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Speeches
China and the US:
Towards a Closer Partnership
By Mr. Tung Chee Hwa
Harvard University
December, 2008
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Faculties and students of Harvard University,
Good afternoon. I would like to thank Dean Ellwood for your invitation for me to speak today. I am truly honored to be here.
As someone who lived here for nine years, who worked here, who got married here, who raised a family here, a person who cares very much about China and United States relations today, I want to share with you my knowledge of what is happening in my home, China. And I would also like to discuss with you how much the future of our world depends on how well our two nations and the individual people of our two nations manage to live and work together.
This year holds special significance for China. It marks the 30th anniversary of the policy of reform and opening to the outside world. In 1978 Deng Xiaoping unleashed the energies of a sixth of mankind. Since then, China’s economy has gone from the verge of collapse to becoming the world’s 4th largest economy.
In those 30 years, many of China’s 1.3 billion people had moved from abject poverty to a much improved livelihood. A closed Chinese society had become open. There had been unprecedented expansion of individual freedoms – freedom of thought, freedom of movement, and freedom to pursue economic opportunities. In the history of mankind, there had never been such great achievement involving such a large number of people over such a short period of time.
The enormous changes of the past 30 years had also brought with them a whole new set of challenges. The unbalanced nature of economic growth has increased the disparity between rich and poor, between urban and rural populations, and between coastal and inland regions. This unbalanced growth has also brought about huge environmental challenges, a vital need to improve the quality of water and air, a craving for energy and raw materials. There are the rising expectations of the people for better governmental services in general, and education, health care and social security in particular. China’s march to modernity is still a very long one.
What path should China pursue for its future? Responding to the challenges, critical decisions were made by the Chinese leadership last year. China must build on the successes of the past 30 years, develop its economy through further deepening of reform and opening to the world. But economic development must be balanced and sustainable. Rural area income must be raised, and innovation and technology must be further emphasized as the economy restructures. In terms of social development, the call is for governing for the people, with emphasis on developing democracy, and enhancing the rule of law. The government’s work needs to be made more transparent, accountable and with greater checks and balances. The provision of education, healthcare and social security services must be improved. This direction of development has received the widespread support of the Chinese people.
With regard to its foreign policy, the past 30 years of China’s reform and opening up has also been 30 years in which China has become more and more integrated into the community of nations of the world. Now that the call is for further reform and opening, China’s destiny will become even more intertwined with the world at large. A peaceful world, and a world in harmony, is in China’s national interest. All this requires China to play a more active and constructive role in international affairs. China will do this by participating actively in multilateral organizations, such as the UN, the World Bank, the IMF, the World Health Organization, the WTO, etc.
Of course, China recognizes the importance of bilateral relationships with countries big and small. But today, and for generations to come, the single most important bilateral relationship - for our two nations and for the world in which we live in - is the Sino-US relationship.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of a formal relationship between the United States and China. So, after 30 years, where does this important relationship stand? Today, the common strategic interests of the two countries abound; and the cooperation is wide-ranging. From trade, international financial stability to global economic recovery, from energy security to climate change and from prevention of nuclear proliferation to fighting transnational terrorism, etc. etc.
Our futures are intertwined, our prosperities interdependent. But our relationship sometimes can only be described as passive tolerance. Why only passive tolerance? Although the relation is improving, it can be better. Given the daunting and urgent tasks that lay before us, our challenge is how we can move this relationship forward.
Why can’t there be a leap forward in our relationship? What are the obstacles? In my view, the most important is for each side to understand what are the concerns of the other side. What are the fundamental national interests of the other side? And what can we do to help each other? To be able to do this, it is essential we understand each other better, and through that build more trust.
From China’s point of view, the obstacle is US policy on Taiwan. From the US point of view, there are a number of obstacles. First is the fear that China’s growing economic strength will somehow threaten prosperity in America, and that China’s single minded pursuit of growth is without regard to the environment. Next there is concern over China increasing militarization. Then, there is the issue of the development of democracy and rule of law in China. And finally, there are the anxieties over China’s role in Africa, in cyber warfare, and etc., etc.
While some of these issues reflect real differences, perceptions are very often in the driving seat. There may be good understanding between the two governments – and in my view one of the most encouraging developments of the last decade has been the strengthening of dialogue and understanding between government leaders and agencies of both nations – but extending that understanding into the wider communities is no easy task. Of course, China needs to explain herself better in the United States. As for the US, you must guard against those situations where misperception derails the proper consideration on broader and important objectives.
