By Li Yigang
The year 2020 is difficult and challenging for the world. We have just experienced the past 2019, when the global economic growth has been the lowest since the financial crisis. However, starting from this year, the devastating COVID-19 disease has become a serious crisis and a global pandemic, which is the most extensive to afflict humanity in a century. It poses a grave threat to human life and health, and has a serious impact on the operation of world economy. Facing this unknown and unexpected disease, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Chinese people have fought a fierce war against the epidemic over the past 9 months. We have effectively controlled the epidemic within a short period of time, have quickly promoted the resumption of work and production, as well as business and market, and have taken the lead in realizing economic recovery.
On the occasion of celebrating the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, I would like to briefly introduce to local friends China’s achievements in fighting against the virus, and the experience and practices of coordinating epidemic control with economic and social development.
- Fight together against COVID-19 and gain major strategic achievements.
On December 31 last year, the Wuhan City Health Commission announced on its website 27 pneumonia cases of unknown cause, and on the same day, China informed the World Health Organization of these cases detected in Wuhan. Four institutions carried out parallel laboratory testing of the samples to identify the pathogen.
On January 7, 2020, the sequencing of the virus was completed, and China CDC succeeded in isolating the first novel coronavirus strain. China shared the genome sequence information with WHO and other countries, providing an important basis for virus testing and vaccine development in other countries. While there are still many unknowns about the virus, starting from January 3, China began sending regular, timely updates about the novel coronavirus to WHO and relevant countries. For instance, China sent such updates to the USA 30 times in the first month.
With the development of the epidemic and the discovery of person-to-person spread of the virus, on January 23, two days before the Chinese New Year, a complete lockdown was applied to Wuhan city, which is a domestic transportation hub in China. This measure was a landmark during this epidemic prevention and control. It sparked a lot of discussion in the international media at the time. Some reported that it was an attempt to contain the virus, while some believed there was no evidence to prove the lockdown would be effective. However, facts and practice have proved that under the strong leadership of CPC, with Xi Jinping as its core, China adopted the most thorough, rigorous and comprehensive prevention and control measures. As a result, the epidemic was controlled in around two months, and its spread to the rest of the world was slowed.
In the fight against the epidemic, Hubei province and Wuhan city enforced large-scale investigations, quarantine and isolation, as well as medical treatment in accordance with the policy of ensuring that all those in need should be tested, isolated, hospitalized or treated. The medical resources were mobilized across the country, two treatment centres with 2,500 beds were constructed and put into use within two weeks, and more than 40,000 medical workers rushed to Hubei and Wuhan to support the fight. Soon the “beds waiting for patients” were achieved and lives were saved at all cost.
With the joint efforts of the Chinese people, on March 18, for the first time, no new domestic cases were confirmed on the mainland. On April 8, Wuhan lifted its 76-day lockdown. In the following months, the Chinese government has continued to consolidate the gains in virus control following the principle of “preventing the coronavirus from re-entering the country to cause a new epidemic”. Currently, only sporadic imported cases were reported and the epidemic control has entered a “new normal”.
- Achieve economic recovery and win the battle against poverty.
Under the impact of the epidemic, China’s GDP growth rate in the first quarter of 2020 was -6.8 per cent, which was the first negative growth since the introduction of quarterly statistics in 1992. With the resumption of work and production in various provinces, China’s economy has recovered rapidly. The GDP in the second quarter increased by 3.2 per cent over the same period last year. At the end of July, the World Bank raised China’s 2020 economic growth target from 1 per cent to 1.6 per cent. China continues to be the largest contributor to global economic growth.
In terms of macro-economic policy, China stands to advance the stability on the six fronts and security in the six areas, which means to keep stable on employment, the financial sector, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment and expectations, and to ensure security in job, basic living needs, operations of market entities, food and energy security, stable industrial and supply chains, and the normal functioning of primary-level governments. Consequently, the restoration of normal production and everyday life has been quickened.
The year 2020 marks the final year for China to achieve the goal of eliminating poverty and building a moderately prosperous society. The General Secretary of CPC Xi Jinping has pointed out that when defining a moderately prosperous society, the key is to observe the condition of farmers. To lift out of poverty all rural residents living below the current poverty line by 2020, and to bring to an end the extreme poverty that has shackled the Chinese nation for millennia, will tangibly change the lives of hundreds of millions of people. It also means that China will meet ten years ahead of schedule the poverty eradication target set out in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and is of great significance to China and the world.
