Speech at the 12th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting
Joining Hands to Enhance Friendship Between China and Latin America
November 21, 2004
It is my great pleasure to join so many leaders from the Asia-Pacific region in the beautiful city of Santiago. I'd like to express my gratitude to President Lagos and the Chilean Government for their careful preparation and thoughtful arrangements for this summit.
The current international situation is more relaxed as a whole. Peace and development, dialogue and cooperation remain the themes of today's world. The world economy is gaining momentum and regional cooperation is burgeoning. But instability and uncertainties are obviously on the rise. Incidents of terrorism occur one after another and the world oil market changes radically. Both are challenges facing world economic growth. How to respond to threats and challenges and how to maintain world peace and promote common development are important questions that the international community faces.
In the past year, the Asia-Pacific region witnessed an economic resurgence, but there are still uncertainties in the region's economic environment. Rapid economic growth has aggravated burdens on resources and the environment, posing difficulties for macroeconomic regulations and economic restructuring. The advent of economic globalization has made APEC member countries interdependent in interests and destinies. A win-win cooperation therefore is a common choice for us in answering these challenges. We shall seize opportunities, face challenges and work out new strategies for the region's long-term development. I propose that we put our full effort in the following three aspects:
First, we should adopt proactive and effective macroeconomic policies and regulatory measures in light of our respective conditions, enhance our dialogue and coordination, deepen regional cooperation and make joint efforts to facilitate and maintain world economic growth. We should work hard, with sincerity and flexibility, to bring about substantive results in the new round of WTO negotiations at an early date, cut back on our differences and frictions, and create an equitable and win-win environment for trade and investment. Given the vital importance of energy to world economic development, we should work together to keep the world energy market stable.
As a developing country, China will strive to keep sustained, fast, coordinated and sound economic growth, and to contribute to the Asia-Pacific and world economy. I hereby propose that APEC step up efforts in the energy field, launch dialogues on policy issues, and deepen cooperation among members in the fields of improving energy efficiency, developing alternative sources of energy and providing affordable energy products to the poor.
Second, we should deepen our mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the development of an Asian-Pacific community. Chile, the host, chose this year's theme of APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting as "One Community, Our Future," reflecting well the wishes of APEC members.
Common interests and a common future require us to shoulder common responsibility and exert joint effort. We should grasp the opportunities brought about by economic globalization and regional integration, take full advantage of the APEC platform to learn from each other, push forward closer and mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation to lay a solid foundation for achieving sustainable common development.
Trade and Investment Liberalization and Facilitation (TILF) and Economic and Technical Cooperation are the two priorities of APEC operation. We should advance related work based on the different needs of developed and developing members and lose no time in implementing the "Bogor Goals," which provides us with a guideline to measure our progress in TILF in the Asia-Pacific region.
Chaired by our host Chile, APEC this year has made a very useful effort in free trade arrangement, l would like to express welcome to the consensus reached by the members on the Santiago Initiative, which is designed to promote trade and investment liberalization.
Economic and technological cooperation centered on ca pacity-building should be further strengthened, since it helps developing members achieve long-term economic growth and sustainable development. China will launch an Asia-Pacific Finance and Development Center, providing a platform for Asia-Pacific economies to step up capacity-building through closer exchanges.
Third, we should intensify our antiterrorism cooperation to cultivate a peaceful and stable regional economic environment. Terrorism is our common enemy. The international community has exerted positive effort and strengthened cooperation in eliminating the threats posed by terrorism. The most recent terrorist attacks in Russia and Indonesia remind us again of the pervasiveness of the terrorists and the grave situation they present to us. We shall put joint effort in combating terrorism. I believe we can make achievements, provided we continue to deepen and diversify our cooperation.
China opposes till forms of terrorism and supports APEC to give greater play to its advantages. We must continue to focus on economic and trade cooperation, while stepping up practical cooperation with capacity-building as the first step, striving to create a stable and secure environment for the economic development and trade investment of the Asian-Pacific region.
I welcome APEC's cooperation in cracking down on corruption. It is hoped that all members will follow the principles of equality, mutual benefit, respecting differences and emphasizing practical results. We should strive for substantive progress in the areas of capacity-building, prosecuting offenders and recovering the proceeds of corruption.
