Current events in China and Sino-US relations
Mr. Bob Kirkpack,
Members of the Club,
Ms. Ladies and Gentlemen:
First of all, thank you Mr. Ellington for your warm introduction. I am very happy to have the opportunity to meet and speak to the audience. This is my first speech to the American public since the unrest in China a few months ago. As China's ambassador to the United States, I have given many public speeches in your country. I've talked about the economic development China is making, and I've talked about the expanding relationship between our two great peoples. To be honest, however, I did not expect to be here today talking to you about some of the things that have happened recently in our country and in the relationship between our two countries that I do not want to happen. However, perhaps it is precisely because of this that I should come here and give a speech to everyone here. Many questions have been raised and it is necessary to answer them.
The entire world is paying close attention to a series of events in China in recent months and the unfortunate trends in Sino-US relations. I guess everyone may have these questions in their minds: What exactly happened in China? Where will it lead to China-US relations? There seems to be a mood of pessimism, frustration and even despair surrounding these issues. People are worried that China will once again retreat into a closed state, and Sino-US relations will not be repaired. But I don't think so. I would like to share with you some of my personal views on these vital issues.
Our government recognizes that it is facing a serious political turmoil in Beijing. The government stated that rioters controlled by a small group of elements had disrupted the normal conduct of state affairs. For example, demonstrators disrupted an important visit by President Gorbachev. The government's military forces, after repeated patience and considerable advance warning, dispersed the mob. There were deaths on both sides, which I deeply regret. I think any other government may not be able to handle such an unprecedentedly severe challenge better than my government.
I know that most of you are describing this event differently than our government is. This is understandable. I feel that the media did not fully report the truth of the incident, which is the very important historical background that I will talk about below. I am not sure whether I can persuade you to accept our government's views within this limited time.
I am not going to spend my time on futile explanations. Instead, I will outline for you the political and economic situation facing our government and describe its objectives. I am sure that once you have this background, it will be possible to understand why our government places so much emphasis on "order" and "unity" and why it responds forcefully to signs of chaos and unrest.
For the past ten years, the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Chinese government, have been engaged in perhaps the most important social "experiment" in the contemporary world: reforming the country's economy and opening it up to the outside world. Under what conditions was this great undertaking carried out? No government has ever faced the challenges that the Chinese government has faced. China has a vast territory and many ethnic groups. Its population has reached 1.1 billion, accounting for 22% of the world's total population; however, it only has 7% of the world's arable land to feed so many people. Of the 1.1 billion people, 800 million are rural people, most of whom still rely on hand tools for their livelihoods. Many of China's industries lag behind today's world standards by decades or even a century. Many areas are underdeveloped and very poor. The level of science and technology is still very low, and nearly a quarter of the population is illiterate or semi-literate. All these determine that China's reform path will be full of thorns and traps, and full of risks and uncertainties. The great ship of China's reform is sailing in unmarked waters. Therefore, maintaining order and stability has become the government's primary responsibility.
Today, people are agitated, which can easily lead them to ignore one thing: under extremely difficult circumstances, the Chinese government and people have achieved unimaginable achievements - in the world's ever-expanding Even when plagued by economic disparity, hunger and poverty, China has been able to provide a decent life for almost 25% of the world's population. In ten years, China's GNP and per capita income have effectively doubled. Growing prosperity has become a reality that hundreds of millions of Chinese farmers can experience firsthand. We conducted bold experiments to reform rigid economic management systems. A new class of enterprising private entrepreneurs has emerged to inject vitality into our economy. For the first time in modern history, China is opening up to the outside world on an unprecedented scale. In this bold experiment, China has gone further than any other socialist country. I want to tell you: Regardless of what has happened in Beijing over the past few months, all these changes will continue.
So why is there turmoil in China? The reasons are diverse and complex. The transition from the old economic system to the new system caused some degree of market disruption. Some corrupt officials and speculators have taken advantage of this situation to enrich their own pockets at the expense of public interests. The resulting income inequality caused strong dissatisfaction. Expanding demand exacerbated economic overheating and ultimately led to uncontrollable inflation. The rapid spread of television has created unmet expectations. The ensuing frustration made the situation explosive. There are also people who want to copy foreign political systems and copy them to China overnight.
In short, various social conflicts caused by rapid economic development are reflected in China. What is happening in Beijing is undoubtedly a tragedy for China, but we must remember that the difficulties we encounter are not due to economic failure and stagnation. On the contrary, they are an inevitable product of China's vitality and success. Considering the incredible changes that have occurred in China over the past decade, I can assure you that the Chinese government will continue to be committed to the cause of reform and opening up for the benefit of the people. As things return to normal in Beijing, the government is conducting deep introspection and learning both positive and negative lessons to ensure it continues to deepen reforms.
Two points are clear. First, despite the demonstrations and riots, the Chinese government and people have unanimously recognized that reform and opening up must continue. And now this belief has not been weakened, but greatly strengthened. The practice of the past ten years has eloquently proved that there is no way out from retrogression. Only through reform can China have a future. This is the most important message for anyone who follows the situation in China with great interest. If you don’t understand this, you won’t be able to grasp the overall situation.
