On 24^th June 2009, H.E. Mme. Tong Xiaoling, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam, received an exclusive interview on the international financial crisis, cross-Taiwan Strait relations, Influenza A/H1N1, China's post-earthquake reconstruction, and China-Brunei relations. Attached herewith is the script of the interview.

 

Script of the Exclusive Interview by Borneo Bulletin with

H.E. Mme. Tong Xiaoling,

Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam  

24^th June 2009

 

Q I: Your Excellency, the world has been haunted by an unprecedented financial crisis and many countries are suffering from radical nosedives in import and export, domestic consumption and even stock market. But, against the huge backlash, China seems to be the only country whose economy is booming. What's behind this miracle?

A: Thanks for your confidence in China's economy. As H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of China's State Council, said, confidence is more valuable than gold under the context of global financial crisis. To fight the crisis, China has announced a package of stimulus plans covering four aspects. The first is an RMB 4-trillion-Yuan (US$588 billion) economic stimulus and tax cuts; the second involves revitalising ten key industries, the third is technical upgrading, and the fourth is building a comprehensive social security network. Facts have proven that those stimulus plans are correct and effective. Currently, investment growth in China keeps accelerating, consumption maintains a steady increase, and domestic demand plays a stronger role in boosting economic growth. The financial market is stable, and investors' confidence is stronger. In a word, the overall economic performance of China has started to show positive changes.

For this year, China has set up a target of a GDP growth of 8%. Judging from the indicators of the first four months, I do believe the target will be met. Just now, you mentioned the word "miracle". I think behind the miracle, there are the strong and effective leadership of the Chinese government and the endeavors of a population of 1.3 billion---that will be a colossal market demand.

To achieve our economic target, China will continue with a pro-active fiscal policy and moderately relaxed monetary policy. The Chinese government will spend more resources in public housing programs, and the pension system and healthcare reform, so as to boost the domestic demand and create a better life for its people. Moreover, China will make joint efforts with the international community to strengthen pragmatic cooperation and surmount the crisis.

Q II: Many Bruneian Chinese originate from Kinmen, so they are quite interested in the relations across the Taiwan Strait. Recently, I saw both Mr. Wu Poh-hsiung, Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman, and Ms. Chen Chu, Kaohsiung Mayor have visited Mainland China. Your Excellency, how do you assess the current relations between China's Mainland and Taiwan?

A: Since May last year, cross-Strait relations have seen historic changes and breakthroughs, and entered a period of peaceful development. On the basis of the "1992 Consensus", talks were resumed between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, yielding a series of important outcomes and bringing tangible benefits to Chinese on both sides of the Strait. In the meantime, the Chinese Government has properly resolved a number of issues, including Taiwan's attendance at this year's World Health Assembly (WHA) under the name of "Chinese Taipei" as an observer.

I would like to stress here that however the cross-Strait relations may evolve, the Chinese Government remains committed to the one China policy and opposed to "one China, one Taiwan", "two Chinas" or "Taiwan independence". This position will remain unchanged. We highly appreciate the firm commitment of His Majesty's Government to the one China policy over the years. The peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and the reunification of China will contribute to the stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. It will also enable the Chinese people on both sides of the Strait to make greater contributions to the mankind's cause of peace and development.

Recently, China's State Council has decided to create a new economic zone on the western side of the Taiwan Strait to promote cooperation between Fujian (Hockian) and Taiwan. The new economic zone faces the Taiwan Island across the Strait, and neighbors the Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta, two economic powerhouses on the mainland. Under the guidelines, China will speed up infrastructure construction in the area to meet the needs caused by the realization of direct flights, postal and shipping services across the Strait. I believe there will be many fresh business opportunities for Brunei and other ASEAN countries which enjoy a unique geoeconomic location to South China. So we welcome our Bruneian friends to invest and do business over there.

Q III: Now the Influenza A/H1N1 has hit many countries in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has increased the pandemic alert level to Phase VI. Besides, cases have been confirmed recently in Brunei. Your Excellency, what is the situation of this virus in China and how do you see that in Brunei?

A: I've been following the latest development of the HINI virus. It's understandable that the WHO has raised the alert level to Phase VI, indicating that a global pandemic is under way. However, I do not see any reason to panic about the virus, as we got to believe in the power of science. According to the WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan, no previous pandemic has been detected so early or watched real time right from the beginning. This is the very power of science.