From China’s point of view, the issue of Taiwan’s unification is of fundamental national interest. Chinese people everywhere look forward to the eventual peaceful unification of Taiwan with the Mainland. As long as the United States is seen to be standing in the way of peaceful unification, this is the main obstacle for building trust. The United States’ official position is that it upholds the One China policy. But, in fact, the United States also follows the policy of deliberate ambiguity, by never categorically stating that it encourages peaceful unification. For trust to build, the United States, in my view, needs to openly encourage peaceful unification and stop sale of arms to Taiwan as promised in the previous US-China Joint Communiqué. Recently, since the resumption of cross straits dialogue, many measures that give rise to people to people exchanges and direct economic benefit are being implemented. This development helps greatly to improve the cross strait relations. US needs to do more to encourage China’s peaceful unification.
Let me now talk about America’s concerns with China.
Economically, there is the fear in the US of China’s growing economic strength, and how that might somehow threaten American prosperity. The fact is, China and the US are the major beneficiaries of globalization. They have a win-win economic relationship. The Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Peter Peterson’s International Economic Institute have published a joint paper titled “China: The Balance Sheet,” which demonstrated that the benefit derived by the US in trade with China cannot be disputed. China is today the 3rd largest market for American goods, and is America’s fastest growing export market. China’s exports to the US save hundreds of billions of dollars for American families. China’s investment in US treasuries and financial markets help America keep interest rates low, and hold inflation in check. Obviously, China benefits from this relationship, keeping its citizens employed, and bringing about economic vitality to the country. This is a win-win relationship.
With regard to China’s attitude towards the environment and sustainable development, I hope you realize ambitious goals were set in China’s 11th five-year plan presented in 2007. Indeed, good progress has been made in the areas of energy efficiency, in environmental protection, and in reduction of carbon emissions since then. Of course still, much more needs to be done. But under the full attention of senior policy makers, more progress will continue to be made.
Six months ago, under the US-China strategic economic dialogue, led by Secretary Paulson and Deputy Premier Wang Qishan, the United States and China entered into a Ten Year Energy and Environment Cooperation Framework Agreement. I am glad to note, in the strategic economic dialogue meeting just concluded in Beijing, extensive agreement was reached on how to take the matter forward. In their December 5th communiqué, and here I quote: “The United States and China agree to continue their close communication and extensive collaboration in addressing the challenges of environmental sustainability, climate change, and energy security.”
The two countries announced agreement on action plans on various goals, including: clean, efficient and secure electricity production and transmission; clean water; clean air; clean and efficient transportation; and conservation of forests and wetlands ecosystems.
Furthermore, statements of intent were signed between partners from both sides, including Energy Future Holdings and Huadian Power for clean energy generation; Denver, Colorado and Chongqing Municipality for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles; Wichita, Kansas and Wuxi, Jiangsu for clean water and air; Floating Windfarms and Caofeidian for wind energy; the Port of Seattle and Dalian Port for “green” ports; Greensburg, Kansas and Mianzhu, Sichuan on post-disaster “green” reconstruction; and Tulane University and East China Normal University for wetlands research.
I trust you can see that much has been going on between the two governments, with active participation by the NGOs of the two countries. Much more still can be done by NGOs of the two countries. But I hope, from this you can also see China’s commitment in moving forward on all these fronts.
With regards to America’s concerns over increasing Chinese militarization, the fact is, China does have 1.3 billion people, with miles and miles of land border, and miles and miles of coastline. China needs the military for defense purposes. China also needs to modernize its military from time to time. China is not belligerent, and does not seek military dominance. In fact, US’s military budget is many many times that of China’s. If you think about it carefully, China has neither capability nor reason to engage the United States in a military competition. In any case, China’s tradition and culture is best described as yiheweigui – a culture that cherishes peace and harmony.
There is the concern over China’s motives with her activities in Africa. China’s relationship with Africa is based on mutual benefit and mutual respect. China needs Africa’s natural resources. Africa wants to buy Chinese manufactured products. China seeks no special advantage, paying market prices for natural resources.
Over the last five years, Africa’s economy has been growing at five-and-a-half per cent per annum. A significant portion of the growth is attributed to trade with China. China also assists in African countries’ infrastructure building as well as capacity building. For too long, the African continent has been neglected. China wants to participate in an effort to help Africa. In China’s view, the best way to help Africa is for Africans to help themselves. From that point of view, capacity building is very important.