Secondly, China's reforms, whether political or economic, can only be successful if they are carried out step by step. It can also be said that reforms must be orderly and gradual. Demanding radical changes overnight or insisting on unrealistic demands can in fact only hinder the progress of reform.
I know there are bound to be people who view the Chinese government’s efforts to restore order and persist in reforms with skepticism. I asked them to be patient. I believe that time will prove that the Chinese government's words and deeds are consistent. I am here to speak to you today simply to seek the understanding of the American people. You have your own values ??and political system that you cherish, and I respect that. At the same time, it should be recognized that China also has its own unique political and economic conditions. It is moving towards the goal of modernization in a completely different environment.
Finally, I would like to talk about the relationship between our two countries. At this moment I am reminded of the numerous letters and phone calls I have received over the past few months. Some expressed sympathy and concern for China, while others expressed disappointment and even anger. However, one thing is consistent in these letters and phone calls - no one wants to see the relationship between the two countries damaged by what has happened recently in China. I guess if the same tragic incident happened in the capital of another country, it would not necessarily arouse such a strong reaction from the American people. But I am happy to see this situation, because it reflects the special nature of Sino-US relations and shows that the American people care about China and Sino-US relations. I'm heartened by this.
Indeed, China and the United States are going through difficult years in their relations. I'm sadder than anyone about this. I was lucky enough to be involved in the creation of the new relationship between our two countries 18 years ago; and, as the longest-serving Chinese ambassador to the United States to date, I have witnessed the growth of our productive relationship. . Now, I see these relationships experiencing setbacks one after another.
I daresay that none of you would like to see the relationship that we have all carefully cultivated over the past few years fall apart overnight. We should do our best to repair and promote relations between the two countries, which is very important to both sides.
Is there a basis for repairing and advancing Sino-US relations? The answer is yes. I would like to draw your attention to the following important facts.
First, China and the United States are both world powers. The combined population of the two countries accounts for 29% of the world's total population. Today's world is becoming increasingly "smaller" and interdependent. Maintaining friendly relations between China and the United States is undoubtedly in the best interest of the people of both countries and the world.
Second, neither country poses a security threat to each other's fundamental interests. There was a time when our two countries were at odds with each other, and facts have proven that fighting would cause two harms. Hostility is never acceptable in the relationship between the two countries.
Third, our common interests far outweigh our differences. The most important point is that both countries uphold a basic belief, which is to maintain world peace and stability. Everyone can see that the proximity of China and the United States is a major contribution to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.
Fourth, mutually beneficial economic relations have become the driving force for the advancement of bilateral relations. Both our countries benefit from these fruitful relationships. Bilateral trade is growing at an annual rate of 20%. The United States has become China's second largest trading partner, and China has become the United States' 13th largest trading partner. China has become one of the fastest-growing markets for U.S. exports. It has also been the largest and most reliable customer of American cereals. The United States is China's largest foreign investor, with investment reaching US$3.4 billion in 660 projects. There are now many comments advocating the imposition of further economic sanctions on China, which must be resolutely opposed. It will not only harm China, but also the United States. The only consequence of sanctions on China is to push China back to its past closed state. I think that kind of prospect is not what you want to see.
Fifth, the people of China and the United States represent the two great civilizations of the world, and they have always had friendly feelings towards each other. The friendship between the two peoples has a long history and is deep-rooted. Since the door to exchanges between the two sides was opened, exchanges between peoples have expanded on an unprecedented scale. A lasting friendship has been forged between the two peoples. I believe this is the ultimate guarantee for maintaining relations between the two countries. Because of these factors, I remain optimistic about the future of our bilateral relationship. As mentioned, I'm pleased to see that I'm not alone in my optimism.
Several opinion polls show that the majority of the American public supports maintaining Sino-US relations. Many well-known public figures have spoken out to protect bilateral relations. And the very fact that I am invited to speak to you here is proof that the American people care about their relationship with China.
At present, the most important thing is not to interfere in China's internal affairs, especially when China is in difficulty, and not to worsen the situation further. The principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs is the cornerstone of Sino-US relations and must be strictly observed. At the same time, we must also resolutely oppose any action that can only harm the national interests and feelings of both parties.
China has always been unswerving on issues involving national sovereignty. Putting pressure on China is not the right way to act. It is unwise and will not work. In the end, it will only harm the common interests of both sides. I must point out here that despite all the sanctions imposed on China, our government has still shown great restraint. I hope the U.S. government and Congress can also exercise more restraint. Let us start from now on, learn from history and act rationally. Let's focus on the future. An ancient Chinese wise man once said: "It is difficult to recover when water is overturned." This sentence contains a lot of wisdom, and we can draw inspiration from it: as long as the foundation of Sino-US relations is maintained, there will always be hope.
I said at the beginning of my speech that this was the first speech I had given in several months. In fact, this will be my last public speech in your country. This is my farewell address as I end my term as Ambassador and return home next month. As I approach my departure, I have mixed emotions. But I certainly won't leave here in despair. The difficulties in the relations between the two countries are temporary and can be overcome - this is my unshakable belief. I firmly believe that this is also the belief of everyone here. Today, as the Chinese ambassador, I stand on this podium and deliver my last speech. I appeal to you and through you to the American public: Let us work together to jointly safeguard the friendship between our two great nations and countries.
Thanks!