The Second Session of SEE Charter Members Preparation Meeting |
| http://www.sina.com.cn 2005/06/29 10:21 |
Time: Mar. 27, 2004
Venue: Third floor, Jade Palace Hotel, Beijing
Participants: Charter members and personnel of Preparation Group
Topic: A briefing of preparation, and further mobilization of charter members
Yang Ping: (Deputy Director of Preparation Group)
Now let’s begin the charter member meeting of Alxa Ecological Association. First of all, we would like to ask Mr. Liu Xiaoguang to address the floor. He is a charter member of this activity as well as general manager of Beijing Capital Group.
Liu Xiaoguang：The vast expanse of desert has purified my soul.
( Director of Preparation Group, board chairman of Beijing Capital Group)
First of all, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you, ladies and gentlemen, every president and entrepreneur present here and my dear friends, for your attendance of today’s charter member meeting. We are extraordinary delighted that by Mar. 26, there have been 39 entrepreneurs joining us as charter members of Alxa Ecological Association.
Most presidents have come back from abroad, which means about half of the charter members are present here at the meeting.
A special thanks hereby goes to the first 11 entrepreneurs, without whose initiative and identification our cause will be a mirage. More thanks also extend to Zhang Shuxin, and to Ms. Gao Wenning from Yaoheng Consultancy, Singapore, who dedicated themselves to SEE heart and soul.
Today we will invite them to say something about the origin and some general plans.
How SEE Ecological Association comes into existence? During the last National Day holiday, some of our entrepreneurs made a trip to Alxa. We arrived at a vast desert after traveling on automobiles from Yinchuan for one hour and a half. Roads there seemed quite smooth at first. However, journey wasn’t so pleasant since roads became rough with both sides covered by enormous masses of sands. We had to change for 212 (Beijing Jeeps), each with one, and set out our “terrific” journey. Traveling on sand hills with a steep gradient up to seventy or eighty degrees was a tough yet exciting experience so memorable that I couldn’t help composing a poem. Rushing up and down on the sand hills, we suddenly got shocked by a beautiful view. A Moon Lake as well as other three lakes greeted us in the deserts. During our short stay for two days there, we once talked about entrepreneur’s moral uplift. Suddenly, a bright idea struck my mind: Deserts are so barren, and natural environment so abominable that human subsistence is threatened by serious crisis. Can we establish a public welfare organization to do something lofty and meaningful for sand control and the future of China?
I would like to tell you that I knelt in the desert, meditating on my wrongdoing in the past and examining my conscience. It was the vast desert that purified my soul. I was pondering upon what Chinese entrepreneurs should do, and I really did. Who touched me most was Mr. Song Jun. Originally working for Giant Group of Mr. Shi Yuzhu, he has created his own business Jiuhan Tiancheng, and now started up a travel agency in Alxa to contribute to local welfare. I am really moved by his deeds and words: Through the ages, deserts as such are not horrible. There used to be rivers running in the past fifty years, but now they’ve all gone. Why? It is mainly because masses of people have rushed in, lighting fires with roots of trees; sheep have rushed in, gnawing up roots of grass. Then how to bring the sands under control? Control simply by growing more trees does not work. It is undoubtedly necessary to develop a comprehensive plan, such as growing trees, planting grass and emigration. All entrepreneurs should unite, exhausting our limited power as a seed —— to prevent sands from moving a step forward. I kept pondering on this matter, regarding it a new dream and faith of which probably excelled any existing ideas for new human beings. Entrepreneurs lead a tough life with enormous pressure, nevertheless we enjoy it. I always say that what we care in the past was a sense of eudemonia and gratification after the successful accomplishment of a business operation, which, of course in the world of businessmen, is more precious even than love and liberty. Now I regard the boundless welfare of the whole human beings more meaningful. I once had a selfish idea that I was a Pekingese, but soon it disappeared, and I was occupied by lofty thoughts which became stronger and stronger. At that moment in that place, people gathered together talking about this prospect undertaking.
After return to Beijing, I got a chance to travel to Italy, where I met their minister of Environment Protection and told him this idea. The vice mayor of Beijing, also present at the meeting, then made a request for 10 million euros, and to our delight, the minister promised to fund us. We plan to establish a real international organization, social organization and so called nongovernmental public welfare organization with this seed fund and investment by each and every enterprise, first 0.2 billion, then 1 billion, 2 billion, 5 billion …… We will make it!
People who want to contribute will face such dilemma as an absence of charitable organizations in charge, or the integrity of these organizations. Therefore, we must next take steps to create a standardized organization. Such idea took shape and developed gradually into a sound plan. Over this process, the 11 volunteers I mentioned above in the acknowledgements have made significant contributions, giving up Sunday holidays and devoting themselves to discussion and research.
