《实用英语口译教程(第三版)(上)》参考译文

《实用英语口译教程》（第三版）（上）

口译练习参考译文

（仅供参考）

第3单元

1. Interpret the following Chinese idioms into English.

(1) to harbor/have/out of/with ulterior motives; with malicious intent; to have an axe to grind

(2) to go back on one’s words; to play fast and loose; to blow hot and cold; to chop and change; inconsistent/

undependable/self-contradictory

(3) to lord it over (others/all); to play the tyrant; to dominate/domineer and swashbuckle (4) to act in bad faith; to play foul/false; treacherous; to go back on one’s words

(5) arrogant and conceited; self-important; to ride the high horse; false pride; to get too big for one’s boots (6) to work hand in glove with; to band together; to collaborate/collude with sb. in evil doing (7) Courtesy demands reciprocity; to exchange on an equal basis/footing

(8) The united will of the masses is like a fortress; People with one will are stronger than a fortress; Unity is

strength.

(9) blinded by one’s gains (by the lust for gain/the love of gain/self-interests); to bend one’s principles to one’s

interests; to be so obsessed with the idea of profit-making that one loses all sense of righteousness

(10) to eat one’s own bitter fruit (the fruit of one’s own doing/the fruit of one’s own making); to reap what one

sows; to bite off one’s own head; to face the consequences of one’s own action (11) Honest advice is unpleasant to the ear.

(12) to court one’s own ruin/doom/disaster; to invite one’s own destruction; to cut one’s own throat; to bring

destruction to oneself; to take the road to one’s doom

(13) to go against the trend of the times; to set back the clock; to push a reactionary policy;

retrogressive/perverse acts

(14) to intensify one’s efforts to do sth; to become aggravated; to be further intensified; with ever-increasing

intensity

(15) to be obvious to all; as clear as day (16) as always; just as in the past; as before

(17) to exaggerate just to scare/frighten people; alarmist talk; sensational (18) to make irresponsible remarks/criticisms

(19) to surrender a country’s sovereign rights under humiliating terms; to humiliate the nation by forfeiting its

sovereignty

(20) to invite/bring a wolf into the house; to open the door to an enemy (21) no end of trouble for the future; Endless troubles will follow. (22) to be filled with indignation

(23) the trend of the time; the general trend (24) to run counter to …

(25) to cling obstinately to one’s course; to act willfully; to insist on having one’s own way (26) to reap the spoils of victory without lifting a finger; to profit from other’s conflict

(27) Neighbors are dearer than distant relatives. Neighbors are more helpful than distant relatives. A remote

kinsfolk is not as good as a near neighbor.

(28) the same medicine prepared with different water; the same old stuff with a different label; a change in form

but not in essence

(29) to lift a rock only to crush/squash one’s own feet; to tread on one’s own tail

(30) to defy public opinion (the will of the people); to fly/go in the face of the will of the people (public opinion);

to face universal condemnation

(31) Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Love sees no fault. Beauty lies in the lover’s eyes. Love blinds a man to

imperfections.

(32) Many kiss the baby for the nurse’s sake; The drinker’s heart is not in his cup — he has something else in his

mind. One talks about one thing, but tries to do another.

(33) While the magistrates are free to burn down houses, the common people are forbidden even to light lamps.

One may steal a horse while another may not look over a hedge. (34) Living near a wolf’s den, you can never be too cautious.

(35) Of all the living things nurtured between heaven and earth, the most valuable is the human beings. (36) You want the horse to run fast and yet you don’t let it graze.

(37) Storms gather without warning in nature, and bad luck befalls men overnight. The weather and human life are

both unpredictable.

(38) A person cannot be judged by his appearance, just like the sea cannot be measured with a bucket. A person

can no more be judged by his looks than the sea be measured with a bucket. (39) Man cannot be always fortunate just as flowers do not last forever. (40) Blood is thicker than water, the falling leaves settle on the roots. (41) Haughtiness invites losses while modesty brings profits.

(42) One’s position alters the temperament, just as nourishment affects the body. Honors change manners. (43) Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing is so gentle as strength.

(44) Like the Eight Fairies/Immortals crossing the sea, each displays his own talent/magic power. (45) On festive occasion, more often than ever, we think of our dear ones far away.

(46) Among bosom friends, a thousand cups of wine are not too many/enough. A thousand cups of wine are too

few when drinking with close friends.

(47) As the saying goes, “What’s near cinnabar goes red, and what’s next to ink turns black.”

(48) Those who are meant to meet will meet even if they are separated by a thousand miles; those who are not

meant to meet will not get acquainted even if they brush past each other.

(49) Preparedness ensures success and unpreparedness spells failure. Forewarned, forearmed. (50) Spare the rod and spoil the child.

(51) The well-fed simply have no idea of how the starving suffers. Little does the fat sow know what the lean

means.

(52) Nearest the king, nearest the gallows.

(53) As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-perfection. (54) It takes more than a day to freeze three feet of ice. Rome was not built in a day. (55) No pains, no gains. No gains without pains.

(56) When I walk along with two others, they may serve as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and

follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them. When I walk along with several people, they can serve as my teachers. I select their good qualities and emulate them, their bad qualities and amend them.

(57) Sun Zi said, “War is a matter of vital importance to the state, a matter of life and death. Hence, it is imperative

that it be thoroughly studied.”

(58) I recall my first lesson on calculus in senior high school. My teacher quoted a line from Zhuang Zi, a Chinese

philosopher over 2,000 years ago, which reads: “Cut away half of a rod and keep on halving what is left, and there will be no end to that process.” This gave me a vivid concept of limit.

2. Interpret the following English idioms into Chinese.

（1）有眼无珠 （3）易如反掌 （5）进退两难 （7）机不可失，时不再来

（9）假心假意地

（11）过于心直口快；过于直率 （13）千里之堤，溃于蚁穴 （15）试金石试金，金子则考验人 （17）实践得真知

（19）一事成功，事事顺利 （21）不要过早乐观 （23）天网恢恢，疏而不漏 （25）草率结婚后悔多

（27）物以类聚，人以群分 （29）说到曹操，曹操就到 （31）覆水难收，后悔无益 （33）不入虎穴，焉得虎子 （35）豺狼活，则羊羔死

（37）债务还得早，朋友交得长

（39）迟到总比不到好（或晚做总比不做好）（2） 镇定自若

（4） 称心如意的境遇；安乐窝 （6） 直言不讳

（8） 跟某人开玩笑；骗某人 （10）雷声大雨点小 （12）江山易改，本性难移 （14）和坏人打交道，必须提高警惕 （16）山外有山，天外有天 （18）巧妇难为无米之炊 （20）知足常乐 （22）人多好办事

（24）谁笑在最后，谁笑得最美 （26）单方面礼貌不会长久 （28）窃钩者诛，窃国者侯 （30）人不为己，天诛地灭 （32）上梁不正下梁歪 （34）时不我待

（36）雄辩是银，沉默是金

（38）没有不带刺的玫瑰；没有尽善尽美的快乐

（40）良牛产劣犊（好的父母未必培养出好的子女）

第4单元

(1) Meeting a Visiting US Military Delegation at the Airport

Maj. Gen. Xiao Yang (X), Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND), is at the airport to welcome a US military delegation headed by Maj. Gen. Smith (外). With him is Maj. Zhao Hua (Z), an interpreter from the Office.

Z: 请问，您是美国军事代表团团长史密斯将军吗? // 外：是的，我是美国来的约翰·史密斯。//

Z: 您好，史密斯将军。我叫赵华，是中国国防部外事办公室的翻译。请允许我介绍一下，这是外事办公

室主任肖阳少将。Gen. Xiao, Gen. Smith. // 外& X（边握手边说）：您好！How do you do! //

X: Gen. Smith, I’m very happy to welcome you and all the other members of your delegation to our country. We

hope you’ll have a pleasant visit here. //

外：谢谢！同时感谢您专程到机场来迎接我们！有机会访问你们伟大的国家，亲眼看看贵国人民和军队所

取得的伟大成就，我们感到不胜荣幸。感谢你们的盛情邀请和热烈欢迎。//

X: The pleasure is all ours, I assure you. Now, I’d like to introduce to you some officers of our army who are

also here to welcome you. //

外：好，有机会与他们相识，我感到很高兴。//

(In the VIP Lounge at the airport)

X: Gen. Smith, won’t you have a cup of tea? // 外：谢谢！我想现在来杯茶，会很提神。// X: Which do you prefer, black tea or green tea? // 外：如果方便的话，请给我来杯茉莉花茶。// X: How was the journey? //

外：再好不过了。首先，天气很好，飞行很平稳，机上服务一流。// X: Glad to hear that. //

外：肖将军，15年前，我作为美国军事代表团的成员曾来过北京，也曾通过这个北京首都国际机场。我发

现机场变化太大了，同我以前的印象相比简直是焕然一新。机场比过去大多了，而且非常现代化。我想这是为了适应贵国旅游业的不断发展而刚刚扩建的吧？//

X: Yes. The airport has undergone large-scale expansions over the past 15 years. There are now three terminal

buildings, three runways and two towers operating simultaneously to meet the needs of our ever-growing tourist industry and the needs of our increasing domestic air traveling. // 外：目前机场的旅客吞吐量有多大？我是说它一年能接待多少旅客？//

X: 73.95 million in 2010. At peak traffic, it can handle 9,000 an hour. Right now, the airport has already

exceeded its designed capacity of 60 million. //

外：我想，首都机场以后还会更加繁忙，因为中国与外国交往还在以惊人的速度增长。如今到中国来的外

国人比过去多多了，对吗？//

X: Yes, compared with the years before China’s entry into the WTO. In recent years, the number of visitors and

tourists from abroad exceeds 100 million each year. // Well, we have gone through the formalities and here comes all your luggage. If you are ready, shall we be on our way to the hotel? // 外：好，走吧。// X: This way, please. //

(In Gen. Smith’s suite)

X: We hope you find the accommodations and service here in this hotel satisfactory. If you should want anything

changed or done, just speak to Maj. Zhao Hua. He will be staying here to see to your needs and comfort. // 外：太好了。我们中间没有人懂中文，最多能讲几句象“您好”、“谢谢”那样的客套话。这些话恐怕是不

够应付的。//

X: I suppose so. Well, Gen. Smith, our Ministry is giving a dinner in honor of your delegation this evening at

seven. Maj. Zhao Hua will take you there. We hope every member of your delegation will be able to come. // 外：我看没问题。我们每个人都希望能从这次访问中充分受益。在此，让我代表我们代表团全体成员向您

表示感谢。//

X: Not at all. Now, I’ll leave you to your unpacking and rest. See you at the dinner. //

(2) Arranging the Itinerary

Col. Yang Jun (Y), chief of the Protocol Office of the Foreign Affairs Office, comes to see Gen. Smith (外) to discuss the itinerary prepared for the delegation.

Y: This is a tentative schedule we’ve worked out for your tour in our country. Please take a look to see whether it

suits you. //

外：谢谢您。我们都很想知道贵方的安排。//

Y: There are two points I’d like to mention in connection with the arrangements. As you’ll presently see from the

draft, the tour includes only three cities besides Beijing. We thought with only ten days for the tour, it would perhaps be better to visit fewer places and spend more time at each rather than hurry through a great many. // 外：在现有的条件下作这样的安排，看来是最好的了。//

Y: I’m glad you take it this way. Another point is, at most of the cities, at your request, we’ve arranged visits to

an army unit besides the usual round of sightseeing. You may find the schedule a bit too tight. If so, please don’t hesitate to tell us what items you want to left out. You see, we don’t want to tire you out. // 外：这一点请不用担心。再说，只要是值得看的，我们累点儿，甚至不睡觉也不要紧。//

Y: We hope it won’t come to that. Well, I think that’s all I have to say about the schedule, unless you have any

questions or suggestions. //

外：眼下只有一个问题，您能同我们一起参观吗？//

Y: I’m glad to say I shall be accompanying you on the trip, and I look upon this as a good opportunity to learn

more from you. //

外：您太谦虚了。杨上校，您什么时候要拿回这份日程表？// Y: Before dinner this evening, if it’s all right with you. // 外：当然可以。我和我的同事们会有足够的时间考虑了。// Y: I’ll come around, say, at five. Would that be all right? // 外：可以。//

(3) Suggesting Changes

Y: I hope you’ll be frank with us and give whatever opinions and suggestions you may have in regard to the

tentative schedule. We’ll see what we can do to meet your wishes. //

外：谢谢！如果您不介意的话，我们想提两个小小的建议。第一，如果有可能的话，我们想看看正在北京

举行的全国乒乓球比赛。因为我们中许多人对乒乓球很感兴趣。不过现在买票是不是已经太晚了。// Y: There’s no difficulty about that unless all the tickets are sold out. But the tournament is still in its semi-finals

and will remain so for the rest of the time you are in Beijing. Would you still be interested to watch it? //

外：当然想看。//

Y: Then there’s the question of time. All the matches are held in the evening, but your evenings are fully

occupied. //

外：我正要谈这个问题呢。我们想如果你们认为行的话，我们可以取消一个晚上的京剧。说实话，我们对

京剧懂得不多，欣赏不了。//

Y: In that case, we can make the change quite easily. //

外：谢谢您。我们的第二个请求是能否安排我们看一次针刺麻醉手术。有关这一医学奇迹的报道已经引起

了我们极大的兴趣。如果能亲眼看看这样的手术的话，那对我们来说确实是很长见识的。//

Y: Let me see. Yes, as far as time is concerned, we can fit it in. But I must first contact the authorities concerned

and get them to make some necessary arrangements. I think I’ll be able to give you a definite answer some time tomorrow morning. Would that do? //

外：好的。但是，如果实在不好安排，那也没有什么，不要太为难。我刚才说过，我们的建议仅供您参考。

//

Y: On our part, we want to do whatever possible to make your visit pleasant and worthwhile. Now, have you got

any other suggestions for improving the itinerary? // 外：没有了，这已经够麻烦你们的了。// Y: Not at all. //

(4) Army Day Reception

Z: Our Defense Ministry is giving a reception tomorrow evening to celebrate our Army Day, which is the day

after tomorrow. You and all the other members of your delegation are cordially invited. Here are the invitation cards. //

外：谢谢！对了，你们主任那天晚上曾提到过此事。这样吧，我让克拉克上尉写个书面回复。//

Z: That won’t be necessary. Just tell me whether you’ll be able to come or not and I’ll notify the reception

committee. //

外：那么请代我们向他们表示感谢。说我们很高兴接受邀请。实际上我们把参加招待会看作我们在贵国访

问中的一项重要活动。//

Z: For us, it would be both an honor and a pleasure to have your presence. // 外：毫无疑问，贵国军队的许多高级官员和各国驻华武官将参加这个招待会。//

Z: Yes. And besides our Party, government and Army leaders and our foreign guests, representatives of the

people from all walks of life will also be present. // 外：那就是说将有各界人士出席招待会。//

Z: Yes, it’s a tradition of ours to celebrate our Army Day as well as some other occasions together with the

people. //

外：是啊，你们军队和人民之间的关系是很密切的。//

Z： Yes. After all, we are an army of the people, for the people and supported by the people. Under the leadership

and education of the Party, we have always tried to maintain close ties with the people. // 外：这就是你们所说的鱼水关系吧？我记得在你们的期刊中见过这种说法。// Z: Yes, as water is to fish, so are the people to our army. //

外：这个比喻非常贴切。哦，关于招待会，您和我们一起去吗？// Z: Yes, as an interpreter. //

外：那好。请帖上写的是八点开始，我们什么时候离开宾馆？// Z: Shall we say 7:50? //

外：好，我们等您。您来到后在大厅里给我打个电话，我们立即下来。//

(In the banquet hall the next evening)

外：这座大厅富丽堂皇，很适合举行今天这样盛大的招待会。// Z: 咱们的桌子在那边。您从这边走吧。哦，我们肖主任已经来了。// X: Good evening, Gen. Smith. I’m glad all of you could come. //

外：晚上好，肖将军。能和中国朋友一起庆祝贵军建军节，我们感到非常荣幸。// Z: Won’t you sit here, Gen. Smith? And you, Capt. Clarke, there...//

外：桌子上有座位牌，请不必麻烦为大家找座位了。我看今天来的人真不少。//

Z: Yes, over 700. Now, what will you have to drink? There’s Maotai, whisky, brandy, wine, orange juice, tomato

juice...//

外：请给我茅台吧。//

Z： There. Please do feel at home and help yourself to whatever appeals to you. //

外：老实说吧，什么都好吃。我这并不是客气话，也并不仅仅是因为中国烹调闻名于世，而是我几天以来

的亲身体会。// （对肖阳少将）来，来，为伟大的中国人民解放军干杯。//

X: To the friendship between our two peoples and armies, and to your health, gan bei ... // Let me fill your glass

again ... Won’t you try some hors d’oeuvres? //

外：摆得真漂亮，形状像孔雀！中国厨师很有创造性。……真开胃! // X: I’m glad you like them. Now, how’s the visiting so far? //

外：比我们想象的还要好。这多亏了贵方的热情款待和周密安排。//

X: We do want you to have a pleasant time here. But if there’s anything we should have overlooked, please speak

up frankly...// Oh, you must try some of this “Peking duck”, it’s a favorite with nearly everybody. // 外：我听说过。……味道真好。//

X: Do help yourself to some more... It’s a pity that the weather is a bit too hot for the sightseeing. // 外：对我们来说不算太热，不过有点儿干燥。//

X: Yes, we could do with a little rain. Now, won’t you have some fried prawns, Chinese style? //

外：谢谢，我自己来。啊，真是色味俱全。// 瞧，贵国的党、政、军领导人都已离开了自己的座位。// X: Yes, they are going round to toast the guests. In a little while our Defense Minister will make the toast. Here,

let me fill up your glass. // 外：谢谢！您自己也斟满。//

(5) Bidding Farewell

Gen. Xiao Yang, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the MND, comes to see Gen. Smith on the eve of the delegation’s departure for home.

X: How time flies! It seems as if it was only yesterday when you got off the plane, and now you are leaving us.

