Reprint: United Kingdom before the Foreign Secretary Lord Howe: China's progress today _ but-bin

Xinhua Wangzhuangao: served as the Deputy Prime Minister, United Kingdom Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of finance and so on of Geoffrey Howe �� recently in United Kingdom, a mainstream media author readmitted in the face of today's people can feel China "extremely well on the pace of change", "China in the economic, social and civil rights are not to make any appropriate improvements, it would be too harsh, China's progress. The financial times, 16 February to the Chinese in progress "published the article the Lord Howe. My first visit to China, was 30 years ago. And I led the United Kingdom delegation visit to China, "discussions including human rights, and other issues of common concern, you are 16 years ago. The "human rights" into our visit to China's mission is not an easy task, it is indeed a major achievement. In view of the Beijing Olympics this year, the media coverage focused on China's human rights record, this is a good time to be evaluated. At the same time, perhaps we should like to take this opportunity to balance those on the current situation of merciless criticism of China--it seems to me that those who criticize black or white, too simple. Today as early as August 1978, United Kingdom Ministry of finance to my shadow Secretary of State's identity was invited to China. At that time, China has yet to emerge from the shadow of the cultural revolution, I had the opportunity to learn about China, thus establishing a psychological criteria; the ensuing 30 years, I was able to use this standard to measure the development of China. Then, the "gang of four" are all issues fall guy, the comeback of Deng Xiaoping's just coming out. I saw in the first memory that is backward, belongs to the third world's airport, the gateway to the city from the airport, the lights Dim, the narrow road. But my most important memories (comes from our 10 day visit of the last days), we can find, only a "Court". It is located in the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, did not see any signs of courtroom activities. We can find two of the "judge", is a retired General. In this two judges in sentencing records, there is no innocent person. Now, let me take time fast forward to today's China. We can see this year's Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3, it is larger than the entire Heathrow Airport larger scale; we can see on the occasion of the Olympic Games in Beijing organizing, new, modern attractions for the rendered out of a piece of urban scene; and we can feel, extremely well on the pace of change. In such a magnificent backdrop, if someone claims that China's economic, social and civil rights are not to make any appropriate improvements, it would be too harsh. And when I first visited China, and today compared to ordinary Chinese people enjoy the freedom of the individual, is inconceivable. Since 1978, China has taken steps to establish the basic pillars of the judicial system. This and previous above the law of the people ", was in sharp contrast to the" people "are the characteristics of the cultural revolution. Since 1992, I lead a delegation to visit China, China has been trying to build the rule of law society, but this effort is basically no interruption. In international law, China has signed and ratified the social, economic and cultural rights (2001); have signed, but not yet ratified the International Covenant on Civil and political rights (1998). In domestic law, the defence counsel for bail system and, in 1996 by the revised "code of criminal procedure, started to recognize the principle of presumption of innocence. This objective has not been fully implemented, the justice system also needs to be constantly updated. But in the establishment of the accused to a fair trial, the changes are significant progress. In 2004, China added the Constitution must respect and protect the human rights bill, it is equally significant progress. Since then, China undeterred. This year, China promulgated a new labor contract law began in January of this year), in force protection employee rights took an important step. The Act requires employers to sign written employment contract, not arbitrary dismissal of employees. New revision of the lawyers act in June this year, for the purposes of) the role and rights of the defence counsel. Therefore, thereby increasing the likelihood of a fair trial. China's rise we should not deny the Chinese over the past 10 years, commendable achievements that make over 1.5 billion people out of extreme poverty. In 1992, Jiang Zemin to my delegation said that the people of food and clothing are his primary task. While the above shows that the Chinese spectacular completes this goal. From some Asian countries, China today is a State of abundance. This is indeed the views of some of the refugees. I'm from their leaflets read as follows: they are surprised to find that China's "allowed to own personal real estate and property ... All agricultural harvests themselves ... There are also live in freedom, freedom of expression, as well as travel and when to travel free. " Such benchmarks are very important, no