Rudd. Photo by Pu Feng, a reporter from Beijing News

Rudd. Photo by Pu Feng, a reporter from Beijing News

Beijing News Express (Reporter Han Xuyang and Liu Suhong) On the afternoon of the 27th, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was attending the 4th Global Think Tank Summit and the World Peace Forum in Beijing, accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from the Beijing News. Rudd wished "good luck" to his daughter who recently opened an online store in China and said that the so-called China's economic collapse theory is "nonsense".

Support my daughter to open an online store in China

Recently, Rudd's daughter Lu Jiexi opened a store on Tmall International. On the 24th, Lu Jiexi said on Weibo that the online store sold her and her daughter's favorite Australian products, which were greetings and gifts they carefully prepared to bring to everyone. Later, Rudd forwarded his daughter's Weibo to support her in selling "Australian specialties." When a reporter from the Beijing News asked Rudd whether he had "proposal" for opening a store in China, Rudd said that he had never interfered in the work of his children and wished her "good luck".

"This is her own idea, and I have never intervened, and I think she will do it well. The women in Australia are very independent, including my daughter. I support all my children's work and wish her good luck in her business! I know Jessie very well and I think she will build a good relationship with clients," Rudd said.

Regarding why his daughter opened an online store in China, Rudd said, "Everyone who wants to do business will start from one place."

"As an Australian, I hope anyone can use Australian products, which naturally includes China," said Rudd.

China's economic collapse theory is nonsense

Regarding the "China Economic Collapse Theory" of the American media a few days ago, Rudd's statement was very direct: "China Economic Collapse Theory is nonsense."

In early May, in a speech in New York, Rudd refuted the new "China collapse theory" of Shen Dawei, a professor at George Washington University in the United States. Rudd said the key to the problem is that Chinese leaders are clearly aware of the existing problems and have taken major measures. Rudd said that economic history shows that development has entered the middle-class income stage, and rapid growth has automatically adjusted to a slower stage, and the same is true in China. China is undergoing changes in its economic development model, and growth will slow down in this process. When new development models must take into account higher environmental requirements, economic growth will also slow down. Moreover, China's changing model and protecting the environment is at a time when world economic development is slowing down.

"I have been studying China's economy for 35 years. According to previous experience, although the development process will not go smoothly and there will be twists and turns, China has overcome these difficulties. When I was still a national leader (Australia), I also had the same experience." Rudd told a reporter from the Beijing News.

"I think the development of China's economy will definitely continue. Chinese leaders now attach great importance to the new normal, and this new model will directly or indirectly affect the growth rate. The core is to turn the old economic model into a new economic model, and this new economic model is a sustainable economic development model." Rudd said.

Rudd: Very optimistic about the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

In Rudd's view, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are a good help to regional and world economic development, and he himself is "very optimistic" about the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The Belt and Road Initiative is a major project implemented in the economic zone, and I am very optimistic about it. Some Asian countries now lack the most fundamental economic infrastructure. In this case, if China is willing to invest in economic infrastructure projects in these regions through funds from the Belt and Road Initiative, or the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Development Bank, etc., it would be great. I hope that through this process, the regional economy can develop in the future. After development, it will bring great benefits to the living standards of the local population." Rudd told reporters.

Kevin Rudd congratulated the construction process of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

"The first step of the AIIB is about to end and the second step is about to begin. I send my personal congratulations to the AIIB and my good friend Mr. Jin Liqun," said Rudd.

Rudd told reporters that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will have a positive impact on the world. "It can be said that the whole world lacks investment. Regardless of the source of the funds, we are welcomed by the World Bank, the AIIB or the private investment institution. China-Australia cooperation brings great benefits to the world's economy. The AIIB will sign the contract on June 29, and I send my private congratulations on this."