Aa

EVENT

Dialogue with Leader

Dinner Talk by Fu Ying, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC

2011.07.11

The Better Hong Kong Foundation was very honoured to have invited Ms. Fu Ying, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC to address us at an evening presentation entitled “China’s Peaceful Development and the International Environment – China’s Relations with the West and the Role of Hong Kong in the Post Crisis Era” on 11 July 2011 at the Dynasty Club. The event co-organised was the Asia Society Hong Kong Center and the media partner was Ming Pao Daily News. Nearly 200 people from various sectors of the Hong Kong society and representatives of consular and representative offices of foreign countries and international organizations in Hong Kong joined the dinner presentation.

Dr. Henry Cheng, Advisory Council Chairman of the Better Hong Kong Foundation gave a welcome remark on the occasion. The Foundation’s Trustees Tan Sri Dato’ David Chiu and Mr. W F Leung; Council Members Dr. Roy Chung, Mr. Thomas Woo, Ms. Judy Yu, Mr. Tony Choi, Mr. Albert Ip, Mr. Philip Ma, Ms. Diana Chou and Ms. Juliana Lam; and Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang also participated in the event.

In her speech, Ms. Fu Ying acknowledged Hong Kong’s success, prosperity and development since its return to China 14 years ago. She shared several observations on economic recovery and development of European countries in the aftermath of the financial crisis, cooperation opportunities and difficulties in China’s relationship with the West and the role of Hong Kong.

She said that the worst moment of the financial crisis is over. Germany is leading Europe in steady recovery and countries such as Ireland are on the way up. But generally speaking, many countries in the developed world are suffering from low growth rate and high unemployment. Emerging economies are confronting with mounting inflationary pressure and inflation has spread to developed countries, affecting consumption there. In the face of severe challenges and public pressure, some countries are actively promoting reforms to get out of the troubles. China is observing and pondering these issues.

She said that the international community, especially European countries, is having high expectations on cooperation with China. During Premier Wen Jiabao’s recent visit to Europe, China and relevant countries signed dozens of business agreements worth over 20 billion dollars. Agreements were also reached on strengthening cooperation in the fields of SMEs, people-to-people exchanges, innovation and education. China and Europe look forward to go beyond the relationship of buyer and seller. Both approach bilateral cooperation from a strategic perspective, seeking converging points between China’s 12th Five Year Program and the Europe 2020 strategy. We aim to promote common prosperity through stronger cooperation.

She also said that China’s relationship with Europe and West at large is not without problems though. “China’s human rights issue” for example, is like a tall hat that is forced upon China. In spite of China’s human rights improvements over the past decades, the interest is shifted from the rights of the Chinese people to a narrower content, namely, the right of a few people to subvert China’s political system. Those who argue against China seem to be more interested in this than in the advance of the rights and interests of the vast majority of the Chinese people. That’s one of the reasons why it’s difficult to get ideas across at human rights dialogues.

China’s current path of development is the result of many trials over a long historical period and will be followed through. There are many examples of China’s active promotion of democratic progress, which aims at extensive participation and representation of the people in the decision making. China still has a long way to go. It is willing to discuss human rights with Western countries, but it has to be built on the basis of mutual respect, equality and respect for fact.

Ms. Fu also mentioned the West’s concern over where China is heading. Some economic issues are often politicized. This is, in fact, unnecessary. We are living in a fast-changing, globalized and highly interdependent world. As long as we can work together with sufficient patience, it is possible for us to grow together and solve problems together.

She disagreed with the view that the power of the world is shifting from the West to the East. Instead, there is a diffusion of capital, technology, resources and market from the West to a wider world, especially developing countries. If only one billion or so people of the OECD countries were enjoying modern life as a result of industrialization, now 3 billion or even more are joining in.

 When discussing “Shi”, or the main trend of the world, she says that Deng Xiaoping made a judgment in the early 1980s that the main trend of the world was peace and development. In the 30 years since, China has stayed committed to this trend and spares no effort to promote national development and international partnerships.

Last year when visiting France, President Hu Jintao said we should work together to make the 21st century one of peace, cooperation and development. This is a bold idea. If we could make it, it would become the first in modern world history. The vision itself speaks volume about the orientation of China in global affairs. China will not waiver, will not tire and will not Zheteng (flip-flop) in its pursuit of peace, development and cooperation. We also hope the West can take China as an equal partner, strengthen our mutual trust and work whole-heartedly with China in cooperation.

She said that Hong Kong has always been a bridge between China and the world. In the 14 years since its return, Hong Kong has accomplished political stability and economic prosperity with the full support from the central government, the effective administration of the SAR government, the hardworking spirit of the people of Hong Kong and extensive support from the international community. As more and more enterprises from the Mainland are investing abroad and increasing their international presence, Hong Kong can fully tap into its strengths of information, expertise and talents. Hong Kong will have a new a bigger role to play as a bridge.

She said that the continued success of “One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong” needs continued acknowledgement by the international community that the two systems of the Mainland and Hong Kong operate within the framework of one and the same country. “One country” is the prerequisite of “Two Systems”. Hong Kong is part of China.

There are many consular and representative offices of foreign countries and international organizations in Hong Kong and many international friends, too. They have played an important role in advancing the exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and the world. It is hoped that our foreign friends will continue to respect China’s sovereignty, respect the Basic Law and make positive contribution to Hong Kong’s development and stability. We wish for a better Hong Kong, a better China and a better world.

After the speech, Ms. Fu also interacted with the audience on topics including education, the South China Sea, China’s national defense development and intellectual property rights, etc.