FOR NEWSWEEK SELECT FEBRUARY 2007: I took lead edits on this story and wrote the intro, and NYC loved the piece.
By Zhoumin, Huang Guangbin, Huang Xiaoyin (Beijing), Megan Shank (Shanghai)
Newsweek Select February 2007
Recent years have defined China as a powerful world player, but how can the nation evolve into an equitable, lawful and innovative global leader? Newsweek Select asked 10 experts in the fields of science, technology, law and education to assess the challenges the country faces and to offer some solutions. From abolishing capital punishment to establishing capital risk investment mentoring programs, they weighed in. How could a standardized system improve e-commerce? Who should take the lead in establishing a corporate governance structure? Some wanted the government to be more involved in development, while others called for privatization. But all agreed there is a lot of work to be done. Excerpts:
Only through abolishing the death penalty can this chain of violent culture be broken.
Zhou Xiaozheng Sociologist and Renmin University of China Professor
As we construct a harmonious society, all irrational social phenomena handed down to us by previous generations, including the culture of violence, must be reformed. The death penalty is one such example. Although China promised to abolish the death penalty with its 1998 signing of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, it has yet to abandon capital punishment. However, beginning January 1, 2007, the Supreme People’s Court will take back the power previously delegated to provincial courts to approve all death sentences. Additionally, inspired by the nearing 2008 Olympics, China has put forth the idea of the “humanistic Olympics” with the ultimate hope that in 2008 the country can fulfill its international promise to abolish the death penalty. Cautious or reduced application of, or even the elimination of, the death penalty is a huge step for society and marks the return of a law-based culture that values human life. If a child is born into society and becomes a criminal, society bears a large responsibility. Bad superiors produce bad subordinates, and corrupt officials and tricky people are two sides of the same coin. The idea that “a chaotic world needs harsh punishments” is absolutely absurd. The government is simply repeating the criminal’s mistake, layering mistake upon mistake. Only through abolishing the death penalty can this chain of violent culture be broken, the most basic respect of life realized and humanism expressed. A harmonious culture is the foundation of a harmonious society. Thus, the abolishment of the death penalty is not only the most fundamental step in the building of a harmonious society, it will also do great measure toward promoting that society. Of course, once the death penalty is abolished, the most heinous of criminals should receive life sentences with no opportunity for parole. In addition, research into these criminal’s motives will provide significant benefits in crime prevention.
Reduce the government’s influence on bank administration and establish a highly effective corporate governance framework.
Guo Tianyong Director of the Central University of Finance and Economics’ Chinese Banking Industry Research Center
With the opening of the Chinese banking system on December 11, 2006, the question of how to establish and perfect an international standard framework of corporate governance will prove to be the key as to whether or not Chinese banks will be able to establish a foothold in direct, open competition with foreign banks. First, we must change the government’s previous method of “recommending” the directors of state banks. Although many of these directors are retired People’s Bank of China department-level leaders with abundant experience and capability, this system’s arrangement provides a small range of choices. We must adopt full market methodology, recruiting a diversity of outstanding bankers from across the globe. In addition, we must make fundamental changes to policy mechanisms, going from “boss knows best” to a corporate governance mechanism where the “Board of Directors” makes policy. Only a board of directors can truly lead from a market management perspective. There are other necessary reforms too. The government should be restrained from over-involvement in bank operations. Gradually phasing the bank’s administrative ranks to prevent undue influence is also essential.
Only by relying on industry and being guided by its needs can we truly connect with the world.
Ding Qiang Ministry of Commerce APEC Asia-Pacific E-Commerce Alliance Chairman
International e-commerce is by no means just a business transaction between two trading partners– it also involves dozens of organizations and departments, including commerce, customs, quality inspection, banking, insurance, and transport in two locales. It is a complex process riddled with minute details. Thus, in order to achieve efficient international data exchange and transmission, we must have common professional standards and data sharing mechanisms. Currently, although state standardization bodies are tirelessly carrying out standardization work, in their focus on updating electronic documents they are ignoring the practical requirements that drive the industry. So-called “synergism” must be built upon a standardized language, and must rely on the industry and be guided by industry needs. Thus, we must make practical use of the XML electronic document format, which is commonly used internationally, and make real efforts to learn from the results of related international organizations. By doing this, China can finally put all of its effort into effectively promoting standardization in areas such as data unification between different departments, data security protection, and electronic signatures, and formulating an e-commerce plan that will truly connect China with the rest of the world.
