The following is a wonderful speech by Chen Qizong, Chairman of Hang Lung Group.

A big country must have a large territory and a large population, but it is not necessarily rich in resources; As long as the population is large, it can become a big country. Throughout the world, only a few countries and regions have the possibility of becoming big countries. The first is China, the second is India, and the third is the United States, Indonesia, Brazil and Russia. Although there are many people, Indonesia is a small place and it is not easy to become a big country. The other five countries do have this possibility. But we must not forget the EU. The EU is not a country, so it is hard to say whether it is a big country.

The word "rise" is hard to say. Historically, China was a big country for 4,000 years. Compared with Europe at the same time, China is also a powerful country. How can it go up? China has been a big country for thousands of years. Why do you say "the rise of China"? Quite simply, because China has been weak for 200 years, it will rise, or more accurately, not the rise of China, but the rise of China or China. China has a splendid civilization of 4,000 years, which is relatively successful. I know this question is controversial. But everyone says that there are four ancient civilizations, and the other three are not big countries today. Only we, China, are still a big country.

By 1800, China still accounted for one-third of the world's total output value, and until the beginning of 19 century, China was still a big country and powerful country. The word "rise" is not very popular in China politics. Originally, it was about the rise of great powers, but later the country felt that it was better to use "development". The word "development" is used mainly for fear of foreigners, so it is used. Use "development" for outsiders, but use "rise" for yourself because of 200 years of weakness. Others think that you are on the rise, and use accurate language to clear your head. Otherwise, the western countries are afraid of us because China is really weak after 200 years, and 30 years of reform and opening up have made China rise again.

What is a big country? There are at least three aspects. First, a big country must be an economic power and an economic power. Second, a big country should have the demeanor of a big country, be elegant and confident, and be neither humble nor supercilious. Third, we must be able to influence others and our neighbors. This is related to diplomacy. Sure, who are the neighbors? Thanks to the Internet, all countries are our neighbors now.

Before the reform and opening up, there were many people in China, and there are many Indians today. But are they big countries? Not necessarily. 199 1 led to a very important change in the global pattern. The Gulf War gave us a revelation. There is an equation: if there is national defense, there must be scientific and technological self-defense, if there is science and technology, there must be money, and if there is money, there must be a strong and dynamic economy. If we want economy, we must implement market economy. History is always a battle of science and technology, Mongolian horses, bows and arrows, atomic bombs in World War II and so on. Historically, war has always been scientific and technological, but the Gulf War tells us that war is all-round scientific and technological. Because of the way I just said, we have to engage in economy. Without economy, there is no money, without money, there is no technology, and without technology, national defense and self-defense cannot be achieved. When the economy takes off, the rule of law is not the most needed. When the national economy develops to a certain extent, the legal system becomes indispensable.

In a word, if a country wants to be bigger and stronger, it must have science and technology, and if it needs science and technology, it must develop its economy. In the field of economic power, I will talk about another concept, the mainland economy. A country's upstream, midstream and downstream must have manufacturing industries, and there must be primary, secondary and tertiary industries. Throughout the world, only a few countries have become mainland economies. Of course, the United States is one, and so is the European Union. In addition, several years ago, Goldman Sachs proposed that the BRIC countries Brazil, Russian, Indian, China and Goldman Sachs sell things. You should listen carefully to anyone who wants to sell you something. If you think that the BRICS really rose as he said, you may lose money. In short, this possibility does exist in these countries, which is why18th century and19th century western countries, especially France, Britain, France, Germany, Spain and so on. , are not big enough, the population is insufficient, you can use colonial policy to expand yourself.

China may become the second successful continental economy outside the United States.

To be a big country, you must have the demeanor and grace of a big country, both individuals and countries. Modesty and self-confidence are related to neighboring countries and diplomacy. How do people in our country view themselves, not others, but how to be independent. For thousands of years, the people of China have been talking about the security of their country and people. We don't talk about the security of the country and the people. Cathay Pacific is stability and prosperity. For thousands of years, China didn't care much about what others thought of us, nor did he need to care about what others thought of me. As long as the security of the country and the people is done well, the people's lives will be better. China will only be a big country and a powerful country in history, but it is barely a bit strong. In the history of China, it has never been like this, and it still is today. China will only be a big country, not a hegemonic country.

A few decades ago, there was an expert on China at MIT. He has a famous saying, which I think is the best one for foreigners to study China. It is translated as "China is not the concept of 18 and 19 century European nation-state, China is a civilized country, and China people are quite confident and tolerant of others". Jews came to China and lived in Kaifeng, Henan. We turned a blind eye to them and tolerated them. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, 300,000 Arabs were in southern Fujian, and we did not suppress them. We are good at absorbing others. Compared with the history of Western Europe, China is much more generous, and so are we. China people should have confidence. Although it has been weak for 200 years, China people should regain their self-confidence and be supercilious!

China's relations with its neighbors and how we influence others are all related to diplomacy. We are kind to others and don't deliberately influence others. I have to mention two kinds of energy here, hard power and soft power. The word soft power is very popular in China recently, and everyone knows its meaning. Hard power means oppressing others with military and economic strength, and soft power means culture and so on. JULY of Harvard University put forward the concept of soft power in 1990. Don't think that China should learn to use soft power today. We in China have not used hard power for 3,000 years. For 3000 years, China has often used its soft power to influence our neighbors. China uses the most soft power and is the most effective country in history. We don't need hard power, we need soft power today.

We just got rid of poverty. We shouldn't teach others by preaching. We can use our experience to help others.

For example. Just now, Director Liu talked about environmental protection. Westerners talk about environmental protection completely differently from people in China. Westerners are more realistic. They talk about environmental protection, that is, there is no water to drink and no fresh air to breathe. China people talk about "harmony" culture, and heaven and man are one. We must protect the environment and make it harmonious. China people talk about thrift, while westerners talk about wasteful economy. After World War II, western countries, mainly the United States, wasted more and more to stimulate consumption. Of course, I understand that there may be a need in that era, but it is really not environmentally friendly. China people say that thrift is a virtue, and thrift is thrift. This is not good for a wasteful economy, but it is very environmentally friendly. I suggest starting with economy and technology, that is to say, we should not take the consumption-oriented and waste-oriented economy, but advocate the conservation-oriented economy around the world. China should show great strength in this matter.

How can we maintain our status as a big country? History tells us that many big countries can decline, and the four ancient civilizations are good examples. Especially in today's advanced science and technology, a small country can defeat a big country in a certain field. In short, a country has no choice but to make continuous progress in order to maintain its status as a great power. The history of China tells us that there is no future without self-protection and continuous progress. What shall we do? Educational technology is very important. Let me make two points. To become a great cultural country, China has this condition, because we are a civilization, but we should select the best from the rough, not oppress others, and constantly improve and make progress. One hundred years ago, Mr. Lu Xun mentioned the promotion of national character and habits, which we China people urgently need today.

If China wants to become a seamless society, the United States is strong and even its country and society are a relatively seamless society. Minimizing the friction between the government and non-governmental organizations can reduce transaction costs and waste, which is not only a waste of money and time, but also a waste of people's mental load. Only in this way can China maintain its status as a great power. China has just emerged as a great power. We should think about this problem from the beginning and become a responsible big country on the world stage. Thank you!