Peking University, Apr. 27, 2011: “The 21st century should be the mankind’s century,” said a senior Chinese diplomat during a speech at PKU Shenzhen Graduate School (PKUSZ).
Professor Wu Jianmin, former Chinese ambassador to France and former president of the China Foreign Affairs University, visited the School of Transitional Law (STL) of Peking University on April 25, and gave a speech titled "China’s Diplomacy in a Transforming World."
STL faculty, staff members and students crowded the B Moot Court at the Shenzhen Campus of the university in south China's Guangdong Province.
Professor Wu Jianmin served as spokesman and director-general of the Information Department of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Ambassador to Netherland, United Nations Office in Geneva, and France. He was president of the China Foreign Affairs University and president of the International Exhibitions Bureau. He is now honorary president of the International Exhibitions Bureau. As one of the most outstanding Chinese diplomats, Professor Wu witnessed the progress of Chinese diplomacy and contributed almost his entire career to the Chinese diplomacy development and bridging the friendly understanding between foreign countries and China.
Starting with the topic, Professor Wu first addressed the most important change taking place over the past century in the world: the change of the "theme" from wars and violent revolutions to peace and development. Professor Wu stressed that peace, development, and cooperation are the megatrend of the world. Among the many changes following the theme, he gave a full account of the change of the center of international relations from Atlantic to Pacific areas in light of a rising Asia.
He also shared his thoughts on the development that China has achieved since the adoption of open-up and reform policy and the accompanying challenges. He was deeply proud of and marveled at the tremendous growth rate of Chinese economy. However, he discredited some oversea media’s misunderstanding that 21st century is Chinese century.
“21st century should be the mankind’s century,” he said. “China’s development is not achieved at the expense of others but rather results from its sharing with others.”
On the other side of the coin, Professor Wu was frank to recognize that China is facing great challenges, ranging from the need to change the development model, the unbalanced societal development structure and the conflicting understandings on reform between foreign countries and China.
In view of the tremendous changes and challenges, Professor Wu summarized the triple strategy that China should and are currently taking: to continue reform, adhere to the peaceful development strategy and adhere to the win-win strategy. He emphasized that expansion, hegemony, or alliance is never an option for China. Instead, “China will always say yes to peace, development, and international cooperation.”
Before he finished the speech, Professor Wu took questions from the audience and gave his elaborate answers to the questions of Sino-Indian relationship, Sino-Japan relationship after Japan’s recent disaster and China’s human rights development.
The speech covered topics on history, economy, politics, media and international relationship, and also abundant with Professor Wu’s firsthand experience as a seasoned diplomat.
During the speech, Professor Wu also recognized the importance of education and expressed his impression of Dean Lehman as a "good educator." He urged the Chinese young people, especially the STL audience, to become involved in China’s future development and engaged in seeking solutions to the challenges China is facing.
Reported by: Xiang Nan
Edited by: Arthars
Source: PKUSTL
