June 18, 1986

Historically speaking, your Rong family has performed meritorious service in helping to develop China's industry, thus making contributions to the nation. The growth of national industry helps to advance the progress of history, while the negative elements of capitalism are another aspect of the story. The reunion of your family members at this time is a happy event, an expression of unity and a rehearsal for our great national reunion. We should strive for the great unity of the entire Chinese nation.

You are so capable and knowledgeable that you are in a position to make important contributions to our country. As you have many associates and friends, I hope you will tell them about our country. You can ask them to come back for a look. One visit is not enough. They will have a better understanding of China if they come several times. They will see how our country is advancing. Some conditions here are not so satisfactory at the moment. But that is nothing serious, because they will gradually improve.

The prospects for our country are bright. Our first objective is to make the nation comparatively well-off by the year 2000. We cannot set our sights too high; we have to be realistic. Being comparatively well-off doesn't mean that we shall live in affluence, but we shall live better than we do now. As China is a socialist country, our national revenue will be distributed in a way that benefits all the people. There will be neither people who are too rich nor people who are too poor, and everyone will have an easier life.

What is more important, China will become one of the few countries having a GNP of US$1 trillion or more. When the total strength of the country is much greater, it will no longer be so difficult for us to do things. For instance, if we appropriated five per cent of GNP for education, that would come to $50 billion, as against the present figure of seven or eight billion. If another five per cent of GNP were allocated to national defence, military expenditure would be quite a considerable figure. But we are not going to do that, because we do not participate in the arms race. A greater portion of our total revenue will be used to raise the people's living standards and promote education. With the foundation we shall have built by the end of the century, and with the efforts we shall exert in the following 30 to 50 years, the average per capita GNP will be quadrupled again. Then, I am sure, China will be more powerful than it is today, and that will be beneficial to world peace. Chinese citizens living abroad and persons of Chinese descent are welcome to take part in this promising endeavour.

We adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace and do not join any bloc. We are prepared to maintain contacts and make friends with everyone. We are against any country that practices hegemonism. We are against any country that commits aggression against others. We are fair in our words and in our deeds. This adds to China's political influence. This policy has produced good results, and we shall follow it forever.

Chinese living abroad and persons of Chinese descent are welcome to come back for a visit. For one thing, they will be able to understand our country better. For another, they will see what projects they can participate in and how they can contribute. I believe they will enthusiastically support our efforts to build the country.

(Excerpt from a talk to members of a visiting delegation of the Rong family, some from mainland China and others from the United States, Canada, Australia, the Federal Republic of Germany, Brazil, Hong Kong and Macao.)

(From Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Volume III <1982-1992>)