I’m really sorry. //

外：我们要离开贵国更感到遗憾。说真的，这次访问非常有意义，非常有收获。// X: You are welcome to visit us again any time. Our door is always open to friends. //

外：很高兴听您这么说。肖将军，对您和其他有关人员在我们访问期间给予我们的盛情款待和周密照顾，

我和我的同事们表示感谢。//

X: It was a real pleasure having you with us. We wish to thank you for coming. Now, is there anything we could

do for you before your departure tomorrow? //

外：没有什么事了，谢谢！该办的赵少校都替我们办好了。//

X: Glad you think so. Well, Gen. Smith, your plane takes off at six in the morning. I’ll be at the airport to see you

off. //

外：请不必麻烦了。//

X: No trouble at all. Since you have travelled over thousands of miles to bring us the friendship and experience

of your people and army, it seems the least I should do is to drive out to the airport to wish you a bon voyage. So let us say goodbye tomorrow. //

(At the airport the next morning) X: Good morning, Gen. Smith. //

外：早晨好，肖将军。让您这么早就起来为我们送行，太过意不去了。// X: Oh, it’s nothing. Well, I see everyone is here and all set to go. // 外：对。肖将军，再次感谢您使我们这次访问取得了成功。// X: It’s very kind of you to say so. Hope you’ll come again before long. // 外：我们也希望如此，同时，期望您访问我国。//

X: Thank you. I certainly will if such an opportunity should arise. // 外：这是最后一次登机广播了。我们得告别了。// X: Goodbye and bon voyage! //

第5单元

Visiting the Palace Museum

A foreign delegation (外) is visiting the Palace Museum. They are talking about it with their guide (G). G: Here we are in Tian’anmen Square. This is the centre of Beijing. // 外：我听说这是世界上最大的广场。四周的建筑物是什么?//

G: To the west is the Great Hall of the People. To the south is the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao. To the east is

the National Museum of China, which is the largest museum in the world. It was established by combining the former Museum of Chinese History and Museum of Chinese Revolution. The project started in 2003 and was completed on March 1, 2011. // In the middle of the square is the Monument to the People’s Heroes. To the north is Tian’anmen, which means the Gate of Heavenly Peace. It was formerly the main gate to the imperial city of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, through which one can go into the Imperial Palace. Now this gate has become the symbol of the new China.//

外：我读过关于慈禧太后和末代皇帝溥仪的书，知道他们曾住在这座皇宫里。//

G: The Imperial Palace was originally called Zijin Cheng, literally the Purple Forbidden City. It was the imperial

palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, which were the last two feudal dynasties in Chinese history. The palace was constructed during the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty. The construction first started in 1406 and was basically completed in 1420. It has now a history of nearly six hundred years. // There were altogether 24 emperors who resided in this palace. Though it was rebuilt and expanded many times during the two dynasties, it still retains its original layout. // This former imperial palace has been turned into a museum, keeping more than 1,800,000 pieces of treasures and imperial court relics of various dynasties. They are all important materials for the study of the history of the Ming and Qing dynasties and the art of various dynasties. //

外：“禁”是什么意思?//

G: Before the 1911 Revolution, ordinary people were forbidden to enter the palace grounds. Now, of course,

anyone can get in. //

外：什么地方能买到故宫的平面图? //

G: There is one on the back of this tourist map of Beijing. // 外：还是英文的，太好了！（看着平面图）前面一定是午门。//

G: That’s right. This gate was first built in 1420. A visit to the Palace begins here. In the past, passage through the

central opening was restricted to the emperor, while civil and military officials as well as imperial clansmen used the two side openings. //

外：（看着平面图）这些就是金水桥吧。//

G: You obviously don’t need a guide! These five white marble bridges are known as the Golden River Bridges,

and span the Golden River. // Crossing the bridges and ascending a flight of steps, we’ll arrive at the main gate, the Gate of Supreme Harmony. From here we can get an excellent view of the biggest palace — the Hall of Supreme Harmony. // In front of us is the largest courtyard (more than 30,000 square meters) in the imperial city. Here a sea of flagstones surrounded by low buildings and gates gives the tourists an impression of great vastness. //

外：请你介绍一下故宫的详细情况，好吗?//

G: The Imperial Palace is oblong in shape and covers an area of over 720,000 square meters. It is 753 meters wide

from east to west, and 961 meters long from north to south. // The palace is composed of dozens of compounds

of various sizes, with 9,999 and a half halls and chambers. It covers a building area of about 150,000 square meters. With its magnificent and parallel imperial halls, painted pillars and carved beams, the whole scenery looks majestic. // The imperial palace is defended on its four sides with a 10.7-meter-high wall, whose total perimeter is about three kilometers. The palace is surrounded by a 52-meter-wide moat which makes it a heavily-guarded castle. // In the four corners of the imperial palace stand four turrets respectively. They are gracefully constructed and pleasing to the eye. The imperial palace is the biggest and best-preserved imperial palace and ancient architectural complex in our country. // 外：你刚才说故宫有多少间宫宇?//

G: Nine thousand, nine hundred, ninety-nine and a half. // 外：这数字好奇怪。//

G: It is said that there are a total of 10,000 rooms in the Heavenly Palace. The imperial palace cannot have more

rooms than the Heavenly Palace, so the number has to be smaller by half a room. // 外：有意思。这里的故事你都知道吗? //

G: I only know a few, but I’ve met a person who knows everything about this place. // 外：这个人在哪儿? 我们可以去拜访他吗? //

G: I’m afraid not. He once lived here for 18 years, and then passed away. // 外：（笑）哦，你说的是末代皇帝溥仪，对吧? 这些宫殿原来是干什么用的? //

G: The main buildings of the Imperial Palace are divided into two sections: the Outer Court and the Inner Court. In

the Outer Court are three grand halls built on a three-storey terrace of white marbles. They were places where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held such elaborate ceremonies as coronation, birthday and festival celebrations, attended to court affairs and received their ministers. // The three grand chambers behind them were the principal part of the Inner Court. They were places where the 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties used to reside and attend to state affairs. On their eastern and western sides are six self-independent units of imperial halls and chambers respectively. // These twelve units of imperial halls and chambers were places where empresses, imperial concubines, princes and princesses lived, amused themselves and worshipped gods. // 外：这座宫殿原来是干什么用的?//

G: This hall was first built during the Ming Dynasty and reconstructed during the Qing Dynasty when Emperor

Yongzheng was in reign. This was a place where the emperors resided and did daily routine work. // The room in the middle was the place where the emperors received their ministers. The room in the west was the place where the emperors read memorials to the throne and discussed state affairs with their ministers. The room in the east was the place where Dowager Cixi ruled the court in place of the young Emperors Tongzhi and Guangxu from behind a screen. // After the 1911 Revolution, Pu Yi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, decided to abdicate in this very room, which symbolized the ending of China’s feudal dynasties that had lasted several thousand years. // 外：故宫建筑的特点是什么?//

G: There is a central axis running from north to south in the Imperial Palace. Both the three grand halls of its Outer

Court and the three grand halls of its Inner Court are located on this central axis. The other halls and chambers lie on its two sides, so symmetrically and well arranged that they highlight the main buildings on the central axis. // The Imperial Palace is built delicately and gracefully, with an imposing magnificence. It is a centralized indication of the excellent tradition and unique style of China’s ancient architectural art, and also a full reflection of the superb skills and artistic talent of ancient Chinese craftsmen and artisans. The Imperial Palace occupies a very important position in China’s architectural history. // 外：这是我们见过的世界上最大的皇宫。//

第6单元

Foreign Minister Wang Yi on China’s Foreign Policy and External Relations

On 8 March 2014, the Second Session of the Twelfth National People’s Congress held a press conference at its Press Centre and invited Wang Yi, China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to answer questions from Chinese and foreign journalists about China’s foreign policy and external relations.

Wang Yi: Good morning, everyone. It is a great pleasure to meet with journalists from the press. At the outset, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I would like to thank you for your interest in and understanding of China’s diplomacy. I would also like to thank you for your efforts in reporting on China. // Today is International Women’s Day. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my best festive greetings to all the ladies in this room, including those behind the cameras. //

Early this morning, we received a piece of very disturbing news. A Malaysian civil aviation flight bound for China lost contact with ground control. This has gotten us all very worried. We hope every one of the passengers is safe. The Foreign Ministry and relevant diplomatic and consular missions of China have activated the emergency mechanism. We are doing all we can to get more details. Once we have some information, we will get it out for you immediately. Now, I am ready to take your questions. //

People’s Daily: The year 2013 was the first year of diplomacy under the new Chinese Government. As China’s foreign minister, what has struck you the most about China’s diplomacy in the past year? Could you also talk about how China will pursue its diplomacy in 2014? //

Wang Yi: “Active” is the most salient feature of China’s diplomacy in the past year. // The CPC Central Committee headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping responded to the aspirations of the people and the expectations of the international community, and carried out a series of visible and effective diplomatic activities. // Let me share some figures with you. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang visited as many as 22 countries, received 65 foreign heads of state and government, met and talked with over 300 foreign dignitaries and reached around 800 cooperation agreements with other countries. //

There are also some facts I’d like to share with you. In the past year, China vigorously defended its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, advanced relations with major countries, unveiled a series of major cooperation initiatives such as the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”. We played a constructive role in the political settlement of hotspot issues such as Syria and Iran. // For the first time we deployed formed units of our security forces to the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, and for the first time we sent a naval vessel under operational conditions to escort shipments of Syrian chemical weapons. // China’s diplomacy in 2013 was broader in horizon and more active in conduct. It was not just a successful year under the new leadership, but also a year of innovation and harvest for China’s diplomacy. //

In 2014 China will continue to pursue an active foreign policy. We will focus our efforts on two main areas. // First, we will be more active in serving the efforts of comprehensively deepening reform in China. We will strengthen friendly relations with all countries in the world, especially our neighbors, and we will create a more enabling external environment for domestic reform and development. // We will vigorously pursue economic diplomacy, deepen win-win cooperation with other countries and create more favorable conditions for the transformation and upgrading of China’s economy. And we will do all we can to implement the initiative to better protect and serve overseas Chinese, and provide stronger protection for China’s ever-growing legitimate rights and interests. // Second, we will be more active in playing the role of a responsible big country. In our international engagement, we will uphold principles, promote justice and practice equality. In particular, we will advance and

protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and make the international order more just and reasonable. // We will take an active part in international and regional affairs, put forward more Chinese proposals and play a bigger role in helping to resolve all kinds of global challenges and regional hotspot issues. //

Hong Kong Phoenix TV: Over the past year, China has unveiled some new ideas and measures in its diplomacy. It’s clear that there is a shift in China’s diplomatic style. What is your perspective on this as China’s foreign minister? //

Wang Yi: In recent years, the international community is generally interested in how a growing China will handle its relations with the outside world. The CPC Central Committee headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping is committed to innovation in both diplomatic theory and practice. On the basis of maintaining policy continuity and stability, the new Chinese leadership has unveiled a series of major diplomatic ideas and steps. // For example, we proposed building a new model of major country relations. This is to break the historical pattern of conflict and confrontation between major countries and to find a new path in the modern era that seeks win-win cooperation to deliver benefits to all parties. It shows a new approach on the part of China to handle major country relations. It also shows China’s sense of responsibility for the international community. //

Let me give you another example. We have proposed the guideline for our neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. This is to further demonstrate China’s sincerity and goodwill toward its neighbors and our readiness to work with them to build a community of common destiny. It is a new advancement of China’s policy toward its neighbors and shows that China is more open and accommodative. // A third example is that we have proposed a more balanced approach to upholding principles and pursuing interests. It is to put moral principles first when we deal with fellow developing countries and be more sensitive to their needs. It inherits the fine character of China’s external relations and reflects the inherent nature of the socialist system. It has become an important banner of China’s diplomacy. //

These new diplomatic ideas and steps send the following message to the world: China is committed to the path of peaceful development, and we hope other countries will also take the path of peaceful development. The Chinese Dream belongs to the Chinese people, and it is closely connected to the dreams of other nations as our interests are all intertwined. //

ITAR-TASS of Russia: Last month, President Xi Jinping traveled specially to Sochi to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games. This is the second time since 2013 that he visited Russia at the start of the year. How do you assess the current China-Russia relationship, and what will be the priorities for China-Russia relations and cooperation in 2014? //

Wang Yi: Speaking of the Sochi Winter Olympics, I’d like, first of all, to offer my congratulations to our Russian friends on hosting a memorable and spectacular winter Olympics. // The China-Russia relationship is at its best period in history, characterized by a high level of mutual trust, firm support for each other and intensifying cooperation in various fields. Our two presidents have established a deep friendship and it plays an important role in guiding China-Russia relations. //

As for China-Russia relations in 2014, I believe the most important task is to make sure that our comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination will continue to grow in strength. We will further strengthen mutual political trust and intensify our strategic cooperation. On that basis, we must focus on following priority tasks. // Firstly, we must do all we can to upgrade practical cooperation and make new breakthroughs in our cooperation on some big projects in particular. Secondly, we must organize a successful China-Russia year of friendly exchange between the young people to consolidate and deepen the social foundation for China-Russia friendship. Thirdly, we must work together to uphold the outcomes of the victory of the Second World War and the post-war international order and make good preparations for 2015, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the victories of the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. //

Xinhua News Agency: This year, China will host two important international conferences, the Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Can you talk about these two important international conferences and share with us your expectations for them? //

Wang Yi: A key feature of China’s diplomacy in 2014 is that we will play host to two major international conferences in Shanghai and Beijing respectively. In May, we will hold the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Summit in Shanghai. The CICA is a very important security cooperation forum in Asia. And then in November, we will hold the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Beijing. It is a primary platform for discussing economic and trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. // So you can see that the two conferences focus on security and economic issues respectively. And both will be key priorities for China’s diplomacy this year. We will make the most of our role as the host country, put forward China's proposals, pool Asia’s wisdom and work with the participants to inject new momentum into these two mechanisms. //

At the CICA Summit, we hope to call for common security, cooperative security and comprehensive security, bring into being a new Asian security concept and work together to build a new Asia of peace, stability and cooperation. // At the APEC meeting, we will focus on the theme of “Shaping the Future Through Asia-Pacific Partnership” and achieve new outcomes in advancing Asia-Pacific economic integration, adopting a blueprint for connectivity and promoting economic innovation and development. In particular, we will strive for a new breakthrough in launching the process of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. //

National Broadcasting Company of the United States: China-US relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world. How do you assess the development of the relations in the past year? What major challenges do you see this year? And how exactly do you propose to build the new type of great-power relationship? Will there be more transparency and more coordination between China and the United States in the spirit of the new type of great-power relationship and joint responsibility in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region? //

Wang Yi: The biggest highlight of China-US relations in 2013 was the historic meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Obama at the Sunnylands. The two sides reached important consensus on working together to build a new model of major-country relations between China and the United States. At the heart of this new model of major-country relationship is no conflict or confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. This is the common direction the two sides have set. It is a positive strategic outlook the two countries show to the world and a solemn commitment we’ve made to the international community. //

The China-US relationship is both very important and very complex. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. Over these past 35 years, China-US dialogue and cooperation has increasingly deepened. And the needs for cooperation far exceed our differences. Our experience and lessons of the past 35 years come down to one point, that is, we need to respect each other. // If one compares the new model of major-country relations between China and the United States to a building, then mutual respect is the foundation of that building. I believe when the two sides truly respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, social system and development path, and core interests and major concerns, the foundation will be a solid one that can withstand storms and truly grow into an edifice of win-win cooperation. That will not only benefit China and the United States but also the whole world. //

We stand ready to work with the United States to uphold peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and carry out positive interactions in this region. As in our view, the Asia-Pacific should be the testing ground of our commitment to build a new model of major-country relations, rather than a competitive arena. //

Lianhe Zaobao of Singapore: The situation in China’s neighborhood is closely watched by many people.

Some people see numerous problems. Some believe China is more assertive in handling its disputes with its neighboring countries. What is your response to these views? //

Wang Yi: This is quite a critical question which everyone is interested in. Let me first say that the general situation in China’s neighborhood is both positive and stable. // Last year, China held its first neighborhood diplomacy conference. We made it clear that the neighborhood tops China’s diplomatic agenda. We unveiled a whole set of diplomatic guidelines to show we are more friendly and accommodative. And we have put forward a series of major cooperation proposals aimed at delivering win-win results. This fully shows that China attaches a great deal of importance to neighboring countries. //

China has been interacting with its neighbors for thousands of years. And all along, we have valued harmonious relations and treated others with sincerity. When others respect us, we respect them even more. // Going forward, we will more actively practice the guideline of “amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness”. We will help our neighboring countries and peoples benefit more from China’s reform and opening. We will help them better appreciate China’s commitment to peaceful development. We are willing to listen to voices from our neighboring countries and respond to their doubts about China’s neighborhood policy. //

As for China’s territorial and maritime disputes with some countries, China would like to carry out equal-footed consultation and negotiation and properly handle them by peaceful means on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law. There will not be any change to this position. // We will never bully smaller countries, yet we will never accept unreasonable demands from smaller countries. On issues of territory and sovereignty, China’s position is firm and clear. We will not take anything that isn’t ours, but we will defend every inch of territory that belongs to us. //

China Central Television: The issue of Ukraine has been the focus of international attention in recent weeks. We know that you’ve been on the phone with the foreign ministers of some countries discussing this issue. Can you talk about China’s view on the current situation in Ukraine and how do you think the Ukrainian crisis should be resolved? //

Wang Yi: First, let me tell you that China follows a just and objective position on the issue of Ukraine, and we have stated our position on multiple occasions. // It is regretful that the situation in Ukraine has come to what it is today. Yet it is not by accident that the situation has reached this point. There is a complex history behind it as well as conflicting interests. The more complex the problem is, the more necessary that it be handled in a prudent way. // China urges that keeping in mind the fundamental interests of all ethnic communities in Ukraine and the interests of regional peace and stability, all the parties involved should make it a top priority to exercise calm and restraint and prevent further escalation of the situation. Dialogues and consultations should be conducted to put the issue on the track of a political settlement. // China is in communication with various parties, and we will play a constructive role in bringing about a political settlement of the Ukrainian issue. //

Paris Match of France: Mr. Minister, at the end of this month, President Xi Jinping will be in Europe. What kind of message does he want to deliver to the countries he will visit? And also, what will be the intention of President Xi Jinping when he goes to the European institutions in Brussels? //

Wang Yi: Europe has a priority place on China’s diplomatic agenda this year. As you said, President Xi Jinping will visit Europe in late March. This will be yet another major diplomatic action taken by China to advance major-power relations. The visit will open a new chapter in the history of China-Europe relations. // “Cooperation” is the key word in China-Europe relations. China and Europe are two major forces in the world. We are two large civilizations and two big markets. So it’s only right and proper that our cooperation is comprehensive and strategic in nature. Particularly when China shifts its development pattern and embarks on comprehensive and in-depth reform, Europe is a strategic partner with whom our cooperation will have great potential. //