Over the past 71 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, more than 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Since 2012, the annual poverty reduction population has exceeded 10 million, contributing over 70 per cent of global poverty reduction efforts. China’s poverty elimination plans and achievements are widely recognized by the international community. It fully reflects CPC’s people-centred approach, and demonstrates the political advantages of the Chinese socialist system, which can concentrate efforts on major initiatives. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said: "Targeted poverty reduction strategies are the only way to reach those farthest behind and achieve the ambitious targets set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, and its experiences can provide valuable lessons to other developing countries."
III. Win-win cooperation and building a community of shared future for mankind.
COVID-19 reminds us that we are living in an interconnected global village, and risks respect no borders. Facing the unprecedented attack of the coronavirus, China has shared with other countries our control and clinical experience without reservation, and do what we can to provide aid in support of the international community's endeavours to stem the pandemic. China twice donated funds to the WHO totalling 50 million US dollars and sent 34 medical expert teams to 32 countries. China offered 283 batches of anti-epidemic material assistance to 150 countries and 4 international organizations, and provided epidemic prevention goods to more than 200 countries and regions. Between March 15 and September 6, China exported 151.5 billion masks, 1.4 billion protective suits, 230 million goggles, 209,000 ventilators, 470 million test kits and 80.14 million infrared thermometers to support the global fight against COVID-19. In the post-pandemic era, China will continue to promote international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, firmly supports the WHO in playing the leading role in this global battle, and contributes to building a global community of health for all.
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The 75th session of the UN General Assembly opened this month. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered important speeches at the high-level meeting and the general debate. He stressed that China was the first to sign on the Charter of the United Nations. It is a founding member of the UN and the only developing country that takes a permanent seat on the Security Council. China will continue to be a true follower of multilateralism, and work as a builder of global peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of international order. China is the largest developing country in the world, a country that is committed to peaceful, open, cooperative and common development.
All countries, big or small, are equal members of the international community. To tackle risks and challenges, global affairs should be discussed by all members, governance systems built by all, and benefits of governance shared by all, so that every country can benefit from peace and development. The world now stands at a new historical starting point. We should work together to build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind. Together, we can make the world a better place for everyone.
Li Yigang is Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Willemstad
Dear Editor,
With interest I read your article on the Supreme Court judgment in the Alegria timeshare case, in which Lexwell represents the timeshare owners (in the Supreme Court appeal assisted by Bart van der Wiel, as correctly mentioned in your article):
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/index.php/islands/timeshare-case-referred-back-to-court-of-appeals-for-re-judgment. In reading your synopsis, especially when coupled with HBN’s press release that you quote at the end of the article, we believe an important part of the judgment remains unmentioned. After the following two paragraphs, the Supreme Court’s (important) conclusion and final decision is missing:
In its judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that the rights and obligations of the former lessor in the lease agreements between Endless Vacation and the timeshare owners have not passed to Alegría under Article 7:226 of the Civil Code. “After all, it was the bank as creditor and not Endless Vacation as landlord who transferred the business rights on the rented property to Alegría,” the High Court stated.
The Supreme Court also found insufficient grounds to anticipate the workings of the draft Timeshare Ordinance. “Where the draft Timeshare Ordinance provides a rule that protects the timeshare taker, regardless of whether the selling or transferring party is the contracting party of the timeshare taker, this deviates strongly from the applicable law, while it is also unclear whether, and if so when, the Timeshare Ordinance will be established and come into effect,” the High Court stated.
We believe an additional paragraph, along the following lines, would complete the synopsis:
The Supreme Court furthermore ruled that Alegria may be obligated to comply with the former lessor’s obligations based on tort or good faith, if the specific, extraordinary circumstances warrant so. The Court of Appeals had ruled that such extraordinary circumstances did exist, however, did not sufficiently motivate that decision, according to the Supreme Court. The Court’s decision only relied on the fact that Alegria was aware of the timeshare agreements when it purchased the resort at the auction, which is insufficient to carry its conclusion. The Supreme Court adds that there may be other circumstances that can carry that conclusion and, therefore, refers the matter back to the Court of Appeals for a new ruling on this matter. Thus, a final outcome of the case is still to be awaited.
This is in essence what the Supreme Court considers in paragraph 3.8 of its judgment and what HBN (conveniently) leaves out in its press release.
Femke Jansen
Lexwell Attorneys at Law
Dear Editor,
It is often said that love conquers all. But the question is what is love?
1 Corinthians 13:4-5. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
“The Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6)
God, who is love (1 John 4:8), suffers long with sinners. And that’s why those who are born of God and know God also lovingly suffer long with sinners. Love is not permissive; it doesn’t tolerate sin, abuse, or injustice in the sense of enabling those things. We are to confront them. But we do so in the spirit of Exodus 34:6 and in the power of the Spirit of 1 Corinthians 13, remembering that love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” and that “love never ends” (1 Corinthians 13:7–8). A love that never ends is a love that suffers long.
