Dominique De Villepin, Former Prime Minister of France——China Stands Ready to Be a Responsible Member of the World Family
I think that it’s an important point that in order to discuss on the current world strategy in a better way, we need to combine all factors. The world economy and politics are getting increasingly inter-dependent and we've seen many political risks arising out of economy. I would like to share three factors with you.
First, declining oil price has made many countries stressed because their reliance on oil income, such as the harsh economic condition in Iran. What the Finance Minister of Iran said is worse than that during the Iran-Iraq War. Besides that, Syria is also struggling with a similar scenario, including regional political tension and international process. Nigeria is also faced with a terrible moment. This year is an election year. Their security forces couldn't control unrest regions
in the north. The government of Venezuela in South America is also living with a severe turmoil.
Second, the economic landscape in Europe is bad. Such issues as debts of North Europe and Greek become a big political and economic difficulty, calling for great support from South European countries. The new leader of Greece is faced with issues. The election of Spain will be held in March towards such a direction. This also invites some risks. The EU and the United Kingdom will also witness some major changes.
Third, all countries in the world are faced with unequal wealth distribution. The globalization of each country has made this problem worsening. One percent of the richest people in the world possess half of the global wealth, which leads to social turmoil and political instability. This year, we also find that many major economic risks are caused by political tensions, including the crisis of Russia.
In this connection, we are expected to combine these political and economic factors. I want to share with you a shining example, that is, China's New Silk Road "One Belt One Road" policy. This is the first world-class large investment. China has been export-driven in the past thirty years. This is a great Marshall Plan expanding to the whole world with a major political influence. China will prove in these regions that China stands ready to become a responsible member of the world family.
Similarly, China will build on the exchange of local currencies with us and enter into financial cooperation and integration in Asia. This is crucial and could transform the development of the "21st-Century New Silk Road Economic Belt" in Central Asia, the Middle East and Russia