"Only England during the Industrial Revolution Could Compare to China Now"

This Is Unique to Me

China Today: You were Uruguay’s Ambassador to China from 2007 to 2010, during which period you witnessed the transformation of Chinese society. Over the past 15 years, what aspects of  China’s development attract your greatest interest?

Luis Almagro: In fact, China’s development is easily visible. I have gained fresh ideas of what a developing country means. In the past, I thought all developing countries were like those in Latin America, where things evolved rather quietly. However, from 2007 to 2010, China experienced explosive development, and growth in everything from manufacturing and mining to the industrial and service sectors, and so on, that is both perceivable and tangible. Only England during the Industrial Revolution could compare to China now. Besides, the impetus behind China’s evident growth is unmatched in the world. My personal experience in China is unique. No doubt, it has enriched my professional career, for I have learned a new style of governance. I have come to understand one that may be applied to different areas. I am now familiar with the reward mechanism, the training of officials and the appointment of people according to their ability. China is a country eager for more trade, more imports and exports, more investment, more cooperation and an enriched political dialogue. This has indeed provided a very desirable work experience, for we are striding forward moment by moment.

China More Friendly

China Today: Since you have such rich experience, what do you think of China’s importance to Latin America today?

Luis Almagro: To most Latin American countries, China is an important trading partner, and bilateral trade between these countries and China always maintains solid growth. Most of China’s investment projects run smoothly in Latin America, and China’s investments in Latin America even outnumber those of the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank (IBRD) combined. All such data are very objective, but there is also something subjective: China seems more friendly, and with the growth of trade comes the growth of mutual trust and importance.

Speaking of free trade and competition, people always emphasize their importance, yet attitudes change totally when such freedom affects their own economic and trading interests. In the past, some multinational businesses competed with each other, resulting in the losses of developing countries, but China has changed this situation completely. Thanks to China, the prices we pay for manufactured goods are lower, and the prices of our export goods have risen. These new trading and economic relations benefit us, so we should keep looking to the future. The world economy has slowed down, and some countries’ economy is regressing, but that is the law of economic cycle, and we should be prepared to embrace the next one. Closer relations between China, Latin America and the Caribbean and deeper insight in strategic cooperation will bring greater achievements.