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From: CPL (kojakbt22) Nov-13 8:55 pm
To: ALL (1 of 11)
24384.1
Chinese want better lives, not votes: MM
They are more keen on better living standards than a democratic system
By Jeremy Au Yong
Mr Lee was the guest speaker during a dialogue at the summit. -- ST PHOTO: BRYAN VAN DER BEEK
CHINA may not have a democratic system but its people are currently more interested in obtaining higher standards of living than they are in votes and freedom of speech.
That was the point made by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew yesterday during an exchange with Time International editor Michael Elliott.
The two were speaking during a dialogue at the Apec CEO Summit. Mr Lee was the guest speaker and Mr Elliott was the moderator of the session.
Mr Lee had been outlining what he saw as the benefits of the Chinese leadership system when Mr Elliot remarked: 'It's not a democratic system.'
'The Chinese people are not interested,' was the Minister Mentor's quick retort. He explained that as the Chinese were trying to catch up with the world, their primary concern was with achieving the standard of living they saw in the more developed Asian economies.
'You got your pro-democracy activists, but do the Chinese people worry about their vote and freedom of speech? They want the lives that they see in Hong Kong, in Singapore and before this downturn, in Taiwan,' he said.
Mr Lee had every confidence China would achieve what it set out to do. After all, it had the cream of the Chinese people.
He recounted a conversation he had with Deng Xiaoping in 1978 when the Chinese leader visited Singapore.
Deng had congratulated Mr Lee for building up Singapore into a garden city. Recalled Mr Lee: 'So I said, 'Whatever we can do, you will do better. We are the descendants of the landless peasants of South China, you have the literati, you have the top brains, you have the poets, the artists.' He did not answer me, he just looked at me and went back to his food.'
Mr Lee was similarly impressed by how forward-looking China's leadership is. Asked if he agreed with a statement by US National Economic Council director Larry Summers that China was planning 20 years ahead, Mr Lee replied: 'I would say more than 20 years. Their calculation is for the next generation.'
He pointed out that China's next generation of leaders was already in place.
'It's not a random choice depending on the whims of the electorate. It's careful scrutiny by what they call the Central Organisation for Discipline. It's an impressive system,' he said.
Through that system, Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping has already emerged as likely successor to President Hu Jintao, and Vice-Premier Li Keqiang as likely successor to Premier Wen Jiabao.
During the dialogue - themed Rebuilding The Global Economy: Crisis And Opportunity - Mr Lee also shared his thoughts on America's role in Asia, his views on North Korea and Vietnam, and even the prospects for the US dollar.
But yesterday's forum was not all serious. One of the lighter moments came at the end, when MM Lee was asked by Mr Elliott for five things the US could learn from China. This topic is the cover story of the current edition of Time magazine.
Mr Lee said to much laughter: 'I haven't read it yet, I saw it on my desk. You tell me what your five things are, and I will tell you whether I agree with them.'
Mr Elliott named but one, respect for the elderly, and used it to wrap up proceedings by thanking MM Lee.
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From: CPL (kojakbt22) Nov-13 8:55 pm
To: ALL (1 of 11)
24384.1
Chinese want better lives, not votes: MM
They are more keen on better living standards than a democratic system
By Jeremy Au Yong
Mr Lee was the guest speaker during a dialogue at the summit. -- ST PHOTO: BRYAN VAN DER BEEK
CHINA may not have a democratic system but its people are currently more interested in obtaining higher standards of living than they are in votes and freedom of speech.
That was the point made by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew yesterday during an exchange with Time International editor Michael Elliott.
The two were speaking during a dialogue at the Apec CEO Summit. Mr Lee was the guest speaker and Mr Elliott was the moderator of the session.
Mr Lee had been outlining what he saw as the benefits of the Chinese leadership system when Mr Elliot remarked: 'It's not a democratic system.'
'The Chinese people are not interested,' was the Minister Mentor's quick retort. He explained that as the Chinese were trying to catch up with the world, their primary concern was with achieving the standard of living they saw in the more developed Asian economies.
'You got your pro-democracy activists, but do the Chinese people worry about their vote and freedom of speech? They want the lives that they see in Hong Kong, in Singapore and before this downturn, in Taiwan,' he said.
Mr Lee had every confidence China would achieve what it set out to do. After all, it had the cream of the Chinese people.
He recounted a conversation he had with Deng Xiaoping in 1978 when the Chinese leader visited Singapore.
Deng had congratulated Mr Lee for building up Singapore into a garden city. Recalled Mr Lee: 'So I said, 'Whatever we can do, you will do better. We are the descendants of the landless peasants of South China, you have the literati, you have the top brains, you have the poets, the artists.' He did not answer me, he just looked at me and went back to his food.'
Mr Lee was similarly impressed by how forward-looking China's leadership is. Asked if he agreed with a statement by US National Economic Council director Larry Summers that China was planning 20 years ahead, Mr Lee replied: 'I would say more than 20 years. Their calculation is for the next generation.'
He pointed out that China's next generation of leaders was already in place.
'It's not a random choice depending on the whims of the electorate. It's careful scrutiny by what they call the Central Organisation for Discipline. It's an impressive system,' he said.
Through that system, Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping has already emerged as likely successor to President Hu Jintao, and Vice-Premier Li Keqiang as likely successor to Premier Wen Jiabao.
During the dialogue - themed Rebuilding The Global Economy: Crisis And Opportunity - Mr Lee also shared his thoughts on America's role in Asia, his views on North Korea and Vietnam, and even the prospects for the US dollar.
But yesterday's forum was not all serious. One of the lighter moments came at the end, when MM Lee was asked by Mr Elliott for five things the US could learn from China. This topic is the cover story of the current edition of Time magazine.
Mr Lee said to much laughter: 'I haven't read it yet, I saw it on my desk. You tell me what your five things are, and I will tell you whether I agree with them.'
Mr Elliott named but one, respect for the elderly, and used it to wrap up proceedings by thanking MM Lee.
[email protected]
Options Reply