Through the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to Europe, the two sides will work intensively to align our

respective development strategies. I believe the two sides will strengthen win-win cooperation in some priority areas, such as scientific and technological innovation, energy and environmental conservation, a new type of urbanization, connectivity and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. // We also hope to speed up the negotiation on a China-EU investment agreement, with a view to future free trade arrangements between China and Europe. And of course, we’d like to increase strategic communication with the Europeans in international affairs and work together to promote democracy in international relations and a more multi-polar world. // I think all of you will agree with me in saying that China-Europe cooperation will make the world a safer, more balanced and better place. //

China Radio International: Foreign Minister, you made a whirlwind visit to Afghanistan recently, which generated a lot of interest from the international community. This year, the United States and the NATO will wind down their troop presence in Afghanistan. How do you see the situation in Afghanistan playing out? And what role will China play in the reconciliation and reconstruction process of Afghanistan? //

Wang Yi: This year will be a crucial one for Afghanistan. The country will go through political, security and economic transitions all at the same time. Of course, it’s mainly up to the Afghan people to realize the triple transitions, but they cannot do without the care and support of the international community. // China is Afghanistan’s biggest neighbor. Afghanistan’s peace and stability has a direct bearing on security in China’s western region. We hope to see a united, stable, growing and amicable Afghanistan. // For this purpose, we’ll work with the international community to actively facilitate political reconciliation in Afghanistan, support the peace and reconstruction efforts and encourage Afghanistan to be more involved in regional cooperation. We’ll also work with Afghanistan and other neighbors of China to resolutely fight all terrorist forces. // In August this year, China will for the first time host a ministerial conference of the Istanbul Process on Afghanistan. We’ll send invitations to the 14 member states and 28 supporting parties of the Istanbul Process. We hope that through this conference, the parties will build more consensus and work together to support Afghanistan’s efforts to complete the triple transitions and help the situation in Afghanistan to move toward lasting peace. //

Asahi Shimbun of Japan: I have a question about the China-Japan relationship. In his Government Work Report, Premier Li Keqiang mentioned the issue of history. He said that we need to uphold the outcomes of the victory of the Second World War and the post-war international order, and no one will be allowed to reverse the course of history. The China-Japan relationship is in a lot of difficulties and the outside world is quite concerned. How do you think the relationship can emerge from its current impasse? And someone has likened the current China-Japan relationship to Germany-Britain relations before the First World War. What is your view? //

Wang Yi: Premier Li Keqiang spoke the mind of the Chinese people and showed that China shoulders the responsibility to uphold peace. We fully support his statement. // China and Japan are next-door neighbors. We have every reason to have an amicable relationship. The current situation is not something we want to see and is not in the interests of the people in either country. // When China and Japan normalized diplomatic relations in 1972, the two sides reached important common understanding and consensus on properly handling history, Taiwan, Diaoyu Islands and other issues. This was the precondition for the normalization of diplomatic relations and the basis for a return to friendly relations between China and Japan. // Yet the recent comments and actions of the Japanese leader betrayed the spirit of 1972 and undermined the foundation of China-Japan relations. Of course, the Chinese people cannot and will not accept it. // On issues of principle such as history and territory, there is no room for compromise. If some people in Japan insist on overturning the verdict on its past aggression, I don’t believe the international community and all peace-loving people in the world will ever tolerate or condone that. //

As for the analogy that some people have drawn between the current China-Japan relations and the Germany-Britain relations before the First World War, I wish to emphasize that 2014 is not 1914, still less 1894. Instead of using pre-WWI Germany as an object lesson, why not use post-WWII Germany as a role model? // Only

by making a clean break with the past and stopping going back on one’s words, can the relationship emerge from the current impasse and have a future. Only by truly committing to a peaceful path and stopping saying one thing and doing something else, can a country gain the trust of its neighbors and the world. // I hope Japan’s leaders can understand these basic points and respect human conscience and the bottom line of international justice. //

China Daily: There have been a lot of interactions between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries in the past year, and we have learned that this year the China-CELAC forum will be formally established. Can you share with us your expectations for the furtherance of China’s ties with Latin America and the Caribbean in the year ahead? //

Wang Yi: The best line to describe China’s relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean is the following: “A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near.” This year, we face a historic opportunity for taking this relationship to the next level. // Firstly, President Xi Jinping will attend the BRICS Leaders’ Meeting in Brazil and visit some Latin American countries. Secondly, the recent summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) adopted a special statement supporting the establishment of a China-CELAC Forum. In 2014, we will work hard to formally launch this forum and hold its first ministerial conference. This will be an important breakthrough in the relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean. // I am full of expectations about China-Latin America relations this year, and I’m sure many football fans in China are full of expectations about this year’s Brazil FIFA World Cup. //

Korean Broadcasting System of the Republic of Korea: The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is quite tense. How do you look at the situation? What are the chances of the resumption of the Six-Party Talks? What specific steps will China, the host country, take to help restart the Six-Party Talks? //

Wang Yi: The Korean Peninsula is right on China’s doorstep. We have a red line all along: that is, we will never allow war or instability on the Korean Peninsula. This, I believe, is in full keeping with the interests of both the south and the north of the Peninsula and the common interests of all countries in the region. // As for the best way to handle the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, if I may use some metaphors, I believe we need to do three things: climb a slope, overcome a stumbling block and follow the right way. //

First, we need to climb the slope of denuclearization. The nuclear issue is the crux of the matter. Only with denuclearization can the Korean Peninsula enjoy genuine and lasting peace. So no matter how long or steep the slope is, we must keep climbing it without any stop. //

Second, we need to work hard to overcome the stumbling block of mutual mistrust. There is a woeful lack of mutual trust between the parties, especially the DPRK and the United States. This is the stumbling block before us. It has caused sustained tension on the Korean Peninsula and several disruptions to the Six-Party Talks. We hope that the parties will exercise restraint, show goodwill and build mutual trust little by little. //

Third, we must follow the right way forward, which is dialogue. Confrontation will only bring tension and war will only cause disaster. Equal-footed dialogue, consultation and negotiation is the only right way forward. The Six-Party Talks is the only dialogue mechanism acceptable to all the parties. As the host country, we hope it can be resumed as soon as possible. Some dialogue is better than none, and better early than late. //

ETV of South Africa: As you are aware, China has become very active in Africa in recent years, but there are different opinions about this engagement between China and the African continent, especially emanating from the West. What is your opinion? //

Wang Yi: Let me make three points to sum up the China-Africa relationship. First, China and Africa are good brothers who share weal and woe. When China was a poor country, we tightened our belt to support the cause of national independence and liberation of our African brothers. It’s our African brothers that got the People’s Republic of China back into the United Nations. // Second, China and Africa are good friends who engage in cooperation as equals. In its cooperation with Africa, China has never been condescending, never

interfered in the internal affairs of African countries and never given any empty promise. Let me tell you one figure. So far, we have helped African countries build over 1,000 projects and we have never attached any political condition to these projects. This fact alone can show that the groundless accusations against China are pale and hollow. // And third, China and Africa are good partners for common development. When I visited Africa in January this year, many African friends told me in person that an important reason behind Africa’s sustained economic growth in recent years is the boost provided by China-Africa cooperation. And this has gotten other countries to increase their attention to Africa. // This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of Premier Zhou Enlai’s first visit to Africa. Since then, China-Africa friendship has been handed down from one generation to another. Last year, President Xi Jinping made a successful visit to Africa. Later this year, Premier Li Keqiang will also step on the soil of Africa. This will be the first visit to Africa made by the premier of the new Chinese Government. China-Africa cooperation is entering a new phase of development. //

China News Service: Foreign Minister Wang, shortly after you took office, you visited the Foreign Ministry’s Consular Service and Protection Centre. You stressed that Chinese diplomats must listen to the voice of the people at all times and uphold their interests. You also expressed your wish to make it easier for people to travel on a Chinese passport. Going forward, how will the Foreign Ministry protect the lawful rights and interests and safety of Chinese institutions and nationals abroad? //

Wang Yi: It is the abiding purpose of China’s diplomacy to serve the people. My colleagues and I often receive letters from the public. A lady from Henan Province wrote a letter which has moved me a great deal, and I would like to share this story with you. // Her husband was working in a foreign country. He was thrown into prison under false charges. Our embassy in that country argued hard for him, cleared his name and got him released so that he could reunite with his family. His wife wrote to us: “You saved our broken family. You are the people closest to us.” // The people see us as closest to them: there is no higher honor for Chinese diplomats. //

Every year, close to 100 million Chinese travel abroad, and there are over 20,000 Chinese companies operating overseas. It is our bounden duty to protect their legitimate rights and interests. // I don’t know whether you’ve noticed or not: when Chinese nationals go abroad, the first text message they will receive on their mobile phone is from the Foreign Ministry, reminding them of the things to be careful about and informing them of the telephone number of the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in that country. // Every year, we handle tens of thousands of consular cases. It could be a small thing like helping our nationals to get their documentation in order or get into contact with their relatives and friends, or it could be a big operation such as rescuing Chinese hostages or carrying out large-scale evacuation of overseas Chinese nationals. Whenever our compatriots abroad need us, no matter how difficult or dangerous it is, Chinese diplomats will appear before them and do all we can to help. //

In the new year, we will continue to do our best to implement the initiative to better protect and serve overseas Chinese, and we will further improve consular protection and service. Let me disclose a piece of news to you. In 2014, the Foreign Ministry will establish a global emergency call centre for consular protection and services. It will be a 24-hour telephone hot line. // In the future, when our compatriots go abroad, no matter in which part of the world they are, if they run into an emergency, they can get into contact with their motherland right away and hear the voice from their motherland. // Only by sinking its roots in the people and delivering benefits to the people, can China’s diplomacy be in an invincible position. We would like to shield wind and rain for every one of our compatriots who travel abroad with their dreams, and become the firm support they can count on. //

Kazaag News Agency of Kazakhstan: Last year, when President Xi Jinping visited Kazakhstan, he proposed to build a Silk Road Economic Belt. Later, he proposed to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. These have been called the new concepts of China’s diplomacy. What is the thinking behind these two initiatives? How will China put them into practice? //

Wang Yi: The Silk Road was first traveled by the Chinese people 2,000 years ago, but it belongs to the whole world. At the core of the Silk Road spirit is peace, friendship, openness and inclusiveness, which have become the common assets of human civilization. // As you mentioned, President Xi Jinping proposed to build a Silk Road Economic Belt when he was on a visit to Kazakhstan. And later, when he was visiting Indonesia, he proposed to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. These two initiatives of overland and maritime Silk Roads aim to seize the opportunity of the further opening up of China, especially opening in the westward direction. We want to update the spirit of the ancient Silk Road and work with relevant countries to add two powerful wings to the rejuvenation of Asia as a whole. // These two initiatives will focus on economic cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges and prioritize connectivity and trade and investment facilitation. We will pursue these initiatives through equal-footed consultation and incremental progress, with a clear goal to deliver benefits to all and build a community of shared interests. // The door of these two initiatives is wide open, and it will proceed in parallel with the existing cooperation mechanisms and ideas in the region. We welcome countries in the region and other interested countries to take an active part in these two initiatives so that together, we will discuss and build them and benefit from them. //

China National Radio: From what you’ve said, Foreign Minister Wang, we can all see that China had a full diplomatic agenda in the past year. You’ve been in the position of Foreign Minister for a year now. Can you talk to us about your personal experience and impression? //

Wang Yi: This is the first time I give such a big conference and I thought that such a question would come up. Let me say in relation to your question that I’m a member of China’s diplomatic service. Like my colleagues, I feel a heavy responsibility and a glorious mission to engage in diplomatic work at an important time when our nation is marching toward rejuvenation. // We Chinese diplomats must live by the core values of loyalty, responsibility and devotion. Our task is to face the problems and solve them. Our job is to act responsibly for the nation, win honor for the country and serve the people. //

To conduct diplomacy well in the new era, first of all, we must have confidence. Confidence comes from the strength and prosperity of our motherland. Today’s China is marching ever faster toward what we call the “two centenary goals”. The motherland and the people are our firm backing, and peaceful development is our firm commitment. We have every confidence and ability to create an even more favorable external environment for the rejuvenation of our nation. //

We must also have backbone. The backbone comes from our national pride. Gone is the century of humiliation in China’s modern history. We feel passionately about our sovereignty and national dignity. We have our own judgment about international affairs. // We follow the independent foreign policy of peace. We uphold our national interests as well as international justice. This is the character of Chinese diplomats and why we have so much support in the world. //

We must also show generosity. Generosity comes from the self-confidence of an old civilization. The Chinese civilization has thrived for 5,000 years without any interruption. An important reason is that we are like the ocean that admits all rivers and streams. // Today, as we pursue major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, it is even more important to draw nourishment and strength from China’s rich and profound cultural heritage and show to the world that the Chinese people are poised, confident, open and enterprising. //

第7单元

1. Washington Post’s Interview with Premier Wen Jiabao on China’s Political Reform

(Excerpts)

November 21, 2003

唐尼：中国的经济改革发展迅速，使得中国在短期内取得高速增长。中国的政治改革是否需要跟上经济改革的步伐？//

Wen: China embarked on the road of reform and opening up in 1978. Our reform is a comprehensive one which includes both economic and political restructuring. Just as Mr. Deng Xiaoping pointed out, without the guarantee of political reform, economic reform will not be successful. In essence, political restructuring in China aims at integrating the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, the rule of law in the conduct of public affairs and the people’s role as masters of their own affairs. //

At present, it is particularly important to do a good job on the following. First of all, we should develop democracy to safeguard people’s democratic rights and to respect and protect their human rights. Secondly, we should improve the legal system through better legislation, better administration according to law, and greater judicial reform. // Thirdly, we should run the country according to law, making our socialist democracy more institutionalized, standardized and proceduralized. In this way we can make sure that it will not change because of changes in the leadership and changes in the views and focus of attention of leaders. // Fourthly, we must strengthen supervision, and we should make sure that the government is placed under the supervision of the people. We have to develop democracy and strengthen supervision. Only in this way can we make sure the government will not relax its efforts, and the situation whereby the policy fails when the leadership changes will not occur. //

China is a big country with 1.3 billion people. Political restructuring has to be conducted in an orderly and well-organized fashion. Now there exist many misunderstandings. For instance, with regard to freedom of religious belief, freedom of religious belief is actually written into China’s constitution. China currently has over 100 million religious followers, with over 100,000 religious sites. //

Since the beginning of reform and opening up, one religious site has been either newly built or restored every three days. You may just take a walk around the Zhongnanhai compound, and you can see many religious sites. For instance, the Wangfujing Catholic Church to the east, the Niujie Mosque of Islam to the south, the Yonghegong Buddhist Temple to the north and the Baiyun Taoist temple to the west. // Nearest to Zhongnanhai is the Xishiku Church with a long history. You may visit these religious sites. You will see many people practicing their religious faith there. //

Over the past 5,000 years of Chinese history, China has been very tolerant toward the development of religion. Among the five major religions in China, only Taoism is an indigenous religious belief. The other four actually came from overseas. For instance, Buddhism came to China from India, Catholicism and Protestantism from the West, and Islam from the Middle East and West Asia. //

唐尼：今后中国在政治改革方面还会有什么步骤？比如说现在的直接选举，是否会从基层推进到乡镇？//

Wen: At the moment, we have introduced the practice of self-administration and direct elections in 680,000 villages. This is a great innovation, and it is also very good practice for Chinese farmers. // We have also introduced suffrage for the election of people’s deputies at the level of townships, counties and cities without districts. Indirect elections are held for the leadership of the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities with districts, as well as the central authorities. // Why? This is because China is such a huge country. It has a big

population. It is underdeveloped, and economic development is uneven between regions. So conditions are not ripe for direct elections at the higher levels. The first hindrance in my view is the inadequate education level of the population. //

唐尼：中国现在经济增长势头很猛，比较富裕的地区和比较贫困的地区的差距会不会进一步扩大？// Wen: I do have such concerns. Not too long ago, Commerce Secretary Mr. Evans visited China. He started his visit from China’s northwest. He came to see me with two photographs taken when he was visiting the countryside in China’s northwest. From his visit, he learned that the countryside in China is still very backward. So I told him with this knowledge, all the problems that he was about to discuss with me could be well solved. // I’ve personally been to over 1,800 counties throughout the country. So I’m in a position to say I’ve seen the worst poverty in China. I know very well how uneven our development has been. // Yes, it is true that in the coastal areas in the East, skyscrapers overwhelm you. However, in large areas of the countryside, people are still living in shabby houses with thatch roofs and still use oxen to till the land. Thirty million people are still below the poverty line. //

So one important inspirational lesson we have learned from our fight against the SARS epidemic is that we have to emphasize coordinated development. And this is what the new Chinese leadership has learned from the struggle against SARS. // Uneven development between the urban and rural areas, and imbalance between economic development and social progress — this situation can be described with an analogy. It’s like a human being who has one long leg and one short leg. If one leg is longer than the other, this person is bound to stumble and fall. And a country with one leg longer than the other will also stumble and fall.// But the problem can only be resolved through continued development. The eastern part of the country will be encouraged to continue with the big momentum of their development. And where conditions permit, they should take the lead in achieving basic modernization. This is because through their development, a lot of financial resources will be made available to support the development of China’s central and western regions. // At the same time, we’re also implementing a strategy to develop China’s western region. And very recently, we decided to implement a strategy to revitalize the old industrial bases in China’s northeast. So with good interaction between east and west, we hope to bring along development in the central region of the country. With all these efforts, we hope we can gradually bring about more coordinated development between different regions. But I want to remind you that this could be a very time-consuming process. //

唐尼：是不是出于同样考虑，你们决定修改宪法，保护私有财产，而且允许农民转让土地使用权？// Wen: We have decided on an important policy, and that is, public ownership will be the mainstay and multiple forms of ownership will develop side by side. To sum up, we can use two “unswervingly” to describe this. We will unswervingly uphold the public ownership system and develop the public sector, and we will unswervingly encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector, the private-sector included. // This basic economic system has been written into our constitution, and in the recently-held third plenary session of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the concept of property rights was introduced. It was made very clear at the session that we would formulate legislation protecting private property. Such a move was entirely based on China’s actual conditions in the spirit of seeking truth from facts, because this will help accelerate China’s economic development. It will also help ease the pressure from employment. It will also give greater scope to the creativity and enterprising spirit of the Chinese population and will in the end help us achieve the goal of common prosperity. // At the moment, privately-run enterprises employ a total of 80 million workers and they contribute to 23 percent of our GDP. In the countryside, we have the household contract system. It has long been stipulated that land operated by farmers can be transferred in a lawful and compensatory manner. //

唐尼：你刚才讲到稳定对中国是至关重要的。而布什总统在他最近两次重要演讲中，都谈到自由的重要性，认为自由是美国的核心价值观。你认为美中两国的价值观是不同，还是相似？对于未来中美关系的

