FCO, 27 June 2011
Journalist: While growing its economy, can China also develop its democracy, the rule of law and human rights?
Premier Wen: Judging from your question, I suspect that you haven't visited China much. Simeon Strunsky, the famous journalist, once said that to understand a country and its people, one should spend more time on its public transport with ordinary folks. My country China has a vast land with 2,800 counties and 1.3 billion people. Though I have traveled outside Beijing every year, I haven't been able to visit all places in China so far. I am sure you must have been to fewer places in China than I do. The goal we have set for China's development is a comprehensive one, one that encompasses economic growth, democracy and the rule of law, social equity and justice, and all-round development of the people. The ideas of democracy, freedom, equality and human rights formed in the course of human struggle against feudal autocracy have greatly emancipated human mind. Yet, these ideas may be achieved in different ways and forms in different countries and social systems. China wants to build a country of democracy and the rule of law. In other words, we will run the country by law. We are working to remove social inequality and close the wealth gap so that our people can enjoy equal economic rights. At the same time, we uphold human rights, which has been written into China's Constitution. China and the UK, though different in social systems and historical background, can exchange views and have dialogue. This is beneficial to both sides. China has traveled a hard course of twists and turns in its 5,000-year history. We never lecture others. Rather, we treat as equals all countries and nations who treat us with equality.
Journalist: Do you believe that NATO's bombing of Libya has gone beyond the mandate of Resolution 1973? High-speed rail is thriving in China. Will you come to build high-speed rail in the UK?
Premier Wen: China's position on Libya is very clear. Resolution 1973 must be strictly complied with. Ultimately, the resolution of a country's problems lies with its people. We hope that the Libya issue will be peacefully resolved through political means and civilian casualties will be minimized. We respect the choice of the Libyan people. You may have noticed that we had contact with both the Libyan government and the opposition recently. It reflects China's just position. We place our hope on the Libyan people. They are the real force to drive national progress. Foreign troops may win wars, but they can hardly bring peace. There are painful lessons in both distant and recent history.
China has made tremendous progress in high-speed rail in recent years, a major step forward in our effort to boost the strategic emerging industries. We wish to have cooperation with other countries in this field, but we respect their independent choice. Now it takes only half an hour to travel the 120-kilometre journey from Beijing to Tianjin by high-speed rail. It's safe, comfortable and convenient. As to whether it is applicable in the UK, it's for the British people to judge and decide.
Journalist: In your opening remarks, you mentioned that China and the UK will establish a high-level people-to-people exchange mechanism. In what areas do you expect more progress with regard to people-to-people exchanges?
Premier Wen: My first public event in the UK is to visit the birthplace of Shakespeare, because I have long held deep admiration for him and I had read his plays as a boy, such as The Twelfth Night, King Lear and Othello. His works are full of humanism, and he is a great genius. His achievements belong not only to his time or to the UK, but to the whole world. Yesterday at Stratford-upon-Avon, I watched with great interest an episode from Hamlet. And I thought to myself, do foreigners also have a deep understanding of Chinese history and plays? For if they do, they will appreciate the tortuous journey China has traveled in its 5,000-year history. What China has achieved today has not come easily. In three decades' time since reform and opening-up started, our economy has grown form a backward one to the second largest in the world. Over 200 million people in China got rid of poverty, the life expectancy of the Chinese people has risen by five years and more than 80 million people with disabilities are taken care of. All these made me feel that state-to-state relations are based on people-to-people exchanges, the exchange of ideas and exchanges between young people in particular. Such exchanges form the foundation of friendship and cooperation. I hope my visit to Stratford-upon-Avon this time can serve as a start for leaders of all countries to appreciate the importance of respecting and understanding the history and culture of other countries.
On the collaborative project in Longbridge. Longbridge is known for its century-old tradition of car manufacturing in the UK. What's special about China-UK collaboration on the MG project is that the vehicles are designed in the UK, manufactured in China and assembled in the UK. We have brought out our respective strengths: the UK's strength in science, technology and management, and China's strength in manufacturing. Moreover, as the factory is located in the UK, it has created local jobs. It's a win-win for both sides. That's how I see it. Thank you.