Minister Steinmeier - AHKs

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Business Focus Cover Story August - September 2008 | 10 The German Chamber of Commerce in China Sino-German Dialogue Revived Steinmeier and Chinese officials inject new energy into bilateral relations The Dialogue on Urbanization © Goethe-Institut Peking / Jiang Ziwei German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier’s visit to China in mid- June reignited talks between the two countries. Stopping first in the capital, the foreign minister moved on to a Yangtze River boat tour, attended a conference on urbanization in Chongqing and visited the earthquake zone. During his visit, Minister Steinmeier covered topics ranging from business transparency to urbanization. Officials on both sides approached bilateral talks with a newfound enthusiasm and open, frank attitude. Officials Talk Policy Substance in Beijing In Beijing, Minister Steinmeier’s visit included meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the State Council’s highest-ranking foreign policy official, Dai Binguo. Premier Wen spent nearly twenty minutes detailing China’s effort to create transparent conditions for foreign business; in its legal framework, in intellectual property protection and in the ongoing opening of the country - efforts which the German foreign minister acknowledged gratefully later that day. Lengthy talks with China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi resulted in the fundamental recognition that the Sino-German relationship is of great importance. Calling the enhancement of bilateral relations “a top-priority item for both the Chinese and German governments” after the meetings, Minister Yang reinforced Minister Steinmeier’s assessment that future Sino-German dialogue would be “broad and resilient.” This improved outlook will allow both parties to handle issues such as visa requirements and perspectives on the Dalai Lama effectively. The Sino-German Strategic Dialogue at the Vice-Ministerial level on security and economic questions, and the Human Rights Talks will be resumed in the second half of 2008. Furthermore, the talks will be enhanced with new areas of discussion including climate change and cooperation on crisis spots in Africa. Implications for Global Policy Minister Steinmeier used his stay in Beijing to address broader foreign policy ideas on a global level. He coined the expression “Verantwor- tungspartnerschaft” (partnership in shouldering global responsibility) to characterize his view of future Sino-German relations concerning the environment, and political and economic issues associated with it. In a global foreign policy statement, Steinmeier called upon global powers to “re-measure the world.” He stated that upon doing so, it would become apparent that the formation of new economic and political blocks to replace the old would be counterproductive. He stressed the need for government and society everywhere to be “open and willing to modernize.” Such openness also entails “open dialogue between government and society, including the capacity for criticism,” although he warned that dialogue consisting only of criticism would quickly turn stale. Foreign Minister Consults Community Leaders In addition to talks with political leaders, Minister Steinmeier met several groups of the Beijing community. At a breakfast held at the German Embassy, he discussed various issues with 5 civilian leaders ranging from a university professor to a human rights lawyer. He fielded tough questions from students on capitalism, democracy, the depiction of China in the German media, and even the German chancellor herself at the China Foreign Affairs University. Finally, he attended the opening of two German art exhibits in Beijing. The exhibits represent the largest cooperation between German and Chinese museums ever – the ‘Gerhard Richter’ and ‘Living Landscapes’ exhibits at the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC). His discussions with community members aim to foster promising ties between the people of China and Germany on a social and cultural level. Chongqing Events Continue Candid Discourse In Chongqing, often dubbed the world’s largest municipality, the frank manner demonstrated in Beijing was continued during meetings between Secretary Bo Xilai and Minister Steinmeier. The two-day conference in Chongqing not only underlined the city’s role as a model for