发展有什么影响？//

Wen: Let me ask you a question. In the past 25 years of reform and opening up, enormous changes have taken place in China’s economic landscape. Haven’t you seen the changes taking place in China’s democracy and freedom? For instance, people now have the freedom to choose the kind of jobs they want to have, the kind of information they need, and the kind of places they wish to visit. // Twenty-five years ago, it was very difficult or almost impossible for a Chinese citizen to visit a foreign country or even to visit Hong Kong, part of our own country. Today, tens of millions of Chinese tourists visit places around the world every year. In addition, as I said earlier, we now have freedom of religious belief. // Let me share with you how I feel about my duties. As Premier of China, my responsibility is heavy, the job is demanding, and there is endless work to do. // 1.3 billion is a very big number. So if we use multiplication, any small problem multiplied by 1.3 billion will end up a very big problem. For a very big aggregate divided by 1.3 billion, it will come to a very tiny figure. This is something that is quite difficult for foreign visitors to understand. //

I remember that Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He put life before anything else. // As I said just now, in China, the first and foremost human rights are the rights to life and development. Some of our friends in the Western countries find this difficult to understand. I think they only need to refer to the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. He also put the right to life before any other right. // Aren’t the Declaration of Independence in the 18th century, the Civil War in the 19th century, and the Martin Luther King incident in the 20th century a reflection of the progress in American democracy and freedom? If I can speak very honestly and in a straightforward manner, I would say the understanding of China by some Americans is not so good as the understanding of the United States by the Chinese people. //

2. President Xi Jinping on China’s Reform and Opening Up

俄通社-塔斯社和俄罗斯全国广播电视公司记者：展望未来，中国共产党将在中国发展的历史进程中扮演何种角色？是否会在推进改革方面迈出新步伐？中国特色社会主义是否会有进一步发展？//

Xi Jinping: The mission of the CPC as China’s governing party is to lead the Chinese people in achieving greater national development and make lives better for the people. As I said, “To strike iron, you must first be tough yourself.” // In order to fulfill its mission, the CPC must strengthen its party-building and keep its advanced nature and purity. It must maintain close ties with the people, steadily improve the Party’s performance in leadership and governance, and increase its ability to resist corruption, prevent degeneration and ward off risks. It must continue to enhance its capacity in scientific, democratic and law-based governance and better serve the people. //

Reform and opening up is the defining feature and source of vitality of today’s China. It is crucial for our effort to build socialism with Chinese characteristics. Without reform and opening up, China would not have come this far. Nor will we have a brighter future. // I have stressed many times that reform and opening up is an on-going process that must never stop. Issues that emerge in the course of reform and opening up can only be resolved by pressing ahead with reform and opening up. Under the new historical conditions, we must make new breakthroughs in reform in order to open up new prospects for development. // We will enhance top-level design and overall planning, and advance structural reforms in economic, political, cultural, social and ecological fields in a balanced way. We should meet challenges head on and sail boldly through uncharted waters. We should resolutely remove all systemic and institutional barriers that impede our effort to pursue development in a

scientific way, stimulate the whole society’s creativity and forge ahead with our undertakings on all fronts. //

Just like one won’t find two identical leaves on one tree, we do not think there is “one-size-fits-all” experience in the world. Nor do we believe that a development model will stay the same forever. We will continue to develop and improve socialism with Chinese characteristics. // The world is changing, so is China. Socialism with Chinese characteristics must also move forward in keeping with the changing circumstances and conditions. Only by keeping abreast of the times can China remain a dynamic country. // We will draw on the fine achievements of all civilizations, but we will not copy the development model of any other country. China’s reform is about the self-improvement and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The only path that will take us far and bring us success is the one that is chosen by the Chinese people and suited to China’s reality. //

Xinhua News Agency: China is now the world’s second largest economy. What change will this bring to the way China handles its relations with the rest of the world? You recently talked about achieving the Chinese Dream of the great renewal of the Chinese nation. What is China’s dream for the world? //

Xi Jinping: Thanks to over thirty years of reform and opening up, China has achieved substantial progress in its economic and social development and the Chinese people’s lives have markedly improved. This is good for both China and the world. // The Chinese people are patriotic. Yet we are also a people with a global vision and an international perspective. As its strength grows, China will assume more international responsibilities and obligations within the scope of its capabilities and make greater contribution to the noble cause of world peace and development. //

It is true that China is now the world’s second largest economy, but its per capita GDP remains much lower than the world average. There is still a long way to go before China can become rich and strong. // Some people in the world are worried that China will seek hegemony and bully others once it becomes strong. Such concerns are unnecessary. China has reaffirmed its solemn commitment to the international community many times that it will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development and will never seek hegemony or expansion. // To quote a Chinese saying, “A gentleman never goes back on his word.” We mean what we say, and what has happened shows that China has kept its word. In the meantime, we hope that all countries in the world will pursue peaceful development and work together to advance world peace and development. //

The Chinese Dream of realizing the great national renewal has been the long-cherished dream of the Chinese people since modern times. After the Opium War in 1840, the Chinese nation was subjected to a century of foreign invasion and internal conflicts, and our people endured untold sufferings and pain. The modern history of China is written with trials and tribulations. The Chinese people support the Chinese Dream from the bottom of their hearts, because this dream is, first and foremost, a dream shared by the 1.3 billion people of China. //

The Chinese people have valued the concept of harmony in diversity since ancient times. We hope that countries and civilizations will carry out exchanges on an equal footing, learn from each other and achieve common progress. We hope that people of all countries in the world can share the fruits of global advances in economy, science and technology, that their wishes are respected, and that all countries can make united efforts to build a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity. //

巴西《经济价值报》记者：您是中国领导人，外界渴望对您本人有更多的了解。比如，您领导一个13亿人口的大国，感受是什么？每天工作和生活情况怎样？能有多少时间与家人相处？能否介绍一下您个人的经历和爱好？巴西明年将主办世界杯足球赛，您预测哪支球队夺冠？//

Xi Jinping: During my meetings with some foreign leaders, they asked me in amazement: How do you govern such a big country as China? Indeed, it is not easy to govern a country with 1.3 billion people. To get to know the situation is already a difficult task. // I often say, it takes much effort to know China, and it is far from enough to visit one or two places. China has 9.6 million square kilometers of land, 56 ethnic groups and 1.3 billion people. Thus, to get to know China, one should avoid the mistake of drawing conclusions on the basis of partial

information, as illustrated in the story of the Blind Men and an Elephant. //

As an ancient Chinese proverb goes, “Prime ministers used to be lowly officials; great generals rise from the ranks”. The system for selecting officials in China requires local work experience. For instance, I have worked in the rural areas as the Party branch secretary of a production team. I have also served in county, municipal, provincial and central governments. // Extensive experience gained from working at the community level enables an official to develop a people’s perspective and know what the country is truly like and what the people need. To accumulate experience and professional knowledge and enhance skills and capabilities in the course of practice is essential to doing one’s job well. //

Much work needs to be done to meet people’s daily necessities, ensure smooth running of the society and normal functioning of state organs, and build and manage the governing party. As the people have put me in this position, I must always put the people first and keep in mind the deep trust they have placed in me and my heavy responsibilities. // To govern such a big country with so many people and so complex national conditions, we, as the leaders of China, need to be fully aware of China’s reality and aspirations of the people, and treat our responsibilities with utmost care as if we were walking on thin ice or standing on the edge of an abyss. To quote a Chinese adage, “Governing a big country is as delicate as frying a small fish.” We must never slacken our efforts or be negligent in the slightest way, and we must fully devote ourselves to our work. // People are the source of our strength. As long as we stand with the people through thick and thin and work with them with one heart and one mind, there is nothing we can’t conquer or accomplish. //

As for my workload, you can well imagine that in such a position as mine, one hardly has any time at his own disposal. There are so many things that I need to address. Naturally, I prioritize my tasks. // Many hands make light work. Within the central leadership, we have an effective set of work mechanisms. Each of us has our own responsibilities, and at the same time, we work in concert to ensure that the jobs get done and done well. //

Although I am very busy, I try to find some leisure time. Whenever there is time, I would get together with my family.//

I have many hobbies. I love reading most. Reading has become a way of life for me. I am also a sports fan. I like swimming and mountaineering. I liked football and volleyball when I was young. // I wish to congratulate Brazil on hosting the World Cup again. Unpredictability is what makes a sport match, especially a football match exciting. During the last World Cup, we had Paul the Octopus. I wonder if there will be another octopus who can predict match results next year. The Brazilian team has the home-field advantage and I wish them good luck. //

第8单元

(1) Premier Wen Answers Questions on Taiwan and Hong Kong at the Press Conference

During the 2010 NPC and CPPCC Sessions

Taiwan-based United Daily News: I’m with United Daily News of Taiwan. My question is about the negotiation and signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. You said when you were having online chat with Internet users before the two sessions this year that the mainland would be prepared to let the people in Taiwan benefit more from the ECFA, given the different sizes of the economy of the two sides. You also said that the mainland will take account of the interests of small and medium-sized businesses in Taiwan and farmers in Taiwan. // I wonder if you could elaborate on what you mean about letting Taiwan benefit more from the ECFA. Do you think the ECFA can be signed in June this year? Last year at the press conference here you said you wanted very much to visit Taiwan one day. I wonder if the signing of the ECFA will help foster more favorable conditions for you to make a trip to Taiwan. //

Wen: The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is a comprehensive document that reflects the characteristics of both sides of the Strait. In negotiating such an agreement, it is important to abide by the following three principles: firstly, consultations on an equal footing; secondly, mutual benefit and win-win progress; and thirdly, accommodation of each other’s concerns. // I did say that in negotiating such an agreement, full consideration will be given to the different sizes of the economy and market conditions of the two sides of the Strait. We will care for the interests of small and medium-sized businesses and ordinary people in Taiwan. In particular, we will accommodate the interests of farmers in Taiwan. //

I did say that we will let the people in Taiwan benefit more from the ECFA. The benefit can be achieved through tariff concessions and “early harvest”. Relevant arrangements will also be made to help reassure the farmers in Taiwan in negotiating the ECFA. // I have seen much coverage in the news media of Taiwan about my remark of letting Taiwan benefit more from the ECFA. But I saw little coverage of the remark that followed this previous remark that I made in my online discussion with the Internet users, that is, “because we are brothers”. I understand the negotiation may be a complex process. But “differences between brothers cannot sever their blood ties”. And I believe that problems will eventually be solved. //

My wish to visit Taiwan one day is as strong as ever, because in my view, the five-thousand-year history of the Chinese nation has a strong appeal and our five-thousand-year culture has strong cohesiveness. I don’t think that one should abandon the five-thousand-year Chinese culture just because of the political developments in the past 50 years. //

Let me tell you a story which you can share with the people in Taiwan. In the Yuan Dynasty in Chinese history, there was a painter by the name of Huang Gongwang who painted a masterpiece known as The Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains. He started the painting at the age of 79, and passed away shortly after he completed it. // For hundreds of years, this painting changed hands a lot of times. But I know that now half of this painting is kept in the museum in Hangzhou and the other half in the museum in Taiwan. I hope that one day soon the two pieces of the painting can be rejoined. I cherish this wish not only for the masterpiece, but also for the people on both sides of the Strait. Thank you. Please convey my greetings to the people in Taiwan. //

Sing Tao Daily of Hong Kong: I’m with Sing Tao Daily of Hong Kong. Hong Kong economy is gradually recovering from the international financial crisis. You said last year that greater efforts should be made to address the underlying problems in the economic development in Hong Kong. Could you specify what those underlying problems are and what advice you can offer in addressing these problems and challenges? // Secondly, the central

government is formulating the 12th Five-Year Plan for China’s economic and social development. Could you tell us what role Hong Kong will play in the 12th Five-Year Plan? My last question, you have been very busy over the years and many people have expressed concern for your health. Could you tell us how you have managed to keep yourself so energetic in your work? //

Wen: Talking about the underlying challenges and problems in Hong Kong’s economic development, I believe the first is how Hong Kong should give further play to its advantages and strengths and maintain and further develop its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre. The second is how to develop its industries with comparative advantages, in particular its service sector, in line with Hong Kong’s characteristics. // The third is how to make the most of Hong Kong’s geographic advantage of being located close to the mainland to further strengthen the ties between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta on the mainland. And I believe the vast market and rapid economic development on China’s mainland will be a strong source of potential for Hong Kong’s future development. // Fourthly, I believe people in Hong Kong should be inclusive and stick together in tackling different challenges. And it is important for Hong Kong compatriots to build consensus and stay united in a joint effort to maintain prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. I believe Hong Kong will not only enjoy greater development on the economic front in the future, but also make gradual progress in promoting democracy in Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law. // Fifthly, we must not overlook the following two things. First, Hong Kong should make every effort to improve people’s livelihood; and second, Hong Kong should further develop its education. As for the 12th Five-Year Plan, it is a plan that is about the whole nation’s economic and social development. We will certainly take into full account the close economic ties between Hong Kong and the mainland, particularly between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region. And the people from various sectors of society in Hong Kong will be fully consulted in the process of formulating the 12th Five-Year Plan. //

As regards my health, I am sure you have seen that I’m still full of energy. Although I have few holidays or weekends, I like exercises. Taking a stroll or swimming can relax me and keep myself energetic for a daily heavy schedule. Thank you. Please convey my greetings to Hong Kong compatriots. //

(2) Premier Wen Answers Questions on Taiwan and Hong Kong at the Press Conference

During the 2011 NPC and CPPCC Sessions

TVBS of Taiwan: I’m with TVBS of Taiwan. The 12th Five-Year Plan Outline has been adopted and the first session on economic cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait has been convened in Taiwan not long ago. I would like to ask: how will the 12th Five-Year Plan and the ECFA signed between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait boost the business cooperation of the two sides? Moreover, there are concerns among some Taiwan people that the transformation of the economic development pattern on the mainland may exert great impact on Taiwanese businesses on the mainland, leaving them in greater difficulties. What is your view? //

Wen: First of all, I would like to ask you to convey my greetings to the compatriots in Taiwan. The ECFA between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait entered into force on January 1st this year, starting with the “early harvest”. In February, the relevant parties of the two sides conducted a review with respect to the implementation of the “early harvest” and they came to the conclusion that the “early harvest” got off a good start, made smooth progress and produced initial results. // Cross-Strait trade increased by over 30% in the first month of this year. And you may be aware that last year our trade exceeded $140 billion, with Taiwan running a surplus of over $86 billion. // In your question, you expressed the concern that Taiwanese-invested businesses on the mainland will be marginalized as the economy on the mainland transforms its development pattern. Well, I would like to say that the mainland has become a very important destination for Taiwanese investment. There are now over 80,000 Taiwanese-invested enterprises on the mainland, with a total direct investment of over $50 billion. If we include

the trans-investment made through a third place like the Virgin Islands, the figure exceeds $90 billion. Taiwan’s investment on the mainland now accounts for about 9% of the mainland’s total overseas investment. // We are pursuing scientific development and transforming our economic development pattern. I believe these efforts will only create a more favorable investment environment and offer more business opportunities for Taiwanese enterprises. Taiwanese-invested enterprises on the mainland will continue to enjoy national treatment and I don’t think they will be marginalized in the process. Rather, I believe they will enjoy brighter prospects in their future development. // We may run into some problems in the implementation of the ECFA, but I would like to say that we will continue to work with the Taiwan side to pursue the follow-up negotiations in a step-by-step way. You will see the sincerity on the part of the mainland during the negotiations. You will also see the commitment of the mainland side to the interests of the Taiwan business community and people in Taiwan. After all, we are compatriots, and I believe brothers, though geographically apart, will always be bound by their blood ties! //

Cable TV of Hong Kong: I’m with Cable TV of Hong Kong. A separate chapter is devoted to Hong Kong and Macao’s development in the outline of China’s 12th Five-Year Plan. The central government has indicated in the plan that it will continue to support Hong Kong in maintaining its status as an international financial centre. And further details have also been spelled out concerning the cooperation between Guangdong Province and Hong Kong with respect to a number of large infrastructural development projects. I would like to ask: what is the consideration of the Chinese central government in laying out all these arrangements? // Some people argue that Hong Kong is losing its traditional advantage and is also unable to cope with regional competition on its own. And that is why the central government felt compelled to draw up the plan for Hong Kong’s development. What is your view on this? Will these measures taken by the central government be sufficient to help Hong Kong resolve some of its underlying problems such as the widening income gap in Hong Kong? //

Wen: Your question reminds me of my visit to Hong Kong in 2003. It was during that visit that I attended the signing ceremony of Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between Hong Kong and the mainland. I would like to tell you that I want very much to visit Hong Kong again to see the people in Hong Kong and take my greetings to them. //

There is a separate chapter devoted to Hong Kong and Macao in the 12th Five-Year Plan Outline, which shows the central government’s firm support for maintaining the long-term stability in Hong Kong and Macao. It not only meets the aspiration of the governments of the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao and the people in the two SARs, but also serves the interests of the long-term development of Hong Kong and Macao. // You said in your question that Hong Kong has lost its traditional advantage. Well, I take a different view. Hong Kong enjoys the geographical advantage of lying between the motherland and the world. It has an open and free economy, a full-fledged legal system which is consistent with the world economy, and a large pool of managerial personnel in various fields. Hong Kong has also withstood the test of two financial crises. So I believe Hong Kong’s traditional advantage as an international financial centre has not changed. //

In the 12th Five-Year Plan, the central government will particularly support Hong Kong in developing itself into an offshore RMB business centre and an international asset management centre. As a matter of fact, many of the pilot programmes that we have taken in the reform of the financial sector in recent years have been first introduced in Hong Kong. For example, the RMB deposits now in Hong Kong have exceeded 300 billion yuan. We have, first of all, succeeded in running the pilot programme of settling cross-border trade in goods with RMB in Hong Kong. // Moreover, the cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland, in particular the Pearl River Delta, has been enhanced, and fast progress has been made in the series of infrastructural projects linking Hong Kong with the mainland, which have facilitated the free flow of goods and personnel between the two sides. I believe these measures will help further consolidate and develop Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. //

I believe Hong Kong has the capability to cope with not only regional competition and risks, but also international competition and risks. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is confronted with a complex external environment. Therefore, it is important for the Hong Kong SAR to be mindful of the potential perils, make the most of the good opportunities and meet the challenges head-on. // I have said that Hong Kong needs to pay close attention to the following three things: First, Hong Kong needs to have a long-term and scientific development plan; Second, it needs to attach great importance to addressing the underlying problems in Hong Kong’s economic and social development; And third, Hong Kong should work hard to improve its people’s well-being. // At the same time, I believe it’s important for Hong Kong to pay close attention to the development of education, science and technology so as to sustain its momentum of future development. In addition, Hong Kong needs to further develop its service sector, including financial services and tourism in the light of Hong Kong’s actual conditions, and to encourage the development of small innovative high-tech enterprises so as to create more jobs. // Hong Kong has sufficient government revenues and ample foreign exchange reserves. The Hong Kong SAR government should make the most of its favorable conditions to improve its social security network, take good care of the vulnerable groups in particular and commit itself to the improvement of the livelihood of the people in Hong Kong. //