society has reason to be proud of such progress. But in most media reports about modern China, the progress has not been given due recognition. Naturally, on the recent situation about China's human rights record, the report of the balance but no such progress. That's why there is such a perception gap? someone believes that China should achieve, particularly in the implementation of civil and political rights to make a greater effort; this view the extent is reasonable? more specifically, this year hosted the Olympic Games, China should (or can) in this area much efforts? Mark �� Leonard in its highly insightful book what you think of China writes, "the rise of China is different: this is our generation's major event, its subsequent effect may impact future generations. "It's definitely people ask the Chinese to assume responsibility for one reason, whether correct or not, on the other smaller, less important countries, people are not soRequest. Mark �� Leonard also stressed that there is some disappointment, because although the Chinese become more prosperous, but China has not become more "like us". People have such a hypothesis that economic growth and development will inevitably lead to the extinction of the Chinese Communist Party and multi-party democracy. But this did not happen. In fact, so far, the Chinese Communist Party of their own capacity to ensure its survival and stability. For freedom, democracy, supremacy of the Western idea, this is certainly a challenge. Liberal democracy of opinion believer, this is to ensure that people's freedom and rights of unique ways. However, in China, an old, huge community, history has gone through a long period of conflict and instability, social stability is destined to be its main objective. In this context, there is no doubt that a mutual respect, dialogue and exchange of views on the framework, the relationship between the two countries in order to get a good development. UK exchanges and dialogue on myself, I am heavily involved in UK Association and Thomson Foundation's work. The framework is built above the UK Association and Thomson Foundation's work. To freedom of expression, for example, China is indeed fulfilled the commitments made by the International Olympic Committee, lifted on foreign journalists in China in the interview. Similarly, China has recently also allows Internet users to access long-term masked United Kingdom Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News English website. Promoting the rule of law, is the Chinese Government has repeatedly stated objectives. British Association of institutions in the justice, police and prosecutorial fields in an effort to cooperate with the Chinese partners to introduce the European experience of best practice models, including detention center, human rights training, as well as better (legal) procedure. No matter how perfect the legislative formulation (at present, China has some very good laws), and ultimately the key to effective protection of human rights lies in implementation. Unless those responsible for the law of the people understand, or indeed interested to understand the laws designed to protect the object; otherwise, the law itself is empty, the best one possible basis for appeal. The law itself however is to advocate for necessary changes. Therefore, the relevant training plan, dialogue and workshops (this is the UK Association of core), you can ensure that the legal requirements necessary to understand and specific practices play an important role. China development mode end, China, the Chinese Government and the Chinese people would decide to citizens to enjoy the rights and freedoms to the extent and scope. We Westerners could support the relevant dialogue and to be encouraged. Of course, we will continue to promote China's commitments, particularly the BOCOG officials have made commitment: that is, the current Olympic Games will be a promotion of democracy, human rights, connecting China and the world of opportunity ". Similarly, I believe that we have a responsibility to tell myself that China really is happening, and not listen to those persons to scare people in the world arena and the growing political and economic status without thinking of conditioned response. Based on the United Kingdom two thousand years of history, I remain convinced that parliamentary democracy model, and given the value of the United Kingdom and the well-being of the people. But I'm willing to admit that we have a long history of more than doubled, has a unique rich culture of China, may establish a new model that applies to this one fifth of total global population, the consolidated multi-ethnic country. This new model is more likely born China's rich cultural heritage and political philosophy, rather than simple imitation of Western models of historical development. (Edit: Tao Chi Peng) but bin notes: Professor Zhang yuyan mentioned in lectures on Chinese �� Howe Geoffrey, representing the Western mainstream social elite of China's problems and concerns: first, China's rapid economic growth could last? II is the political system is suitable for high economic growth; 3 If the first two assumptions, 30 years later, China on what the world will move?