PACIFIC BASIN ECONOMIC COUNCIL
MAIN PAGE | SPEECHES & EDITORIALS | 1999 | VOTE OF THANKS

Vote of Thanks Helmut Sohmen, PBEC Chairman Dinner for H.E. President Jiang Zemin, People's Republic of China 1999 APEC CEO Summit Auckland, New Zealand September 11, 1999 President Ziang, Prime Minister and Mr. Shipley, Chief Executive and Mrs. Tung, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, As Chairman of PBEC, and more particularly as someone who resides in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, now an integral albeit separate part of the People's Republic of China, it is a particular honour and pleasure for me to close this evening with an expression of profound thanks to Mr. Jiang Zemin, State President, for his inspiring address. I am sure I need not remind anyone present here tonight of the historic occasion of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong on 1 July 1997. A long chapter of colonialism closed on that date. Hong Kong was one of the more successful examples of that period of history, but it became an oddity nevertheless: one that China through the imaginative approach of her leadership managed to solve, in a peaceful and very successful manner. In the case of Hong Kong, and shortly also in the case of Macao, China has demonstrated to the world that she has the patience, the understanding, and the foresight to deal with even the most complex set of issues in a manner that demands respect and admiration. If only other governments were of a similar disposition: we might not face some of the tension in the region which are so acutely confronting us again today. China is a big country, and the most populous in the world. As a result, China cannot avoid being a prominent player on the world scene. But China is still also a developing country, where income disparities between East and West, and between North and South remain pronunced, and were average per capita incomes are still low. The People's Republic, celebrating the 50th anniversary of her establishment in a few weeks' time, has made tremendous strides towards modernisation, towards more openness, towards social stability and economic improvement: a process that is necessarily lengthy, often painful, and which requires both determination and sacrifice. China and her people have shown, particularly in the past twenty years, what hard work and a commitment to progress can achieve: President Ziang has given you many examples in his address this evening. The transformation of the Chinese economy, the reform of institutions and procedures, the gradual but consistent introduction of better legal norms and the fight to reduce and eliminate corruptive practices, all continue to be pursued strongly and purposefully by the central leadership. Given its long continuous civilisation and illustrious history, China holds a particular fascination for the world. As a result, events taking place in China always face extraordinary scrutiny and frequent criticism by special interest groups. These commentators often forget that they are not comparing like with like: they tend to overlook the size of the problem and the time factor, or conveniently forget the historical background. The Chinese Government, like those of all other countries, reserves the right to make its own decisions based on what it sees as a necessary strategy for the benefit of the community at large. With domestic economic progress and greater international involvement, China is of course increasingly aware also of its position in the international arena, and of its role in APEC and in other similar fora. China is certainly conscious of the obligations and adjustments that membership in the World Trade Organisation would bring but has expressed repeatedly her willingness to shoulder them. PBEC as the independent voice of business in the Pacific certainly supports such membership, and is disappointed that it has so far proven elusive. Mr. President, being married to a Chinese, I am somewhat familiar with the single-mindedness that the Chinese show in the pursuit of the individual and collective goals they have set for themselves, and which are often the reason for extraordinary success. Your own life and career, Mr. President, is a very good example. On behalf of the organisers and all participants in the APEC CEO Summit, as well as specifically also on behalf of the Pacific Basin Economic Council, let me express our gratitude for your presence here this evening, and for your willingness to address us and share your vision with us; and for giving us an insight into the achievements of your Government and into the continuing challenges China faces. Please accept our very good wishes and our congratulations on the People's Republic forthcoming 50th anniversary. Mr. President, on behalf of the organisers of this event I was meant to present you with a small memento of this occasion, but it seems it has not yet materialised! But I am sure we will find it. Thank you very much.