H.E. Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China
Member Economy: China

Hu Jintao is both a charismatic and effective leader of the People’s Republic of China. He ascended to power in China on March 15, 2003. Hu Jintao grew up working in the grassroots in west China's Gansu Province in 1968 and stayed there until 1982 when he became a member of the Secretariat of the Communist Youth League of China Central Committee and later president of the All-China Youth Federation. In 1998 he became the vice-president of China. He has done much work in the path of improving China.

H.E. Hu Jintao impressively addressed the forum at this year’s APEC conference. He gave plans for China’s success in the future, how it plays a role in the world, and how the world can further increase trade while maintaining both peace and prosperity. He believes that we should not focus on developing the Asia-Pacific region by individual countries, but as a whole as to not leave any economy behind. The Asia-Pacific is a rising tour de force in the world economy and will soon play a major role in trade agreements, social justice, and domestic prosperity. Currently, both China and many other nations in this region are still not at the same level. The president realizes that China still faces major problems due to its big population and other social and economic shortcomings, but he wishes to resolve these issues from a scientific approach and at the same time put people first. He plans to do this by learning lessons from the past, but not living there. The world resides in the present and we must grasp it for all it is. He believes that reform is necessary and will lead the Asia-Pacific region into the future. But, as one opens their country to the world, we must realize that globalization is inevitable. H.E. Hu knows this and plans to keep harmony, a defining value of the Chinese civilization, protected to the best of his ability. Not only will China work to keep domestic harmony, but international harmony as well. By extending his hand the world, H.E. Hu will help promote the noble cause of peace and development for all of mankind.

We were very impressed with H.E. Hu’s speech. He made many interesting and thought-provoking ideas. We were surprised at his point as China has often times been depicted as a militant nation that often times uses force as the means to bring change. We were delighted to hear that H.E. Hu was willing to open his country even more to help bring prosperity to other less fortuante Asia-Pacific economies. Overall, the speech was quite impressive and we hope that it helped ensure economic prosperity for China, the Asia-Pacific region, and all those involved with APEC.

“Whether now or in the future, China will remain a staunch force in upholding world peace and promoting common development.”

Written by: Ethna Elizondo and Tyler Staples.