No hidden schemes in Chinese dream

• Source: Global Times
• [20:58 July 18 2010]
• Comments

GT: Chinese leaders attended many important summits this year, such as the G20 meetings and the Asia-Europe summit. Is China becoming more integrated into the world?

Le: To be precise, it is not China's "integration" into the world because China has always been part of the world. Globalization strengthens mutual relationships between China and the rest of the world. The integration is shown by high-level diplomatic contacts and summit meetings, by the fact that China has become a world market of over one trillion US dollars and that the general population has become increasingly active in foreign contacts and exchanges.

For example, an US couple living next to my home, sends children to school, rides bikes to work every morning and buys food in a nearby alley, almost the same as the average Chinese family. The Shanghai World Expo has attracted 246 participating countries, regions and international organizations. The staff at the San Marino Hall were very excited because 15,000 people visited their national hall every day despite its small population. The close exchanges between Chinese and foreigners further narrow the distance between China and the outside world.

GT: Why is China seen as being "too rich" or "too powerful" despite suffering from poverty in many areas?

Le: The total GDP of China is expected to rank second in the world this year. But China's GDP per capita still ranks at around 100th and is less than one-tenth of that of the US. Turkey's GDP per capita is $10,000, far higher than China's. China would be a developing country for a long time.

We need to realistically promote our achievements to the outside world and tell the world that China is willing to bear international responsibility commensurate with its strength.

But we should also show the world Beijing and Shanghai cannot represent the whole of China. There are still many poor and backward areas in China and it is still a great challenge to provide for the basic living standards of 1.3 billion people.

GT: At present, some Western media still think that the strategic objectives of China's diplomacy are not clear. What do you think of this view?

Le: We cannot see an object clearly with deformed or tinted lens. China's diplomatic strategy is clear and has been emphasized on many occasions. China has an independent foreign policy of peace, which aims to create a favorable external environment for domestic development and promote the world peace and development.

Chinese leaders have reiterated many times that China is committed to the path of peaceful development and an open strategy of win-win progress.

However, there are always people who describe China as a threat and suspect that China has some hidden schemes.

China dreams of development, not hegemony. It is the Chinese dream to focus on development, make people have a prosperous and peaceful life and make greater contributions to world peace and development.

GT: More and more Western media are saying that China has become tougher in international affairs. Is that true?

Le: Chinese leaders have made their position clear on many occasions. If one harms the interests of others, but take the legitimate actions of others as "tough," this is neither logical nor reasonable.

One scholar said that, in the past 60 years, China spent the first 30 years solving the problem of "being beaten" and the next 30 years solving the "starvation" problem. In the near future, we have to face the problem of "being scolded," even if China has done nothing wrong.

China welcomes objective and frank criticism for real problems. On many issues, such as climate change, Sino-African cooperation and so on, China did make contribution, but suffered from groundless accusation and denigration.

This happens because some Western media, which hold the international voice, always use the unfair standards to evaluate China.