We would like to present a simplified edition of the fund instructions, which has been translated into Chinese, French, Germany and Japanese and printed out. Yang Ping thought printing them would be a waste of money, but I don’t think so, because it is a necessary and worthy investment for getting more contributions in future. Therefore, so long as it is used in a proper way beneficial to our lofty cause, the fund will prove to be effective.
The fund has been started up, and I would like to address some more issues here:
Ⅰ. What if I want to quit in five years? Some entrepreneurs asked. Transfer is an option, I say, just like the charter members of US National Geographic and The Nature Conservancy. Something without commercial value at the moment doesn’t mean it will remain the same in the future, instead, it will become highly valuable, both in social area and in commercial area. Those unable to persevere in the cause may turn to transfer. Howsoever, they will be always the first members.
Ⅱ. What concerns us most is the standardization. No selfish ideas and personal considerations or corporate interests should be involved in, it is a pure commonweal. We have invited a world-class accountant firm to manage our accounts. Expenditures are still moderate at present, however, each and every expense such as material printing and faxing costs should be open and transparent, and subject to supervision by international accountants.
What if these miscellaneous expenses amount to 2 billion, 10 billion Yuan? I suggest we should entrust all financial management by inviting public bidding, with the exception of operation expenses required in that year and investment projects subject to approval, as what we may deal with social security and pension. This may sounds more standard and profitable. Where will all profits created go? This may be a question left to the experts.
Ⅲ. Prospective projects. A very precise and well-knit expert group shall be organized as soon as possible. Not all projects are feasible and worth doing, therefore, they should be subject to discussion and demonstration by experts under the principle of openness. You can rest assured that we will establish a very open and transparent system, because all of us gather here only for the sake of something prospective and lofty rather than personal interests. Don’t you think we are too tired? Why we control sands? However, deserts in China are unquestionably extending, leaving most civilians struggling in an extremely necessitous life without living resources.
We would like to carry out this urgent task in Jun. 5, the World Environment Day. My suggestion is that our totally 100 entrepreneurs here should fly there to see with our own eyes the shocking scenes. Song Jun, please make preparation for us. I have written a poem, which reads: Crossing hills and waters, to a vast desert, a lake greeted us, with boats floating on. There will be about 70 double rooms for us, with two living together in one room. The hardship we may probably experience there will pretty much the same thing as on Everest!
I really want to tell you that I knelt on the desert, meditating on my past wrongdoing. I strongly recommend you to knell on the desert there, meditating, to purify you soul.
Jun. 5, is the World Environment Day. Today I have a request that every one of us 39 entrepreneurs here recruits two more members. Most entrepreneurs are willing to come. I hope that all socially responsible individuals sharing a common goal will come and help us in the association. A preliminary concept is that we are at the first layer called Original Charter Members, while those at the second layer are called Initiate Members, the third layer called Members. They are quite different, as initial fee for a Member is 10000 Yuan only. The fourth layer is composed of social groups and the public, with an initial fee of one Yuan. On the other hand, we will recruit some international charter members, international members, and international solicitors. More and more blood will be injected into our association, and development of sand control cause in China will snowball by billions.
Thank you very much!
I’ve finished, Zhang Shuxin, don’t you say some words? You are the representative of Chinese women!
Zhang Shuxin: I used to be a most critical person, but now I am willing to devote myself into it.
(member of Preparation Group, board chairman of Genesis Capital)
So far I have never been to Alxa yet, and all my feelings about it come from your description and my imagination, and I am captured. I raised the tartest questions at the first session held in the next conference hall. It was Valentine's Day that day. I said it was just an emotion derailment of entrepreneurs in the afternoon of Valentine's Day. “Will it be a forever lasting cause? Who will put it into practice?” However, the fact is that most entrepreneurs are willing to do a lot consciously. During the period from Feb.14 till now, I’ve been in close contact with the core personnel of this organization. The most important point is that I’ve been deeply moved by Comrade Xiaoguang, who’s so romantic, and Yang Ping, the association’s elite, an extremely conscientious person that I haven’t met for long.
Such conscientious attitude is even amazing. Several days ago at the preparation meeting held in my office, we suggested that 33 (entrepreneurs) was already quite satisfactory, but he insisted on 100, no less. It shows that, I think, Xiaoguang is the leader, and he has great determination indeed. However, problem is that we haven’t got enough time. What we consider here is not the 100 thousand yuan, but how much energy and time we’ve devoted. Yang Peng, earnest and responsible, Song Jun, a real doer, also impress me deeply.