The German Chamber of Commerce in China urban development, but also showed that cooperation between Chinese and German institutions, companies, universities and government entities is already well underway. Minister Steinmeier opened the ‘Chongqing Dialogue on Urbanization,’ a major event of the “Germany and China – Moving Ahead Together” series. During the events, former German Federal Minister Klaus Töpfer gave an insightful speech honoring Chongqing as the municipality that had brought industrialization to West China. However, industrialization brings both economic progress and environmental challenges with it. Steinmeier’s opening remarks analyzed the way in which the expressions “mega cities” and “urbanization” are often code words for problems rather than solutions. He stressed that in cases such as Chongqing, “urbanization becomes globalization under a magnifying glass.” Accordingly, global cooperation becomes vital to confront the challenges of urbanization. Steinmeier mentioned substantial investments from German companies in the region and indicated his willingness to accept Germany’s support in urban planning, calling it beneficial for the creation of “a livable environment for the people.” 50% of the municipality’s surface area is to become green. This advancement reflects the ideas of Prof. Ümüt Halik (Xinjiang University) who showed - based on the example of Urumqi - that regarding a city as an ecological system is a rather new but life-saving approach in our fast developing world. Mr. Martin Brudermüller (BASF) began the panel on “Visionary Long- Term Planning” by underlining the responsibility of urban planners, architects and designers to take environmental sustainability into consideration. In a later keynote, the German Chamber of Commerce in China • Beijing’s Jutta Ludwig pursued a complementary theme, arguing that private companies influenced the urban scene more than any other stakeholder with their decisions on location, staff and production facilities capacity. Enterprises must take responsibility, she said. Resource Management Plays a Key Role Focusing on the topic of urbanization, Minister Steinmeier acknowledged that responsible handling of resources is the job of both governments and companies. He specifically highlighted the importance of energy efficiency and water management. During the “Energy Efficiency and Transport” panel, Ulrich Walker (Daimler Northeast Asia) drew attention to the decreasing availability of resources at a time when the world’s population, and therefore demand for resources, is increasing. Panelists discussed possible solutions. Increasing fuel prices and providing energy-efficient vehicles was one strategy Jutta Ludwig in Chongqing © Goethe-Institut Peking/Jiang Ziwei proposed by Dr. Peter Kilgenstein (Bosch). Such efforts can be complesmented by the use of biodiesel and hydrogen-powered cars in future, as noted by Ren Xiaozhang (China Automotive Engineering Institute). The very nature of transportation networks is also not to be forgotten, as they play a key role in energy consumption rates. Dirk Hoke (Siemens) and Professor Shao Yiming (Traffic & Transport Institute of Chongqing Jiaotong University) pointed to better traffic and transport management, and advocated improving railway transport with an energy-saving mobility model. In another panel, “Environment and Water Protection”, moderator Claudia Wanner, (Financial Times Germany), involved the audience in a controversial discussion on the 4-action-plan (blue sky, green water, green land, serenity) introduced by Prof. Xu Zhonghua (Chongqing Water Resources Programming & Planning Institute). Participants debated various methods of implementing environmental protection programs. Dr. Roland Winkler (econet china), Prof. He Qiang (CQ Municipal Government Committee) and Nicolas Zuber (Herrenknecht) presented energy efficient alternatives like sustainable building technology, water transfer and urban planning schemes which integrate water supply sources. Steinmeier Visits Earthquake Epicenter Steinmeier praised the truly open and rapid manner in which the Chinese government handled the Sichuan earthquake, calling it a sign of “the true greatness of the Chinese nation.” Bo Xilai thanked Germany in his opening speech for the generous donations after the earthquake as well. Certainly German investment and know-how in infrastructure building will play an important role in the reconstruction of the earthquake zone. After offering the German people’s condolences for the victim’s of the disastrous earthquake again, Minister Steinmeier announced a German project which will construct 8 lighthouse schools in Dujiangyan, the hardest-hit area. German companies such as Bosch, ThyssenKrupp, BASF and Herrenknecht will take part along with the German government. Partner schools in Germany have already offered their patronage to these lighthouse schools, which are to offer safety of construction, topflight equipment, academic excellence and German language instruction. Before concluding his trip near the Sichuan earthquake’s epicenter, Steinmeier also visited a field hospital donated by the German Red Cross, and a site where workers of the German Technisches Hilfswerk were laboring to restore clean water to victims. Germany continues to support the reconstruction of the earthquake zone, and hopes that by working together the process can move forward as quickly as possible. Minister Steinmeier, Ambassador Schaefer and Ms. Gudrun Krögel-Schaefer Minister Yang, Minister Steinmeier, Dr. Roth Cover Story www.china.ahk.de 11 | August - September 2008 Business Focus
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