Thirty years ago, American President Richard Nixon made an epoch-making visit to China, a country still isolated at that

time. Premier Zhou Enlai said to him, "Your handshake came over the vastest ocean in the world—twenty-five years of no

communication". Thirty years since, China and America have exchanged many handshakes. The fundamental implication of this

example is that the need to communicate across differences in culture and ideology is not only felt by the two countries but

by many other nations as well.

　　As we can see today, environmentalists from different countries are making joint efforts to address the issue of global

warming, economists are seeking solutions to financial crises that rage in a particular region but nonetheless cripple the

world economy, and politicians and diplomats are getting together to discuss the issue of combating terrorism. Peace and

prosperity has become a common goal that we are striving for all over the world. Underlying this mighty trend of global

communication is the echo of E. M. Forster's words "Only connect!"

　　With the IT revolution, traditional boundaries of human society fall away. Our culture, politics, society and commerce

are being sloshedsintosone large melting pot of humanity. In this interlinked world, there are no outsiders, for a

disturbance in one place is likely to impact other parts of the globe. We have begun to realize that a world divided cannot

endure.

　　China is now actively integratings into the world. Our recent entry to the WTO is a good example. For decades, we have

taken pride in being self-reliant, but now we realize the importance of participating in and contributing to a broader

economic order. From a precarious role in the world arena to our present WTO membership, we have come a long way.

　　But what does the way ahead look like? In some parts of the world people are demonstrating against globalization. Are

they justified, then, in criticizing the globalizing world? Instead of narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, they

say, globalization enables the developed nations to swallow the developing nations' wealth in debts and interest.

Globalization, they argue, should be about a common interest in every other nation's economic health.

　　We are reminded by Karl Marx that capital goes beyond national borders and eludes control from any other entity. This has

become a reality. Multinational corporations are seeking the lowest cost, the largest market, and the most favourable policy.

They are often powerful lobbyists in government decision-making, ruthless expansionists in the global market and a

devastating presence to local businesses.

　　For China, still more challenges exist. How are we going to ensure a smooth transition from the planned economy to a

market-based one? How to construct a legal system that is sound enough and broad enough to respond to the needs of a dynamic

society? How to maintain our cultural identity in an increasingly homogeneous world? And how to define greatness in our rise

as a peace-loving nation? Globalization entails questions that concern us all.

　　Like many young people my age in China, I want to see my country get prosperous and enjoy respect in the international

community. But it seems to me that mere patriotism is not just enough. It is vitally important that we young people do more

serious thinking and broaden our mind to bigger issues. There might never be easy answers to those issues such as

globalization, but to take them on and give them honest thinking is the first step to be prepared for both opportunities and

challenges coming our way. This is also one of the thoughts that came to me while preparing this speech.

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