Focus on waste, promote conservation, and start from the bottom up in handling the energy crunch.
Mo Zhilu Executive Director of the China Energy Conservation Association, Winner of the 10 Management Innovation Award for the Asian Young Chinese Business People
From the time of its liberalization reforms to today, China has promoted a pattern of extensive growth that requires a great degree of resources. Consequently, China’s energy, fresh water, land, and mineral resources have become insufficient. The conflict between demand and the reality of actual supply is becoming ever more apparent. For example, the products produced by eight of China’s high energy consumption industries – including iron, nonferrous metals, electricity, and chemical engineering – consume an average of 40% more energy than the world leaders in their fields. In addition, despite China’s energetic proposals to build an energy conserving society, the promotion of energy conservation by related industries and government departments on all levels is not far reaching enough. Serious waste is a common occurrence in public service domains. In one medium-sized city, for example, streetlights and so-called “light engineering” consumed 50 million RMB in power over the course of a year. If energy saving products had been used instead, at least 25% of the cost could have been saved–in this case 12.5 million RMB, a considerable savings. To effectively solve the energy crunch, China needs to start from the bottom up. Government on every level must, in addition to paying close attention to any possible waste of resources, actively encourage industries to combine their strengths. The government should also conduct wide-ranging research on sustainable and effective conservation measures and encourage the population to adopt energy saving lifestyles.
True and meaningful non-governmental organizations can only exist if the government abandons its strict control of the NGO registration policy.
Mao Yushi Chairman of the Board of the Unirule Institute of Economics
In China, there is a great demand for NGOs in fields such as economics, culture and technology. But the strict regulation that stipulates “NGOs must be affiliated with a governmental department to register” is a large obstacle to the development of NGOs. The presence of the government can be felt throughout, so on a certain level, it runs contrary to the founding principle behind NGOs. Additionally, many small, spontaneous and undeniably effective civil groups operating without legal standing are placed in an awkward position. Within the current system, reforming the stipulation that NGOs must be affiliated with a governmental department to register will be a slow and lengthy process. But it must be done for China to have true NGOs that can make greater contributions to Chinese society. Not all NGOs are “good,” but NGOs should provide a means for people to have a fair and equal dialogue with each other.
In regards to policy regarding the arts, the government should replace subsidies with awards.
Wu Guanzhong Member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Tsinghua University, Professor of Art
Today, as demonstrated by the appearance of thousands of art museums, art associations, art academies, galleries and painters, China’s economic and material conditions are better than ever before. But outstanding painters have yet to appear. Many painters look down on art associations, but will use the associations to exhibit their works and raise their professional standing. Associations are far removed from art research and have become a covert yamen. Monopolization of the power to evaluate art influences the direction in which art and literature develop. The association should be a civilian group for the arts that explains different artistic perspectives through a comparison of notes and embodies the idea of “let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought strive (let the arts have free expression).” Therefore, as for policies regarding the arts, it is inadvisable for the government to continue subsidizing the arts. Instead, the government should replace its subsidies with prizes and reallocate subsidy funds as prize money, thereby encouraging outstanding artistic works and talented artists.
Schools and companies should work hand-in-hand to develop outstanding capital managers.
Zhang Fan Founding Partner of Sequoia Capital China
Being able to “smell an opportunity” is an inherent trait in capitalists. The rapid development of China’s venture capital industry over the last few years has certainly attracted a number of foreign investors. However some projects lack specialized individuals with experience in local operations and capital management. Consequently errors in strategy appear. This affects investors’ confidence and shows that China’s venture capital industry’s talent cannot match the scope of the market’s capital investment development demands, which creates a bottleneck. Considering the course of international venture capital development, it’s clear that talented people cannot be trained overnight. The United States and other countries follow an apprentice model, which calls for seven to eight years to train a new generation of outstanding managers. China began practicing this same process a few years, so it is expected to be a difficult problem to solve in the short term. We can only rely upon those managers who have returned from overseas with abundant experience. Graduates with degrees in finance from all domestic universities are an important part of this foundation of talent and can be developed into a reserve of venture capital management strength. However, to create a long-term solution to this bottleneck, universities must establish venture capital investment majors as soon as possible, and the industry should provide teaching, assistance, and leadership support. Only this can effectively provide China with outstanding capital managers who both understand the local situation and are well versed in investment. Following this we can take steps to develop and spur foreign interest in China’s venture capital market.