Man’s love is a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person, a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend, sexual passion or desire. But that love of man seldom lasts. The reason: it is not long-suffering. Most human love depends on the situation, not on commitment.
Man’s love depends on financial status, health or feeling. God’s love has nothing to do with financial status, health or feelings. God’s perfect plan of salvation: “He or she who believes in the Son has everlasting life, and he or she who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him or her.” (John 3:36).
People reject Christ because they love their sin and they hate having it exposed by God’s light.
The 10 commandments are God’s everlasting laws that we should obey, but that is the obstruction to the masses’ lifestyle. Conclusion, God’s love is everlasting and God’s judgment is everlasting.
The first thing to understand about the final judgment is that it cannot be avoided. Regardless of how we may choose to interpret prophecy on the end times, we are told that “it is appointed to men once to die but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). We all have a divine appointment with our Creator. The offensive truth is a hard pill to swallow but it is still the truth.
Choices have consequences. Choose wisely.
The patriot Miguel Arrindell
Dear Editor,
The Dutch Parliament supported the establishment of new “Caribbean Reform” entity including the conditions set by PM Mr. Mark Rutte Cabinet III for short-term and temporary liquidity support for the governments of Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten.
This “one shoe-size fits all” proposal from Holland was countered by arguments and counterproposals by the respective governments in the Caribbean. The result is a stalemate.
In the interim, the impasse is an opportunity for government to take a hard look inwards for alternative means of income where there is already an infrastructure in place. Such a source of income can be the offshore market, the yachting industry and private aircraft registry.
The offshore business was once a lucrative income source for islands, especially Curaçao. It subsequently relocated to other countries including Holland, Switzerland and some (British) islands in the Caribbean. While there are new and more stringent regulations that govern the offshore sector, it remains a good way of generating income for governments. Holland continues to attract new offshore companies. This is especially true after “Brexit”.
The governments of St. Maarten, Aruba and Curaçao can benefit from considering a joint approach and taking a closer look at re-establishing a beachhead in this industry, in spite of the fact that some investors are moving out their shares. Case in point: According to a recent “Bloomberg” article written early September by Mr. Benjamin Stupples, Curaçao suffered a financial blow in the offshore sector, after multi-billionaire Mr. Anthony Bamford, chairman of excavator machine giant JCB, took all his shares in the company from a Curaçao holding company to Switzerland.
How do we move forward? Answer: Holland has one Representation with offices in St. Maarten, Aruba and Curaçao. All three islands have their own Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague. These offices must be more than just the link between the European and Caribbean-based countries. The representatives must continuously “walk the corridors of power” with a plan that includes the revival of the offshore industry.
“Lobbying for investments” through trade missions is well-known foreign and economic relations policy practiced in The Hague for centuries. St. Maarten, Curaçao, Aruba can revive the offshore sector within a short time. The offshore infrastructure “footprints” are still present on the above-mentioned islands and all three islands have previous experience and a deep well of expertise operating in this sector.
Since funds are scarce for everyone it is critically important that the islands pool their resources and jointly make a case to their Dutch counterparts at the Ministries of Economic Affairs for their support and expertise in re-establishing the offshore industry in St. Maarten, Aruba, Curaçao. The Caribbean governments must get together to attract the best tax lawyers in or outside of the Kingdom with one mission only: re-establishing the lucrative offshore business on all three islands.
There’s enough “clean” money in the world to support a healthy industry and attract capital back to our islands.
What is possible for Switzerland and the Netherlands should be possible here as well under the new international tax rules and other regulations that govern this business. The Central Banks of Curaçao and St. Maarten and of Aruba can offer a guiding hand and play a transparent role in this process.
Additionally, St. Maarten must set out a regulation to attract the yachting and private jet sector back to our shores. We are geographically well located and have a beautiful island to market. Other islands are rolling out the “red carpet” to attract quality tourism instead of blindly promoting mass tourism with all the negative consequences we have had the chance to experience over the past three decades.
This will not happen overnight and will require expert advice. The kind of tourist we seek to bring in will not tolerate dirty streets and scattered litter. Nor will they be attracted to cheap store-fronts hawking cheap trinkets. We must face our crime problems head-on and deliver a trouble- and worry-free vacation for our visitors.
Our population can only benefit from a safer island where families can stop worrying about their children and criminals can take their nefarious business elsewhere. This new attitude can only improve our quality of life and bring back prosperity. It will not happen by itself, it will only happen if we all pitch in and do our part.
