Business Quote by Mary Robinson
“If the Chinese business community takes the Declaration of Human Rights, core labor standards, and environmental standards seriously, the government of China will take them far more seriously, too.”
About This Quote
If Chinese firms adopt global human‑rights and environmental standards, the Chinese government will be pressured to enforce them more rigorously.
In simple terms: Corporate standards can push governmental action.
Key Takeaway
Business compliance influences policy enforcement.
Themes
human rights
environment
corporate governance
Mood
optimistic
strategic
Type
policy advocacy
business ethics
When to use this quote
- multinational supply chain audits
- CSR initiatives in China
- international trade negotiations
Key Concepts
policy leverage
global standards
Practical Applications
- Implement rigorous ESG audits
- Engage NGOs to monitor compliance
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms ensure corporate standards translate into policy change?
- How can civil society amplify corporate pressure?
A Different Perspective
Governmental enforcement may still lag due to political priorities, regardless of corporate adoption.
![“I felt when I was elected that the most important task on this island [Ireland] was to extend the hand of friendship right across the board to the people of Northern Ireland, to have the beginnings of a real peace process. In consequence, although I have no role in intergovernmental talks or…” quote by Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2f1/mary-robinson-4639_boards_i-felt-when-i-was-elected-that-the-most_223980.jpg)
![“[S]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once, for example, when I was just starting out in the food business, I was hired by the caper people to develop a lot of recipes using capers, and it was weeks of…” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d79/nora-ephron-1217_business_s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-th_980.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)