The only way to break through the current bottleneck is to push for more products and services and to work closely with network operators.
Deng Yuqiang Chief Executive Officer of 3G.CN
Wireless network information services are the most important component of the 3G industry. The market here is completely unlike the market abroad. Right now, the base number of users of most of the wireless network platforms (or independent WAP platforms) is pretty low, and products and services are only used out of interest and curiosity. There is no clear business model to make a profit in the near future. To change this situation, industry members must work closely with internet operators, as well as promote relevant 3G products such as streaming media, video and audio messages, mailboxes and games. They must also try different payment methods for subscribers such as electronic banking, telephone deposit and branch office payments. They must also place more wireless network advertisements. Only by doing this can the industry break through the bottleneck of limited subscribers and the current business model.
Support the business and allow more people to participate in the research and production of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Jiang Linkui President of Harbin Pharmaceutical Group
A well-established part of our national heritage with 5,000 years’ history, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been proven scientifically effective through practical use. However, many companies’ low technical standards and production methods negatively influence TCM’s newly undertaken modernization. In order to effectively promote the modernization process, state supervisory departments need to not only strengthen investigations of those companies that lack scientific research and production capabilities, but also need to support companies from across the nation that possess strong capabilities. This will allow more people to participate in the research and production of Chinese medicine. Industry groups should also actively participate in every region’s TCM modernization through the establishment of specialist committees and the strict adherence to national document authentication standards. They