So I call you friends, I am ready to help you, with pleasure. So many people joined us in the short period over the past two months. In addition to capital, they also invested enormous energy. A most important point is that the spirit of core personnel of Alxa Foundation should serve as a core impetus for the organization in future development. Whether such spirit will become a real spiritual treasure for Chinese entrepreneurs may have something to do with today’s operation.
Liu Xiaoguang：(Director of Preparation Group, board chairman of Beijing Capital Group)
I’m so excited and delighted at their passion of work. We talked until 11 o’clock last night, and it has been 20 years since I was so excited. That reminds me of 85’, when people all led a poor life. With a bicycle, we dreamed about the future. My passion is lighted up again this time. Song Jun, will you say something?
Song Jun：I can feel the trust of the society
(Deputy director of Preparation Group, board chairman of Beijing Jiuhan Tiancheng Co., Ltd)
What are my innermost feelings? I think my enrollment makes me feel a positive trust of the society. Real entrepreneurs in China have taken in hand too much, and this cause is a good example. Frankly speaking, I am just doing what I enjoy. I like Alxa, the Gobi there, together with the desolation. Those who have been there all expressed their heartfelt worship and showed their meditation on the nature, just as Xiaoguang did. I am not going to repeat this or say anything else, what I can do is to take root in Alxa, just as in the past, and improve the place substantially and thoroughly, through our concerted efforts. We will lead more people into the lofty cause, and promote a world-shaking change in this field of China.
Yang Peng：Entrepreneurs need a common understanding
(Member of Preparation Group, researcher of Policy Research Centre for Environment and Economy, SEPA)
Thank you, what I want to say is that entrepreneurs need a common understanding in various aspects. Today, all entrepreneurs present here are equal. Some common understanding has been reached between these equal entrepreneurs, who are fighting for a common goal. Thus I am moved, deeply. Thank you very much!
Gao Wenning：I Hope this foundation will serve as an exchange platform for entrepreneurs from across the Strait.
(Member of Preparation Group, board chairman of Yaoheng Consultancy, Singapore)
Perhaps I am too excited to say anything, but I am not strange to such philanthropic or public welfare activities since I often take part in them abroad. I have done little for the association, I just see what you do, hear what you say, and agree to what you suggest. All will turn out to be merely a fantasy if we don’t carry it out. I was brought up in Taiwan, and went to the U.S. at the age of 15. Now I have a business in Singapore. I asked Yang Ping, “Who will meet the qualification?” After consulting with Xiaoguang, he told me that only Chinese entrepreneurs were entitled to join in the association, while those from the U.S. and Singapore are not for the moment. I deliberated on the matter for a while, and I suggested that they invite Young President Organization (YPO). There is a group of second generation of excellent entrepreneurs in Taiwan. I was deeply impressed by the Taiwanese entrepreneurs, when I accompanied them on their trip to Guilin, Guangxi. Traveling in two tour buses, their kids, aged between 3 and 12, saw a dog tied up, struggling in a bag. As a matter of fact, it is a common practice in Guangxi area to kill dogs for food. The kids began to cry in the buses, asking their fathers why were local people so cruel to do that to the puppies. Then the kids set those dogs free. These entrepreneurs were all in such mood. I believe they will identify themselves with an organization like this. I will fly back to Taipei in a while, and I‘ll tell them all about what’s going on here. Maybe a platform for people across the Strait will thus be set up, with more exchange opportunities available. Maybe this is what I can do, and it is my honor to make contributions to the association. Thank you.
Zhang Zhaoyang：This is a matter of profound and lasting significance
(CEO of Sohu. Com. Inc)
Let’s have a look at some large foundations in the U.S. As the first generation entrepreneurs and individuals who have grown rich in the reform and opening up of China, we are actually embarking on an innovative undertaking of profound and lasting significance. Thank you.
Ren Zhiqiang: We are doing something never done before
(Board chairman of Beijing Huayuan Group)
I think maybe we are doing something never done before. It is as such a good deed, I think, that everybody is willing to do so. At least, what I can do is to ensure the attendance of two more members. If everybody present at the meeting here recruits two more members, total number will exceed 100. I think as long as we make concerted efforts, we will not only let it last, but also make it better. Thank you.
Zhang Xingsheng: This foundation should have a more extensive coverage.