This year marks APEC's 15th anniversary. In the past 15 years, APEC has played a positive role in promoting the region's free trade and investment, and economic and technological cooperation. The organization itself is at a crucial point of development today as the global and Asia-Pacific situation has undergone enormous changes. As far as its future development is concerned, we should adhere to APEC's general direction of economic cooperation, observe the principles of respect for differences, equality, mutual benefit, voluntarism and consensus, stick to the road of gradual progress with vigorous effort to act on relevant initiatives. We should keep pace with the times and actively adapt ourselves to the changing situation in the region, while trying our best to optimize the allocation of resources, improve work efficiency and make our cooperation more effective.
After the efforts of more than a year, China's economy maintains a momentum of sustained, rapid and sound growth. But some conflicts and problems have occurred during this process. The Chinese Government has taken a series of policies and measures to strengthen and improve macro control in response to those problems. We focus on ensuring sustained, balanced and sound economic and social development by reinforcing the restructuring, deepening reform and solving problems that keeping emerging during the process of development. The macro-control policies and measures we adopted have taken initial effect. We are confident in achieving our goal of economic and social development.
China, as a member of the big Asia-Pacific family, is a steadfast force in maintaining world peace, promoting common development and pushing forward international cooperation. China sticks to the path of peaceful development and is ready to seek common development and prosperity with other APEC members. We will contribute to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large through our own development. A sound and rapidly growing Chinese economy serves the economic development of the region and that of the world as a whole.
In short, the vast expanse of Asia-Pacific region is our common home. Ensuring its continued development and prosperity is our shared responsibility. APEC has provided us with an important platform for strengthening cooperation and exchange. Let us join hands, work to build mutual trust, increase exchanges and strive for a healthy and sustained economic development throughout the world.
Joining Hands to Enhance Friendship Between China and Latin America
Speech by Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Brazilian Parliament
November 12, 2004
I am very glad to have the opportunity to meet all the friends here in Brazil. First of all, I'd like to extend my deep appreciation to Mr.Sarney, President of the Brazilian Senate and Mr.Cunhna, President of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies for their cordial invitation.
It is my second visit to your beautiful country. I am deeply impressed by the vast territory and brilliant development achievements in Brazil and the overflowing enthusiasm of the Brazilian people. Here, on behalf of the Chinese Government and the Chinese people and ill my own name, I'd like to express sincere greetings and best wishes to all the friends here and to the industrious and brave Brazilian people.
Thirty years ago, China and Brazil, the two largest developing countries in the eastern and western hemispheres, joined hands historically to establish diplomatic relations. Today, we are building a strategic partnership with rich connotations. We two countries cooperate closely with each other and support each other in international affairs and are committed to pushing forward the establishment of a fair and reasonable international political and economic order. We have become important trade partners of each other in our respective regions and our economic cooperation is getting increasingly prosperous. Our successful cooperation in satellite and regional aircraft can be said to be the model of South-South cooperation. The cultures of China and Brazil blossom in a riot of colors add radiance and beauty to each other. The Brazilian football and samba are widely known in China, while the Chinese martial arts and cuisine are popular among the Brazilian people. With the joint efforts of the two countries, the traditional friendship between the two peoples is deepening.
This year has been a significant year in the history of relations between China and Brazil. President Lula and I arranged the visits on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between our countries. Looking into the future, we have jointly defined four principles that are guiding the development of bilateral relations: (1) Adhering to consultations on equal footing and increasing political mutual trust; (2) insisting on mutual reciprocity and mutual benefit and expanding economic and trade contacts; (3) maintaining consultations and coordination and strengthening international cooperation; (4) promoting non-governmental exchanges and increasing mutual understanding. We agree that strengthening the strategic partnership between China and Brazil not only benefits the prosperity and progress of both countries but also contributes to maintaining world peace and promoting common development. I am convinced that so long as the two sides work together the China-Brazil ties will surely enjoy an even brighter future.
Brazil is the first stop of my visit to Latin America. This visit enables my colleagues and me to appreciate once more the magnificence and fertility of the mountains and rivers of Latin America and the diversification and glory of Latin American history and culture and the brilliance of modern development.
Over years, on this marvelous land, the Latin American people have not only created a splendid civilization but also made great contributions to maintaining world peace and promoting common development. Wonders from the Maya Pyramid to the Inca City and from the Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Station to the Havana Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology have all witnessed the outstanding creativity of the Latin American people. Historic figures from Bolivar to Jose Marti and from Neruda to Borges have all demonstrated the admirable pioneering spirit of the Latin American people. The lofty causes from the just fight for maritime right over 200 sea miles to the establishment of Latin America Nuclear-Free Zone and from the exploration of Latin America development to the promotion of Latin America integration have all illustrated the unyielding spirit of the Latin American people. The exploration process of the Latin American people surges forward with great momentum and the diversified cultures sparkle with inspiration and long-lasting charm. The great civilization created by the Latin American people is shining like a pearl in the garden of human civilizations.
