Westinghouse Electric welcomes 'healthy and realistic' growth target

Gavin Liu, Asia President, Westinghouse Electric Company [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Q: What do you think of China's economic growth target at around 6.5% for 2017 amid the sluggish recovery of the global economy recovery? What business opportunities do you see from the services, manufacturing and mining, which will be open wider for foreign investment?

A: We view the 6.5 percent target as healthy and realistic and expect it will inspire continued government and private investment in infrastructure. This will almost certainly lead to further demand for clean, safe and cost-efficient energy and a continued strategy for expanding nuclear energy and associated industrial capabilities. When coupled with policies that encourage foreign investment, Westinghouse will be one of many companies looking for ways to expand in China.

Q: How do you assess the role of China market in your global business strategy and layout? What are your views on China's efforts and more preferential policies to further attract foreign investment? Do you plan to increase investment or expand your presence in the Chinese market this year?

A: In the field of nuclear energy, China's expansion plans and pace lead the world. So, of course, this market is a very important part of Westinghouse global strategy. We intend to expand our footprint in this market while fulfilling our commitment to our Chinese strategy partners, suppliers and employees. At this moment, our top priority is to successfully deliver the world's first AP1000TM nuclear power plants in Sanmen, Zhejiang province and Haiyang, Shandong province. As these initial plants move into operations, we are getting ready to extend our support to the follow-on fleet and to the localized industrial supply chain.

Q: What business opportunities do you see as China promotes the Belt and Road Initiative? Have you participated in or do you plan to participate in any projects under this initiative? How do you think infrastructure investment can contribute to global growth?

A: As China continues its investment in infrastructure and nuclear energy, its industrial capability, experience and reputation will strengthen and lead to the opening of more global opportunities. Westinghouse stands ready to support China's nuclear industry in all aspects, including globalization by leveraging the AP1000 technology platform. Infrastructure investment will create more job opportunities and maintain a more stable employment rate in the near term while translating into an improving standard of living for all Chinese citizens as they benefit from the clean air, abundant energy and rising incomes from nuclear energy expansion in the longer term.

Q: China will continue to carry out supply-side reform this year. What does this reform mean for your business and how will you adjust your business strategy in China accordingly?

A: Westinghouse understands that the supply-side reform is a vital tool to stabilize the Chinese economy, which will be carried out through four approaches: human capital, land, capital and innovation.

And efficient use of capital for supply chain capacity expansion will ensure that China's domestic industry is right-sized for the long term. Westinghouse can support this by supplementing the domestic industry supply chain capacity during peak periods of demand, especially as a large number of new nuclear power plants are deployed to meet China's nuclear energy output targets.     

Q: What is your opinion of China's effort to upgrade its manufacturing capabilities and boost innovation? Will China's innovation-driven campaign spur the vitality and competitiveness of the economy?

A: The manufacturing and innovation capabilities represent a nation's comprehensive strength. Westinghouse supports China's efforts in these two areas through collaboration with our Chinese nuclear industry partners. The Chinese AP1000 nuclear plant projects are our best example of our support of China's efforts to elevate the nuclear industry manufacturing capability and help China to achieve self-reliance and advancement with passive generation three-plus pressurized water reactor technology. As China's experience strengthens, so will its competitiveness.