China's president has emphasised issues relating to the nation's economy, global role, regional ambitions and the one road, one belt' vision
JUN MAI
JUN.MAI@SCMP.COM
PUBLISHED : Friday, 23 October, 2015, 5:16pm
UPDATED : Friday, 23 October, 2015, 5:16pm
President Xi Jinping listens to The Lord Mayor of London Alan Yarrow make a speech during a banquet at Guildhall in London on Wednesday. Photo: AP
President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Britain carries eight important messages to the world, according to Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily:
Will China’s economy survive?
There are concerns about the downward pressure the economy faces, as it recorded 6.9 per cent growth in the third quarter. Xi said the nation’s growth was achieved “amid increasing difficulty in the world’s economic development”. China “will continue to serve as a powerful propeller for global economic growth”, Xi said at a UK-China business summit on Wednesday. The main economic indicators were within a reasonable range, he added. Xi also told Reuters in a written interview “the fundamentals of a steadily growing economy have remained unchanged”. China would have very promising economic prospects, he added.
Will China become a “world police” as it gets stronger?
China will insist on adhering to the path of economic development, and did not accept the logic “a strong nation is bound to seek hegemony”, Xi said in a speech at Guildhall, the centre for the City of London. “Nothing can shake China’s faith in a path of peaceful development,” he added. That message was also carried in his interview with Reuters before his departure. “China has been stepping up efforts for world peace and development not because it wants to become a ‘world cop’, even less taking anyone’s place,” Xi said. “China has declared many times that it pursues a defence policy that is defensive in nature and will never seek hegemony, engage in expansion or impose its own will on others.”
Will China back down or expand its presence in the South China Sea?
Xi made clear his bottom line over this issue in the Reuters interview. “The islands and reefs in the South China Sea have been Chinese territory since ancient times. They are left to us by our ancestors,” he said. “The Chinese people will not allow anyone to infringe on China’s sovereignty and related rights and interests in the South China Sea.” China would continue to work with its neighbours in the area to manage disputes through institutionalised dialogue, he said.
Will Chinese corrupt officials find havens overseas?
“In today’s world, no country or place should provide shelter or even safe haven for corrupt elements and their proceeds of crime,” Xi told Reuters. Although acknowledging differences in legal systems and technical problems in anti-corruption cooperation, he urged law enforcement agencies to strengthen their partnerships with China in investigation and sharing information on individual cases.
Why does China insist on a socialist path?
Xi said in his speech at Guildhall that the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics was a choice made by the Chinese people. It was a decision that took into account unsuccessful attempts at constitutional monarchy, parliamentary and presidential systems. “One pair of shoes need not be the same as another; it only needs to fit the wearers’ feet. Governance of a country needs not be same; it only needs to benefit its people,” he said.
Is China being disingenuous by saying “it’s a developing country”?
“China has 70 million people living in poverty by Chinese standards. The figure is 200 million by the standard of the United Nations,” he said at Guildhall.
Will China’s embrace of opening up ever be reversed?
At the UK-China business summit, Xi said opening up was an important propeller of China’s prosperity, and the fundamental way the nation ensured win-win cooperation with other countries. “China will uphold the opening-up strategy based on mutual benefits and win-win results, and integrate China’s development with world prosperity and growth,” he said.
Will “One belt, one road” be exclusively for China?
“‘One belt, one road’ is an open sphere of friends that connects Asia, Africa and Europe – one which all interested countries can join,” Xi said at the business summit. The initiative was a win-win avenue, not a private yard, Xi added.
http://m.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871399/eight-key-messages-xi-jinping-seeks-convey-world-his-uk