Let me take a few minutes to address something that you did not mention in your question. In the formulation of the 12th Five-Year Plan Outline, there was such an opinion in Hong Kong that the plan was actually imposed upon the Hong Kong SAR. Here, I would like to emphasize once again that we will adhere to the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy. We will act in strict accordance with the Basic Law. And the purpose of the central government in laying out such a chapter about Hong Kong and Macao in the 12th Five-Year Plan is to support Hong Kong’s development. This arrangement will in no way replace Hong Kong’s own development plan. //

(3) Premier Wen Answers Questions on Taiwan and Hong Kong at the Press Conference

During the 2012 NPC and CPPCC Sessions

Taiwan China Times: Over the past four years, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have established the three direct links and direct flight, and their business exchanges and people-to-people contacts have reached a historical high. The Taiwanese media believe that the past four years probably witnessed the most stable and peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait in the past 60 years. // Such development opportunities will probably continue in the next four years. In the last year of your term of office, how do you see the prospects of cross-Strait cultural exchanges? When the two pieces of The Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains you mentioned previously were reunited on an exhibition in Taiwan last June, how did you feel at that moment? We are very interested to know whether you plan to travel to Taiwan after you retire in March next year. //

Wen: It is the tenth year in a row that I have addressed the Taiwan question on such occasions. Each time I am filled with strong emotions. I am glad to see that last year the two sides of the Taiwan Strait intensified their exchanges and that compatriots across the Strait became closer to each other. The political, economic and cultural foundation and the popular support for the 1992 Consensus and the cross-Strait relations have been strengthened. // When it comes to concrete measures to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and especially enhance the bilateral business relations in the last year of my term of office, I would like first of all to accelerate the ECFA follow-up negotiations. In our efforts to strengthen the cross-Strait business ties, we will pay special attention to the interests of small and medium-sized businesses, industries in a disadvantaged position and the people at the grassroots level in Taiwan, particularly the interests of people in central and southern Taiwan. // We will further promote the cross-Strait financial cooperation. Measures will include boosting the cooperation of banks’ currency settlement system and encouraging banks of the two sides to hold equity in each other so that they

can play their financial role in supporting business cooperation across the Strait. We will pay particular attention to the Taiwanese-invested companies on the mainland and create conditions for them to transform and upgrade themselves and expand their domestic sales market. //

Here in 2010, I told the story of The Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains. As a Chinese saying goes, no difficulty is insurmountable if we show utmost sincerity and set our mind on something. I’m glad to learn that the two pieces of the painting which have been separated for so long are finally put together on display in Taipei. This shows that the Chinese culture has its strong cohesiveness and powerful appeal. // I wish I could go and watch the display. I cannot help wondering why the several thousands of years of cultural bond cannot resolve the political grudges which have lasted for several decades. I sincerely hope that the two sides across the Strait will work together to further promote their cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. //

As to whether I will travel to Taiwan after my retirement, to be honest, I wish to visit it if the conditions permit. Here, I would like to ask you to convey my greetings to the Taiwan compatriots. // I remember a poet named Lin Chaosong in central Taiwan wrote a poem after Taiwan was ceded. It says “there’s no way to heal the wound in my heart, but there’s one day when the half moon becomes full again”. I believe that with the joint efforts of all compatriots of the Chinese nation, we will eventually achieve the reunification and revitalization of the country. And that is what the entire Chinese nation will feel proud of. Thank you. //

Hong Kong TVB: Mr. Premier, you visited Hong Kong in 2003. Nine years have passed and Hong Kong has experienced many changes since your last visit. We will see new changes in the future as well. What is your view about the ongoing election of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government? // Besides the challenges posed by the change of government and the European debt crisis, what are the other underlying problems you think Hong Kong needs to address? How do you see the future development of Hong Kong? //

Wen: I have deep love for Hong Kong. When I visited Hong Kong in 2003, I quoted a line from Mr. Huang Zunxian’s poem to describe my feeling about Hong Kong. It reads “every inch of mountain and river on this land is as precious as gold.” Hong Kong has been back to the motherland for 15 years. Changes in Hong Kong over the past 15 years prove that the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy have strong vitality. //

Over the past 15 years, Hong Kong has gone through an eventful journey and encountered two financial crises. However, under the leadership of the SAR government and with the joint efforts of the Hong Kong compatriots, Hong Kong has successfully overcome the financial crises and maintained its status as an international financial centre and a high degree of free market economy. In 2011, the per capita GDP of Hong Kong reached a historical high of US$34,200, and the employment situation was fairly good. // Hong Kong now faces both difficulties and opportunities. On the one hand, the impact of the financial crisis and the European debt crisis can still be felt. On the other hand, Hong Kong faces dual pressure of economic downturn and inflation. // Under such circumstances, Hong Kong must work hard to develop its economy, improve its people’s livelihood, advance democracy and maintain its social harmony. Priority should be given to seeking solutions to such major issues as social justice, price stability, housing, education and medical care of the people. //

Currently, the election of the fourth Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR government is underway. I believe that as long as the principle of openness, justice and fairness is observed and relevant legal procedures are strictly followed, the Hong Kong compatriots will surely be able to elect a chief executive who enjoys the support of the majority of Hong Kong people. //

At present, Hong Kong does face some difficulties, but I would like to quote Mr. Deng Xiaoping who said “we should have confidence that Hong Kong people are capable of running Hong Kong well.” //

I truly hope that I will have another opportunity to go to Hong Kong, to visit the residents of Amoy Garden

and to talk to the students of the University of Hong Kong. I would like to ask the journalist from Hong Kong to convey my greetings to the Hong Kong compatriots. //

第9单元

China Registers Historic Progress in Human Rights

— Interview by the Human Rights journal with Wang Chen, director of the State Council Information Office

December 9, 2008

问：今年12月10日是联合国大会通过《世界人权宣言》60周年纪念日，您是如何看待和评价这份文件的？//

A: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) adopted at the UN General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948 is the UN’s first document devoted to the human rights issue. It is truly a worldwide declaration of human rights that came into being on the basis of summing up the historical experience and absorbing and infusing the cultural spirit of the East and the West. // Over the past 60 years, it has played an important role in awakening the people of the world to their pursuit for human rights, directing and promoting the development of international human rights theories and practice. It is still of great significance for guiding the development of the human rights cause in the world. //

First of all, the UDHR put forward, for the first time in history, the universal concept of “human rights”, confirming that “everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration, without distinction of any kind”, and making the economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights two paralleled and inalienable components of human rights, thus breaking the narrow, traditional conception of human rights of the West and enriching and developing the contents of human rights. //

Secondly, the UDHR served as a source of encouragement to the people of colonies and appendage countries in their great movement for state independence and national liberation, thus making indelible contributions to destroying the colonial system that had been ruling mankind for centuries and to promoting world peace, human rights and justice. //

Thirdly, the UDHR has produced profound influence in the spread of the human rights principles and in the institution of human rights laws in the world. As a result, the UN has adopted dozens of international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. All the continents have also adopted many regional instruments. The majority of the countries throughout the world have, in various ways, included the respect for and protection of human rights in their constitutions or related laws. //

问：今年是中国实行改革开放30周年，30年来，中国的经济社会得到巨大发展，国际地位显著提高。那么，在人权方面，您认为有哪些变化呢？//

A: The past three decades have witnessed historic changes in all aspects of the society in China. But the most profound changes that have taken place are those in the people and their concepts, their living standards and their dignity and values. // Over the past 30 years, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Government have pursued reform and opening up in its economic and social development in an all-round manner and integrated the universality of human rights with China’s specific national conditions. China has made unremitting efforts to promote and protect human rights, blazing a new trail for human rights development that has distinct Chinese characteristics, and resulting in a synchronized and coordinated development of the human rights cause with its political, economic, social and cultural development. // It is no exaggeration to say that China has made historic progress in human rights and that China’s human rights conditions are in their best historical period. //

— Respecting and protecting human rights has received attention never seen before and has become an important principle of the CPC and the Chinese Government in governing the country. Since the introduction of

China’s reform and opening up policy, the most prominent progress China has made in human rights is that it has freed itself from the bondage of the “leftist” thinking which regarded human rights as the slogan of the bourgeoisie and established the important position of human rights in China’s social and political life. // Since the 16th CPC National Congress, in particular, the CPC Central Committee with Hu Jintao as the General Secretary has advanced the people-centreed scientific development theory and the important strategic thinking of building a socialist harmonious society, which have made respect for and protection of human rights an important component of the new theory. Since 2004, “respecting and protecting human rights” has been written into the Constitution, the 11th Five-Year Plan and the Constitution of the CPC. // All this shows that promoting the development of human rights has become a major theme in China’s national economic and social development, and an important principle of the CPC and the Chinese Government in governing the country. The unprecedented attention given to human rights has provided powerful political and legal guarantee for human rights development both in theory and practice. //

— The rights to subsistence and development have received protection never seen before. The 30 years of reform and opening up have witnessed dramatic economic and social development in China, with the economy growing at an average annual rate of over 9 percent. The living standards of the 1.3 billion Chinese people have improved markedly, realizing two historic leaps – from languishing under poverty to freedom from want, and then to moderate prosperity. // By the end of 2007, the per capita GDP had risen to 18,700 yuan from 379 yuan in 1978, an increase of nearly 50-fold. The disposable income of urban residents had risen to 13,786 yuan from 343 yuan and that of rural residents to 4,140 yuan from 134 yuan, representing an increase of about 40-fold and 31-fold respectively. // The per capita living space had risen to 27 square meters from 6.7 square meters in the urban areas and to 30.7 square meters from 8.1 square meters in the rural areas. The urban and rural Engel’s Coefficient had dropped to 36.3 percent and 43.1 percent from 56.6 percent and 67.71 percent respectively. Development- and recreation-oriented consumption such as transport, telecommunications, culture, education, entertainment, medical services, health care, family services, tourism and sightseeing had increased steadily. // The number of people below the poverty line was reduced to 14.79 million from 250 million in 1978. At present, the average life expectancy of Chinese has risen to 73 years from 68 years in 1978, reaching the level of medium developed countries. //

— Civil and political rights have been brought under effective protection. Since the adoption of the reform and opening up policy in 1978, China has constantly strengthened its efforts to rule the country by law, build a law-based country and improve democracy. The rights of person and political rights of the citizens have been extended and effectively protected on the orbit of democracy and law. // At present, there are 229 laws in force in addition to about 600 administrative decrees of the State Council and more than 7,000 local laws. A socialist legal system with distinct Chinese characteristics, with the Constitution as its core, has largely taken shape. All aspects of social activities have laws to go by and all rights of the citizens have been brought under effective protection of the law. // Meanwhile, China is actively and steadily pushing forward its political restructuring aimed at increasing the orderly political participation by its citizens, making administrative affairs transparent, intensifying the oversight and checks and balances of power, and protecting citizens’ political rights by law. In the rural areas, in particular, grassroots democracy covering elections, decision-making, management and oversight has been introduced, enabling hundreds of millions of rural residents to enjoy their right of direct election. //

— Economic, social and cultural rights have kept improving. Since 1978, the Chinese Government has adopted various measures to deal with unemployment and re-employment, establish a social security system and strengthen support to education, science and technology, culture and public health and other social undertakings, striving to ensure the economic, social and cultural rights of the citizens on a solid footing. // In 2006, the government scrapped the agricultural tax and agricultural specialty product tax, ending the history of peasants

paying taxes for farming the land, a practice which had lasted for more than 2,600 years. At present, China has basically popularized the nine-year compulsory education and has basically eliminated illiteracy among its young and middle-aged population. The proportion of people in such categories has reached 99 percent of the Chinese population, making China one of the countries with a fairly high level of compulsory education. // From 1978 to 2007, the number of students at tertiary schools increased by nearly 22 times from 867,000 to 18.85 million. The number of public cultural services and facilities has increased considerably. A public cultural service system covering both urban and rural areas has taken shape, making the cultural life of the people increasingly diversified and colorful.// The new rural cooperative medical service which started in 2002 has now covered 730 million rural residents or 85.7 percent of the rural population, contributing greatly to the improvement of the health of the rural people. //

— Exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries in the area of human rights have kept expanding. Since 1978, China has, in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, taken an active part in the UN’s work on human rights and in drawing up legal instruments in this regard, making its due contributions to enriching the concept of international human rights and promoting the development of international human rights activities. // China has approved and joined related human rights treaties and conventions. Up to the present, China is a signatory party to 25 international human rights conventions and treaties and has adopted effective measures to fulfill its obligations. It has submitted reports on its performance in a timely manner for review by the UN treaty organizations. // China has always advocated dialogue, cooperation and exchanges on the basis of equality and mutual respect in order to promote the healthy development of the international human rights cause. So far, China has conducted more than 70 human rights dialogues and exchanges with other countries, which helped enhance mutual understanding and promote the development of human rights jointly. //

问：您是国务院新闻办公室主任，能否介绍一下贵单位的职能，以及国务院新闻办公室在人权方面的作用？//

A: Our office was founded in 1991. The functions of our office can be summarized as “letting the world know about China and making China known in the world”. // To tell the world about China includes not only explanations about China’s domestic and foreign policies, China’s history, culture and political, economic and social development, but also revelation of the truth and China’s stands and views on some major issues on which there are a lot of misunderstandings, deep biases and accusations in other countries so as to remove doubts, enhance understanding and create a favorable international environment of public opinion for China’s peaceful development. // The human rights issue, for instance, is an area in which the outside world knows little about China and there are many misunderstandings. So it is a very important part of the work of our office to present the facts and views of China on human rights. Over the past two decades, we have done the following work with regard to human rights: //

Firstly, expounding China’s views, positions and practice with regard to human rights, and informing the world of the unremitting efforts made by the Chinese Government and people in promoting human rights and the resulting achievements so as to help the international community know more about the true human rights conditions in China. // In the late 1980s and the early 1990s, some international hostile forces launched an anti-China wave out of the considerations of different ideologies and social systems, targeting their human rights attacks directly on China. // In order to inform the world of the true human rights conditions in China and its basic stand and policies, our office released its first white paper on human rights – China’s Human Rights Conditions. // Since then, our office has issued seven white papers to give an account of the general situation of human rights in China. In addition, it has published more than 30 white papers and dozens of important articles on such topics as democracy, transformation of criminals, women and children, population and family planning, poverty relief, labor and social security, ethnic minorities and religion, and the rule of law, all of which are closely associated with

human rights and are of international concern. // These white papers and articles have given a complete and systematic picture of the human rights conditions in China, summed up its basic experience in human rights development, and expounded completely and authoritatively the basic views of the Chinese Government on human rights issues. They have played an important role in helping the international community get a full and true picture of China’s human rights conditions, in refuting the distortions and accusations by international hostile forces, and in clearing up international misunderstandings about China’s human rights. // These documents have won favorable comments from the international public opinion. It is generally believed that China’s proactive effort to clarify issues concerning human rights by issuing white papers has “increased the openness and transparency of the government”, “enhanced the understanding of the international community on China’s human rights conditions and made the international community see the progress China has made in human rights and know the endeavors made by the Chinese Government toward the improvement of human rights”. //

Secondly, refuting unfounded accusations against China’s human rights conditions by the US Department of State in its “Country Report on Human Rights” and safeguarding China’s state sovereignty and national dignity. // Since the beginning of the 1990s, the US Department of State, in collaboration with some other Western countries, has repeatedly tabled anti-China draft resolutions in the UN Human Rights Commission and issued its annual “Country Report on Human Rights” to distort and attack China’s human rights conditions. // Starting from 1994, our office has issued more than 10 influential commentaries against the attacks by the US Department of State in its “Country Report on Human Rights” by presenting solid facts to lay bare the true intentions of the United States in carrying out its anti-China and anti-Communist and hegemonic strategies on the pretext of human rights. These commentaries have received strong favorable response from the international community. // From 2000 to the present, in countering the distortion and accusation by the United States by way of paying back in its own coin, so to speak, we have issued the Human Rights Record of the United States for eight years running, using a lot of data and facts to expose the poor human rights records of the United States and its double standards on human rights. The move has been extensively echoed in the world. // Some foreign media described these articles as “like a sharp sword, pointing directly at the tender point of the United States”. Some developing countries said that China has voiced what the developing countries wanted to say. Mass media of some developing countries appealed to their ruling authorities “not to keep silent anymore and to learn from China to give response to the US ‘Country Report on Human Rights’ and safeguard national dignity”. //

Thirdly, holding exhibitions to demonstrate the human rights conditions in China and its unique path of human rights development.// In November 2006, our office and the China Society for Human Rights Studies held a China Human Rights Exhibition at the Beijing Cultural Palace of Nationalities. From July to October 2007, the two institutions held photo exhibitions themed “Chinese People’s Life Through the Lens” in India, Nepal, Austria, Italy, Egypt and Uzbekistan respectively. A thematic exhibition called “The Chinese People’s Life through the Lens” was also held at the Beijing Cultural Palace of Nationalities during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. // The China Human Rights Exhibition was the first of its kind in the world. It exhibited more than 700 photos, more than 250 objects, more than 1,000 books on human rights, 24 diagrams. Together with situational models, video and film shows, electronic calendars, electronic white papers, Internet interaction, touch-screen Q&A and on-the-spot demonstration of folk arts, these exhibits visualized and materialized the abstract concept of human rights and artistically reproduced the glorious course traversed by the Chinese people in pursuing, safeguarding and developing human rights and the great achievements they had scored. They also systematically displayed the policies and laws of China in protecting human rights, giving a complete picture of China’s human rights conditions and progress at all levels, from all perspectives and in all aspects. They served as an important information platform for Chinese and foreign visitors to get an objective and complete picture of China’s human rights. // Many foreign media described the exhibition as “having reflected the progress and openness of China”

and “very useful for the international community to know about China’s human rights”. //