There are no more high or low seasons to count on thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and its related effects on our economies. Experts are predicting this will last at least for another three years. We are in dire need of decisive and inclusive leadership to get our island moving in the right direction.
In conclusion, with the right frame of mind and desire to work together to achieve a common goal, we can flourish once again. However, achieving this goal requires the input of elected and appointed officials who have the background, integrity, determination and skills to get the job done.
The old way of doing business no longer works and will not work ever again. It’s equally important that citizens no longer accept the “laissez-faire” way of doing business of past that has left our country’s coffers empty today.
Our city center is a “ghost town” at night and many of our citizens including our pensioners are left poor and destitute. They are also prisoners in their homes, afraid or unable to venture out. We can do better.
Gracita Arrindell
President – People’s Progressive Alliance
By Alex Rosaria
Recently I participated in the JCI Willemstad panel discussion Peace is Possible. My intervention was based on power shifts in the world that make peace difficult to attain.
Undeniably power is shifting from the US and Europe to Asia. Horizontal power shifts like these are not new, however. We’ve seen power shift from Persia to Alexander the Great, from Greece to Rome and Europe to the US. What’s different this time is that power isn’t moving from one center to another center (or a bipolar US-USSR system). Rather, power is being redistributed among many players. Gone are the days of one superpower, as we see alternative power centers building up in China, India and Brazil, among others.
Totally new is that as the above-mentioned horizontal shifts are taking place, power that traditionally belonged to nation states is moving to a virtual global space. Think of this space as a digital environment in which individuals, groups and organizations interact, shop, create, innovate and design virtually instead of doing this in a physical environment. Internet, satellite communication, data, private information, shoppers, traders, financiers, speculators and designers all now live in a virtual space.
Before this shift it went without saying that these activities were subjected to local regulations, rules of law, public prosecutors and courts. Yet, in this virtual space this is not the case. People here can act almost without constraint. The problem arises when justice and courts realize that enforcing claims against those committing infractions come from places where laws differ widely from one to another. Suddenly we realize that activities worth USD trillions are beyond the reach of Central Banks and Financial Intelligence Units. Enforcing Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), consumer rights, privacy laws, tax laws, among others, becomes a major cause of concern for citizens, IPR owners and local governments as they realize that a great deal of power that used be encased by nation-states is now gone.
This virtual space is also populated by the things national governments have spent a great amount of time to regulate or eliminate like hate speech, intolerance, fake news, hacking, stalking, international criminality, terrorism and interference in elections, just to name a few. This trend is being accelerated by the social media platform. It has proven difficult to ensure accountability since users of social media usually consent to terms and conditions of the social media companies which give them a legitimate right to collect, share and use such data.
The migration of power will have consequences for everyone, also Curaçao. We must realize that peace and security is not about having the strongest army, the best police force or finest court system. We’ve seen that even if you are the most powerful nation on earth, nevertheless, those bad people who inhabit that global space can attack your city on a sunny September day.
One of the challenges of our time is to bring rule of law to the virtual global space. In my master’s thesis I argued for a United Nations code of conduct for multinational corporations (see the Swiss journal World Competition June 1991) because unregulated international trade gave multinationals – many with budgets larger than medium-size countries – a free pass to commit many abuses in Third World Countries of which the Nestlé’s Baby Killer Case, was perhaps the most abhorrent. Today the risks associated with globalization go beyond mere codes of conduct.
As a small island we are particularly vulnerable. Our actions are neither confined to itself, nor is it sufficient for us to control our own territory. We may already have or plan to legislate local laws against hate speech, fake news or election meddling, but we’re without defense if those perpetrating these actions operate beyond our shores, in global spaces.
In spite of obvious limited financial and administrative resources we need to actively participate in and pursue treaty-based organizations to ensure that the rule of law governs the relations between States of all sizes. We must realize that we can’t continue to not comply with the World Trade Organization and not assenting to Kyoto Protocol (both are examples of treaty-based platforms).
The most important thing we can do is to find out what we can do with others. Our capacity to network with others will determine how successful we are. We’ll have to deal with people with whom we do not always share their values, but with whom we share common interests. We are now interlocked in a way which has never been the case before. In the past we’d call the Minister of Justice about security issues. Now we’d want to talk to the Minister of Health because of pandemic disease, the Minister of Telecommunication because of a threat of cyber warfare, and the Minister of Governance because of election meddling.
This brings me to the last point. Our government is constructed based on vertical hierarchy and specialization of tasks. This is the wrong type of structure to have. We need to network externally with others, but perhaps more importantly we need to network horizontally within our own government.
~ Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia and the Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He is from Curaçao and has an MBA from University of Iowa (USA) ~.
