Doesn’t matter how big you are, but how ‘big’ you can become

‘So what is the essence of the China Expo and the Luxembourg pavilion? Let us go back to 1996, the year that my China-education and career started. In the beginning, everything was like a sketch on a piece of paper. But very quickly, everyone was part of a bigger mission. One by one, new cities developed, GDP figures became dinner conversation topic, and people’s lives really changed, including my own.

China summarized this expo’s theme by ‘Better city, better life’. When urbanization is growing at such a fast pace, then – better city, better life – is not just a slogan. It simply has to become a reality.

“When three people walk there is always one you can learn from…”

These are the words from Confucius. His message is clear: Neither we, or China, can do it alone. We are together in this.

Luxembourg says “Small is beautiful too”. Rightly so. Small countries, as well as large multinational companies and China, should believe in the attraction between big and small. In the end it does not matter how big you are, but how “big” (read: great) you can become. Above all we should share a sustainable road to the future, learn from each other and enjoy walking together.

This is an on-going process, just like the rusty layer of the Corten steel we provided for the pavilion. Continuous exchange, continuous renewal, no need for protection paint.’

By Lynn Robbroeckx, Media Relations, ArcelorMittal