Fourthly, organizing educational campaigns to disseminate human rights knowledge to raise the human rights awareness of government officials and the general public and promote the all-round development of the human rights cause. // Over the years, we have offered human rights lectures that lasted several months on China National Radio (CNR), started a Q&A column on human rights in People’s Daily that lasted a year, sponsored a human rights knowledge quiz in the Guangming Daily, organized the compilation of the Human Rights Reader for Officials, which has been made part of the teaching materials for cadre training in the country and organized training courses of all kinds for human rights cadres. These activities have not only helped raise the human rights awareness on the part of officials and ordinary people but also enhanced their consciousness in respecting and safeguarding human rights, thus expanding the social foundation for safeguarding and protecting human rights. // At the same time, we have taken the lead in organizing the formulation of the National Human Rights Action Plan, aimed at bringing about a complete and orderly development of human rights in China. That is China’s first national programme of action in the area of human rights, which has mapped out plans for human rights development for the next two years. It is an important move of the Chinese Government in implementing the constitutional principle of “respecting and protecting human rights” and the people-centred Scientific Outlook on Development. // The programme covers extensive areas of human rights such as perfecting government functions, expanding democracy, enhancing the rule of law, improving people’s livelihood, protecting the special rights of women, children and the ethnic minorities, and raising human rights awareness in the whole society. // By setting and implementing the goals and measures in a systematic way, it will surely help improve the human rights conditions in China and make progress in this regard. //

问：正如您刚才介绍的那样，改革开放以来，中国人权事业取得了辉煌成就，但也存在一些不容忽视的问题和困难，就目前来看，您认为这些问题和困难主要体现在哪些方面？中国人权的发展前景又将如何？//

A: Human rights are an ever developing process. China is a developing country with a population of 1.3 billion. Due to natural, historical, cultural, economic and social factors, there are still many problems and difficulties in the development of human rights. There are quite a few things less than satisfactory in the human rights conditions in the country. // For instance, the political and economic systems are yet to be improved; democracy and the legal system remain to be perfected; governments at all levels have to raise their awareness about protecting human rights and about exercising administration according to law; the economic and social development is unbalanced, and the enlarging gaps between the urban and rural areas, between different regions, and between the rich and the poor have not yet been brought under effective control; problems and difficulties are quite outstanding in such areas as employment, social security, income distribution, education, medical services, housing and production safety. All this will affect the immediate interests and rights of the people. // It is, therefore, a long-term and arduous task of the Chinese Government and people to continue and strengthen their efforts to promote and protect human rights. //

Despite all these difficulties and problems, I am fully confident about the prospects of China’s human rights cause. First of all, China has put human rights high on the agenda for national development. Running through the entire report to the 17th CPC National Congress are such terms as putting people first, improving people’s livelihood, expanding democracy and protecting human rights. The report stressed the importance of respecting and protecting human rights and ensuring the rights of all members of the society to equal participation and equal development. // The report made a clarion call for improving the democratic system, diversifying the forms of democracy and expanding the channels for democracy, and “protecting the people’s right to information, right to participation, right to expression and right to oversight”. It also called for acceleration of social development focusing on the improvement of people’s livelihood, “promoting social justice and equity, striving to ensure that all

the people have access to education, employment, medical and old-age care and housing.” // From its guidelines, principles, goals to concrete policy measures, the 11th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development fully reflects the requirements of “putting people first”, advancing scientific development and promoting social harmony. This has set a clear course for the all-round development of human rights. // Secondly, over the past 30 years of reform and opening up, China has pioneered a new path for the development of human rights, which is suited to its national conditions. By “putting people first” and taking stability as the precondition, reform as the motive force, development as the key, and the rule of law as the guarantee, this path is intended to promote the comprehensive and coordinated development of the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. As long as we continue to move along this path, China’s human rights cause is sure to see new progress as the modernization drive goes on. //

I’m fully convinced that as long as we unswervingly implement the constitutional principle of respecting and protecting human rights, and remain committed to advancing democracy and the rule of law, our society will certainly become more harmonious, and the people will certainly live a better life and enjoy their human rights to the full. //

问：当今国际人权领域发生了较大变化，您如何看待当今国际人权领域的形势？您认为世界人权事业怎样才能健康发展？//

A: There are two prominent features in the current international human rights situation. The first feature is that the international community has attached so much importance to human rights as never before, so that human rights have become an important theme in international exchanges and cooperation. // Since the end of the Cold War, the human rights issue has become increasingly prominent in international relations and international politics. With the rapid development of economic globalization and informationization of social life, countries have become increasingly interdependent and cooperative, thus accentuating the importance of the human rights issue. They have attached more and more importance to the human rights issue and reached more and more consensus on this issue. // In March 2006, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as a subsidiary body of the UNGA to replace the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) affiliated to the UN Economic and Social Council. This shows that human rights have, for the first time, been juxtaposed with security and development as the three main pillars of the UN. // In recent years, some countries have, according to the UN requirements, set up national human rights organizations such as national human rights commissions, thus putting the promotion and protection of human rights in a more important position. // The second feature is that it has become a common call to have dialogue and oppose confrontation, making those who use human rights to create confrontation increasingly unpopular. All this represents the progress and development trend in the area of international human rights. //

However, what cannot be ignored is that there are still factors of disharmony and grave challenges in the development of world human rights. For instance, as the new international political and economic order has not been established, the world economic development is very uneven, and the South-North gap continues to widen, seriously threatening the rights of the people of developing countries to survival and development. // Some countries and regional groups have politicized and ideologized human rights by practicing double standards. They have been flying the “human rights” flag to negate the sovereignty of other countries. Hegemonism and power politics have seriously spoiled the atmosphere of international cooperation in the field of human rights and hampered the healthy development of human rights in the world. //

I think that to seek the healthy development of human rights in the world, we must, first of all, face up to the prominent problems in the present-day world and rise up to safeguard the rights of the people of all countries to survival and development. // At present, armed conflicts and other traditional security threats still exist, whereas non-traditional security threats such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and

environmental pollution have become more and more prominent, seriously endangering the innocent lives of millions of people. // The gaps between the North and the South and between the poor and the rich have continued to widen. The developed countries with a population of less than 20 percent of the world’s total control more than 85 percent of the global wealth while the developing countries with more than 80 percent of the world’s population enjoy less than 15 percent of the wealth of the world. // There are more than one billion people in developing countries still suffering from poverty, hunger and diseases. Their survival and dignity have been seriously threatened. Only by eliminating the factors that seriously endanger human rights, can the rights of the people of all countries be fully realized. //

Secondly, it is imperative to integrate the universality of human rights with the national conditions of various countries. All people of all countries should enjoy freedom and equality. This is the universal pursuit and common ideal of mankind. // But, constrained by economic development level, cultural traditions and social systems, people have different understandings and demands with regard to human rights. They face different human rights problems that require different priorities in solution. // Under the precondition of recognizing the universality of human rights, all governments and people have the right to adopt different policy measures, ways and means according to their respective national conditions to explore models and paths for the development of human rights best suited to their national conditions. // The diversification of human rights development models not only fully reflects the diversity of civilizations and the wisdom of the people of various countries, but also enriches and develops human rights theories and practice in the world. // Respect for the diversity of human rights development models not only represents respect for the national conditions of various countries, and the wisdom and creativity of their people, for the diversity of civilizations and diversified ways of living, but also constitutes the important precondition for promoting the development of human rights in the world. //

Lastly, it is imperative to strengthen dialogue, exchanges and cooperation and oppose confrontation and power politics. Human rights are, in essence, an issue within the sovereignty of a country. The UN Charter clearly provides that all its Members shall follow the principle of the sovereign equality and shall not intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state. // In promoting human rights, only by carrying out constructive dialogue, exchanges and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect, enhancing mutual understanding and eliminating misunderstanding, expanding consensus, reducing differences, and learning from each other, drawing on each other’s experience and helping each other, can all countries in the world achieve common progress and development. //Dialogue and cooperation are conducive not only to human rights progress in all countries but also to the harmonious and healthy development of human rights in the world. Hegemonism and power politics will never work in the field of human rights. It will not contribute to the promotion of human rights. On the contrary, it will poison international relations and harm the healthy development of world human rights endeavours. //

第10单元

(1) Premier Wen Answers Questions on China’s Economy at the Press Conference

During the 2011 NPC& CPPCC Sessions

People’s Daily and People.com: I’m with People’s daily and People.com. We have noted that the 12th Five-Year Plan has set an annual GDP growth target of 7% for the next five years. That target is 0.5 percentage points lower than the GDP growth target set in the 11th Five-Year Plan. Mr. Premier, my question is: what is the consideration of the government in taking the initiative to adjust downward the GDP growth target? Will slower economic growth affect the government’s efforts to expand employment and improve people’s well-being? //

Wen: We have set a lower GDP growth target for the next five years. I believe this shows the resolve and will of the Chinese Government. It is also a major step that the government is determined to take. This means that in the next five years and even for a much longer period of time to come, in the course of China’s economic development, we will take the transformation of China’s economic growth model as our priority task. We will refocus China’s economic development on scientific and technological advances and on higher educational level of the labor force so as to raise the quality and efficiency of China’s economic growth. //

The speed of economic growth, employment and inflation are closely interconnected. A high growth rate will create more jobs, but it will, at the same time, increase inflationary pressure. And a low growth rate will mean fewer jobs but it is also likely to cause economic recession. We must strike a proper balance between these two options and ensure a bright future for China’s economic development. We should take an integrated approach in making relevant efforts. //

We must seize the current opportunities and make adjustments to China’s economic structure so as to resolve such long-standing problems as the lack of adequate balance, coordination and sustainability in China’s economic development. And we must strike a balance between economic development and population, environmental protection and resources. //

I also want to point out that a 7% growth rate is not a low target. You may have noted that China’s economic aggregates have been expanding rapidly in recent years. And the 7% growth rate will further add to the size of Chinese economy in aggregate terms. This means we have an increasingly large base figure. Therefore, it will not be easy for us to achieve the 7% growth target while ensuring good quality and efficiency of economic development. // With respect to jobs, I would like to say that we must pay close attention to economic restructuring. And in this course we should give priority to developing small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular small high-tech enterprises. We should also give priority to developing the service sector, including producer services. All these will help us create more jobs. // The government will make every effort to cope with the rising employment pressure with this downward economic growth target. I think this poses a great test to the government, but we have the determination that we will be successful. //

法国《观点周刊》记者：温总理，您好！今年年初以来，在北非的一些国家经历了很大的变化。世界也在关注着快速发展的中国，有人认为中国在政治、经济、文化等领域已经创建了属于自己的发展模式。我想问的问题是，中国的发展模式如何很好地适应变化中的大环境？其他国家能否从中国的发展模式中借鉴并得到启示？//

Wen: We have been following closely the turbulence of the political situation in some West Asian and North African countries. But we don’t think it is proper to draw an analogy between China and those relevant countries. //

With over thirty years of reform and opening up, China has witnessed rapid economic and social

development. The lives of the Chinese people have been markedly improved. These achievements have been widely recognized. I believe the Chinese people have also seen that the government has been taking serious steps to address the challenges and problems in China’s economic and social development. // It is true that recent years have witnessed major changes in China’s economy. Now the Chinese economy has become the second largest in the world. But at the same time, we are also fully aware that China remains a developing country with a large population, weak economic foundation and uneven development. //

We have embarked on a development path that fits China’s national conditions. The main features of this path are as follows: First, we must keep focused on economic development and vigorously promote economic development and social progress; Second, we must continue to put people first and strive for comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development; // Third, we must continue to promote social fairness and justice so as to maintain social stability and harmony; And fourth, we must protect the democratic rights of the people, promote their all-round development and give further play to their initiative and creativity. //

China is still taking exploratory steps with respect to its reform and development. We never regard our own development path as any particular model. We believe that all countries should take a development path which is suited to their national conditions, and we respect the choices made by the people of other countries. Different countries can learn from each other in terms of their development paths on the basis of mutual respect. Thank you! //

美国《华尔街日报》记者：总理您好。通货膨胀已成为中国社会越来越突出的一个问题，高物价、高房价已经直接影响到中国老百姓的日常生活。请问您如何评价中央政府为应对通货膨胀所采取的措施？下一步将出台什么新的应对措施？在应对通货膨胀过程中，政府会不会考虑让人民币较快速度地升值？//

Wen: Inflation is like a tiger. Once set free, it will be very difficult to be brought back into its cage. I believe that the current inflation we are witnessing is actually a global issue. Let’s take a look at the international environment in this respect. Some countries have pursued a quantitative easing monetary policy, which has caused drastic fluctuations in exchange rates in some major currencies and the global commodity prices. This has affected more than one place or region in the world. Even the inflation rate in European countries has exceeded 2%. // In the past few months, the global grain prices have risen by 15%. And the volatile situation in North Africa and West Asia has driven up global oil prices, which have hit over $100 per barrel. The imported inflation has had a big impact on China, which is a factor that we can hardly control. // At the same time, we have also witnessed a structural inflation in China due to rising labor cost and rising prices of primary goods. We must pay very close attention to this problem and take strong steps to address it. // I have often said that inflation, including rising consumer and housing prices, affects the immediate interests of the people. That is why the government has given top priority to curbing inflation for its macroeconomic regulation this year. //

I have specified the measures that we will adopt to control inflation and manage inflation expectations in my Government Work Report, so I will not repeat them here. // I just want to emphasize that the government has the confidence to manage inflation expectations well. Last November, China’s Consumer Price Index rose to 5.1%. With our efforts, we managed to bring it down to 4.6% the following month which was last December. // We still face a difficult situation in the first half of this year. I’m sure that you are well aware of the carry-over effects on the CPI. In January this year, the CPI rose to 4.9% and stayed at the same level in February. But we have a strong carry-over effect, standing at 3.7%. Therefore, we must not take this issue lightly. // We have taken the following measures to manage inflation expectations: First, we will continue to expand production, in particular agricultural production to ensure sufficient supply; Second, we will improve the distribution system, particularly strengthening the weak links in agricultural product distribution; And third we will mainly make use of economic and legal instruments to regulate the market and maintain good market order. We will continue to take persistent efforts to manage the inflation expectations. //

Our measures to bring down the rising housing prices are also three-fold: First, we must mop up excess

monetary liquidity. This is also important for controlling both the housing prices and the consumer prices because it will help us eliminate the monetary conditions for surging consumer and housing prices; // Second, we will make use of fiscal, taxation and financial instruments to regulate market demand; And third, we must strengthen the responsibility of local governments for controlling consumer and housing prices. This means that the provincial governors will take responsibility for the supply of staple foods and the mayors will be responsible for the supply of vegetables. The local governments will also assume main responsibility for bringing down surging housing prices. //

As for the issue of appreciation of the Chinese RMB you mentioned, I would like to say that we will not waver in our efforts to reform the forming regime of the Chinese RMB exchange rate. In fact, we have taken three major steps in pushing forward this reform since 1994. Compared with that in 1994, the real effective exchange rate of the Chinese yuan has appreciated by 57.9% against the dollar. // Our current reform has been to delink the Chinese yuan from the US dollar and pursue a managed and floating exchange rate regime on the basis of market supply and demand and with reference to a basket of currencies. // We will continue to make the RMB exchange rate more flexible in line with the changes in market supply and demand. At the same time, the appreciation of the Chinese currency should be a gradual process because we must bear in mind its impact on the Chinese businesses and our employment situation. We must ensure overall social stability in this process. //

China National Radio and its affiliated website: Just now, my foreign colleague mentioned the issue of rising housing prices, and you said that the government has taken measures to control rising housing prices in three aspects. As a matter of fact, since last year the State Council has introduced a succession of measures to bring down the housing prices. They are regarded as the harshest measures ever taken. // You reiterated in the Government Work Report that the government will resolutely regulate the real-estate market. My question is: Can these measures be fully implemented or is it possible that the government give up the implementation half-way? Thank you. //

Wen: With regard to the control of rising housing prices, I think what’s essential now is to ensure the full implementation of all the policies and measures we have introduced. In this respect, the central government will step up its inspection of the work on the part of local governments and implement the accountability system strictly. At the same time, we will follow very closely and analyze the new developments in the real estate market, and work out focused and targeted macro-control measures in this field. // The local governments must conscientiously perform their responsibilities for regulating the real estate market. For example, they must release their detailed rules with respect to the implementation of the central government’s policies and announce their respective targets about bringing down housing prices. //

Here, I’d like to mention in particular a third important measure that can be taken — to speed up the building of government-subsidized housing units. That is to say, we can try to address the problems in the housing market by relying on increasing supply. // With regard to the government-subsidized housing, I am aware of some concerns among the people. // I would like to say that we have set the target of building another 10 million such housing units this year and a further 10 million next year. That is to say, in the next five years, we plan to build a total of 36 million government-subsidized housing units. They mainly comprise public rental housing and low-rent housing. // It is essential that we ensure sufficient funding for the construction of such houses. The central government will transfer a total of 103 billion yuan to local governments which also need to increase their own fiscal input. Meanwhile, it is essential to generate greater nongovernmental capital in this field. It is also important that we designate specific sites for the construction of government-subsidized housing and ensure that such designated sites will be used only for this purpose. //

One of the top priorities that must be immediately put on the agenda is the design and construction of such houses. We must make sure that such houses are designed and built to meet high quality standards. That is to say,

such housings must be safe, environment-friendly and energy-efficient. // Environmental protection is particularly important. It is essential that energy conservation be followed from design to construction. I believe this presents a great opportunity for the housing market in China and we must not miss out on this opportunity. // Here I want to emphasize that we must start right now the formulation of the management and return mechanisms so that we can put in place a complete system governing the construction, management and return of these houses in addition to ensuring their good quality and efficiency. //

CCTV and CNTV: My question is related to the development of private enterprises in China. We have seen that the State Council has released two sets of 36 Guidelines on encouraging and supporting the development of nongovernmental investment, which have raised a lot of expectations on the part of privately-run businesses in China. // However, it is also the view of some privately-run enterprises in China that they have heard loud thunders but seen small raindrops, or much cry but little wool, in terms of the central government’s support for the non-public sector, or much said but little done. In reality, those businesses still face a lot of tangible or intangible barriers for their investments. The problem of the so-called “glass door” apparently has not been effectively addressed. There is also such a view that in China the state-owned enterprises are forging ahead while privately-owned ones are falling behind. What is your view, Mr. Premier? //

Wen: Our policy in this field is that we will unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector of the economy and at the same time unswervingly support, encourage and guide the development of the non-public sector of the economy. // In 2005, the State Council promulgated the 36 Guidelines on encouraging and supporting the development of the non-public sector. Last year, we introduced the new 36 Guidelines on encouraging and supporting non-governmental investment. I should say that with the two sets of 36 guidelines in place, the thunders are by no means weak. // Why do I say so? Because our policy is clear-cut. We treat all enterprises of different kinds of ownerships equally, both in law and in policy, including fiscal, taxation, financial and market access policies. We encourage these different economic entities to compete with each other and reinforce each other in their development. //

