THE Chinese ambassador to the UK said her country could learn from Guernsey.
Her Excellency Madam Fu Ying (pictured) spoke after her whirlwind visit to the island to enhance economic, trade and cultural links.
Madam Fu was taken on a tour that included the Royal Court and Candie Museum.
She met representatives of the States including Chief Minister Lyndon Trott and Commerce and Employment minister Carla McNulty Bauer.
‘I found it very useful,’ said Madam Fu. ‘We have a saying in China – hearing 100 times is not as good as seeing it once. I’ve learnt a lot. China is in an important transition. Our economy has been more and more integrated with the global economy.
‘Chinese companies, generally speaking, are young and not so experienced with the global environment.’
China wants to turn Shanghai into its financial centre, said Madam Fu.
‘We really want to learn from Guernsey,’ she said.
‘That’s the message I want to pass on to China.’
She was also taken to the Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts, which she said was a highlight.
‘It’s a very good facility,’ she said. ‘Young people can realise what they want to achieve. The standard is very high. I was very impressed.’
‘Guernsey is a very nice place,’ she said.
‘A great place to live and a great place to work.
‘I’m surprised it’s such a small island with such an active economic life.’
The ambassador offered the use of the Chinese Embassy in London to the chief minister to address businesses from her country.
She felt Guernsey was a good place with which to work because of its strong finance, legal and accountancy sectors.
‘I can’t speak for the Chinese companies, but I’m definitely passing on the message,’ she said.
Article posted on 9th November, 2009 - 1.00pm
9 Article Comments
If China really want to learn something from Guernsey, perhaps Madam Fu could also take back some lessons in freedom of speech?
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Absolutely Paul…and even more important…freedom of people.
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Paul. Yes absolutely, perhaps their Government’s ‘kill anyone who doesn’t fall into line’ policy keeps the costs of policing down, but it doesn’t really win friends and influence people….so what does…..?
Oh yes, that’s right. MONEY.
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Sometimes too much freedom is not really a good thing. Just imagine how big the China is (9,640,821 km2)and the population of China (over 1.3 billion)! ..compare to Guernsey (78km2 with the population of 65,000 people) or the UK (244,820 km2 with the population of 61,113,205). Mdm Fu was likely to be a bit humble by saying “oh yes, we really want to learn from Guernsey..” but, in fact, what does Guernsey have to let China to learn? Do you really think Guernsey is something?? Mr PLP, go to China to have a look, then you will realise you know nothing! Guernsey or UK should learn from China on how to manage such a huge country instead.
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She was only being polite I suspect, either that or they’re looking to copy what we do, only better and on a massive scale (as they’ve done with several other products).
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Jackie Chan – thanks for the offer but I’ve already been to China thanks. I met the Chinese people – they were very friendly and courteous and we were made very welcome.
Back to the subject, I even visited Tiananmen Square, I wonder why that name springs to mind in the context of freedom of speech?
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Why are Chinese companies “young and not so experienced with the global environment”? Why, because they have only recently been allowed to exist and to have dealings with foreigners. The Communist regime could not trust their own subjects to have contact with the free world without close supervision by police “minders”. Chinese companies could not advance under those circumstances.
I think Madam Fu and the regime on behalf of which she speaks will find it increasingly difficult to hold back the flood of internal pressure; perhaps the wall will fall faster in eastern Asia than it did in eastern Europe. We should be trying to help the Chinese to gain their freedom not helping the dictatorship to hang on to power as long as possible.
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China still has one of the worst, if not the worst, human rights records, on the planet. people trying to escape from tibet are shot in the back on the border – see cimbing teams who have witnessed this first hand – just one example. if the english, french or jersey authorities shot people leaving their borders, would Guernsey ignore it for business links? all you island politicians, financiers, dignitaries and civil servants who kow-towed to this ambassador, to make free and rich Guernsey richer, are, to the last individual, morally bankrupt.
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Free Tibet!
Free to bet on a torture hedgie? How many state executions, over you win, under you lose.
Inciting political protests in China will reap the dividends!
I fear that Mr Niven has already contacted the Uighurs for a bit of race related resource riots, and the Dalai Lama urging him to seek western backing for WAR.
Missing out on Tiananmen Square opprtunities has always smarted for the Guernsey High Command.
How Mao, Brown Nose.
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