should also increase the industry’s entry threshold and promote its healthy development by increasing self-discipline among professionals. Additionally, industry professionals should further improve material selection, production, quality control, transportation and storage aspects and proactively introduce foreign production and quality control techniques. The use of international-standard advanced anti-counterfeit measures can also create a sense of responsibility and help engender a feeling of trust among people toward Chinese medicine.
改进中国的10个主意
撰文／周敏、黄光斌、黄小燕（北京） 近几年来，中国被认定是世界的一个强大参与者。但这个国家如何才能演变成為一个公平、法治、创新的全球领导者？《新闻周刊 中文月刊》邀請了10位科学、技术、法律、教育等領域的专家，请他们评述这个国家所面临的挑战并提出应对之策。从废除死刑到建立资本风险投资教育项目，他们有理有据地阐述了自己的观点。一个标准化系统如何改变电子商务？谁应该在建立公司监管结构中扮演领导者的角色？有人希望政府能够更加积极地参与发展，其他人则呼吁私有化。不管如何，10位专家一致认为要走的路还很长。
废除死刑以切断暴力文化的链条。
周孝正 社会学家、中国人民大学教授 在构建和谐社会的大背景下，各种历史遗留下来的不尽合理的社会现象亟需进行革新。其中“暴力文化”就是一个方面。以死刑核准为例，中国虽在1998年签署了联合国保护人权的 B 公约，承诺将会废除死刑，然而到目前还没有实施。不过，从今年1月1日开始，最高人民法院收回了下放到各省人民法院的死刑核准权。此外，2008年奥运会将至，国家也提出“人文奥运”的口号，并希望能够在2008年的时候，履行对国际社会的承诺废除死刑。 慎杀或少杀甚至不杀，这是社会的极大进步，是法文化、以人为本精神的回归。一个孩子来到社会最后变成了罪犯，社会也有很大的责任。所谓上梁不正下梁歪，贪官和刁民是一个硬币的两面。“乱世用重典”，简直就是一派胡言。政府只是在重复罪犯的错误，错上加错。只有废除死刑，才能切断暴力文化的链条、体现对生命最基本的尊敬、体现对社会个体的人文关怀。和谐文化是和谐社会的基础。因此，废除死刑不单是构建和谐社会最基础性的工作，它对构建和谐社会也起着积极的推动作用。 当然了，废除死刑之后，这些十恶不赦的罪犯应受终生监禁不得保释。此外，研究这些罪犯的心路历程，也对犯罪的预防做出一定的贡献。
淡化政府在银行中的行政色彩，建立高效的公司治理结构。
郭田勇 中央财经大学中国银行业研究中心主任 随着中国银行业于去年12月11日全面开放，如何建立并完善国际通行的高效公司治理结构，已成为中国银业未来能否在与外资银行的直接、正面竞争中取得立足之地的关键。 首先，我们必须更改之前政府向国有银行“定向推荐”董事的方式。尽管这些人员多是央行局级的退休领导，而且也具有丰富的经验和能力。但这仍然是体制内的一种安排，选择范围也小。我们必须采取完全市场化的方式，向全球“公开选拔”招募各种优秀的银行家加盟。另外也要在决策机制上作出本质性的变化，由以往“领导拍脑子”改为“董事会”决策的公司治理机制。这样“董事会”才能从市场化的经营角度，真正起到主导性的作用。 逐步过渡并取消银行的行政级别，甚至淡化银行的行政色彩，通过机制来约束政府在银行经营中的行政干预等，这些都是中国银行行政管理体制势在必行的改革。
以行业为依托、以需求为导向，这样才能真正与国际接轨。
丁强 商务部APEC亚太电子商务联盟主席 国际间的电子商务活动并不仅限于两个贸易伙伴之间的商业交往，它还涉及到两地的商务部、海关、质检、银行、保险、运输等几十个机构和部门，是一个繁琐且复杂的过程。因此，要有效的实现国际数据交换与传输，我们必需要有一个共同的业务标准和数据共享机制。 目前，尽管国家的标准化机构一直不懈的进行标准化的制定工作，但它们却多着眼于电子单证的更新上，而忽略了业务驱动的实际需求。所谓的“协同”必须以“标准”化的语言为基础，并以行业为依托、以需求为导向。因此我们必须在实践应用中采纳国际通行的XML电子单证格式，并认真地借鉴相关国际组织的成果。这样国家日后才能够全力有效地推进不同部门之间的数据统一、数据安全保护和电子签名等相关标准化工作，和制定出能够与国际真正接轨的电子商务方案。
正视浪费及积极推广节能，从根本上处理能源紧张问题。
