April 27, 2012　　

　　Honorable Governor of Bulawayo Province,　　

　　Professor Ndlovu, Vice Chancellor of National University of Science and Technology,　　

　　Dear professors and students,　　

　　Ladies and Gentlemen, 　　

　　Good Morning! I should say nice to meet you again, I still remember last year in August I was here to attend the official launch of the Institute of Development Studies in NUST. I was quite impressed by your beautiful campus, diligent teachers and intelligent students. Thank you once again for inviting me to make a speech in this glorious university. It is a pity that next month I will finish my mission and leave Zimbabwe. So I’m much honored to have this opportunity to share my thoughts on the outlook of China’s development, its future and other topics. Since many of you present today are the successful experts on the international relations or economy, I sincerely hope my speech today could open a window for you to know a true China. 　　

　　Recently there are some pessimistic voices and comments on China’s decline, or a hard landing for China’s economy, even the dark future of China. I think it is quite normal to have different opinions on China’s economy, since China have been one of the main engines of global economic growth and the second biggest economy in the world. A little “cold” of China’s economy might bring a “cough” of the world’s economy. Therefore, today my address will mainly focus on three items: 1, A True China and Its Economic Miracle; 2, China’s policy in 2012 and Its Bright future; 3, China and Africa; 4, China and Zimbabwe.　　

　　1, a True China and Its Economic Miracle   　　

　　As we all know, since China conducted reform and opening-up, China’s economy has maintained over 30 years of 10% annual growth. In addition, China has emerged as the world’s second largest economy and the second largest trading nation. China has attracted over 700 billion US dollars of foreign investment over the past decade. China has managed to feed one fifth of the world’s population with only 7% of the world’s arable land, 300 million people have been lifted out of poverty, enjoying political and social stability. 　　

　　It’s clear that 2011 was a year of continued turbulence for the world economy. The developed economies performed poorly and their growth and recovery were weak amid the spiraling debt crisis in America and Europe. What is certain is that in the post-crisis era, the world economy will face more uncertainties and complex challenges.　　

　　As some of you may know, 2011 was the 10th anniversary of China’s entry into the World Trade Organization and the first year of China’s 12th Five-Year Plan. The Chinese government took effective measures, strategically accelerated the transformation of the pattern of economic development and successfully maintained its economic growth. Let me show you some highlights of the aggregate economy in China.　　

　　In 2011, China’s GDP is US$7.5 trillion up 9.2% than last year. Government Revenue is US$1.65 trillion up 24.8%. Grain output is 571.21 million tones with an 8-year growth in a row, a record of 5-year above 500 million tones. Total Value of Trade in Goods is US$3.64 trillion up 22.5% with the export up 20.3%, import up 24.9%.The Utilized Foreign Investments is US$116 billion up 9.72% over the same period last year. Rural Net Income Per Capita grew up 11.4% in real term. Urban Disposable Incomes per capita grew up 8.4% in real term. The above data implies a well positioned Chinese economy, with well-paced growth, stabilized prices, sustainable efficiency and improved standard of living. 　　

　　A few days ago, I watched a news about China’s economy cool off on CNN. It compared a number of data about China’s quarterly GDP. The GDP growth in the four quarters in 2011 and in the first quarter of 2012 show slight decline from 9.7%, 9.5%, 9.1%, 8.9% to 8.4%. These results were largely attributed to the macro economic control of Chinese government, and of course the weak global economic recovery is also a driving factor of these declines. A “hard landing” in China will not happen, a policy of “fine tuning” by the Chinese government is underway. This means macroeconomic management is more focused and flexible so as to effectively prevent crisis. More important, China’s growth potential is strong and shouldn’t be underestimated. 　　

　　China is a large and responsible member of the global community. In this role, China has contributed to world economic development. China’s 10 years of WTO membership saw its annual imports grow by nearly 100 billion US dollars. 　　

　　All the evidence proves that China’s economy is still walking on a stable and sustainable path.　　

　　2, China’s policy in 2012 and Its Bright future　　

　　Turning to 2012, the New Year looks just as challenging as 2011. The downside pressure is mounting in both China and elsewhere in the world. The world economy is likely to slow down further. In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF cut the global growth forecast. In addition, the report highlighted the threat of the Eurozone debt crisis to the world economy. China is certainly not immune to global economic uncertainties. In addition, China must also confront its problems at home. We need to tackle the unbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable elements in the economy. There is downward pressure on economic growth, while consumer prices are still high. Some enterprises, especially small and micro businesses are encountering difficulties. Potential risks in the financial industry cannot be ignored either. 　　

　　However, China’s policy is firm and clear. Firstly China will deliver macroeconomic stability and at the same time seek sustainable growth through ambitious structural reform. Secondly China will focus on steady growth, keep a tight control on inflation, and maintain social stability. At the same time, China will seize opportunities to further transform its growth model. 　　

　　During the fifth session of China’s 11th National People’s Congress in Beijing last month, Premier Wen Jiabao delivered the Report on the Work of the Government and announced overall economic goals for 2012 as follows: 　　

　　First, a realistic economic growth target has been set at 7.5% for 2012, after a comprehensive consideration of possible slower economic growth for a meaningful period and external market downturn in the short term. It is also consistent with the overall target of 7% for the 12th Five-Year Plan. This signals China’s structural transformation towards the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of the economic development. 　　

　　Secondly, a proactive fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy will remain the core of the macro-economic control. In so doing, economic growth is expected to remain balanced and within inflation target. With that, China will strive to improve people’s standard of living and support small-micro private businesses, guard against the potential risks in the financial sector and constrain the real estate market. 　　

