"I've never seen economic growth follow only a straight line. There are going to be bumps in the road. But I certainly wouldn't underestimate their capability of being able to do those things," Zoellick said.
And in a positive sign for US and other foreign investors, Chongqing itself has become a showcase for globalization.
After driving a Ford Fiesta around a track with fake dips and bumps, Zoellick noted the plant was part of a Sino-US joint ven-ture. Chinese workers built cars based on a European model. And production is run by Australian and British managers.
"That's the nature of the global economy and what it emphasizes most of all is the win-win potential," he said.
Across town at Southwest University of Political Science and Law, Zoellick heard a uniform view from students -- some with hopes of studying abroad: The benefits of China's WTO entry outweighed the daunting challenges.
"What you see is a society that certainly has many hills to climb but is embracing the possibility of markets and, frankly, capitalism," he said.
And at the close of his meeting with Chongqing party boss Huang, Zoellick asked his Chinese host what message he should take back to Washington, where he is due to testify soon before the US Congress on China and other trade issues.
The reply, said Zoellick: "Tell American businesses to bypass the east of China and come invest in Chongqing."
Zoellick said later: "These people have it figured out."
"They still have to overcome some of the old ways and take care of state-owned enterprise problems," he said.
"But they know you can't chase away the golden goose of business and investment if a country wants to grow," he said.
RSS