By Gabriel Smith

BUFFALO, N.Y. - On March 26 Consul General to the United States from the People's Republic of China, Zhang Honghxi, delivered a speech at Buffalo State College.

Zhang's presentation was the keynote speech of the school's International Awareness Week. The presentation was organized and sponsored by the College's Asian American Student Organization, International Student Affairs Office and Center for China Studies.

A capacity crowd of approximately 60 people gathered in the assembly hall to hear the presentation, entitled "The Growing Economy of China." Consul Zhang spoke in Mandarin Chinese, with an English interpreter from his staff.

Zhang presented a broad overview of the present state of China's economy, including its infrastructure, foreign trade, its role in the 21st century, negotiations for entry into the World Trade Organization and the market economy influences.

Consul Zhang discussed China's directed development in primary industries such as manufacturing and secondary industries such as service industries.

He stated that this has resulted in a yearly growth rate of 7.7 percent, while the average yearly growth rate for the rest of the world stands at 3 percent.

Zhang discussed the increased development of China's basic infrastructure, such as roads, which he stated has laid a solid foundation for further economic development.

Zhang touted China's achievement in having been able to provide "adequate food and shelter for 27 percent of the world's population."

He discussed the increased standard of living for urban and rural populations, which he stated has been a result of the increased spending on transportation, housing and cultural entertainment.

In the arena of foreign trade, Zhang stated that China is currently involved in trade with 220 countries worldwide, including the European Union and the United States.

Discussion of China's negotiations for entry into the World Trade Organization comprised a large part of Consul Zhang's presentation.

He discussed the concessions China has made in preparation for entry into the WTO, including decreased import tariffs, lifting of export subsidies, decreased regulation on foreign investment and the privatization of collective public property.

Consul Zhang stated that China is "following the way of reform" in making negotiations for entry into the WTO its highest priority. He admitted that entry into the WTO will cause China to face a hard restructuring of its economy, a challenge to its domestic industries and unemployment.

As a measure against the expected mass unemployment, Zhang explained, China has a plan for the establishment of a social insurance fund for those workers displaced by the restructuring.

Zhang outlined the basic goals of China's next five year plan, which he stated would make further economic development a central theme.

The plan would set goals for a yearly growth rate of 7.5 percent, increased living standards, the coordination of economic development with social development and further "reform" in collective property.