Britain and China took fresh steps to improve their economic relationship on Thursday, agreeing to boost Chinese infrastructure investment in the UK and London’s role as an offshore trading centre for the renminbi.

　　英国和中国周四为改善两国经济关系迈出新步伐，双方同意加大中国对英国基础设施的投资，并确认伦敦作为人民币离岸交易中心之一的角色。

　　Despite the strong differences that have emerged because of the UK’s criticism of China’s human rights record, British officials said there had been “good atmospherics” at a summit in London between Wang Qishan, Chinese vice-premier, and George Osborne, chancellor.

　　尽管由于英国批评中国人权记录而导致双方存在强烈分歧，但英国官员表示，中国副总理王岐山与英国财政大臣乔治·奥斯本(George Osborne)在伦敦的会晤具有“良好的氛围”。

　　As the Financial Times reported earlier this week, Mr Wang’s visit marked the first time that China had given formal backing to moves by UK banks and financial institutions to develop the UK as an offshore financial centre for renminbi trading.

　　正如英国《金融时报》本周早些时候所报道的，王岐山的访问标志着中国首次正式支持英国各银行及金融机构让英国成为人民币离岸交易中心之一的努力。

　　A joint statement by the Chinese and British governments stated that both sides “welcomed the private sector interest in developing the offshore [renminbi] market in London and the growth of the market to date. They agreed to monitor future progress, engaging in bilateral dialogue and dialogue with other authorities, as necessary, to support the market’s future development.”

　　中英两国政府发布的联合声明称，双方对私营部门对于在伦敦发展人民币离岸市场的兴趣、以及该市场迄今的增长持欢迎态度。双方同意监测未来进展，开展双边对话，并在必要时与其它有关当局开展对话，以支持这一市场未来的发展。

　　However, the development of London as an offshore renminbi market is likely to be slow as the currency is not fully convertible, and Beijing has only recently launched a pilot project to develop its separately governed territory of Hong Kong as an experimental offshore renminbi market.

　　然而，伦敦发展为一个人民币离岸市场的过程很可能是缓慢的，因为人民币不具备完全可兑换性，而北京方面只是在最近才刚启动一个试点项目，将香港特别行政区发展为一个实验性的人民币离岸市场。

　　After the meeting, Mr Wang told journalists that the UK and China “need to deepen their co-operation in such fields as economy, trade, investment, finance, science, technology and tourism”.

　　王岐山在会晤结束后对记者们表示，英中两国需要在经济、贸易、投资、金融、科学、技术和旅游等领域加深合作。

　　Mr Wang also highlighted how both countries were making progress in the development of projects involving infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, new energy, energy conservation and environmental protection.

　　王岐山还介绍说，两国正在涉及基础设施、先进制造、新能源、节能以及环境保护等项目的发展上取得进展。

　　Mr Wang is almost certain to be promoted next year to China’s Politburo Standing Committee, the highest authority in the country’s ruling Communist party hierarchy.

　　王岐山几乎肯定将在明年晋升为中共中央政治局常委，这是执政的中国共产党的最高权力机构。

　　The once-in-a-decade leadership transition is likely to secure his position as the most senior official in charge of China’s growing financial sector.

　　10年一次的领导层换届，很可能将确认王岐山作为主管中国不断发展的金融业的最高级官员的地位。

　　“He has a strong financial background and a reputation as someone who is economically skilful,” said a leading China expert. “He understands the way markets work and he is a troubleshooter and problem-solver in the Chinese system.”

　　“他拥有强大的金融背景，而且以经济工作能力强而闻名，”一名领先的中国问题专家表示。“他理解市场运作的方式，在中国的体制内是一名攻关者和问题解决者。”