OPENING REMARKS - REN WEIMIN

Ren Weimin

National Development and Reform Commission

Mr. Ren began by noting he was “very impressed” by Ambassador Wolff’s list of Chinese inventions. “I don’t think Chinese people have thought very deeply about our innovations. We had always assumed we’ve got the Four Innovations,” he said. “Over our long history, many things we considered to be normal for the survival and everyday living of our ancestors may well have been innovations. So I agree on this way of looking at our history and culture.”

China and the United States should focus on cultural exchange so that the two nations can better understand each other, Mr. Ren said. “Even after several thousand years of history, each nation has its own unique mindset and thinking mode,” he said. “If we get to know each other from this perspective, we can better handle our bilateral relations.”

Mr. Ren expressed the gratitude of the Chinese delegation for being invited to visit the United States. “The international financial crisis has not been fully alleviated, and the world economy revived, during this trip,” he noted. “We have had an exchange of views on issues like energy innovation. We have benefitted a lot.” The United States remains the most advanced country in terms of technological exchange, Mr. Ren said. “This program has broadened our horizon, as well as our understanding of many aspects of the U.S.”

Even though the most difficult period of the recent global recession appears to be over, “the legacy of this financial crisis has not left us yet,” Mr. Ren said. “An entire revival of the global economy needs all countries and industries to better have better understanding and cooperation. Even though there may be some disparity of opinions, we have reached common ground on many issues.”

The United States and China have “tremendous potential” to cooperate in high-technology industries because they have complementary strengths, Mr. Ren said. “I hope we can deepen the Sino-U.S. friendship and that our cooperation with be continuously fruitful,” he said. “I hope this conference today will be very great success.”