Luncheon Honoring PRC Premier Wen Jiabao
The Waldorf Astoria, New York
September 23, 2008
Dr. Chi Wang and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (Photo by Elsa Ruiz)
On September 23rd, the USCPF, in cooperation with ten other organizations, jointly hosted a luncheon in honor of Premier Wen Jiabao and his delegation during their visit to New York for the opening of the United Nations General Assembly. The event was held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan and was attended by approximately 500 distinguished guests and between 75 and 100 members of the press. Guests were drawn from each host organization’s membership and corporate sponsors as well as from the Chinese embassy, New York consulate general, U.N. mission, current and former senior federal, state, and city government officials, and other distinguished guests from think tanks and major organizations in the China field.
The Premier spoke to the audience about the tremendous importance of the Sino-American relationship for both China and the United States and outlined his goals for its continued development. Wen remarked on the significant progress that China-U.S. relationship has made since his first official visit to the United States in 2003. He pointed out the marked increase in communication between the two nations, saying that “there are now over 60 dialogue and consultative mechanisms between our two countries. The Strategic Economic Dialogue and the Strategic Dialogue have in particular played an important part in increasing strategic mutual trust between the two sides."
Wen emphasized that for China to achieve modernization and to build a strong, prosperous, and democratic country, its leaders must continue to embrace policies of reform and openness. He also sought to assuage any concerns about China’s growth as a threat to the international community, saying "China's development will not harm anyone, nor will it be a threat to anyone. China has taken an active part in the building of the international system and will not do anything to undermine it. China is a big responsible country."
With regard to the effects of the upcoming U.S. presidential election on the U.S.-China relationship, Wen said that China hopes to maintain and develop constructive and cooperative relations with the United States whoever becomes the next U.S. president.
Following his prepared remarks there was a brief question and answer period, during which the Premier addressed some of the recent concerns surrounding the safety of Chinese consumer products.
Ambassador Carla Hills, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and Mr. Gregory Brown, President and CEO of Motorola Co., also delivered brief remarks during the luncheon.
(Above: U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao welcomes Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Photo courtesy of Xinhua News Agency)
The event was organized by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and The U.S.-China Business Council in association with the following organizations: America-China Forum, Asia Society, Business Roundtable, China General Chamber of Commerce-USA, China Institute, Committee of 100, Council on Foreign Relations, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S.-China Policy Foundation.
Click here view a pdf transcript of the Premier's speech.
