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Between a rock
and a hard place:
To return or not to return?
By Tia Peterson
Although
the political situation between China and Taiwan has been upstaged
by U.S. economic issues and the war in Afghanistan, the situation
itself is still of much concern in China and Taiwan as well as in
the international community.
Recently, two ORU students shared their views on the entrance of
China and Taiwan into the World Trade Organization (WTO). Their
stories reflect that the entries are of political and economic concern
to the people of China and Taiwan.
From Taiwan, Sophomore Powen Shih commented briefly on what he believes
is the situation between the two nations. He said many people [in
Taiwan] want to go to China because China's economy is "boosting
up," and the labor is cheaper and easier to find there. Xiao Jin
Huang, from China, agreed and added, "China has a lot of opportunity."
Jin clarified her comment on the opportunities available by stating
that only in cities is the economy getting better. "Everywhere else
people are poor and looking for work," she said. Perhaps this is
due to the fact that many Chinese citizens, particularly farmers,
are out of jobs, according to a news report on msnbc.com.
Shih said that his friends tell him "the situation is [becoming]
worse" than it was when he was in Taiwan for Christmas 2000. According
to him, the Taiwanese economy is suffering because it is "so hard
to find a job." Few people are educated enough to find work in the
high tech industries which are currently thriving in Taiwan. This
is why the Taiwanese are seeking Chinese employees.
Neither Shih nor Jin believe that Taiwan will continue in the WTO
as a separate customs territory. Taiwan may become part of China
again, which, according to them, would be a good thing.
In 1949 China was overrun by the Communists under the leadership
of Mao Tse-tung. Opposing Communism, the Nationalists, led by Chiang
Kai-shek, moved to Taiwan to set up a government. Since the end
of this revolution, China has desired to again make Taiwan part
of its sovereign territory.
The current President of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian is of the pro-independent
Democratic Progressive Party. At the moment this party is making
no attempts to rejoin China. The two countries are at a political
standoff.
Shih predicts an attack on Taiwan by China in the near future, and
Jin says Taiwan will find no other option but to return. Either
way, they see the return of Taiwan to China as something that could
help both economies.
Back in their home countries, students view the WTO situation and
economics differently. In Taiwan, according to Shih, students are
generally less concerned about economics and trade and are more
concerned about getting along. "The younger generation just wants
peace," he said.
Meanwhile in China Jin said that many of the students study economics
and are very concerned with the financial state of their nation.
They are happy about the entry into the WTO and are excited about
the financial comeback China is making.
The United States considers the decision to let China and Taiwan
enter the WTO an advantage for both countries as well as the U.S.,
according to a report on msnbc.com. U.S. Trade Representative Robert
Zoelick said, "Their participation in the WTO will be a boost for
us and them," because "both [China and Taiwan] are already major
influences in world trade."
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