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Harvard Speech Transcript of the Question and Answer Session Following President Jiang Zemin's Speech

Following the speech given by Presdient Jiang Zemina t Harvard University, 1 November 1997, a short Q&A session permitted some in the Harvard community to voice their opinions. See also Jiang Zemin's Harvard Speech Question #1: Submitted by the Joint Committee for Protesting Jiang Zemin's visit to Harvard: Q: "Jiang Zemin asked the West not to engage in confrontation but dialogue. However, why does he refuse dialogue with his own people? Why did the Chinese government order tanks in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, and confront the Chinese people?" A: "In China there are various channels for us to learn about people's views. For instance, when I was the mayor of Shanghai, I got frequent contact with the people's deputies there, and after I went to work with the Party's Central Committee, I have been to almost all the thirty provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions of China. "China is a large country, with different levels of development in different parts of the country, and therefore, in some places in China I've been there even more than three times. I've been to many grassroots units in China's countryside, in the cities, and in the factories, and have had extensive contacts with people from different walks of life, and therefore, the people are very satisfied with achievements we have scored under the reform and opening-up program of China, and the policy of the government is to serve the people. Therefore, we have to reflect the people's requests and do everything that will meet the people's requests. And also, as a result of our effort along that line, we have enjoyed the support from our people. It goes without saying that, naturally, we may have shortcomings and even make some mistakes in our work. However, we have been working on a constant basis to further improve our work." Question #2: Submitted by student Eric Mortensen, regarding Tibet. Q: "You said before you would not meet with the Dalai Lama if independence was addressed. Given that the Dalai Lama has now said he's willing to meet you without discussing independence, why, therefore, do you still refuse to meet with him?" A: "Our policy toward the fourteenth Dalai Lama is a very clear-cut one, and you also referred to part of it in raising your question. That is, he must recognize publicly that Tibet is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China; that he must state publicly to give up Tibet independence, and that he must stop all activities aimed at splitting the motherland. However, much to my regret, up until this date, the fourteenth Dalai Lama has not stopped his separatist activities." Fairbank Center Director Ezra Vogel: "President Jiang Zemin has also said that, although this has been unannounced, he is willing to take a question from the audience. This is completely unrehearsed, and I hope that some of you will think of a question. Can I call upon somebody in the audience here who would like to raise a question? President Jiang Zemin has said that he would like to hear, first of all, from an American, and so--(audience unrest is audible) This is for an American audience--Yes, this woman right here. This woman -- I did not recognize you, would you please sit down. I did not recognize you; I recognized this lady here. Well, I -- OK, please go ahead." Question #3: (In substance, this question, called out by a woman at the back of the hall, pertains to President Jiang Zemin's reaction to the protest occurring outside the hall. Not all of the questioner's words were able to be heard by the transcriber.) A: (Audience responds with laughter and applause to President Jiang Zemin's spoken response, and then the English translation is heard) "I do have my understanding about the -- I do have my understanding about the general concept of democracy. However, during my current trip to the United States, starting from Hawaii, I felt more specific understanding of the American democracy, more specific than I learned from books. (More laughter and applause from the audience greet both this response and the following remarks) "Although I am already 71 years old, my ears still work very well, so when I was delivering my speech, I did hear the sound from the loudspeakers outside. However, I believe the only approach for me is to speak even louder than it." PROFESSOR VOGEL: "When Ambassador Sasser was on the way, he said to me that just before arriving at Harvard, President Jiang confessed to him that he felt like he was coming to a big examination at Harvard. I think we can say that he happily passed his examination, and we appreciate very much his willingness to come to Harvard. We see this as one step in continued dialogue which we hope will go on for many, many years, and forever."