The Chinese Government has learned a lesson from the SARS crisis in 2003 and established an effective and efficient health emergency response mechanism. Generally speaking, China's prevention and control measures conform to the international health regulations and its own laws, and the measures are pragmatic, proper and effective. Only a short time after the breakout of the Influenza A/H1N1, China developed a method for the instant diagnosis of possible cases. Early before the report of confirmed cases in China, China's Ministry of Health distributed nationwide a guideline of diagnosis for H1N1 virus and its variants, mandating the local authorities to train medical personnel as soon as possible. The focus now is laid on the prevention of domestic and community transmission. As of 22^nd June, there are 854 confirmed cases of Influenza A/H1N1 in China, including 441 in the Mainland, 348 in Hong Kong, 60 in Taiwan, and 5 in Macao. Also on the same day, a Chinese biotech company has successfully produced the first batch of vaccine against Influenza A/H1N1, which will go to clinical experimentation in June and will be put into real use possibly in September.

Brunei's first confirmed case was reported on June 20^th, and now 6 cases have been confirmed. It is notable that early before that, His Majesty's Government has done quite a lot to strengthen the border health control and kept Brunei flu-free for a very long time. After cases were confirmed, I do not see any panic in Brunei. The social order and people's life seem as usual as before. I think this is good evidence that the Bruneian society is quite mature, civilized and well-ordered. I believe under the strong leadership of His Majesty and his government, Brunei will overcome all the difficulties and win the fight against the Influenza A/H1N1. Brunei's Ministry of Health has sent two medical staff to participate in a training course held in Beijing last May. As a good neighbor and a close friend, China stands ready to cooperate with Brunei in the prevention and treatment of the Influenza A/H1N1.

Q IV: Over one year ago, a devastating earthquake hit China's Sichuan and other Provinces, causing huge casualties and loss of property. The Chinese Government has done a good job to fight the earthquake. Now, one year has passed, what's the latest progress of reconstruction in the earthquake-affected areas?

A: The earthquake, which struck China's Sichuan Province and its neighboring areas on May 12^th last year, left about 80,000 people dead or missing and caused immeasurable sufferings to the Chinese people. In the wake of the disaster, the Chinese Government decided to make May 12^th "Disaster Prevention and Reduction Day", starting from this year. And China held a ceremony last month to commemorate the 1^st anniversary of the earthquake and mourn the lost compatriots, to which President Hu Jintao attended and delivered a memorial speech.

For the past one year, China has committed itself to the post-quake reconstruction based on the principles of "putting people first and respecting nature" and has made remarkable achievements in rebuilding homes and public facilities including schools and hospitals, in industrial reconstruction and restructuring, as well as in cultural protection and environmental recovery. Actually, the reconstruction has been carried out more quickly than previously planned. According to the official statistics, China's central government has arranged RMB40 billion (US$5.9 billion) in government subsidies for farmers to rebuild their homes. China's banks have extended RMB172.4 billion (US$25.35 billion) loans for relief and reconstruction by the end of the first quarter of this year. Besides, deposits at banks in earthquake-hit provinces surged by 34.2% to RMB3.79 trillion (US$0.56 trillion) at the end of March, as funds were poured back into accounts of residents in the earthquake zone for reconstruction. We believe in a couple of years, new cities will be erected above the debris one after another and the earthquake-affected people will embrace an even better life with smiles shining again on their faces.

Q V: So much about the crisis, the pandemic, the earthquake, which are all unpleasant and heavy topics. Your Excellency, let's talk about something more pleasant. So what about the current Brunei-China relations?

A: Yes, China-Brunei relationship is indeed a pleasant topic especially in the context of global financial crisis or pandemic.

I mentioned on many occasions that 2008 is a very fruitful year in terms of Brunei-China relations, which is highlighted by frequent exchange of high-level visits. It can be said that China is the most-frequently-visited country by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and his royal family members, succeeding the UK, Malaysia and other few countries of traditional bonds. Brunei-China relations have entered the best period of development since their establishment of diplomatic ties, with which the Chinese side is very satisfied.

According to China's lunar calendar and zodiacs, this year is the Year of the Ox, which is a good sign for Brunei-China relations. From January to May, H.E. Mr. Zhou Tienong, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), H.E. Gen. Ge Zhenfeng, Deputy Chief of General Staff of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and H.E. Mr. Ma Rupei, Vice-President of Chinese Overseas Exchange Association visited Brunei.  Also in May, H.E. Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya, Brunei's Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, visited China. The two countries explored cooperation on rice cultivation and signed an MOU on Agricultural Cooperation. The most outstanding fact in Brunei-China relations is the bilateral trade volume which increased by 66% in the first 4 months of this year. China's import from Brunei even soared by 1,441% compared with the same period of last year. Frankly, we are quite inspired by these facts and optimistic about the future of Brunei-China relations.

Besides, I am also glad to learn that Radio Television Brunei is sending a filming team to China to commemorate the visit by Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan (Maharaja Karna) 601 years ago, and to cover Chinese Muslims' lives in the ancient and contemporary times. The Chinese Embassy will make its utmost efforts and help the Bruneian friends in finishing this grand project. I believe it will further promote the mutual understanding and elevate the traditional friendship between the two countries and their peoples.