(Member of Preparation Group, president of AsiaInfo Holdings Inc. (China))
This is really a philanthropic project. I have a complex toward environmental protection, and I would love to participate in anything related to environmental protection. After reading the materials, I’ve got some other ideas. Now Alxa is a cut-in point for our work, but I think we should further expand it, by including under the eaves all done by our entrepreneurs as well as enterprises in the past to form an integrated project of Chinese entrepreneurs on environmental protection. For example, we can exhibit some of our achievements on Jun. 5, World Environment Day, such as the protection project for Tibetan antelope we’ve finished in Kekexili. In fact, there is a very large environmental protection organization in the U.S., which reached an agreement last year with Chinese government that they bought the protection right of the approximately several thousand hectares of forest in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan with several hundred of US Dollars for an effective period of 50 years. After 50 years, they will transfer the right back to China. This project has already started up. Our familiar Tian Suning is a member this organization.
For projects of this kind, I think we can take advantage of this formal organization. People used to undertake a project with emotion. Now there is an environmental protection organization taking in all these things. In this way, the public will see an organization with reasonable actions, substantial achievements and extensive coverage as well. This is my personal suggestion. Well then as for myself, I will surely keep on working hard and actively. Before I attend the meeting I’ve made four promises, and now I’ll make eight.
Lin Rongqiang：To my surprise, Liu Xiaoguang goes to great lengths on this business
(member of Preparation Group, board chairman of Tsinghua Tongfang Environment Co., Ltd)
The only surprise to me is that Xiaoguang actually goes to great lengths on this business. I know him for years, and we have cooperated in business. He is as busy as a bee, so busy that I hardly have the chance to meet him. However, I am very surprised that he invests so much time in this business, and I think I must catch up. Another thing is that, Yang Ping asked me to recruit members. I said, “no, no way, a private enterprise made such an insignificant contribution, forget it, is it necessary to tell the whole world, just to persuade them to contribute as well?” However, Xiaoguang said it was a Hongmen banquet. Oh, it looks as if I’ve got to do so. Just now I suggested Taishan Industry Institute. More than ten enterprises, and there are three already. Tell them to publish on the journal of the association. Besides, I am a deputy chairman of Private Entrepreneur Association, which has many members. Perhaps most private entrepreneurs would like to join us. Even if I don’t act in my own capacity directly, I will be able to recruit two more members.
Liu Xiaoguang： (Director of Preparation Group, board chairman of Beijing Capital Group)
I totally agree with what Lin said. Well, I don’t know why I take it so seriously, either. I feel I’ve seen the future, vaguely. This is an extremely lofty business. Well, Wang Yan, would you say something?
Wang Yan： Entrepreneurs do have business modes, and yet should also develop ethical modes.
(President of Sina Net)
An enterprise should at least have some business modes, and it should also develop some ethical modes. Talking about ethical modes, I think we can contribute to the Hope Project, and do various meaningful things. But from our point of view, sina has chosen environmental protection. So no matter for official business purpose or for personal purpose, we’ve specially constructed a channel for environmental protection. This environmental protection channel has been growing since it was opened about one and a half years ago. I am myself an executive member of China Association of Environment Protection Culture, so I’ve got plenty of stuffs here.
Wang Zhongjun：to take some money out of box office earnings for the foundation
(president of Huayi Brothers﹠Taihe Film Investment Co., Ltd.)
I’ve heard of this philanthropic project in Yunnan already, Song Jun and Xiaoguang told me all about it. Anyway it is something beneficial to public welfare. Although we are not a large company, I took part in almost all public welfare activities I was asked to by friends over these years, involving Kekexili. Several of us went there, and some suggested me to film Kekexili. The film has finished shooting this year, and it is a feature about environmental protection, a good film indeed. I am going to promote our foundation during the release promotion, if only it is sound enough before the film is released. I will also take some money out of box office earnings to contribute to the foundation. Thank you.
Wu Kegang：I hope we will turn the lofty cause into a greater and better one.
(board chairman of Yunnan Red Wine Industry Co.,Ltd.)
I noticed Song Jun once we met. At hearing the matter, I strongly felt that this was something serious. I operate Yunnan Red Wine, and also support the poor, something like that, and I still consider this business a good thing. I’ve got to say three points. Firstly, since this business as such is a serious thing, we have to do it well, and the holiest thing can’t afford any crooked dealings. Secondly, entrepreneurs have survived the most difficult years of fighting alone, and today, entrepreneurs have reached a common understanding, which binds us together onto such a platform. This means a kind of inspiration that we entrepreneurs have survived the times of fighting alone, so we should make whatever contributions possible to the development of Chinese society. This is all that has the power to move me in this meeting. Thirdly, I’ve thought about it before I came here, why it must be 100 entrepreneurs? First done then said. Sticking to such an attitude, I promise to contact as more potential members as possible.
Ren Jingxi：This is something we should do in our bone.
