Wen Jiabao speaks only about investment, forgets about human rights

 Rome (AsiaNews) – Yesterday evening at dinner, when far from the cameras and center-stage, Wen Jiabao said relations between Italy and China would have inspired Matteo Ricci, adding that the Jesuit missionary was the most famous Italian in his country, even more so than Marco Polo. What the Chinese Premier was trying to say was that culture, is based on faith, much more so than it is on business.

Yet there were no traces of such remarks, today, when speaking before a crowded room of entrepreneurs and politicians at a seminar, sponsored by the Confederation of Italian Industry for the promotion of investment between Italy and China.  

Investments, economic development and savings were the topics of discussion. The only mention of "rights" came when speaking about the protection of intellectual property and "rigid laws passed (to fight) against counterfeiting". This was the only "rights" concern of the industrialists in attendance.

 "The impression from an operational and business  point of view is a positive one," said Michela Parmeggiani, director of the Riminin-based Industrial Association of the Internationalization Export Services, when speaking to AsiaNews.

"Prospects seem good," she said. "Yesterday there were 550 meetings between Italian and Chinese businessmen and today there were 250 more. "There were 800 in all. Of course there will be some that will not be followed up on, but many will be," she said.  

The efforts made by Italian exponents of Chinese-Italian commercial relations are oriented towards seeking investments, both by Italian entrepreneurs in China and Chinese doing business here in Italy.

 "If I were a young entrepreneur," said Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, "I would prefer (developing business with) China." Berlusconi also said "even ours is an attractive market for Chinese companies. It is market that would take nicely to products marked by the creative originality of their country."  

 "China is preparing to become one of the largest investing nations in the world. It is for this reason that Italy perceives China as a new strategic partner," Adolfo Urso said. Urso, deputy minister for Production Activity, added: "Economic relations between Italy and China must go beyond a mere commercial collaboration and focus on productive investments." 

"Italian businesses invest too little in China, much less than (other) European partners," Urso said.   

It was only the Italian prime minister who brought up the issue of human rights, saying: "I would like for China to become a great democracy and lawful state in which human rights are respected just as they are today in western civilization."

"It was a statement that was not well received," said Michela Parmeggiani. "I don't know if it was because of the theme of the investment-oriented seminar or perhaps because it didn't seem well-timed…At any rate, I think Berlusconi's words made it understood that the issue was important to Italy and (the rest of) Europe. It sent a message, and I don't think an indifferent one," she said.  

China, in the words of its head of government, wants "stable and lasting" economic development. China is "on the road to development and can contribute to the processes of peace and development throughout the world. Therefore, we persist in maintaining a policy of openness and friendly relations with all other countries," he said. 

The prime minister then said that, despite the speed at which the Chinese economy is growing, his country "is still a developing nation, but with an enormous internal market, a huge labor force and a great sense of how to save (money)." 

The "human" side to China was seen in Wen Jiabao's remarks made about how Chinese youth love to wear Milan and Juventus football jerseys, two Italian clubs they see often on television.

The premier also commented how "in our cities you find Italian pizzerias everywhere now.My little grandson just loves pizza!"

• china
• italy
• wen
• jabao
• economy