Here’s an Emmy-nominated interview with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Interviewer Fareed Zakaria covers a wide arrangement of topics and asks tough questions. [Hat tip: Disruptive Leadership Blog]

Here are some key points I took from the dialogue:

• Premier Jiabao makes the good point that the effects of the current economic downturn for developing countries (including China) is not only the decling in investment by foreign firms, but the impact of shrinking US demand for foreign products.
• China’s keys to success as a developing country:
  • Introducing reform and opening up — led to an increase in productivity
  • Unique model whereby Socialism and Market Economy can coexist
    • Allowing markets to allocate resources under the macroeconomic guidance and regulation of the government.
    • Giving both the visible and invisible hand full play.
    • If wealth is concentrated in the few, cannot find stability / harmony (as seen in the US)
• On why China is not more active politically in Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Darfur
  • Premier does not see itself as a superpower…still a developing country
    • Still unbalance development between different regions and rural areas
    • “To address our own problems, we … need to focus on our own development”
  • China does engage in these policies, just not in such a forceful or public manner.

Take the Premier’s comments as you wish — I’ll refrain, for now, from interjecting my own commentary on the matter