Tal
Pekings Universitet 14 april 2008
Fredrik Reinfeldt, Statsminister

Tal på engelska av statsminister Fredrik Reinfeldt på Pekings Universitet

Det talade ordet gäller.

Dear faculty. Dear students of Peking University.

It is an honour for me to be here, to be allowed to address this university. I am well aware that yours is one of the top universities in the world.

I know that your daily life is very much a matter of grades and degrees.

That is only natural.

In this time of your life you stand on the threshold of knowledge. Knowledge that will open future doors to careers and to personal success - if you use it the right way.

A wise man once said: To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is sometimes dangerous.

But most importantly: with knowledge and the ability to succeed comes social responsibility.

Social responsibility to use your knowledge not only for your own personal gain, but also to make a difference for other people.

Many of you will become scientists, lawyers, businessmen or work in government, and you will share and shape the future of this country.

Whatever you choose to do in life you must never forget to look for opportunities to fight poverty and injustice in the world.

One thing is for sure. You will be part of a globalised world where borders and barriers between people and nations will play a less crucial role.

Globalisation has led to positive developments in many parts of the world. It has created new opportunities and possibilities for human interaction, development and progress.

We are seeing increased interaction between people and among businesses.

We are seeing an exchange of knowledge, information, technology and capital that generations before us could only dream of.

In this way globalisation can be described as a bridge between people in different parts of the world.

A bridge between us that makes it possible to interact, but also to meet in order to solve our common challenges.

One of these common challenges is climate change and global warming. This issue is one of the greatest challenges facing our world.

We have a major responsibility to future generations to ensure that we succeed in achieving sustainable development at both local and global level.

To address climate change in an effective way we all have to cooperate closely on an international level.

It is a well established fact that the developed countries will have to take larger responsibility.

But, as I see it, a special responsibility rests upon the United States and China. The largest green house gas emitters in the world.

Together we must work hard to reach an international agreement at the UN Summit in Copenhagen in December 2009.

The European Union will see this as one of its major tasks.

We have already agreed upon ambitious goals for reduced emissions.

Now the challenge is to implement these goals in the countries of the European Union and to unite the world in Copenhagen next fall.

Sweden will play an important role in this process as we hold the presidency of the EU in 2009.

As I said, we must act together in order to make a difference. And when I met with President Hu Jintao this weekend we focused very much on the issue of climate and energy.

Not least on the implementation of China's national plan to address climate change.

This will also be an important issue to discuss when I see Prime Minister Wen Jiabao later today.

In the last 25 years we have seen tremendous growth in China. But we have also seen major environmental challenges.

When we approach the issue of climate change and energy we need a new political approach. We must show that economic growth can be combined with a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

We know that it can be done. Sweden can serve as a good example. Since 1990 the Swedish economy has grown by 46 per cent while greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 9 per cent.

Investment in research and development has been combined with revision of taxes and regulations to open up new opportunities where the environment becomes a springboard for both new companies and jobs.

The price of polluting our environment must be high - and the rewards for opting for carbon-dioxide free solutions must be tempting. You need incentives and disincentives.

We know the green technology is here.

Now every government has a huge responsibility for the transition that has to be made.

Today China is spending a tremendous amount of money on research and development. And you attract a lot of foreign investment.

You are developing cutting edge technology in many fields - like water disinfection and biological control.

But in the long run you must ensure that there is also increased public awareness of the need to promote an environment-friendly society.

As consumers and firms demand 'greener' products and services, China can seize the market opportunity and increase its global competitiveness.

I am convinced that the large global appetite for clean technology will create major market opportunities in the next few decades.

Sweden is co-financing a major project on wind power in China. And looks forward to developing closer cooperation in other areas of clean technology.

There will always be challenges and conflicts of interests. There will be people who are more prone to talk about energy security - rather than about climate change.

And vice versa.

However, both approaches will bring us to the same place: A reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions.

The key to success lies in being open to change.

Sweden is strongly committed to the principles of free and fair trade and values. Fair access to markets is a crucial dimension of the international system.

But the response to globalisation must encompass more than just free trade.

It is also a question of ensuring that people feel there is a place for them in the world of today.

Our ambition must be for more people to have jobs, for more entrepreneurs to want to create new jobs, for individual people and families to have more control over their own lives and for more people to benefit from the opportunity to acquire knowledge.

Fighting social exclusion and unemployment. Encouraging entrepreneurship. Ensuring that families can exercise control over their everyday lives.

Assuring that knowledge is something available to the many and not just to the few.

These, I believe, are the keys to making your society hold together in a world that is spinning faster. They are also the main features of the social model in Sweden.

Protection of human rights has long been a fundamental part of the Swedish political system.

In the last few years Sweden has developed a constructive dialogue on human rights with China.

This includes discussions on strengthening the rule of law but also on the right to freely express yourselves and exercise your individual liberties.

In Asia there are only two Master's Programmes in International Law and Human Rights. One of them is taught at this university.

I am pleased that the Swedish Raoul Wallenberg Institute manages this programme together with your Faculty of Law.

I had a very good discussion with some of the faculty and students this morning.

And I am pleased to announce that Sweden will sponsor a visiting Professor on human rights at Beida.

Today, the eyes of the world are turning to China in a more intense way than ever before. There is of course a reason for this.

This coming summer China will host the Olympic Games. Athletes from all over the world will be competing.

In this way the Olympic Games are a good example of globalisation.

They bring the world together - in competition, but also in personal meetings and interaction.

The Olympics is about sports, but it's also about international exchange. I hope the games will be a success - in a true spirit of international cooperation.

In our globalised world countries can reach out to each other no matter what the geographical distance. We can learn from each other and exchange points of view.

Just take China and Sweden as an example.

The ties between China and Sweden are strong. And they should be.

The relationship between our two countries has developed quite rapidly since your country launched its policy of 'reform and opening'.

In the last two years we have had state visits in both directions.

Sweden was the first western nation to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

Today, there are 3000 Chinese students and researchers at Swedish universities.

I can also tell you there are more than 500 Swedish companies with operations in China.

Every fourth day a new Swedish company sets up business in China.

I hope we will be able to further strengthen the ties between our countries.

In trade. In exchange of knowledge. But also in common endeavours such as fighting global warming.

China's journey is, of course different from Sweden's.

But no matter whether you come from a large or a small country, your future is built by single individuals.

By you.

That is why I want you to always remember that your life can make a difference. And that together you can help share and shape this country and this world.

I wish you all the success for the future.

Thank you