Looking around the world, the governments and people of Latin America are pushing forward reforms and seeking development in spite of difficulties and challenges and have made earthshaking achievements and have won the respect of all countries in the world. Looking to the future, Latin America, which boasts vast territory, rich resources, a galaxy of talented people and a solid economic foundation, enjoys great potential and promising prospects of development. I firmly believe that on this great land with a glorious history, the Latin American people will definitely write a brighter page to its history.
China enjoys an ancient civilization with more than five thousand years of history. During the historical evolution the Chinese people have always been fighting relentlessly for a good life. Over the first halt' of the past century, the Chinese people fought with sublime heroism for national independence and liberation and ultimately founded a new country-the People's Republic of China-in which they were their own masters. In the last 50 years, all the nationalities of China have worked together relentlessly to explore the development road fitted with its own national conditions. We have worked hard to build a prosperous life and have scored great achievements.
Twenty-five years ago, under the leadership of Mr. Deng Xiaoping, the Chinese people launched the process of reform and opening-up, building a socialist society with Chinese characteristics. Over the past 25 years, the Chinese economy has maintained rapid growth, various social undertakings have gained overall development, social productivity and comprehensive national strength have realized historic leaps, and people's living standards have generally reached the requirements of a well-off society. From 1978 to 2003, China's GDP increased from US$147.3 billion to over US$1.4 trillion, with an average annual increase of 9.4 percent; its total foreign trade volume grew from US$20.6 billion to US$851.2 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 16.1 percent; and the poverty-stricken population in rural areas dropped from 250 million to about 29 million. Some 25 years ago there was hardly any project in China actually utilizing foreign investment, but by the end of 2003 the accumulated foreign investments actually in China has amounted to US$679.6 billion.
China has made widely acclaimed achievements, but we keep a sober mind because China has a large population, a weak economic foundation and unbalanced development and still faces various restrictive factors in terms of environment, resources, sciences and technologies as well as education. Although China's GDP has been among the leading countries in the world, its per-capita GDP ranks 110th worldwide. China still has a long way to go to realize modernization and to enable its entire population to live better lives.
China has defined its objective for the first 20 years of this century. We mean to pool all available resources to build a well-off society that will benefit hundreds of million of people, raise GDP in 2020 to US$4 trillion, quadrupling that of 2000, increase per-capita GDP to more than US$3,000 and ensure a rapid economic growth, a sound democracy, advanced science and education programs, a prosperous culture, a harmonious society and a better life for people in China.
To realize that objective, the 1.3 billion Chinese people will need to unswervingly follow the road of peaceful development. Under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping's theory and the important thought of "Three Represents" and by following the requirements for a sustainable scientific development philosophy of focusing on people, we will concentrate on economic construction and devote ourselves wholeheartedly to seeking development. We will make overall plans for the development of rural and urban areas, regional development, economic and social development, harmonious development between man and nature, domestic development and opening up. We will adhere to a civilized development path with a focus on production and growth, prosperity and sound ecology and will constantly promote economic and social progress.
China upholds the independent foreign policy of peace with the purpose of maintaining world peace and promoting common development. Strengthening solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries is a basic principle underlying China's foreign policy. China is, as always, a good friend and partner of other developing countries in the world and will forever stand on the side of developing countries. To constantly strengthen solidarity and cooperation among developing countries is not only the logical choice in seeking common development but also the main way to push for the establishment of a fair and reasonable international political and economic new order.
I'd like to specially point out that the peaceful development of China, which has one-fifth of the world's population, will never constitute threat to any country or any people, but contribute to world peace and development and will surely bring about important development opportunities for most countries in the world. China initially established a socialist market economy and is pushing forward the opening up in an all-round way, which will definitely drive China's economic and technological cooperation with various regions in the world including Latin America.
Since the 1990s, except for a few years, bilateral trade between China and Latin America has retained a rapid double-digit growth rate. During the 10 years from 1993 to 2003, China-Latin America trade volume increased 6 fold, and trade volume from 2000 to 2003 doubled. The growth margins of 2003 and 2004 exceed 50 percent. In recent years the exports of Latin American products to China increased rapidly, growing 79 percent in 2003 and 45.6 percent from January to September 2004. From an overall perspective Latin America has a trade surplus with China. Currently China's industrial investment in Latin America has totaled almost US$1.6 billion, and taking financial investment into account the figure will exceed US$4 billion. As the Chinese economy continues to grow, China is very optimistic about investing in Latin America. The report of the Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean (ECLAC) also points out that the economic growth of China clearly fuels the economic development in Latin America. I firmly believe that with joint efforts the road of economic and technological cooperation between China and Latin America will undoubtedly become broader.
