿造证据清楚地展示了格鲁吉亚葡萄酒文化的深度。

I am pleased to underscore that Georgian wine is becoming more and more popular in Chinese market. According to the latest statistics, China is the third biggest market for Georgian wines.

我很高兴看到，格鲁吉亚葡萄酒在中国市场越来越受欢迎。根据最新的统计数据，中国是格鲁吉亚葡萄酒的第三大市场。

Cooperation under the global Belt and Road Initiative

“一带一路”全球倡议下的合作

Historically located at a vital crossroads, Georgia links the economies and cultures of East and West. With its strategic location along the Belt and Road and competitive market, Georgia is intent on carving out its share and restoring its position as a major regional trade, transport and logistics hub in the region. As a matter of fact, the vast network of ancient land and maritime silk roads, used to pass through Georgia hundreds of years ago. Therefore, we think our country – with its unique historical experiences, rich social and cultural values and outstanding strategic location – is a natural place for such an endeavor. 

历史上，格鲁吉亚位于重要的十字路口，连接着东西方的经济和文化。凭借其在“一带一路”沿线的战略位置和富有竞争力的市场环境，格鲁吉亚有意扩大其经贸份额，恢复其作为主要区域贸易、运输和物流枢纽的地位。事实上，几百年前，格鲁吉亚就已经是古代陆上和海上丝绸之路庞大贸易网络中的重要节点。因此，我们认为，格鲁吉亚拥有独特的历史经验、丰富的社会和文化价值以及突出的战略位置，具备开展此类活动的天然优势。

Within the framework of Belt and Road Initiative, it is important to promote the development of Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (known as Middle Corridor). Georgia had been actively working to develop the Trans-Caspian international transport route together with other partner countries.

在“一带一路”倡议框架下，促进“跨里海国际运输走廊”（又称“中间走廊”）的发展至关重要。格鲁吉亚一直在与其他伙伴国家一起积极开发跨里海国际运输路线。

Georgia, a pleasure for doing business

格鲁吉亚是个做生意的好地方

Georgia has always been a conduit of cultures, people, ideas, and, therefore trade, know-how and capital. As the natural bridge of Europe and Asia, our region has been a beacon of diversity for centuries. In restoring its relationship with Asia through the revival of the Silk Road, Georgia is also regaining its place in Europe.

格鲁吉亚一直是文化、人员、思想的交流通道，因此也是贸易、技术和资本的交流通道。作为欧洲和亚洲的天然桥梁，格鲁吉亚几个世纪以来一直具备丰富的民族文化多样性。在通过复兴丝绸之路重建其与亚洲的关系时，格鲁吉亚也在恢复其在欧洲的地位。

Georgia offers a number of major benefits that are still inaccessible to the vast majority of countries. Let me give you a single example: the World Bank's "Doing Business 2020" placed Georgia at seventh position out of 190 countries in "ease of doing business." The components such as starting a business, dealing with construction permits, paying taxes, trading across borders and resolving insolvency were highly commended by the World Bank. 

格鲁吉亚具有许多优势，绝大多数国家仍然难以企及。比如说，在世界银行发布的“2020年营商环境报告”中，就“营商便利度”而言，格鲁吉亚在190个国家中排名第七。在开办企业、处理建筑许可证、纳税、跨境贸易和办理破产等指标项上，格鲁吉亚得到了世界银行的高度评价。

The separate words could be added to a similar effect, stating that Georgia is a special destination from the perspective of favorable tax regimes; free industrial zones (where one is operated by China's Hualing Group); young, educated labour force; competitive business costs; attractive tax system and flexible labor code; time proximity and cultural similarities with target markets; high class offices and good infrastructure; availability of investment grants via the program foreign direct investment grant in Georgia and etc. 

另外还有不少关于格鲁吉亚优势的描述，表明格鲁吉亚是个有特色的投资目的地。比如优惠的税收制度；自由工业区（其中一个由中国华凌集团经营）；年轻、受过教育的劳动力；有竞争力的经商成本；有吸引力的税收制度和灵活的劳动法；与目标市场时区接近、文化相似；高档办公楼和良好的基础设施；以及可以通过格鲁吉亚的外国直接投资补助金计划获取投资补助等。

Heritage Foundation placed Georgia at 12th in its "Index of Economic Freedom 2020" (out of 180 countries, sixth in the Europe). 

美国传统基金会（Heritage Foundation）在其“2020年全球经济自由度指数”中将格鲁吉亚排在第12位（共180个国家，位列欧洲第六）。

The message to investors is quite simple and straightforward – Georgia is a great destination for companies from all around the world, whether it's to enter the regional market itself, the European market, or the broader Asian markets; and it has an open-door policy to help foreign and local companies grow in and via Georgia. 

这向投资者传达的信息相当简单明了—格鲁吉亚是世界各地公司的绝佳投资目的地，可通过格鲁吉亚进入欧洲区域市场，以及更广泛的亚洲市场；而且格鲁吉亚制定了开放的政策，能够帮助外国和本地公司在格鲁吉亚或通过格鲁吉亚实现发展。

It is my deep conviction that we can only build a sustainable, peaceful and progressive world if we bolster transnational communication and intensify economic cooperation. I believe that with joint efforts, we will advance our cooperation and partnership and we will witness new achievements in the coming years. As the Chinese saying goes "Only when all contribute their firewood can they build up a big fire."

我深信，只有通过加强跨国交流，强化经济合作，我们才能建设一个可持续、和平、进步的世界。我相信，在双方共同努力下，我们的合作与伙伴关系将不断向前发展。在未来的岁月里，我们将见证新的成就。就像中国俗话所说的那样，“众人拾柴火焰高。”

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