Ambassador Wang Yunxiang and current Vice President of Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs spoke at the University of Minnesota on Sept. 14. His hour long presentation was titled "Peaceful Development and China – U.S. Relations" and was sponsored by the University of Minnesota China Center.

Approximately 50 people attended and listened intently as he presented his message. Growth, similar to what has occurred in the last 30 years should continue for another 20 -30 years. Ambassador Wang described three challenges that China has in its vigorous economic development. First, growth is uneven, both in where it occurs and the people that are impacted by it. While all have benefited, some have felt this much more than others. Secondly, the growth has had a hard impact on the environment and thirdly the growth is often low tech manufacturing and not in the highly desirable high-tech, biotech or services industries. Ambassador Wang stated that China is addressing all three of these challenges.

China believes in peaceful growth, preferring dialog mutual respect and trust in their relations with other countries. He recognizes that the U.S.-China relationship is the most important inter-country relationship in the world. The United States and China are interlocked. What is good for China is good for the United States. What is good for the United States is good for China. He further elaborated that the two countries’ relationship is guided by common interests. These common interests are trade and economic cooperation (Ambassador Wang stated that U.S. consumers save US$60 billion per year by buying Chinese products), maintenance of peace in the World and specifically the Asia-Pacific rim and to resolve especially hot issues such as North Korea and Iran together.

Ambassador Wang stated that China agrees with the United States that Iran and North Korea should not have nuclear weapons. He also asserted that this should be achieved by talks, patience and negotiations, not military force.

Difficulties do exist in the U.S.-China relationship according to the Ambassador. These include the Taiwan situation, imbalance in trade, intellectual property rights and the valuation of the Yuan.

Ambassador Wang’s presentation concluded with respectful applause and an invitation to ask questions. One had to do with how China will specifically encourage creativity and innovation. It was answered that is occurring in schools now and in the work force. Another informal question asked how China is addressing the environment as it continues to grow. According to Ambassador Wang, thousands of polluting factories have already been closed and that the central government is working hard on this issue.

On Saturday night (Sept. 15), former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton hosted Ambassador Wang and his group at Minneapolis Club in downtown Minneapolis. Special guests include Mr. Chu Maoming, Deputy Consul General of Consulate General of PRC in Chicago,

Education Consul Xiong Sheng, Minnesota State Senator Larry Pogemiller, Minnesota State Representative Erik Paulson, China Center Deputy Director Joan Brzezinski, and local Chinese business, education and Media representatives including China Insight and Huaxia Times. Ambassador Wang and Senator Dayton exchanged gifts and promised more exchanges on visiting and communications.

During his 2-day short stay at Minnesota, Ambassador Wang visited several local Companies, University and state government. He was very impressed with Minnesota. He had dinner on Friday night at Tea House Chinese restaurant. He left for Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Sept.16.