Dialogue with H. K. Chang

• Source: Global Times
• [11:24 November 13 2009]
• Comments

H. K. Chang, Honorary Professor of Peking University & Tsinghua University, Former President and Emeritus Professor of City University of Hong Kong, Foreign Member of Royal Academy of Engineering (UK), Member of International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, CPPCC member (China), Gold Bauhinia Star and JP (Hong Kong SAR), Chevalier, Legion d’Honneur; Commandeur, Palmes Academiques (France)

Global Times: Barack Obama is the first US president to visit China in the first year of his term. High-level officials from both sides have interacted frequently in this year. Do you think it means that the US’ policy on China has changed? Is it Obama’s expedient measures due to the financial crisis?

Chang: I don’t know what the US government is thinking, but I think the very fact that President Obama is visiting China in his first year of his term indicates the increasing importance the US puts on its relationship with China. Of course, the whole world knows that the bilateral relationship between China and the US is now one of most important bilateral relationships in the world. I think the fact that President Obama is visiting China early in his term confirms this point.

For the second question, it certainly has some relevance to the financial crisis. Now both the US and China are under the challenge of the financial crisis, which was brought on from Wall Street. China is the reception of the challenge, but it has also taken a very decisive measure to counter the impact of the financial crisis. I think the US has also done a lot. If the two countries join hands in fighting the consequences of the financial crisis, it would be in the interests of both countries, and also other countries. Most importantly, I would like to mention the unemployment issue that is looming large in both countries. So, protectionism will not help either country in solving the problem of unemployment. Not only do we have to bring the balance sheet into a solvable situation, unemployment issue also needs to be looked at.