TCE: “I think the situation will become worse before it gets better because it will not be possible in the short term to replace the loss of the international export revenues with increased national demand.”
Journalist: “It is said that more than 10 million Chinese have lost their jobs – how volatile is that politically?”
TCE: It is clear that if the dream for a better life shatters for a sufficient amount of people, this may be a source for unhappiness and social unrest. However, we also need to be aware that the affected groups do not have any channels through which they can convey their grievances, they are not organized, nor can they organize, and also, the regime in Beijing has much political capital to draw upon.
Journalist: “…But nevertheless it is evident that Beijing is concerned with the social unrest that may be instigated by the high amount of unemployed people?”
TCE: “Beijing is concerned with showing people that they are able to handle the financial crisis. An important point for them is that the financial crisis did not start in China, but came from abroad. I believe the attitude of most Chinese is that their government is doing everything they can to help the ones affected by the crisis.”
Journalist: “There is a steady flow of unemployed people at the trainstation heading towards an uneasy and difficult future. In this situation, Norway is offering help and ideas.”
TCE: “I think our message should be that Norway has experience within energy and environment, within distribution of wealth – experiences that China may draw upon in relation to the current political challenges they are facing, and which have been enhanced by the financial crisis.”
Journalist: “How so, more concretely?”
TCE: “Take internal consumption – when an operation at a hospital for many costs the equivalent of half a years pay, it is no wonder that people are anxious to keep their life savings and not spend them. In relation to this, Norway has important experiences that the Chinese are genuinely interested in.”
Journalist: “Even though the financial crisis had struck China particularly hard these days, it is a problem that affects the whole world.”