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FMG Chairman: China is my favorite country apart from Australia

By Sheng Chuyi (People's Daily Online)    14:19, March 28, 2019

Andrew Forrest, Chairman of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), shared his vision of ocean conservation with the synergy of China in an exclusive interview with People’s Daily Online during The China Development Forum (CDF) 2019, which was held in Beijing from March 23 to 25 with the theme of “Greater Opening-up for Win-Win Cooperation.”

“One of the reasons I came to China this time, is to discuss with your leadership how we can make plastic a commodity, not a waste. If we can make it a commodity, in the hands of 1.4 billion people, then we can stop plastic being a problem,” he said.

“I think we have got less than five years to stop plastic going into the ocean before the ocean is in serious trouble. Your leadership here really understands how we could stop the plastic going into the ocean by making it a commodity. We don’t throw away our steel, aluminum or glass, as they all get recycled. But plastic, unfortunately, isn’t worth anything, so I suggest we place a tax on the raw material, and change the value of the polymer which then becomes the plastic. Then all those people around the world will collect it, recycle it, and stop it going into the ocean.”

Forrest also mentioned that automation played a significant role in his company. He explained that five years ago, when the company were considering autonomy, he anticipated that at least 2,500 people would be laid off. "We couldn’t afford to let them down. So we came up with a system that allows all these people to stay within the company. They can do different skills, in different jobs, always higher paid and always more interesting. So autonomy became a good thing,” he said.

Forrest believes there are opportunities and threats of autonomy and artificial intelligence. He was once inspired by Chinese former vice-foreign minister Fu Ying’s speech, talking about the joint adventure to bring moral standards into artificial intelligence between the US and China. “I want to take this standard and take it around the world,” said Forrest.

“China is doing a fantastic job. China is an enterprising country. Your people are quick to embrace new ideas. Your young scientists and engineers are always looking for new ways. As we use autonomy massively in FMG, we are also bringing that technology and data into the light vehicles to use them on the road, just like China is doing. We want to work with China to ensure both our countries lead the world in mobility autonomy.”

Forrest also commented on China’s reform and opening-up policy and unified foreign investment law. “Business people and investors like me simply want to know what the rules are. The clarity which the Chinese government has brought into foreign investment will be very good for China and the world,” he noted.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Recalling his early impression of China, Forrest remembered his first visit to China. “I came to China about 30 years ago with my then fiancée who is now my wife. Now I see the enormous and sustainable growth in China, the growth which the world has never seen. China and Chinese leadership are sticking to what it has said to me ages ago. It wants to strongly improve the living standard of its entire people.”

When asked about China’s development experiences as an example for other developing countries, Forrest said that if you put the interest of your citizens first, then you generally end up making good and fair decisions.

“I think if your people are free to be entrepreneurs, your people are free to make their own decisions; your people are free to accumulate capital and then to buy a house, send their kids to a better school. If you free your people and then empower them with policies that will be good for everyone, not good for a few, and then you will have a much stronger country. China is proving that,” he said.

When talking about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Forrest said the BRI struck him as a major infrastructure initiative. “I support anything which rolls out the infrastructure for the benefits of citizens of the country. The BRI is certainly doing that,” he noted.

“There have been great partners and fantastic friends. China is my favorite country in the world, apart from Australia,” Forrest concluded.

(For the latest China news, Please follow People's Daily on Twitter and Facebook)
(Web editor: Sheng Chuyi, Liang Jun)

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