Meeting the Challenges: A Historical Record of China’s Development—Speeches by Wen Jiabao at the World Economic Forum Events

2. Premier Wen Answers Questions at the Opening Ceremony

17 PREMIER WEN ANSWERS QUESTIONS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY (6 September 2007, Dalian) On 6 September 2007, Premier Wen Jiabao attended the opening ceremony of the first annual meeting of the Summer Davos Forum and answered questions from the audience. Q: Premier Wen, China is now at a pivotal stage in its long history as various reforms have been initiated and carried forward. These reforms, if implemented successfully, will enable China to enter a new phase of development and they will lay a foundation for its long-term growth. When historians in the future look back at our current period, what will they identify as the defining characteristics of this period of reform? Wen Jiabao: China’s recent reforms involve profound economic and social changes and there are several key characteristics defining the current period of reform. Economically, China’s traditional planned economy is being transformed into a socialist market economy. MeetingTheChallengesEN_FA02_17Dec2013.indd 17 MeetingTheChallengesEN_FA02_17Dec2013.indd 17 19/12/13 11:25 AM 19/12/13 11:25 AM MEETING THE CHALLENGES 18 The country’s closed and semi-closed economy is being transformed into an open economy. Our goal is to fully unlock productivity and improve the material and cultural life of the Chinese people. Politically, the expansion of democracy and the refinement of the legal system have promoted social equity, justice, and harmony. Reforms in these two areas are interconnected and indivisible. I believe that when historians look back at this period, they will say that today’s reform was a major step that China, a country both old and new, took along the path of reform. As an old Chinese saying goes, “Although Zhou was an ancient state, it had a reform mission.”1 Reform has accompanied China’s socialist modernization process and will determine the country ’s future and destiny. Q: The Chinese economy has been traditionally led by the state-owned enterprises (SOEs). However, current domestic reforms to restructure the SOEs and the international shift of power from the incumbents to the new business champions are fundamentally reshaping China’s economic landscape. How do you see entrepreneurs contributing to China’s economic and social development in the years ahead? Wen Jiabao: Due to the carrying out of the reforms and readjustments, China’s state-owned enterprises have become more vibrant and competitive . At the same time, a number of rapidly-growing enterprises have emerged in high-tech sectors, such as information and communications technologies, biotechnology, aviation and space technologies, and energy-saving and environment-friendly technologies. Entrepreneurs can make a special contribution to China’s economic and social development in the areas of technological and institutional innovation. To stay ahead of competitors, entrepreneurs must make constant innovations to secure leading positions in emerging technological sectors. China requires a large number of these successful entrepreneurs to MeetingTheChallengesEN_FA02_17Dec2013.indd 18 MeetingTheChallengesEN_FA02_17Dec2013.indd 18 19/12/13 11:25 AM 19/12/13 11:25 AM 2007 SUMMER DAVOS FORUM 19 drive economic development and prosperity. Chinese entrepreneurs should have a strong sense of responsibility to the country and to the people, to build the world’s leading enterprises, and to contribute to China’s coordinated and sustainable economic and social development. Q: From the vantage point of the World Economic Forum, I recognize that the most successful leaders from businesses or governments are increasingly required to take a global perspective and act as global citizens. Premier Wen, what do you think are the most important qualities that global leaders should possess? Wen Jiabao: First, they must have a vision. As leaders, they should closely follow both present and future trends in global economic and technological development. They should make sound decisions. They should be smart and decisive. Second, leaders must be good at seizing opportunities. As Goethe wrote in Faust, “One notes each favorable moment.2 Opportunity’s about…be ardent!” Third, leaders must be committed to reform. As champions of innovation, they should, as a Chinese saying goes, “fear not upheavals in heaven, follow not ancient laws, and worry not about opposition from others.”3 Fourth, leaders must not evade responsibility. They should forge ahead against all odds and persevere in the face of difficulties and setbacks. They should shoulder their responsibilities. Q: What reforms currently under way in China will have the greatest significance for global growth companies doing business here? Wen Jiabao: First, we are committed to the policy of opening-up...