Speech given by Annie S C Wu
Carleton College Commencement, June 13, 2009

President Robert Oden, members of the Faculty, graduating class of 2009, honorable guests and parents, good morning,

I am deeply honored and grateful to receive the honorary degree today from Carleton College. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my parents’ long term friends and my mentors, Ambassador Burton Levin and Mrs. Lily Levin, who, in the early 1980s introduced to me the ideals and objectives of Carleton. They also introduced Professor Roy Grow and Mary-Lewis Grow who I have met in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. This is my first visit to Northfield, it inspires to me that Carleton has really carried out the ideals of embracing harmony and also ensuring prosperity in order to promote world peace.

On my visit to Beijing in 1979, China was trying to open its doors for foreign businesses after 30 years of seclusion. We were considered “Capitalist” from Hong Kong even though we are Hong Kong Chinese. To eliminate their concern and suspicion, my objective was to create a harmonious environment to build up their trust in us. The Chinese had never discussed with foreign partners; they were not sure about the joint venture laws; how to have return on their investment and no direct channel for foreign remittance. I engaged them in face to face dialogue to build a harmonious business relationship with mutual trust and mutual respect. It is a relationship we treasure for 30 years.

When we have a successful business, we are actually providing employment for the local community, helping to build a harmonious society and ensuring prosperity and stability to the country. This is an example not only suitable for China but for emerging economies. It is a very useful formula.

The United Nations has the duty to promote and ensure world peace but it should not shoulder this responsibility alone. A citizen of this world, an entrepreneur should provide better education to the underprivileged through philanthropic activities. By joining hands around the world, we can help the United Nations either as an NGO or be an advocate to this ideal – Education and Services.

Trade is mutual partnership and mutual cooperation. Aid is only a channel of charitable activity. With trade, we are able to bring up the next generation; to engage our partners, to improve their livelihood and enhance understanding. Mr. Guy F. Tozzoli, President of World Trade Centers Association, he has founded since 1970s said, “World Trade means World Peace because you cannot fight with your trading partners.” I am a Board Member and Vice Chairman of this international not-for-profit, non-political association with a network of 350 cities worldwide.

In September 1990, I arranged for the former Vice Premier of China, Madam Wu Yi to be the keynote speaker for the General Assembly of our Association held in the State Capitol of Minnesota. She was then the Vice Mayor of Beijing and on her maiden trip to USA. I arranged her to visit a supermarket and also a waste disposal plant. Back in Beijing, she insisted on improving services for the people. Now you can see so many supermarkets in Beijing and around China. In 1991, I organized the former Premier of China, Mr. Zhu Rongji, on his first visit to USA as Mayor of Shanghai, to stop over in Minnesota, to visit Mayo Clinic. Upon his return, he immediately sent a group of experts to set up medical supplies joint ventures with Minnesota companies in Shanghai. All in all, Minnesota has been a very important beacon or lighthouse for insight on China’s economic development. Thank you Minnesota!

2009 is the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, the new China the Communist Party founded in 1949. It is also the 30th anniversary in celebration of the re-establishment of ties between China and USA. The leaders of USA and China have engaged in harmonious relationship to develop trade for the prosperity of both countries and other global partners who are interested in maintaining world peace.

My favorite U.S. President, the late John F. Kennedy, in his inspiring inaugural address said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” To the graduating class of 2009, ask not what Carleton can do for you but ask yourself what you can do for harmony of your community, for prosperity of your region and for world peace.

The late Dr. Martin Luther King said in his famous speech that “I have a Dream.” Indeed, his dream came true in 2009 with President Barack Obama leading the change! I see in the students of Carleton that through your dreams, your ideals and what you have accomplished here that someday you will be the leaders in charge of our global community.

The great philosopher, Confucius said, “He welcomes friends from afar with open arms.” Welcome, Students from Carleton College, to China my motherland, to Hong Kong my home. You will always be met with open arms. Let us work together for harmony and prosperity to promote world peace.

Heartiest congratulations and God bless.

I salute you, Class of 2009.

Thank you.