莫志禄 中国节能协会常务理事、亚洲青年华商十大管理创新奖得主 中国自开放改革而来，至今仍然维持着粗放型的增长方式，并在相当程度上依赖资源的高投入来予以实现，导致国家在能源、淡水、土地、矿产等资源上出现不足，且矛盾越来越突出。 举例来说，中国的钢铁、有色、电力、化工等8个高耗能行业，他们的单位产品能耗，便比世界先进水平的同类行业平均高40％以上。另外，尽管近两年来国家大力倡导构建节约型社会，但是，各级政府部门以及各个相关行业在推进节能工作上还是不够深入。像诸如路灯以及所谓的“亮光工程”等公共服务领域，便普遍存在着严重的浪费现象。以一个中等城市为例，路灯和“亮光工程”一年的耗电费用便达到5,000万元人民币（这里指浪费掉，还是用电量？）。其实，只要用上节电产品，我们则至少可以省下四分之一的支出，即1,250万元人民币。这可算是一笔可观的金钱。 所以，要有效地解决中国能源紧张的问题，我们必须从根本上作出改变。中国各级政府除应对各种浪费现象予以高度重视之外，也应积极鼓励各个行业结合自身特点，广泛地研发持续有效的节能措施。并在市民间推广节能的优良生活习惯。
放弃对非政府组织注册制度的严格控制，才能有真正意义上的非政府组织。
茅于轼 天则经济研究所所长 今天，中国在经济、文化、科教等各领域上对非政府组织的需求很大。然而，“非政府组织必须挂靠一个部级政府单位才能注册”的严格控制，却给非政府组织的发展带来很大的障碍，而且浓厚的政府背景还是从某种程度上违背了非政府组织理念的本原。此外，对于一大批源于民间的小型自发组织，尽管它们也在发挥不可忽视的作用，但却因为没有一个合法的身份而处于尴尬的境地。 在当前的体制下，尽管改革非政府组织必须挂靠政府单位才能注册的做法的过程可能会很漫长，但是只有这样做，中国才能有真正意义上的非政府组织，它们才能为中国社会发挥更大的贡献。當然，我们不能说所有的非政府组织都是“好人”，但是非政府组织必需是一个可以与人民之间形成平等、公平对话的机构。
对待美术的策略，政府应以“奖”代“养”。
吴冠中 全国政协常委、清华大学美术学院教授 今天，经济物质条件空前繁荣，各种画院、美协、艺术院校、画廊林立，画家以万计，杰出画家知多少，还待来日。众多画家仰协会鼻息，纷纷借助参加协会、入选画展等等条件回单位提升自己的职称。协会远离了学术研究，成了变相衙门。把持艺术品评之权的个人因素影响了文艺的方向。协会应是民间学术团体，应该阐明不同学术观点，相互切磋，体现“百花齐放、百家争鸣”方针之优势。因此，对待美术的策略，政府不宜供养，应以“奖”代“养”，把养的大量经费改作奖金，大量奖励杰出的作品和人才。
学院及企业携手合作，培养优秀资本管理人才。
张帆 红杉资本中国基金创始合伙人 资本家的本性就是“闻到了机会就来”。最近几年迅速发展的中国风险投资业的确吸引了不少海外投资者，但部份项目却由于缺乏对本土运营及资本管理经验的专门人才，因而在策略上出现偏差，影响了投资者的信心，暴露出中国风投业人才跟不上市场融资规模的发展要求，出现瓶颈。纵观国际风投行业的发展历程，风投管理人才的培养并不是一蹴而就的。在美国等国家都是学徒式，七八年才能培养出新一代优秀的管理人。中国最近几年才刚开始这样的一个过程，故预计短期内这个问题将难以解决，并且只能继续依靠从国外归来的一些富有经验的投资人才作为主流。 国内各大院校金融投资专业的毕业生都是基础性人才的一个重要组成部分，可以作为风投管理后备力量予以培养。然而要长远解决这个人才瓶颈，各大院校必须尽快设立风险投资专业，企业也应提供“传帮带”的配合，这样才能有效地给中国培养出既了解本地情况，又深谙投资之道的优秀资本管理人才。继而能进一步开拓和带动国际对中国风投市场的兴趣。
联合网络运营商和推出更多产品及服务才能突破目前瓶颈。
邓裕强 3G门户网站首席执行官 无线互联网信息服务作为3G产业链中最为关键的一个环节，其市场跟国外完全不一样。而且大多数无线互联网平台（简称“独立WAP平台”）目前的用户基数普遍比较低，产品和服务仅限于兴趣应用，更谈不上有清晰的商业模式可在短期内实现收益的可能。 要改变这种情况，业者必需与网络运营商紧密合作，并推出流媒体、视频、音频、邮箱、游戏等相关3G产品，及在收费渠道上尝试点卡、电子银行、固定电话充值，或者是运营商代收费等方式，并且加强推广无线互联网广告。只有这样，业者才机会突破目前用户规模和商业模式这两方面的瓶颈。
扶持业者，让更多国人参与中药的研发和生产。
姜林奎 哈药集团总经理 作为五千年源远流长的国粹，中医中药已经被实践证明是科学有效的。然而，国家在推进中药现代化进程中，由于不少企业的技术水平偏低，且生产手段落后，导致产品不良反应率居高不下，对处于起步阶段的中药现代化带来了不良的影响。 要有效地推行中药现代化，国家监管部门除应加强彻查那些没有科研和生产能力的企业之外，也该在各个地区重点扶持综合实力较强的企业，好让更多国人能够全面参与中药的研发和生产工作。行业组织也应积极配合国家中药现代化的各种进程，例如成立专业委员会、严格遵从国家相关的认证标准，并透过业者间的自律来提高中药业的准入门槛和促进中药业的健康发展。 此外，在选材、生产、质量控制、运输、储存等各个环节上，中药业者也应进一步予以加强和改善，并积极参考和引入国外先进的生产工艺和质检技术。使用诸如国际通行的先进防伪措施，也能进一步做到以负责任的态度，为老百姓提供放心的良药的目标。
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