Wu Jianmin, President of the China Foreign Affairs University,
attended two discussions and gave speeches during the five-day
World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting that kicked off in
January in Davos, Switzerland.
Upon his return from Davos, he wrote an article which was
published in the overseas edition of People's Daily on
February 4, sharing his insight in democracy, a hot issue of debate
in Davos.
The implications of the discussions concern the rise of China
and the evolving relations between China and the Western world,
according to Wu. Participants expressed anxiety over the
possibility that China would "carve up" the world as it grows
rapidly. Wu responded that China had never behaved in this fashion
and would not do so in the future although it was indeed quickly
getting stronger. The expert elaborated upon China's road of
peaceful development, open win-win strategy and prosperity for all
in his speeches.
Wu's speeches aroused widespread interest from the attendants
and democracy became a hot topic during the meetings. The head of
the Human Rights Watch argued that China was not a democratic
country; Wu clarified his positions against the contention.
"The achievement of democracy symbolizes human progress. We held
high the banner of democracy in revolutions. China is now pushing
ahead to build Chinese-style socialism and transforming the country
with prosperity, democracy, culture and harmony," Wu said.
China and the Western world exist under different conditions, so
China's democracy is different from that of the Western counties,
Wu continued.
Wu highlighted economic development and historical and cultural
backgrounds that promoted democracy. Democratic regimes in the
western World required hundreds of years to develop. The United
States proclaimed its independence in 1776 and the first
presidential election was held in 1789, with only 4 percent of its
citizens voting, because women, blacks and non-taxpayers did not
have the right to vote. American women were not given the right
until 1920. American blacks obtained their civil rights in
the1960s, he pointed out.
"'Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity' was proposed during the
French Revolution in 1789, but France gave women the right to vote
only in 1945, 156 years after the revolution. I am simply stating
the facts; I don't want to be hard on the US and France," Wu
said.
Wu was the only speaker who won applause during the discussions.
Not only many participants from developing countries, but also
others from developed countries approved of Wu's views on
democracy. The International Herald Tribune published excerpts from
his speeches.
The debates on democracy in Davos hold great significance. These
talks have proved that the world is reflecting upon democracy while
also undergoing profound changes, according to Wu.
(China.org.cn by Yang Xi, February 5, 2008)