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Full text of Premier Wen's speech at 2009 Summer Davos

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-11 02:35

We should make better livelihood for the people the supreme goal of our work and make greater efforts to improve the social safety net and develop social programs. Our ultimate goal in overcoming the global financial crisis is to build a strong country while improving the livelihood of the people, meet the people's ever-growing material and cultural needs and bring about a better life for the people. We will implement a more proactive employment policy and take all possible measures to create jobs. We will put in place a sound social safety net that covers more people, improve the old-age pension, medical care and unemployment benefit programs, raise the pooling level and increase the welfare benefits. We will develop a wide range of social programs covering education, medicine, health, arts and sports and promote equal access to basic public services. We will do all we can to ensure that all our people enjoy their rights to education, employment, medical and old-age care, and housing.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The world economy is undergoing profound changes and transition. The future and destiny of all countries are more closely interconnected than at any time in history. We should be more forward-looking and more broad-minded. To promote world harmony and prosperity, I propose that we make concerted efforts in the following areas:

First, tackle climate change. Climate change is a common challenge confronting the entire mankind. Each and every country, enterprise and individual should assume a due share of responsibility in meeting the challenge. China takes this issue very seriously. We have developed the national program on tackling climate change, increased resources for scientific research and taken aggressive steps to adjust the industrial structure with a view to saving energy and reducing pollutants. Through three years of hard work, our energy consumption per unit of GDP has dropped by10%, and SO2 and COD emissions declined by 9% and 6.6%. Further steps are being taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Stronger international cooperation is crucial for addressing climate change. It is important for us to conduct extensive dialogue and practical cooperation in line with the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. We should take into full account the basic national conditions, stage of development, historical responsibility and percapita emission of different countries in carrying out such cooperation and uphold the framework of sustainable development and the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities". Developed countries should recognize their historical responsibility as well as their high per capita emissions, substantially cut greenhouse gas emissions, and extend financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing countries in their effort to tackle climate change. Developing countries, on their part, should exert themselves and make positive contributions to the fight against climate change.

Second, oppose trade and investment protectionism. Protectionism will only delay world economic recovery and ultimately hurt the interests of the businesses and people of all countries. With the shadow of the global financial crisis still lingering, the international community must not waver in its resolve or slacken its efforts against protectionism. It is all the more inadmissible to say one thing while doing just the opposite. We must guard against and redress all forms of covert protectionist activities. As an active participant in economic globalization, China will never engage in trade or investment protectionism. We mean what we say and we honor our word with real action. For example, we sent several trade and investment promotion missions to Europe and the United States in the raging times of the financial crisis to purchase goods and boost investment cooperation. We have kept our commitment and we look forward to joint actions from all other countries.

Third, promote sustainable recovery of the world economy. The impact of the crisis is as strong as ever and is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. A nascent economic recovery needs our care, just as a green shoot needs sunshine and water. Countries should increase consensus, strengthen coordination of macro-economic policies, pursue responsible fiscal and monetary policies that fit their national conditions and maintain the consistency of the macro-economic policies. We should accelerate reform of the international financial system, intensify international cooperation on financial regulation, establish an effective early-warning and crisis management system, increase transparency of financial markets and raise the capacity to fend off and respond to potential risks so as to bolster financial stability and sustainable economic growth.

Fourth, protect intellectual property rights (IPR). IPR protection is vital to driving innovation and development. To safeguard IPR is to safeguard the source strength of innovation. It is important for the international community to jointly improve capacities for IPR creation, application, protection and management and build a balanced and effective IPR protection system on the basis of respecting the national conditions of all countries and accommodating the interests of all parties, especially those of developing countries, and through dialogue and cooperation under the principle of equality and mutual benefit. China stands firm on IPR protection. We will continue to implement our national IPR strategy, take strong measures to foster a legal, market and cultural environment for IPR protection, see to it that all fruits of innovation be respected and rewarded and translate inventions and discoveries of all kinds into real forces of production.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the early stage of the global financial crisis, I called for confidence, as confidence is more important than gold and currency. At the most difficult stage of fighting the financial crisis, I called for hope, as hope is the source of strength. At this critical juncture of countering the financial crisis, I called for perseverance, as perseverance will lead us to final victory. The dark cloud of the financial crisis will disperse. Let us work together for a more splendid future.

Thank you.

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