AMBASSADOR SHAH: Chinese Mission to the United Nations at Geneva headquarters : “Beijing 2008 will benefit the further development of human rights"

• China will remain a sincere and equal friend of Africa. • The year 2005 is the year of the Rooster. It is meant to be a year of prosperity. • There is only one China in the world. • There is only one China in the world • The Olympic Games Beijing 2008 will benefit the further development of human rights in China. Dear Ambassador, what is the meaning of the New Year celebration for Chinese people? Each year is dedicated to an animal. Would you like to tell us the significance of that symbol?

The Chinese New Year, which is also called the Spring Festival, falls on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month. It originated in the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC to 1100 BC) from the people’s sacrifice to gods and ancestors at the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. The Chinese New Year is the most important occasion for family members to get together. It is also an occasion for the Chinese people to celebrate the start of the spring, pray for a year of hope and bumper harvests.

The Chinese calendar is based on sexagenary cycles. The sexagenary system uses 10 numbers in the “first” (or heavenly stem) positions and 12 numbers in the “second” (or earthly branch) positions. These make up a total of 60 numbers. To make it easier for memorization, each of the 12 numbers in the second (earthly branch) is also represented by an animal. The 12 animals are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

The year 2005 is the year of the Rooster. It is meant to be a year of prosperity. On this happy occasion, I would like to express my good wish to our African friends, and sincerely hope that the friendship and cooperation between China and Africa will yield a good harvest in the year.

Could you inform us about the relationship between Africa and China?

Although geographically far apart, China and Africa enjoy a time-honored friendship. China is a staunch supporter of the African people in their struggle for independence and development.

It will, as always, give them support and assistance within its capability, without attaching any political strings. China will remain a sincere and equal friend of Africa.
China and Africa have given support and assistance mutually. China appreciates the long-standing support from Africa on many issue, including the Taiwan question and human rights issue.

Yes, the greater solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa serve the common and long-term interests of the Chinese and African people.

The Chinese leaders and Government have always attached great importance to developing friendly relations and cooperation with African countries. Both President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have visited Africa. This fully demonstrates the importance that the new Chinese leadership attaches to China-Africa relations, and their desire for deeper friendship and broader cooperation between China and Africa. I believe that the year 2005 will inject fresh vigour and vitality to the traditional China-Africa friendship and bring the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Africa to a new high.

Some African countries have recognized the Republic of Taiwan. Beijing did not like it. Is it that these countries have no right to develop their relations with whom they like? What is the problem?

It is known to all that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the only government that represents China. This principle is recognized by the international community and has been written into the United Nations resolutions.

According to international law, a sovereign state can only be represented by a single central government. As a part of China, Taiwan has no right to represent China in the international community, nor can it establish diplomatic ties or enter into relations of an official nature with foreign countries. Nevertheless, the Chinese Government has not objected to non-governmental economic or cultural exchanges between Taiwan and foreign countries.

The Taiwan authority has been practicing an unscrupulous policy of bribery diplomacy in the international community, attempting to create “two Chinas” and “one China, one Taiwan” so as to realize its political goal of “Taiwan independence”.

Such separatist activities have damaged the fundamental interests of all Chinese people including our Taiwan compatriots.

To a country, nothing is more important and more sacred than safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is the sacred right of each and every sovereign State and a fundamental principle of international law to safeguard national unity and territorial integrity. The Charter of the United Nations specifically stipulates that the United Nations and its members shall refrain from any action against the territorial integrity or political independence of any of its Members or any State and shall not intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State.

China and Africa share the similar history of fighting for national independence and unity. China fully understands the desire and supports the struggle of our African friends for national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is our sincere hope that, our African friends also understand and support China’s cause for national reunification.

Your country will host the 2008 Olympic Games. What do you feel? Is it an honor or a challenge for China?

In 2008, China will host the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing. The Games will help promote the economic and social progress of the country and benefit the further development of its human rights, promote the exchange of China’s culture with other cultures. It will mark a major step forward in the spreading of Olympic ideals. I am confident that Beijing will organize an excellent Game in 2008 and the Games in Beijing will leave a unique legacy to China and to sport.

Hosting the Games is not only an honor but also an opportunity for China. To meet the requirements of Olympic 2008, many new stadiums and sport facilities are being constructed. Beijing is developing a highly efficient transport system. It is also aiming to host a green Olympic Games, to make the great event not only a Game of high technology, a presentation of sporting spirit, but also a Game for sustainable environment.

I cordially welcome friends from all over the world to Beijing in 2008, to celebrate an event for sports, humanity, understanding and unity.

Can you explain to us the secrets of Chinese new development?

The period since China’s reform and opening up has been a period of unprecedented rapid development, huge progress and profound transformation in history. From 1979 to 2003, China registered a 9.4% annual growth rate for its national economy, 7% for people’s consumption level and 16% for total import and export volume. China has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Its GDP in 2004 was US$ 1.65 trillion, a 9.5% year-on-year growth, and its total import and export volume exceeded US$ 1.15 trillion, ranking the third in the world.

The sustained rapid development of China’s economy is attributable to several important factors. First, stability. This is the single most important factor, without which, no country can develop. Second, we chose the development road that is tailored to our national conditions, namely, “building socialism with Chinese characteristics”.

I don’t think there is a “one-size-fits-all” strategy in our colourful and diversified world. Third, reform and opening to the outside world. This policy has been pursued for more than two decades with great success.

I wish to emphasize that, we are happy to share with others our development experience, but will not teach or preach. We are ready to learn from others, but not to be lectured or preached to. We are our own masters.