Let me now discuss with you the development of democracy in China. 30 years of reform and opening up has led to a freer and more open society. The development of our democratic system has been progressing too. Today, this democracy has evolved into what we call electoral democracy and consultative democracy.
Electoral democracy is embodied in the country’s highest political institution – the National People’s Congress. It is at the NPC where laws are debated and enacted after substantial consultation, and where the performance of the government is monitored. The NPC also approves the appointments of the president, the premier and other senior members of government. Members of the NPC are elected directly and indirectly from across the nation every five years.
Consultative democracy is embodied in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference – the CPPCC, where those who are the best and most experienced from different spectra of the society are appointed as members from across the nation. Different religious and ethnic groups and different political parties are also represented. This body participates in the formulation and development of policies, and monitors the work of the government. It also plays a key role in ensuring that opinions from the public at large are reflected to the government, and that government policies are communicated to the people.
Whereas at one time the NPC and the CPPCC were looked upon to be passive institutions, over the past 30 years their roles have evolved into what they were originally designed to be – representative organs. And today, they play an increasingly active role in making the voices of the people heard, in providing checks and balances to the government, and, in general, a very central role in promoting democracy in China.
While electoral democracy and consultative democracy have been evolving, in recent years there has been much discussion by mainstream Chinese scholars about what constitutes good government and how good government should be measured, in a word, governance. At the end of the day, democracy is not only about elections, but also about delivering good governance, and delivering a government that is truly for the people. In these discussions by mainstream Chinese scholars, the governance assessment has focused on such areas as social justice and social stability, transparency and accountability, responsive, clean and efficient government, legitimacy, democracy within political parties, and the rule of law.
I think that these discussions are significant in two ways. Firstly, the fact that these criteria are being discussed earnestly is testament to the fact that China is seeking better governing models. Second, by establishing these criteria we are mindful that whatever system of democracy we eventually develop and adopt, we must perform to these governance standards.
Looking back, America’s march to democracy in its current form has experienced a long and storied history, from the signing of the Constitution in 1789, through the civil war, universal suffrage, and then the civil rights movement. It is a story of the indomitable spirit of the American people.
China’s current effort on building democracy started sixty years ago with the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and has progressed noticeably through reform and opening over the last 30 years. Today in China, we are working continuously to improve our system of government and in building democracy. China needs a home grown system of democracy which suits its culture, history, and current stage of development. In the process, we will continue to learn from experience overseas. This direction has received wide spread support of the Chinese people.
In conclusion, I hope the above helps all of you to understand better of some of the obstacles to a closer relations. You will agree that the obstacles to a closer partnership between our two countries need to be overcome and can be overcome. Indeed, misperceptions need to be corrected, differences need to be managed, and the common interest needs to be expanded.
Ladies and Gentleman,
If the 20th Century was shaped by the conflicts of great powers, the 21st Century will be shaped by how we, the human race, can successfully take on the challenges of energy security, climate change, food security and scarcity of natural resources, all of which are issues crucial to sustainable development and economic growth in the 21st century. Beyond these challenges, the world continues to face the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation and transnational terrorism. There is also an urgency to improve global efforts on epidemic prevention and drug trade eradication. Finally, in today’s world of financial crises, there is a need to push strongly for world trade, to create new international financial system and financial stability and to push for stimulative measures for economic recovery. Today, the world yearns for peace, stability and sustainable development, but never has the world been faced with so many transnational challenges coming together all at the same time. To successfully overcome these challenges, multilateral cooperation by the international community, particularly by its major powers, is critical.
The United States is the most developed and strongest nation in the world. China is the largest and fastest developing nation in the world. In the multilateral effort to overcome these challenges, a good and productive relationship between United States and China is essential.
United States and China need a closer partnership. Can we get there? Can we move away from the Cold War mentality? There are compelling reasons to do this. The essential step is to build better understanding and trust.
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Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government is one of the greatest institutions in the world for the advancement of capacity in government, of friendship and understanding among nations. Each one of you has a part of great responsibility to fulfill in the years ahead. Let’s together make it work.
On 4th November of this year, Americans voted for change. You made a statement of confidence in the capacity of this great nation to live better, of confidence to withstand together the storms of this economic winter, of confidence to surmount the unparalleled stress that our present patterns of living put on the planet that we call home.
America does not stand alone. China stands with America, welcoming the prospect of working with you, to building understanding, trust and partnership, to upholding with each one of you the common interests of our civilization.
Thank you.
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