China has embraced world since WTO entry Wei LingChina Daily Updated: 2005-12-13 06:20
Affordable luxury was probably the first benefit most Chinese imagined they
would enjoy when the country joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) four
years ago.
But there are many other positive changes that have taken place since China
joined the global trading club.
There is a great choice of services, more job opportunities and a greater
desire to learn English.
WTO membership has brought cheaper, diversified foreign products to
supermarkets, improvements in the services offered by banks, and chances to
attend all sorts of training courses with a view to securing better positions
with different employers.
But when we review the changes that have taken place in China since 2001, we
have to say the impact of the WTO on Chinese people reaches far beyond mere
material comfort.
An even more profound change has taken place in many people's mindset, no
matter whether they are civil servants, the employees of businesses or farmers.
New concepts such as market economy, fair competition, transparency, win-win,
the rule of law and international practice are no longer just buzzwords, but
have seeped into everyday thinking and become part of daily life.
The broader opening up has widened horizons, ushered in social changes,
enriched knowledge about international practices, and increased eagerness for
integration in the world arena. Many have abandoned old ideas and working habits
formed under the rigid planned economy.
What is really behind these changes is the transformation of the whole
country from an inward-looking, planned economy to a more market-oriented
powerhouse, and the reform of domestic enterprises that are adopting modern
management systems.
The past four years have witnessed China's integration with the world economy
in which China has become a fully-fledged player.
At home, laws and regulations have been revised so as to gradually open the
market to foreign companies according to its commitments.
China has become a critical part of the global economy, contributing 12 per
cent to world trade growth and 10 per cent to world economic growth last year.
Over the four years, China has attracted investment from the world's major
multinationals, grown into a dominant manufacturer of goods, and become the
third largest trader with foreign trade topping US$1.1 trillion last year.
For domestic enterprises, the impact of WTO membership is even more obvious.
One needs only to observe how hot competition is in some sectors such as
retailing, insurance and banking.
Pressure imposed by the market entry of multinationals has triggered sweeping
reforms among domestic enterprises.
To narrow the gap with foreign rivals, they are striving to become modern
enterprises applying advanced management and marketing skills.
The wider access to the world market has also encouraged a global perspective
among enterprises when positioning themselves and their products in the market.
Reforms, as well as changes in overall economic performance, have inevitably
influenced individuals.
More and more people have realized that China's integration with the world
economy is an irreversible trend, and have been preparing in different ways.
To play the WTO game, firms have to learn international rules, refresh their
ideas and abide by the new regulations.
In addition to its role as an administrator of society, the government has
been striving to provide more services for the market economy making efforts to
increase awareness of good service, fairness and efficiency among civil
servants.
WTO protocols on transparency, and in particular WTO supervision of
government performance, have put government departments under more pressure to
deliver, leading to changes in their working style.
That explains government departments' simplified procedures and improved
efficiency and more smiling civil servants.
Market-oriented reforms at domestic enterprises have also catalyzed changes
in ideas and activities among employees. Fearing they may lose their jobs, many
workers have been striving to improve their efficiency, acquire new skills and
provide better services to make themselves, as well as their companies, more
competitive.
In the past, a job at one of China's "big four" banks was described as a
golden bowl meaning a high salary, rights to grant loans, a light workload and
almost no chance of being laid-off.
But staff are facing tough times as banks launch massive market-oriented
reform programmes in preparation for competition when China fully opens its
banking sector in 2006.
An important part of reform is setting higher standards for business
performance and service provision. To meet the new challenges, staff have to
embrace concepts such as good service and efficiency, and improve their working
habits.
WTO commitments have facilitated increased competition in many other
industries, which in turn has motivated individuals to try to adapt to the new
environment.
Another change in mindset is the increasing awareness of rights.
With China implementing its WTO commitments to foster the highest degree of
transparency possible and the rule of law throughout society, citizens have
learned to ask for better government services, to be treated equally, and call
for greater government efforts to implement international rules and practices.
That was rarely seen before 2001.
This process is not a flash in the pan. Only when new ideas, rules and
practices are embodied in the actions of everyone in society will we really be
able to claim that we are fully integrated with the world.
(China Daily 12/13/2005 page4)
|