　　Thirdly, China will accelerate the transformation of economic pattern to an “organic growth” with a focus on the strengthening of the real economy and the reinforcement of a balanced, coordinated and sustainable growth. We will restructure the economy by shifting the balance away from relatively cheap exports and more toward increased domestic consumption; we will encourage indigenous innovation and technology, no longer merely “made in China” but “created in China” We will also rebalance regional disparities by government support, such as favorable policies and encouraging collaboration between developing and developed regions. 　　

　　Fourthly, China will strive to improve people’s living standards overall. We will do everything we can to address public concerns about jobs, welfare and public services. We will give greater priority to job creation, education, medical services, social security, and public housing programs in overall budget allocations. Funding and planning will be designed to deliver equal access to public services for all. 　　

　　The above noted four core goals are China’s primary economic focuses in the near term.　　

　　China is committed to an opening-up policy and a win-win strategy for the world. In the 12th Five Year Plan period from 2011 to 2015, the aim of China will be to import a total of 8 trillion US dollars in goods and services. 　　

　　Therefore, we have enough confidence about China’s future.　　

　　3, China and Africa　　

　　Turning to China-African relations, our cooperation has a long history. During the time of African countries struggle to independence, China had provided material and spiritual assistance to this continent. During the past decade, no matter how the international situation changes, China-African friendship remains as vigor as before. We have built over 2,000 kilometers of rail line, more than 3,000 kilometers of highway, over 100 schools and 60 hospitals in Africa. 　　

　　According to the White Paper of China’s Peaceful Development issued last year, by the end of 2009, China had given assistance worth RMB 256.3 billion, nearly 40 billion US to 161 countries and over 30 international and regional organizations. China had reduced and canceled 380 debts incurred by 50 heavily indebted poor countries and least-developed countries, trained 120,000 people for other developing countries, and sent 21,000 medical personnel and nearly 10,000 teachers abroad to help other countries. China encourages the least-developed countries to expand exports to China and has pledged zero tariff treatment to over 95% of the exports to China by all the least-developed countries which have diplomatic relations with China. Most of the beneficiaries are African countries.　　

　　In recent years, apart from aid, we have made more investment and run more joint-production programs in Africa.  The trade between China and Africa reached an all-time high of US 150 billion in 2011, with African exports to China amounting to US 66.9 billion, an increase of 54.5 percent year-on-year.Meanwhile, China has become Africa’s largest trading partner and contributes over 20 percent to the continent’s economic growth.  　　

　　The relationship between China and Africa is a new strategic partnership, based on the principles of sincerity, friendship, and mutual benefit on an equal footing, and has emerged as a role model for South-South cooperation, which has nothing to do with neocolonialism. 　　

　　Moreover, the fast growing ties between China and Africa have made the whole international community pay attention to Africa’s development, which in turn is conducive to helping Africa win more international assistance.  　　

　　Relations between China and Africa will inevitably meet challenges and contradictions amid the complex international situation, but as long as the two sides are willing to listen to each other and exclude outside voices, more win-win opportunities will be created that bring greater benefits to both peoples.  　　

　　4, China and Zimbabwe　　

　　Ladies and Gentlemen,　　

　　Please allow me to give a briefing about China-Zimbabwean relations. Yesterday, I attended China-Zimbabwe Investment Conference co-hosted by Zimbabwe Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Ministry. A 170-member delegation of Chinese businesspeople is visiting Zimbabwe to explore trade and investment opportunities and attend the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. The Conference was very successful; the businesspeople from our two countries exchanged the ideas and discussed the cooperation projects. As the Chinese Ambassador, I am very happy to witness the economic relations between our two countries blossomed in all areas during my mission term in the past over 2 years. 　　

　　I am proud to say that China and Zimbabwe enjoy a profound traditional friendship. For a long time, our two people have enjoyed mutual sympathy, mutual respect and mutual support. Our bilateral relations have developed rapidly in the past three decades. We enjoyed frequent high-level exchanges, deepening political mutual trust. Only last year, there are more than 50 ministerial level delegation visited Zimbabwe, and more than 20 Zimbabwean Ministers and above visited China. In the early of this month, our Vice Premier Hui Liangyu successfully visited Zimbabwe, having good meetings with national leaders from different parties, signing a number of deals to fund multimillion US projects in Zimbabwe. China is implementing its commitment to our good friend, brother and parter. In economic area, we enjoyed satisfying results in mutual-beneficial cooperation. Bilateral trade volume reached more than US 800 million last year. Win-win cooperation in the areas such as mining, agriculture, and infrastructure harvested good results. The Chinese companies like Anjin jointed-ventured company did not only created thousands of jobs for local people, but also shouldered strong social responsibility building resettlement project for free. The following-up measures of FOCAC carried out smoothly. Two-primary schools, Agriculture Demonstration Center had handed over to Zimbabwe; the Orphanage school, solar power project, borehole drilling project are also underway. Cultural and human resources exchanges also gain fruitful results. The all weather friendship between our two countries brings tangible benefits to our two peoples.　　

　　Although I am going to leave Zimbabwe, I believe the relation of China and Zimbabwe will reach a new level and achieve a bigger success.　　

　　At the end of my address, I would like to say China has enough confidence and strong commitment to maintain its economic miracle and benefit the world at large. The relation between China and Africa will definitely become stronger and stronger. So let us be optimistic and hopeful about the future!　　

　　Thank you! Tatenda!