So why do some private enterprises still feel that they have seen few raindrops and why do they feel that the problems of the so-called “glass door” and “swing door” have not been well addressed? I think this is mainly because we have not fully implemented the policies and measures. // Actually, the new 36 Guidelines can be seen as a supplementary document to the first set of 36 Guidelines, because a lot of detailed arrangements have been spelt out in the new 36 Guidelines in terms of the policy arrangements and market access. And we are now formulating the detailed rules for the implementation of the new 36 Guidelines. I believe that these two documents will help boost the development of the non-public sector. //

I don’t think we have such a problem as state-owned enterprises forging ahead while the privately held enterprises falling behind. Nor do we have the opposite problem in China. In the past 30 years and more of China’s reform and opening up, we should recognize that big development has been achieved in both the public sector and the non-public sector of the Chinese economy. I don’t want to spend too much time talking about the public sector at the press conference today. I will focus on the development of the non-public sector that you mentioned in your question. // In the nationwide total investment in fixed assets, private investment now accounts for more than 50%. In the development of industries in China, those privately-held enterprises have been growing faster than their state-owned counterparts in terms of the number of businesses, their output value, total assets and payrolls. This is a fact that we must recognize. //

The proportion of the public sector in the total economy is declining. However, the public sector still takes the lifeline of the national economy. The state-owned enterprises are now deepening their reform. They have established the modern cooperate system by introducing the joint stockholding system. They have also attracted and received a large amount of non-governmental capital investment. All this is conducive to the healthy

development of the public sector. //

We will continue to pursue our policy of “Two Unswervinglies” and strive for the parallel development of the public sector and the private sector of the economy. Thank you! //

ITAR-TASS of Russia: I have worked in China for 18 years. I like this country very much and hope to continue to live here. Well, recently we have seen much change in the consumer prices in China. I would like to ask: what is the cause for inflation? Many Russian media have spoken highly of the measures taken by the Chinese Government in countering the international financial crisis. They say that thanks to these measures, China has been one of the least affected countries during the financial crisis. Do you agree with this view? //

Wen: Let me answer your second question first, as it is obviously more important. The international financial crisis has exerted a huge impact on China. // It has exerted a big impact on the real economy. We may recall that between the end of 2008 and the first half of 2009, global trade tumbled by 26% and Chinese exports also fell substantially. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) dropped to 0 at one point. // When I paid an inspection trip to a container factory in Shenzhen, the local manager told me that not a single order was received. At one point, the Chinese GDP fell to as low as 3.8% in its growth. Large numbers of businesses had to close down and large numbers of rural migrant workers had to go back to their home villages. // It is under such tough circumstances that we adopted a stimulus package that has four key components. They include: massive increase of government investment and structural tax cuts to revitalize the businesses; Second, vigorously improving the social security system to stabilize and improve the people’s livelihood; Third, vigorously promoting science and technology advances to sustain the momentum of China’s economic development; And fourth, massive structural adjustments in Chinese businesses and in particular encouraging the growth of strategic emerging industries. // All these stimulus measures are designed to not only address the immediate problems but also ensure China’s long-term development. The government introduced a 4-trillion-yuan investment plan. As to the proportion of the expenditure under this plan on the part of the government, I have already elaborated in my government work report. // I think the very crux of your question is the belief that the impact of the financial crisis on the Chinese economy is small. I would like to say that a person who has not experienced a difficult situation will never fully appreciate the gravity of the difficulty itself. Thanks to such hard efforts, we have managed to make the Chinese economy one of the first in the world to achieve a recovery and avoided serious setbacks in China’s economic development. I think these achievements of China on this front have been widely recognized. //

As for the inflation issue that you raised, I’ve said many times that inflation is now a global issue. The CPI in some emerging economies has reached 8% or even 10%. // And I have already explained our views on the causes for such high inflation. I would like to stress that in managing inflation expectations and fighting inflation, we should appropriately manage the currency environment. In other words, we should reduce liquidity so as to root out the root cause for inflation. Thank you! //

(2) The Chinese Economy: Reform and Innovation for Sustained and Healthy Development

Speech by Li Keqiang At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2013

September 11, 2013

Professor Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, and Mrs. Schwab, Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by extending, on behalf of the Chinese Government, my hearty congratulations on the opening of the seventh Summer Davos Forum and a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests.//

Seven years ago, when the Davos Forum came from the high mountains in Switzerland to the shore of the Bohai Bay in China, I was working in Liaoning and was personally engaged in the launch of the Forum. My memories of the event are still vivid today. // I am truly happy that the Forum, which has been held in Dalian and Tianjin in rotation since then, is gaining greater influence, and I find the theme of this year’s Forum — “Meeting the Innovation Imperative” — a forward-looking one that points the way to the future. //

Five years have passed since the outbreak of the international financial crisis in September 2008. Yet the world economy still faces a complex situation. Just as developed economies begin to show some signs of recovery, emerging economies are confronted with rather serious downward pressure. As we often say in China, “Hardly has one wave subsided when another wave rises”. // Affected by a multiple of factors, economic growth in China has slowed down to some extent. Yesterday, Professor Schwab and I had an exchange of views with some of the business representatives. They all showed a keen interest in the state and prospects of the Chinese economy. // For some time now, there have been many comments on the Chinese economy, wondering whether it may slow down too early, like in some other countries, or even encounter a hard landing. What I would like to say is that the Chinese economy, which is at a crucial stage of transformation and upgrading, is moving forward in a steady way and its fundamentals are sound. //

Economic growth in China went down from 7.9% in the fourth quarter of last year to 7.7% in the first quarter and 7.5% in the second quarter of this year with a reduced increase in consumption, investment and foreign trade. There was a registered negative growth in the central government revenue, which has been rarely seen for many years. // Confronted with downward pressures, we stayed committed to the overall policy of seeking steady economic progress. We took a host of innovative policies and measures with a holistic approach to pursue steady growth, conduct structural readjustment and promote reform, which served to ensure a smooth economic performance. //

First, keeping the macro-economic policy stable with consideration given to both immediate and long-term needs. In the face of economic downturn, a short-term stimulus policy could be one way to drive up growth. But after weighing the pros and cons, we concluded that such an option would not help address the underlying problems. Hence, we opted for keeping the macro-economic policy stable, which we believe served both the immediate needs and long-term interests of the economy. //

With respect to fiscal policy, we introduced policy measures that kept deficit from expanding, readjusted the expenditure structure, cut down administrative expenditures, accelerated spending, increased support for the central and western regions as well as for structural readjustments and for improving people’s wellbeing, and granted preferential tax treatment to small and micro businesses. // In terms of monetary policy, we stayed focused, responded calmly and met difficulties head-on. We did not relax or tighten the monetary policy in spite of the short-term fluctuation in the currency market, and properly managed liquidity. We supported the real economy mainly by making good use of both the stock and the increment. //

At the same time, we strengthened supervision and improved regulation to prevent and defuse potential risks in the fiscal and financial sectors. Regarding the local government debt issue, which has become a source of concern, we are taking pertinent measures to regulate and address it in an orderly fashion. Here, I can say with certainty that the situation is, on the whole, safe and manageable. //

Second, steadfastly pursuing reform and opening up with priority given to the stimulation of the market. Reform and innovation provide an inexhaustible driving force for a country’s development. What this government has done first is to vigorously reform the administrative system with focus on transforming government functions. // Since the beginning of this year, we have abolished or delegated to lower levels the conduct of administrative

review and approval for over 200 items. By streamlining administration and delegating power, the government aims to delegate power to lower levels as much as what is necessary and appropriate while effectively managing all the matters within its purview so as to provide a level-playing field for all enterprises and stimulate the creativity of market players. //

We have expanded the scope of the business-to-value added tax pilot reform, and advanced reforms relating to market-based interest rates, the investment and financing system for the construction of railways and other infrastructure, pricing of resource products and government procurement of public services. We have accelerated the reform of economic structure, endeavored to develop a mixed economy, relaxed market access in the financial, oil, electricity, railway, telecommunications, resources development, public facilities and the services sector, encouraged more investment of the non-public sector, and provided greater space for business of various ownerships. //

China’s modernization will not be accomplished without reform, nor will it be achieved without opening up. We have explored new ways to open China wider to the outside world. In the first half of this year, we signed FTA agreements with Switzerland and Iceland, and we have recently discussed with ASEAN leaders on how to upgrade the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. // In our effort to build a pilot free trade zone in Shanghai, the negative-list approach will be explored and priority will be given to easier investment access and greater openness in trade in services. We have also adopted measures to facilitate foreign trade and promote a steady growth in import and export. //

Third, readjusting and optimizing the structure with emphasis on transformation and upgrading. China is now at such a crucial stage that without structural transformation and upgrading, we will not be able to achieve sustained economic growth. In readjusting the structure, the most important aspect is to expand domestic demand, and a major task is to pursue balanced development between urban and rural areas and among different regions. We will rely mainly on industrialization, new type of urbanization, IT application and modernization of agriculture and focus on developing the service sector which is of strategic importance. // We are cultivating new growth areas of consumption and implementing the “Broadband China” strategy. We will enhance the weak links and invest more in energy conservation and environmental protection, redevelopment of shantytowns, infrastructure in urban areas, and railways in the central and western regions. We are stepping up support for contiguous and concentrated poverty-stricken areas. // We have adopted special policy measures to promote old-age care, health, cultural, educational and other services. We are implementing the strategy of innovation-driven development at a faster pace, aggressively promoting technological innovation and deep integration of science and technology with the economy and building a social environment friendly to innovation and business start-up activities. //

Since the start of this year, China has been rather successful in coordinating efforts to seek steady growth, conduct structural readjustment and deepen reform, and this is mainly attributable to innovation in macro management. Seizing the growth potential and acting to address the need in reality, we have set a reasonable range of economic performance with a lower limit designed to ensure steady growth and job creation and an upper limit which is meant to avert inflation. The limits are also seen as benchmarks for anticipatory regulation measures. // We have also developed a macro policy framework in keeping with the reasonable range of economic performance. As long as the economy runs within the reasonable range, we will keep the macro-economic policy generally stable, and focus on shifting the growth model and on structural readjustment. In this connection, what is essential is to advance reform and innovation, tap potential domestic demand, and unleash innovation motivation and reform dividends in order to boost market vitality and the internal driving force for growth and upgrade the Chinese economy. //

These measures have brought about a sound momentum of stable economic performance in China. In July and August, PMI, PPI, industrial value added, import and export, power consumption, freight volume and other

major indicators all rebounded; the real economy was active; urban employment situation continued to improve and prices were generally stable with enhanced market confidence and growing public expectations. // Such a development momentum of steady progress gives us the confidence that we will meet the economic and social development goals set for the whole year. Having said that, we must see that the foundation for economic rebound is still fragile with many uncertainties ahead. We cannot and will not slacken our efforts. We must be prepared to tackle more difficulties and challenges. // Ladies and Gentlemen,

The fast growth of the Chinese economy over the past 30-odd years is a miracle in the history of development of the world. The Chinese economy has entered a phase of medium to high rate growth. Though lower than the near double-digit rates seen in previous years, a growth in the neighborhood of 7.5% is still considered high for any major economy in the world. // China’s economic size is considerably bigger than before. As the economy enters a phase of transformation, the slowdown of its prospective growth and moderation of the Chinese economy from a high speed to a medium to high speed are only natural. // Moreover, China’s growth in the coming years should be predicated on higher quality and efficiency, bolstered by resource conservation and environment protection, and driven by technological innovation and advance. It has to be a growth with sufficient employment and growing household income. In other words, we need to ensure the fruits of reform and development benefit as many people as possible. //

Looking ahead, I see bright prospects for China’s development. We are well placed to sustain a healthy economic growth in the long run. // The process of industrialization and urbanization is far from being completed in China, which promises a big room for regional development and huge market potential; reform, an overriding trend that is irreversible, is bound to unleash fresh institutional vitality; and the hard work, talent and perseverance of the Chinese people will always provide the most important support for development. // We will continue to grow the economy, improve people’s living standards, uphold social justice, stay firm on the path of reform and opening up and advance the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. //

As long as we remain committed to long-term goals and focus on addressing immediate challenges, the giant vessel of the Chinese economy will break waves and sail far. And we will achieve the sustained and sound growth of the Chinese economy. // Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the world today, the trend towards economic globalization, a multi-polar world and IT application is gaining momentum. We live in a global village. No country can live in isolation of others like Robinson Crusoe. // Over the years, the Chinese economy has benefited enormously from its opening up policy. At the same time, China has become a major engine driving world economic growth and played an important role in responding to the international financial crisis. In the next five years, China is expected to import 10 trillion US dollars of goods, invest 500 billion US dollars overseas and send over 400 million tourists abroad. // China, with its economic structure transformed and upgraded, will contribute more to the prosperity and development of the world economy. China is ready to share this huge business opportunity with the rest of the world and hopes to have a better cooperation environment for its development. //

As a major developing country, China is ready to take up its responsibility in international affairs. As its economy expands, China will play an increasingly bigger role in international affairs. As an ancient Chinese saying goes, “A gentleman is always ready to help others attain their goals.” We believe that only by helping each other can we all attain our goals. // We are ready to take a more active part in international governance and do our best to provide international public goods. We are ready to share our poverty reduction experience with and offer more assistance to fellow developing countries. We will share responsibility for and make our contribution to a strong, sustainable and balanced world economy. // However, China is still a developing country. Over 100 million people

still live under the poverty line according to international standards. China’s modernization will be a long and arduous process. The international responsibilities and obligations China undertakes must be commensurate with both the level and approach of its development. //

In view of the difficulties and setbacks in the global economic recovery, members of the international community should increase coordination on macro-economic policies as well as the readiness to cope with the cross-border financial risks and help speed up the reform of the global economic governance. // Developing countries should have greater representation and bigger voices in international affairs so as to minimize the adverse impact of the change of macro-economic policies by some countries on the entire world economy, especially on emerging market economies. All countries should open wider to other countries, take a clear-cut stand against all forms of protectionism, and work in concert to enlarge the pie of the world economy. //

China will continue to encourage foreign companies to make investment and do business in China. We will create a more investment friendly environment, intensify IPR protection, and provide an environment in which all players have equal access to factors of production, market competition and legal protection while taking up social responsibilities together. // Facts will continue to prove that to come and do business in China is a wise decision for multinationals to grow their business. // Ladies and Gentlemen,

We live in a time of fast changes. Changes call for innovation and innovation leads to progress. Reform and innovation is the running theme and spirit of the policies adopted by the Chinese Government, and it is the banner that we will always hold high. I hope you, new champions of the world economy, will become indeed champions of reform and innovation in your respective areas. // Over the years, the Summer Davos has played a unique role and served as an important platform for discussions on the Chinese economy. Now the new season of the Chinese economic miracle, one of better quality and higher efficiency, is unveiled, and I guarantee you even more exciting stories to come. // I am sure that the Summer Davos Forum will achieve greater successes, presenting to the world new progress of the Chinese people in building a modern country, and contributing more wisdom and strength to the common prosperity of China and the world. //

In conclusion, I wish this year’s forum a complete success! Thank you. //

第11单元

China Will Keep Its Door Open Forever

— Speech by Premier Wen Jiabao at the Opening Ceremony of the 110th Session of the China Import and Export

Fair and the Forum on the 10th Anniversary of China’s Accession to the WTO

October 14, 2011

Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today we are gathered here to celebrate the opening of the 110th session of the China Import and Export Fair, known as the Canton Fair. I wish to begin by extending my warmest welcome to all the distinguished guests present, and paying my high tribute to the people from all circles who have made contribution to the development of China’s foreign trade over the years. //

The Canton Fair was launched by the Chinese Government in 1957. For more than 50 years, the Fair has adapted itself to the changing world by constantly innovating its exhibition concept and modality and improving the quality of participating enterprises and commodities, thus maintaining its vigor and growth momentum. It has become China’s largest and most enduring international exhibition with the best reputation. The Fair is a microcosm of the development of China’s foreign trade. Indeed, the history of the Canton Fair is a vivid history of the new China’s opening to the outside world. //

Looking ahead, with China’s rapid economic growth and steady advance of reform and opening up, the Canton Fair is faced with an even broader prospect of development. We are confident that the Fair will be elevated to higher levels with greater effectiveness and more of its unique styles, thus making greater contribution to China’s thriving trade with the rest of the world. // Ladies and Gentlemen,

In two months’ time, China will mark the 10th anniversary of its accession to the World Trade Organization, a momentous event in China’s opening to the outside world. If we describe the Canton Fair as a window China opened to the world, the accession to the WTO can be seen as a door China opened to the world. If we describe the Canton Fair as China extending a hand to the world, its WTO membership is its full embrace of this world. //

Over the past ten years since its accession to the WTO, China has undergone stupendous changes. So have its trade relations with the outside world and its standing and role in the world family of nations. Looking back, we may draw three important conclusions. //

First, China is a country that honors its words and has fulfilled all its solemn commitments made upon its accession to the WTO. // Over the past decade, we have completely fulfilled our commitments by gradually lowering tariffs on imported goods, abolishing all import quotas, licences and other non-tariff measures, liberalizing access to foreign trade operation, and substantially lowering the threshold for foreign investment. // China’s overall tariff rate has gone down from 15.3% to 9.8%, far lower than the average of developing countries. One hundred service trade sectors have been opened, which is the level close to the developed countries. // While making our market increasingly accessible, we have strived to ensure the stability, transparency and predictability of our opening policy. Over the past ten years, China’s central government has sorted out more than 2,300 pieces of laws, decrees and departmental regulations, with the local governments sorting out over 190,000 pieces of local policies and regulations, thus making China’s domestic laws and regulations on foreign economic relations consistent with its WTO accession commitments. //

Second, China is a responsible country that has actively shouldered international responsibilities commensurate with the level of its development. // Over the past decade, China has firmly supported the WTO Doha Round negotiations. It has taken an active part in international macro-economic policy coordination, and participated in the development of the G20 and other global economic governance mechanisms, promoting the reform of the international financial system. It has also taken concrete steps against trade protectionism. // When the international financial crisis began to spread, China adopted timely and forceful policies to stimulate domestic demand, and sent more than 30 large buying missions abroad. China’s import and outbound investment grew rapidly, making important contribution to world economic recovery. // China was the first developing country to formulate and implement the National Climate Change Programme, and has been among the champions in recent years in terms of strong efforts to promote energy conservation and emission reduction. // Earnestly implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations, China is the only country in the world that has reduced its poor population by half ahead of schedule, and has actively offered foreign aid within its capacity. // In ten years, China has provided a total of over 170 billion yuan in foreign aid and exempted close to 30 billion yuan of matured debts incurred by 50 heavily indebted poor countries. What is more, China has pledged zero-tariff treatment to over 95% of imports from the least developed countries, and trained over 60,000 personnel from 173 developing countries and 13 regional organizations. All this has significantly enhanced the capacity of the recipient countries for independent development. //

