China does not pose threat to jobs, says McAleese
The President also referred to China’s poor human rights record, though she did not criticise it outright.
Comparing the nations while addressing the country’s top business college, she said both had suffered from oppressive foreign rule.
Speaking to students at the China Europe International Business School, President McAleese said that people had genuine concerns about the competition being put up by China.
Yet she said there were similar fears when Ireland joined the European Union as there were many voices raised doubting the value of a small country joining a larger entity.
“Thirty years later we know the paralysis of that fear didn’t have any foundation,” she said. “In Ireland we see the opening up of China as the opening up of new services and skills. I think in part we know China’s opening up can only be good news in terms of global prosperity.”
The President said EU membership had played a major role in improving relations between Ireland and Britain.
Europe and China were experiencing great chances and could work together in many areas, as well as discussing differences over human rights issues.
“For nearly a decade China and the EU have entered into a dialogue to try to address some of our common concerns and also to discuss our differences, most notably in the field of human rights,” she said.
Also yesterday, the President was given a briefing on the development of the futuristic Pudong district of Shanghai. The area is going through an average economic growth rate of 20% a year and has already taken in around €80 billion in foreign and domestic investment.
The 550sq km area has already had 1,000km of roads built, three bridges, two tunnels and a metro line, but that’s only the first half of the infrastructure development.
