China Financial Daily

Kissinger: China’s leaders are looking very optimistic
Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger today the first global think tank in the opening ceremony of the summit made a speech. Financial fax broadcast to the whole video, the following is the full text of a speech recording:

Kissinger:

Deputy Prime Minister, Italian Prime Minister, ladies and gentlemen.

Think tank, the summit is very simple idea, but also very important, I ask, the Who had the idea before it, so I would like to congratulate the organizers, to make such an idea, in the course of the financial crisis to be held this summit, is to determine from the results of a new political direction. At present, at the same time facing a series of new developments in the context of the economic crisis in the international politics of the countries in the European nation-state are decreasing, and it has been made in the economy greater consistency, so this is in international relations new factor. The Soviet Union has disappeared, it is a threat to the world the international system and the new Russia, to make it into the international community, this is a new challenge is faced by each of us new challenges. In the Islamic world, a political organization Jihad has played its due role.

All of these took place, that they will have new problems to deal with a series of global approach, as well as environment, climate, arms proliferation, energy. In the context of such an environment, the world needs not only these problems, but also the financial crisis, there is one reason the crisis is one of the world economic globalization, but a political organization is regional, or national level. Therefore, in the economic system can not play a role in good time, as if now we have seen every country must be at the national level to deal with this problem, but how can cooperation and coordination of these actions, and at the same time, a global response, which is in fact we are facing very big challenges.

There are three issues here are all facing.

I, as a result of this financial crisis brought about by an unknown risks, how long the financial crisis in the end, it will be deep in the end, it has other consequences of what will you again? All of these issues now have a lot of controversy, there is the danger of deflation, or the danger of inflation, the recession will be very short? The recession will not last very long? Is L-or V-or U-? We could hear all kinds of stories, on this issue there will be many different conclusions.

Second, the so-called risk opportunities. State how to solve some short-term emergency issues, which means there will be some long-term deal with the impact and consequences of it, not just themselves, but for all other countries. How can these urgent problems and important issues together.

Third, there is no expected consequences brought about by a number of risks. The so-called solution to the crisis at the national level is taken, there may be some protectionist tendencies, sometimes people will open against the amendment. In November last year, the Group of 20 is also passed a resolution to oppose the practice of protectionism, but come in after the fact, already 17 countries have participated in the G20, has taken a number of new trade control measures. There may be others not expected to result, each country will come to resolve their own difficult issues faced in this process may have a tendency to nationalism, which is we have not anticipated.

So we know something, one or all of the country through this crisis, there will be change, no country will not change, all countries need to make adjustments to the challenge lies in the fact that we must have an agreed framework for co-ordination. Second, the new and the old way of doing things is not the same as in the crisis after the end, some will return to the old way, some people say that we will end the crisis after the return to the original look. But I do not agree with this point, many traditional economists would say that there is debate on the solutions is to allow the United States less consumption, and China wants to increase consumption. Many Chinese policy in this direction, it is necessary to encourage domestic consumption. But at the same time we also have to study if the United States to reduce consumption, which depends on exports for those countries that there will be what impact, if China increases its consumption, and what effect this will have? China’s domestic economy, what kind of impact will be. As for China and other countries what kind of economic impact, these will be what kind of impact.

I will not say that I am here to answer all these questions, I made a lot of problems. I ask these questions is to explain why the convening of the summit so important, so that at the meeting to exchange ideas on how to overcome the crisis. This is in fact the role of think tanks is very unique.

I have worked as a professor, but also had been the decision-makers, so I am very aware of the view point of difference. There are many professors of the time, he would like to spend time to study how many problems can be, and can draw their own conclusions. However, policy makers, the time pressure he is very great, he must be very limited in time to make a decision. Professor of only his own conscience, he could change his mind. Decision-makers that there is only one opportunity to make a decision, can not say that he made a mistake, it is necessary to change direction immediately. This gap between the gap and how to make up for, intellectuals, professors have the knowledge and decision-makers are facing pressure, this conflict is also a social one of the challenges faced.

Here, I would also like to congratulate the organizers of the conference, first of all, the creation of the China International Economic and Exchange Center, the system can solve this problem, in China, as well as in China and other parts of the world the relationship between countries and regions. My first visit to China in 1957, I have witnessed many changes in China. For me, if there are any people in that time, when in 1957 told me that Beijing is now like this, I certainly do not believe that because China has witnessed so much change, so I am the future of China has a huge confidence, as well as the future, China will be able to make a contribution.

This time I have been here a few days, if in the academic forum to discuss issues concerning China, there are some need to be addressed in other countries like China, have some kind of problem. Chinese leaders are very optimistic attitude and is very forward-looking. Such an attitude is that we now need to overcome the crisis which is very important to us, this is the only way to achieve true human dreams and ideals. So I want to thank the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr President, for organizing this meeting are very grateful for giving me an opportunity to speak at the opening ceremony. Of all these friends have all expressed gratitude to meet friends.