Third, China is a country committed to common development, always pursuing an opening up policy based on equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. // The accession to the WTO has produced huge and far-reaching impacts on China, the most obvious one being that China’s open economy has received a tremendous boost for development and its overall competitiveness has improved. // Over the past decade, China has risen from the sixth to the second place in the world in terms of volume of trade in goods with export ranking the first. FDI has totaled US$759.5 billion, the highest among developing countries. Overseas direct investment reached US$68.8 billion in 2010, the fifth largest in the world, representing an average annual increase of over 40%. // Our various industries have weathered the fierce international competition. The WTO membership has brought the Chinese people many tangible benefits. More importantly, it has widened the horizon of our people, changed their way of thinking and promoted China’s structural reform and institutional innovation, thus enhancing the inherent drive for China’s future development. //

China’s WTO accession has also brought tangible benefits to many countries around the world. During the past decade, China imported US$750 billion worth of goods each year on average, creating more than 14 million jobs for its trading partners. Foreign invested enterprises in China remitted a total of US$261.7 billion in profits, representing an average annual growth of 30%. Chinese enterprises operating overseas employed approximately 800,000 local people and paid over US$10 billion in taxes every year. // Quality and affordable Chinese products have benefited consumers around the world. Thanks to imported goods from China, American consumers saved more than US$600 billion in spending in the past ten years. Every family in the EU saved up to 300 euros every year by the same token. //

Facts have shown that a more open China has benefited not only its 1.3 billion people, but also the people around the world. China’s development is peaceful, open, cooperation-based and win-win-oriented. A WTO family with China on board is a success story for both China and the world. // Ladies and Gentlemen,

The present-day world is an open one. Economic globalization and revolution in science and technology have created favorable conditions for countries to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation and common development. It has become the general trend and desire of the people for the world to stay open and keep developing rather than become closed and stagnant. Moreover, as we are in the middle of resisting the international

financial crisis, promoting trade and investment among countries holds the key to world economic recovery. // What worries us is that due to various factors, the development of global multilateral trading regime is anything but smooth sailing. The Doha Round negotiations have bogged down, trade and investment protectionism is raising its head with frequent abuses of anti-dumping, countervailing and other trade remedies, and the tendency of politicizing trade frictions has become more salient. All this has cast a dark shadow over world economic recovery. //

History shows that international trade that is free, open and fair can improve division of labor, increase productivity, enlarge the marketplace and expand employment, which serves the fundamental interests of all countries. Trade protectionism, conversely, can only be a drag on the world’s economic recovery and hurt the people of all countries in the end. // At this critical juncture characterized by volatile international financial markets, rising economic instability and uncertainty and marked slowdown of recovery of major economies, the international community should join hands and work closely together to open their markets still wider with greater sincerity and determination, reject protectionism of all forms and manifestations with a clear-cut attitude and concrete actions, and find proper and more rational solutions to trade frictions. // That is the only way to break the spell of the global financial crisis, improve the risk preparedness of the international community, and achieve strong, sustainable and balanced growth of the world economy. //

Our state policy of unswervingly opening to the outside world and our win-win strategy of opening up are the free choices made by our people. We have learned from our own experience, including bitter lessons, that one cannot succeed in development behind closed doors. // China is still a developing country with a big population, weak economic foundation, uneven development, relative backwardness in science and technology, and imperfect economic and political institutions. These are our basic national conditions. // That is why we need to constantly free our mind, keep pace with the times, press ahead with reform and opening up with rock-solid determination and courage and strive to draw on the achievements of all civilizations with an open mind. // Thanks to much improved conditions for opening up and even greater support from the people, China’s opening to the outside world is promised with a bright future. // The recently-formulated 12th Five-Year Plan has clearly outlined a more proactive opening strategy, which gives expression to the tremendous courage and resolve of the government and people of China for continued opening up.

— We will combine expanding import with stabilizing export in an effort to make our international payments more balanced. China follows an open trade policy, emphasizing both export and import. It does not choose to pursue a trade surplus. // Five years ago, the Canton Fair changed its name to the China Import and Export Fair and added the International Pavilion, which is a remarkable testimony to China’s desire for a balanced growth in trade. // Thanks to our efforts, China’s import and export have been moving towards greater balance. For example, our trade surplus went down by US$100 billion in 2009 as compared with the previous year. It further decreased by US$12.6 billion in 2010. This year, the share of trade surplus in GDP is expected to come under 3%. It is estimated that China’s total import in the next five years will top US$8 trillion, which will offer a lot more opportunities for businesses around the world. // We are ready to strengthen financial and economic cooperation with countries that have substantial trade deficit with China and resolve the issue of trade imbalance gradually in the course of continued development of trade. We also hope that relevant countries will recognize China’s market economy status as early as possible and relax their control on high- and new-tech exports to China so as to create conditions for a more balanced growth of trade. //

— We will combine absorbing foreign investment with investing abroad in an effort to enlarge the room for economic development. China is now relatively rich in capital and foreign exchange reserves, which is an advantage for China’s development. But we must not overlook the role of foreign capital. The technological innovation, managerial expertise and market opportunities that are often associated with foreign investment are not

what one can buy with money. // We will continue to welcome investors from all countries to China, especially to the central and western parts of the country. We will attach greater importance to bringing into China advanced know-how, human talents and intellectual resources, and to protecting intellectual property rights. We will continue to cultivate an open legal, policy and market environment for all types of market players at home and abroad by sorting out relevant Chinese laws, regulations, policies and measures and ensuring their consistency with the WTO rules. // We will speed up the implementation of the “going global” strategy and encourage more capable and credible Chinese firms to invest overseas. We will pay attention to the cooperation schemes aimed at improving the livelihood of the underdeveloped countries and enhancing their capacity for independent development, stressing the need to undertake relevant corporate responsibilities in the interest of the local communities. //

— We will combine deepening openness in the coastal areas with greater openness in the hinterland and border areas in an effort to further improve China’s regional opening up layout. The coastal areas must accelerate the development of new international competitive edge, transforming themselves from a world factory to a base for R&D, designing, brand marketing and service outsourcing, and moving up the international value chain. // The hinterland areas should bring out their comparative advantages of rich natural resources and labor, work hard to improve their investment environment, actively receive relocated industries from overseas and China’s coastal areas and build up more high-caliber manufacturing and processing bases. // The border areas should give full play to their geographical advantages, put in place special opening up policies, speed up the building of major ports, border cities, border economic cooperation zones and key development and opening up experimental zones with a view to increasing its overall level of openness. //

— We will combine openness in the economic field with openness in other fields in an effort to promote reform, development and innovation. Economy remains the basis and key priority of China’s opening up programme. We will take steady steps to widen the openness of our service industry, keep up the reform in the RMB exchange rate forming mechanism, expand the cross-border use of RMB and gradually make RMB convertible under the capital account. // At the same time, we will step up exchanges and cooperation with other countries in education, science, technology, culture, health and other areas so as to promote the reform and development of China’s social programmes through ever enlarged openness. //

— We will combine opening to the developed countries with opening to the developing countries in an effort to expand the convergence of interests with all parties. China and the developed countries are at different stages of development with strong economic complementarities and broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. It is necessary for both sides to step up strategic dialogue, increase strategic trust, broaden areas of cooperation and properly handle their trade frictions. // The developing countries are blessed with an enormous potential for development and they occupy an important position in China’s market diversification and “going global” strategies. We are ready to engage in economic cooperation with all countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, irrespective of their wealth or social systems. //

— We will combine openness in the multilateral context with openness in the bilateral context and continue to play a constructive role in the international economic system. We are ready to engage more actively in multilateral economic and trade affairs and management of global issues, sharing out development opportunities with other countries and taking on the challenges together. We are also ready to push forward regional cooperation process and explore the possibility of establishing free trade areas with relevant countries and regions. // I wish to take this opportunity to repeat my call for all parties to uphold the development mandate of the WTO Doha Round negotiations, pay attention to the interests of the least developed countries and advance the negotiations in a results-oriented way on the basis of locking in the existing outcomes. China has always been supportive of the negotiations and sincerely looks forward to substantive outcomes at an early date. // Ladies and Gentlemen,

China’s opening to the outside world in the past 30 years and more tells us that only an open and inclusive country can become strong and prosperous, enabling its people to live a better life. We should cherish and safeguard our achievements in opening up, keep the policy in place throughout our modernization process, vigorously move the great cause forward and work tirelessly to build a prosperous, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious China, and to ensure prosperity, development and progress in the world.

Thank you. //

第12单元

(1) Interview with Ambassador Song Zhe, Head of the Mission of the People’s Republic of

China to the European Union by the European Voice on Climate Change

December 11, 2009

问：您如何看待气候变化问题？中方为应对气候变化采取了哪些措施？

A: The issue of climate change is a major challenge facing the entire human race. This issue requires a comprehensive, all-dimensional and historical perspective. It requires all countries to cooperate and respond. // Some developed countries argue that China’s carbon emission intensity reduction target is not ambitious enough, and even demand an increase of China’s target. Such an argument is neither objective nor fair. //

China is a developing country with 150 million people still living under the poverty line. Moreover, China’s energy mix is dominated by coal, which leaves China with huge pressure and special difficulty in controlling GHG emissions. // For a developing country like China, seeking development naturally implies a reasonable increase of its energy demand and corresponding emissions. Climate change should not be tackled at the expense of development or at the cost of continued poverty and backwardness. //

Some developed countries are focusing on China’s total emissions, but they seem to forget that China has a population of 1.3 billion. In 2006, the 1.3 billion Chinese people emitted 5.6 billion tons of CO2, representing 20% of the world’s total. The developed countries with less than 1 billion people emitted about 12.9 billion tons, accounting for 46% of the world’s total. // To meet its basic needs for development and improving its people’s lives, China has to maintain a reasonable amount of emissions. Is it fair to ask the Chinese people to enjoy 20% or 30% of the rights of the developed countries in terms of economic development, energy consumption and corresponding emissions? //

The target China has declared is no less ambitious than that of any developed country. From 1990 to 2005, the CO2 emission intensity per unit of GDP of all developed countries merely decreased by 26% whereas that of China dropped by 46%. China’s 40–45% target by 2020 is already the ceiling. // We must emphasize that China does not attach any condition for its voluntary reduction target. Nor does it link the target to the action of any other country. We will deliver what we promise. //

Turning to the historical responsibility for climate change, I’d like to cite a set of data: In the 155 years from 1850 to 2005, the world discharged a total of 1.1222 trillion tons of CO2. The developed countries discharged 806.5 billion tons, accounting for 72% of the total. The EU took 27.5% (In terms of per capita cumulative emissions: 958 tons for Germany, 1125 tons for the United Kingdom, 173 tons for the world average, and only 71 tons for China.) . // In 2006, the developed countries with 1/6 of the world’s population were responsible for almost 50% of the emissions. It is impossible to convince the world people if we talk about international cooperation without considering historical facts and responsibility, or merely emphasize the so-called common responsibility. //

The Kyoto Protocol stipulates that the developed countries must reduce their emissions collectively by 5.2% on the 1990 level. However, the fact is, rather than reducing their emissions, most developed countries have actually increased their emissions. The developed countries also promised funds and technology transfer to the developing countries, but for the last 20 years, little action has been seen. //

Either from the perspective of historical responsibility and the reality or in terms of treaty obligations and capabilities, the developed countries should unconditionally continue to take the lead in cutting emissions by a big margin after 2012, and fulfill their obligations to provide funds and transfer technology to the developing countries. //

问：你如何评价哥本哈根气候变化会议当前的谈判进程？//

A: Progress has been slow in the negotiations at the Conference, mainly because the developed countries have moved backwards from their previous positions. At the same time, they are making many unreasonable demands on the developing countries, which has seriously affected the negotiation process and impeded the Conference from yielding positive results. //

Western countries keep talking about “fairness” and “responsibility”. When it comes to the issue of climate change, they should not ignore “fairness” and “responsibility” either. First of all, the long process of industrialization of the developed countries, which has accumulated huge wealth for them, has also damaged the environment of the world. Yet they refuse to take responsibility for remedying it, which is unfair to the developing countries. // Secondly, according to a 2006 survey of global emissions, the per capita emissions of the developed countries are nearly 4 times that of the developing countries. On such an unequal basis, it is also unfair to demand the developing countries to shoulder the same responsibility of the developed countries. // Thirdly, according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol which have been in force for many years, reducing emissions in line with the requirements of the Convention and the Protocol is not only the responsibility of the developed countries, but also their legal obligations. Since the developed countries are unwilling to take their responsibility and have actually failed to meet their legal obligations, they are certainly not in a position to demand other countries to shoulder corresponding responsibilities. //

问：您如何评价欧盟承诺自2010年至2012年每年向最不发达国家提供24亿欧元的“快轨资助”？//

A: We welcome the EU’s positive commitment, but it still falls far short of the recommendations of United Nations IPCC Reports, the requirements of the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol and the expectations of the international community. The funding issue is a package issue. It not only refers to assistance to the least developed countries, but also includes financial support for adaptation and capacity-building to all developing countries. We hope that the EU will make more ambitious commitments at the final stage of the Copenhagen Conference. //

问：中方如何推动哥本哈根会议达成“政治协议”？//

A: The Copenhagen Conference is well under way. Premier Wen Jiabao will also be present, which indicates that the Chinese side takes the Conference itself and the issue of climate change seriously. // The Chinese side maintains that only by adhering to the principles of the Convention and the Protocol, in particular the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities”, and to the mandate of the “Bali Roadmap”, can the parties reach a legally binding agreement. We hope all parties will continue to make joint efforts for the Conference to achieve positive results. //

问：中方是否会调整自己的立场？//

A: China’s position is consistent. We believe that the goal of this conference is to achieve positive results in further strengthening the comprehensive, effective and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. The priority should be given to making clear and specific arrangements regarding mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and financial support. //

(2) Work Together to Write a New Chapter in Promoting Sustainable Development — Statement by Premier Wen Jiabao at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development

June 20, 2012

Madame President,

Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Chinese Government, I wish to express my warm congratulations on the opening of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development and my sincere thanks to the Brazilian government for hosting this conference. //

Since the Industrial Revolution, mankind has created more material wealth than in several thousand years before it. But we also face major challenges such as population explosion, imbalances in development, resources depletion and environmental degradation. // The UN Conference on Environment and Development held here 20 years ago ushered in a new era of sustainable development for mankind. We are heartened to see that in the past 20 years, the concept of sustainable development has been widely accepted, and major progress has been made in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. //

On the other hand, the global process of sustainable development is not balanced. The gap between the North and the South is widening. Issues related to resources and environment remain acute. Sustainable development faces new and grave challenges posed by the international financial crisis, climate change, energy and food security and local conflicts. //

In the world today, with no new continent or oasis to be discovered, preserving resources and the environment to achieve sustainable development is the only choice we have. // Looking ahead, we wish to see a green and prosperous world. In this world, there is no poverty, no ignorance, no discrimination, no oppression, and no excessive exploitation and human destruction of the nature. In this world, there is a proper balance among economic development, social equity and environment friendliness. In this world, the progress of modern civilization benefits all the people and their posterity. Such a world should be the ultimate goal we pursue as we work together to advance the global process of sustainable development. //

To jointly promote sustainable development, we should take a fair, just, open and inclusive approach. We must face up to the common responsibility of protecting our Mother Planet while recognizing that countries are at different stages and levels of development. We should continue to work as partners, adhere to the Rio Principles, especially the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, promote global sustainable development and ensure equal right to development for all countries. // Developing countries should adopt and implement sustainable development strategies on the basis of their national conditions and continue to prioritize poverty alleviation. Developed countries, on their part, should honor their commitment, abandon unsustainable models of production and consumption, reduce excessive consumption of global resources, and help developing countries enhance their capacity for sustainable development. // Diversity is a defining feature of today’s world. The international community should be open and inclusive and respect the independent choice of the path of sustainable development made by countries with different histories, cultures, religious beliefs and social systems. //

To jointly promote sustainable development, we should explore effective models of growing green economy. Green economy has been growing rapidly in response to the international financial crisis. However, there are no uniform standards or models for green economy. Green economy should be pursued in keeping with the actual conditions of a country. We should support countries in making their own decisions as to what path to take in promoting green economy. // In the course of growing green economy, we should create more jobs, alleviate poverty and improve living standards. We should advance science, technology and education, develop green technologies and create new models of technology transfer. We should raise returns on investment made in growing green economy and reduce costs and risks associated with transition to a green economy. // We should cultivate green production and consumption models and develop markets for green products. We should seek win-win progress and refrain from practising protectionism under the pretext of pursuing green economy. In short, we should pursue green economy as an effective way of promoting sustainable development in all countries and advancing global economic recovery. //

To jointly promote sustainable development, we should improve the mechanism of global governance.

Sustainable development requires the concerted efforts of all countries. The international community needs to increase cooperation, build consensus and enhance mutual trust. // The United Nations should play a leading role in developing an effective institutional framework of sustainable development. Its capacity for guidance, coordination and implementation should be enhanced so that it can better integrate the three pillars of economic growth, social progress and environmental protection. Developing countries should have more voice and decision-making power, and efforts should be made to resolve difficulties they face in funding, technology and capacity building. // We should build a new type of partnership for sustainable development with the participation of international agencies, governments and the public. We should also set targets that chart the course for sustainable development without limiting the space of development for various countries. // Ladies and Gentlemen,

China is a major developing country which is ready to live up to its responsibilities. The more it develops, the more opportunities China will create and the more contributions it will make to the world. //

I wish to announce here that China will contribute US$6 million to a United Nations Environment Programme trust fund for projects and activities that help developing countries raise capacity for environmental protection. // China will help other developing countries train managerial and technical professionals for ecological preservation and desertification control, and provide relevant countries with automatic weather stations, upper-air sounding systems and forest protection facilities. // China will build a global network for technological cooperation based on the experience gained from the pilot programmes in various countries to promote best practices of sustainable development at the sub-national level, and make available 200 million yuan for a three-year international cooperation project to help small island countries, least developed countries and African countries tackle climate change. // Ladies and Gentlemen,

Promoting sustainable development is a great cause that will benefit both current and future generations. Today, mankind has reached a new historical starting point. We have to decide what kind of a world we want to leave to our children, and we face the dual responsibility of achieving sustainable development and promoting global economic recovery. // I look forward to a fruitful UN Conference on Sustainable Development, and I hope it will draw a blueprint for “The Future We Want” and conclude a new contract of harmony between man and nature. China will work with the international community to share opportunities, meet challenges and thus write a new chapter of sustainable development for mankind.

Thank you. //