Creativity has changed the world Ladies and Gentlemen, Recently I saw a moving programme about an art contest for children with special needs in Dubai. Those children made wonderful and creative paintings. In their paintings, there were no clouds of discrimination but bright hopes for the future. Indeed, their creative mind is by no means inferior to ours. I saw how even a child’s expression of creativity, can change the world for them, bringing them together in happiness and giving them a sense of purpose. It is this sense of purpose brought by creativity that makes us different from all other creatures. And it is this unique creativity which lies deep in our hearts that has changed the world. In the early evolution of our species, with the invention of simple tools, the seeds of our creativity were sown. The subsequent blossoming of our creativity greatly accelerated our development. In our history, we have gone from living as hunters and gatherers, to making innovations in agriculture. Civilisations have flourished; cities and nations have been built. Especially since the Industrial Revolution, and the birth of modern technology, our lives have improved greatly. In addition, we have also strived to be artistically creative. We have made beautiful music, paintings and buildings, celebrating the beauty of nature, giving meaning and fulfilment to our lives. We Chinese are admired especially for the ‘Four Great Inventions’. The compass gave direction to travellers, as well as to Columbus who discovered the new lands, laying the foundations of globalization. Paper and printing spread knowledge among the masses, gun powder smashed the wall of feudalism. However, creativity has changed the world in all kinds of ways, both good and bad. In the first half of the 20th Century, we had two devastating world wars. We used technology to create powerful weapons. It may be said, that creativity is changing the world too fast. Some industrial creations have damaged our environment and health. Shouldn’t we be more responsible with our creations? Indeed, many of us are becoming more responsible. I am proud that we have already created some new green technologies, and better infrastructures. I am proud that the creative spirit in China’s development has improved the lives of so many ordinary people. I am proud that we, the new generation, have the creativity and desire to further change the world for the better! Thank you!