(Member of Preparation Group, board chairman of South Ocean Education)
Frankly speaking, I tend to act on feelings sometimes. Song Jun is my good friend, Liu will become my good friends too in future. I guess it is a good thing that good friends work on pleasant things together. South Ocean is engaged in education, and this is also something we should do in our bone. I believe this “something” will be a success, and I bet I can contact not less than ten friends and persuade them to join us.
Jiao Jialiang：This foundation is a perfect way for entrepreneurs to present ourselves.
(Member of Preparation Group, board chairman of Yunnan Panlong Yunhai Pharmaceutical Corporation)
With regard to the meaning of this foundation, many young doyens have expressed their most insightful opinions. I agree. Contemporary society calls for entrepreneurs presenting themselves in groups, and I guess this foundation may be a good way for entrepreneurs to present themselves in groups. I myself will spare no efforts to participate in it. Let me do something practical and realistic, that’s to get the capital running in a positive cycle. Especially, I will sell products on desert control. As for member recruitment, I won’t fall behind, but will try my best to do it well.
Liu Xiaoguang：( Director of Preparation Group, board chairman of Beijing Capital Group)
I consider what we are now doing a public welfare cause. It will become a platform here, with stated-owned enterprises, large enterprises like Shougang, and privately owned enterprises, Joint stock enterprises, as well as foreign funded enterprises. Yes, It will be a most high-quality platform, where people help each other and exchange information. I regard it as a very interesting and very meaningful thing.
Liu Jing：I pledge an absolutely successful accomplishment of task.
(Member of Preparation Group, president of Zhongmin Group)
No repetition of your words, I have some advice. Firstly, I must declare that I will finish the task of member recruitment, absolutely. And I’ll recruit even more members so as not to fall behind. Our foundation was registered in Alxa area. Recently, relevant regulations on foundation are issued by the State Council, which will come into effect on Jun. 1. It can’t be better if we develop a foundation, but it’s a bit difficult for the moment. I suggest our Alxa fund be registered under a state first class in Civil Administration Department. This will ensure a well constructed platform beneficial to our next activities, such as foreign exchange. Yang Ping, just feel free to contact me if there is any problems regarding this aspect. I will go to Civil Administration Department for fund affiliation. Paper of the day before yesterday was all about funds, and I’m in Civil Administration Department, so I’m more familiar with it. Besides, we also have a paper called Commonweal Times, our foundation as such is public welfare organization. I will help in anything concerning commonweal we entrepreneurs would like to do. Thank you.
Wang Qinghai：Shougang owes the environment too much.
(General manager of Shougang Group)
I am very glad to take part in such an activity. From your introduction just now I really think that it is a very good deed, which means a lot to ecology as well as environmental protection. Enterprises like ours are heavy industry enterprises causing serious pollution. Currently condemnation comes from all walks of society, saying that Shougang has brought enormous pollution for the environment. As a matter of fact, we’ve been working hard on environmental or pollution control these years. From this angle, Shougang should further dedicate itself to something meaningful and beneficial to the society, environment and ecology, to make up for what caused by it. We’ve made tremendous contribution to pollution. However, Shougang is faced by a structural readjustment by compressing the scale of steel, in order to bring back a blue sky for Beijing.
I also want to clarify that the contribution ratio of pollution source or so-called impact factor of Shougang toward Beijing City is actually very limited. The grade Ⅱ weather, grade Ⅱ＋, grade Ⅲ and something like that in our daily weather report are measured by a major index called PM10, namely suspended particulates. There are 114 thousand tons of suspended particulates in the whole city of Beijing per year, among which 4.4 thousand tons are emitted by industries in Beijing with Shougang emitting 1.8 thousand tons, accounting for one tenth, equivalent to approximately half of those emitted by all industries. Of course it’s quite serious. So we think the impact on environment in Beijing City is no doubt significant, and we will put more effort into this business, and make up for what caused by our faults. Thank you.
Zhu Mei：(Member of Preparation Group)
I am Zhu Mei, I used to work as the chief of the delegates of Bertelsmann China. I also worked for international corporations’ Chinese divisions in fields of network and others. Yang Ping, Song Jun and I are good friends, so I take part in this business, too. We have dealt with international organizations involving Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in the past. How overseas companies enter China is a matter of the utmost concern for CEOs from large firms, who hope to find a cut-in point for environmental protection. The visiting CEO of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. provided his top support for environment in Yunan during his meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao. I hope to make some contributions to this area, too. Thank you very much.
Liu Xiaoguang：(Director of Preparation Group, board chairman of Beijing Capital Group)
I would like all entrepreneurs present here at the meeting today to say: “Let’s join hand in hand to make the association better, and to make the foundation better.”
