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Entrepreneurs' role urged in promoting development

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-20 14:00

Jia Qinglin, China's top political adviser, continued his two-day visit to the Philippines on Friday by urging Chinese entrepreneurs to forge closer ties and promote common development.

In his speech at the opening ceremony of the 10th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) here, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), spoke highly of the contribution overseas Chinese, including the business communities, had made in promoting China's development.

"China's remarkable achievements in economic and social development would not have been possible without the outstanding contribution of tens of millions of overseas Chinese," said Jia.

Jia said overseas Chinese had opened many businesses in China, making good use of their advantages in capital, technology, human resources and management expertise.

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This had significantly promoted China's economic development, enhanced its technological and management level and facilitated its economic cooperation and trade with other countries and regions, Jia said.

He said overseas Chinese had also served as a bridge of communication between China and other countries.

"They develop friendly relations and conduct governmental and non-governmental cooperation and exchanges in multiple fields and through various channel," said Jia.

"This way, they have contributed to the expansion of China's influence overseas and the deepening of friendship between the Chinese people and people of other countries," he added.

Jia also complimented the long friendship between China and the Philippines, whose President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was also present at the WCEC's opening session.

He said China-Philippines relations had made a lot of headway, with markedly enhanced political mutual trust, notable achievements in cooperation in various fields and more regular high-level visits since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975.

In April 2005, the bilateral relationship stepped into an new era as Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the Philippines, during which the two sides agreed to establish a strategic and cooperative relationship for peace and development, said Jia.

"The world is undergoing major development, changes and adjustments," he said, adding that China was now standing at a starting point in history with both unprecedented opportunities and challenges, which would provide an even broader platform to overseas Chinese, including overseas Chinese entrepreneurs.

Jia also expressed four wishes to overseas Chinese: integrate into the local society and contribute to economic and social development of the host country; carry on the tradition of loving motherland and hometown and actively engage in China's modernization drive; promote exchanges across the Taiwan Straits and advance the great cause of peaceful reunification of China; bring into full play the overseas Chinese' role as a bridge in deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese people and people around the world.

Jia concluded by urging the overseas Chinese to deepen exchanges and cooperation, promote win-win progress and mutual benefit, and contribute more to the prosperity and progress of China and peace and development of the world.

Since its inception in 1991, WCEC, an important biennial event for worldwide Chinese entrepreneurs, has provided a platform for Chinese business communities to deepen mutual understanding and increase exchanges and cooperation.

It has also played a significant role in promoting economic growth in countries where the convention has been held, China and the host countries and regions of overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and in enhancing the international standing of overseas Chinese communities.

Focusing on the theme of "World Prosperity through Chinese Entrepreneurship", participants of this year's convention will exchange views on reform of the international banking and financial sectors, cooperation between government and non-governmental sectors in promoting development of Chinese businesses and prospects for Chinese businesses in manufacturing and service industries.