Human Rights and Justified Sustainable Entrepeneurship China

Debate on this topic: 26 February 8 PM Auditorium, Minderbroedersberg 4-6 in Maastricht
Introduction by: Willem Offenberg, NRC Handelsblad and FEM Business Chairman: Stafford Wadsworth, Meuse-Rhine Journal, Maastricht.

Offenberg points out the position of China in the human rights discussion. In June of last year, the United Nations established a new Human Right Council, in which China is participating and the US is not! Due to the fight against terror, the traditional point of reference is slowly shifting from individual human rights to collective human rights. Is it time for a new moral leadership? Is China in the race? Since its reforms in 1978, China has succeeded in helping 200 million people to achieve a reasonable income. The realisation of the primary "right to development" seems to have been exemplary. Are socio-economic rights superior to individual rights? The introduction will be followed by a debate in which the relationship between the human rights and the booming economy in China will be discussed.

Nice theses, of which many things can be told. Also the relationship between China and Africa is interesting. They do only trade from oil to weapons. Without moral standards; just trade. Also interesting to see the Chinese influence in Sudan. Oil financed war in Darfur. But it is also true that many of the Chinese people do have an better life than many years ago. Many things can be said, but the Chinese have to decide. We can ask and demand more democracy, but China must make the change. We can ask them to respect the human rights of individuals. Like the journalist Shi Tao. I asked before, to get informed about him, by Amnesty International and other human rights groups.

China is in charge. I think you can make a compliment and in the same sentence also some regrets. In my way of thinking it is possible; Chinese people are intelligent. India is also a large democracy, especially by the number of inhabitants.

Recently, India and China have been characterised as the "rising Asian giant". But poverty and a class-system live in the same country as "Bollywood" and the Indian "Silicon Valley".
Western Europe and America are losing their grip on the world. And maybe it isn’t that bad. Because we have been selfish for many years.

The new world-powers will show a capitalistic neo-liberal way of living. And this way of life has also much problems from that we already suffer. But there are also large chances: a sort of welfare-state in these countries. Because people see how many is gained in trade, and also want their share. They want social security when they are ill or aged.

M.M.