China and Latin America are geographically far away from each other but enjoy a long history of friendly contact. We have similar experiences in fighting for national liberation, safeguarding national independence and building our own national causes, which enables us to hold shared feelings and common beliefs on major issues and become good friends even though we are thousands of miles apart. China attaches great importance to the positive role that Latin American and Caribbean countries play in maintaining world peace and promoting common development and sincerely hopes to strengthen cooperation in multiple sectors and to build stable long-term friendly relations to enrich and push forward South-South cooperation.
A good piece of news is that with the support of Latin America, not long ago China became the observer of the Parlamento Latinoamericano (PARLATINO) and the Organization of American States (OAS), which creates a new arena for strengthening China-Latin America friendship and expanding bilateral cooperation.
China is developing, so is Latin America. Further promoting development requires both sides to enhance cooperation and create new conditions for such cooperation. China-Latin America cooperation is facing unprecedented historical opportunities. When Mr. Sarney visited China years ago as the President of Brazil, Deng Xiaoping told him that the 21st century should be the century for both Pacific and Latin American prosperity. Both sides should seize opportunities and work together to drive the China-Latin America cooperation to new levels.
I hope that with our joint efforts China-Latin America relations can reach the following development objectives in the near future:
--Supporting each other politically and building all-round friendship. Both sides should further strengthen communication, coordination and collaboration in major issues concerning world peace and development, promote democracy in international relations, push forward the establishment of a fair and reasonable international political and economic new order and safeguard the due rights and interests of developing countries.
--Complementing each other economically and building a mutually beneficial and win-win partnership at new starting point. Both sides should take active measures to increase bilateral trade volume to more than USS100 billion in 2010, and at the same time make great progress in the field of investment, with total investment volume doubling and both sides becoming more important partners of each other.
--Enhancing cultural exchanges and using them as a model of dialogue between different civilizations. Both sides should hold diversified cultural exchanges to enable both peoples, especially the younger generations, to obtain more heart-felt communication and mutual understanding and thus contribute to the diversified development of world cultures.
To reach the objectives, I'd like to make the following three proposals:
First, we should deepen the strategic common consensus and enhance political mutual trust. On the basis of the existing dialogue between China and the major regional organizations of Latin America, a broader cooperation platform should be established gradually. We sincerely hope to build normal country relations with all Latin American and Caribbean countries to create better conditions for China to conduct comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries in this region, which not only complies with the trend of our times but also servies the interest of all parties concerned.
Second, we should focus on practical work and innovation and tapping cooperation potential. Trade structure should be optimized constantly, and attention should be given to cooperation in developing new and high-tech industries with high added value. Meanwhile, the expansion of mutual investment should be a priority for raising bilateral economic cooperation in the short- and medium-term. Once conditions are mature both sides can establish a free trade zone or reach other mutually beneficial arrangements through negotiations. In line with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and following the principle of justice and rationality, both sides should strengthen communications, cope with trade fractions rationally and actively maintain the overall situation of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Third, we should value cultural exchanges and enhance mutual understanding. The friendship between the people of the two sides can be strengthened by establishing cultural centers, promoting tourism cooperation, strengthening exchanges of the mass media and holding activities like student exchanges and organizing a China-Latin America Youth Festival, for example.
I'd like to stress that the Taiwan issue is an internal affair of China. The Chinese Government and people have the confidence, determination, wisdom and capability to ultimately realize complete national reunification. We will adhere to the basic principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and stand ready to solve the Taiwan issue through peaceful means with the greatest sincerity and effort. However, we will never tolerate "Taiwan independence" or allow any people to separate Taiwan from China. To solve the Taiwan issue and complete the cause of national reunification are common aspiration of the 1.3 billion Chinese people and all Chinese compatriots. We thank the Latin American people for their support on this issue over the years and hope that they will continue to extend full support to the just cause of the Chinese people.
Distance can never separate sincere friendship. The relations between China and Latin America have never been as close as they are now and tomorrow both sides will surely come even closer. Let's join hands and seize the historical opportunities to open new possibilities in the friendly relations between China and Latin America, bring about benefits to the peoples of both sides and enhance the lofty cause of promoting world peace and development.
