Straits Times, Singapore

MM Lee on the rise of the Beijing Consensus

But MM Lee said that China could have handled Tibet protests better
By Li Xueying

A NEW school of thought is emerging on what a country needs to grow
economically.

And leading it is China, which will use the upcoming Olympics Games as
a platform to get across its message on growth, said Minister Mentor
Lee Kuan Yew.

In highlighting the China model, he said: 'There is now growing a
certain Beijing Consensus that is different from the Washington
Consensus: What is it you need to grow?

'Order, certainty, consistency, hard work, market-friendly policies,
savings and investments, trade, education and training.'

This is a shift from the development model touted by the United States
since the early 1990s, which stresses open economies and minimal state
intervention, and is based on the superiority of democratic politics.

Mr Lee described the China phenomenon in an interview last Tuesday
with Bloomberg News, the transcript of which was released by his
office on Tuesday.

RELATED LINKS
MM Lee's interview with Bloomberg
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/pdf/20080506/MMinterview%20with%20Bloom\
berg.pdf

He noted that China has been conveying its message on the attributes
for growth to leaders around the world and 'the Olympics will be
another occasion'.

During the interview, Mr Lee spoke on issues both local and global -
ranging from Singapore's political-succession challenge, to China's
handling of the Tibet issue.

While he commented favourably on what he anticipates will be an
Olympic Games of 'world standards', he was critical of the way China
had handled the Tibet protests.

For instance, it ordered the foreign media out of Tibet when riots
started in March.

'Had they engaged the West, all this would have turned out
differently,' said Mr Lee, referring to the protests that dogged the
global Olympic torch relay.

China, he added, 'should learn to...take the Western media on the
Western media's terms'.

But unfortunately, China is still set in its 'old' mindset, in the way
it reacts, he said.

'But they're learning.'

Getting out of this mindset is its biggest challenge.

Latest comments
According to MM Lee, the Beijing Consensus is 'Order, certainty,
consistency, hard work, market-friendly policies, savings and
investments, trade, education and training' while the Washington
Consensus is open economies and minimal state intervention, and is
based on the superiority of democratic politics.

May I know what is the significant difference between Beijing
Consensus and the Washington Consensus as mentioned by MM Lee above?
How can we have market-friendly policies when we don’t have open
economies and minimal state intervention? And may I know what is wrong
with democratic politics? In what way it hinders order, certainty,
investment, trade, education and training. If Singapore has a
benevolent leadership, it does not mean democracy is unimportant. All
of us are shaped by our own experience and we tend to conclude what is
good for us basing on what it works.
Posted by: ahbengttdi at Wed May 07 02:24:10 SGT 2008
I absolutely agree with what MM Lee mentioning about China "should
learn to...take the western media on the western media terms". Well,
we should give China a leeway to adjust and accustom with the changes
for now instead of judging them. Didn't they just come out from their
own world? It certainly takes some time to adapt to a new transition.
Let us be graceful enough to allow more time to see how they are doing
in few years down the road. As what MM Lee said "they're learning"
Posted by: saccharine at Wed May 07 00:00:04 SGT 2008
I agree with TeoWilly.

Once the Chinese netizens read the full text they will not be bashing
and whacking MM and Singapore. They will most likely applaud MM views
and learn from it.

One must understands that MM Lee is well respected in the world of
politic, and he is always asked for his views/observations and
recommendations. He too is well quoted in every major tabloid.

MM Lee has got a fantastic futurist vision. Look how many of
Singapores' policies are being copied and implemented everywhere.

The only policy that is not being copied YET.. ban on chewing gum. I'm
positive that this too will be followed over time.
Posted by: LookingIn at Tue May 06 22:56:05 SGT 2008
Aiyoh... don't say "listen"... if word of this spread to the Chinese
netizens, they sure whack MM and Singapore one...
Posted by: ForgiveForget at Tue May 06 22:20:45 SGT 2008
MM Lee is a old friend of China.I hope the authorities take his advice
seriously and that is I quote MM Lee, they should learn to .......
take the western media on the western media's terms.
Posted by: TeoWilly at Tue May 06 21:30:13 SGT 2008

+++++++++++++

TRANSCRIPT OF MINISTER MENTOR LEE KUAN YEW’S INTERVIEW
WITH HASLINDA AMIN OF BLOOMBERG NEWS ON 29 APRIL 2008 AT ISTANA
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/pdf/20080506/MMinterview%20with%20Bloom\
berg.pdf

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