[asia-apec 1674] Jiang Zemin's warning on Globalization (fwd)

[Aaron James]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Aaron James
Canada Asia Pacific Resource Network
www.caprn.bc.ca
tel: 604.255.7346
phone: 604.255.9071

---------- Forwarded message ---------
Subject Jiang Zemin's warning on Globalization 


...while the benefits thereof keep his military happy with new toys and thriving businesses 


AFP


November 16, 2000

Jiang warns APEC leaders of hidden dangers of globalized
economy

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN


China's President Jiang Zemin on Thursday warned 20 other
leaders of Pacific-rim nations to beware of the hidden
dangers of globalization -- from greater wealth disparities
to cultural imperialism.

Jiang, speaking during the closed-door Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) summit, said recent developments have
further exposed the risks arising as economies become ever
closer.

"We should not lose sight of the hidden worries facing the
global economic development," he said, according to the text
of his speech.

"The unstable capital and foreign exchange markets and
international oil price hike have added to the adverse
factors against economic growth."

Some countries, he said, react to globalization by raising
barriers to foreign trade, while others seek to harness it
to their own agendas.

"There are a few countries that have tried to force their
own values, economic regime and social system on other
countries by taking advantage of economic globalization," he
said.

Elements in the Chinese leadership are concerned that an
influx of foreign investment would mean an influx of liberal
western -- and in particular American -- values.

China is on the point of experiencing globalization in a big
way, as its entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) --
expected late this year or early next -- will pry its doors
open to companies from around the world.

On the sidelines of APEC, Chinese and Mexican officials have
been locked in tense negotiations over Beijing's WTO entry,
but officials on Thursday conceded no agreement has been
reached, and that talks will continue in Geneva.

A bilateral agreement with Mexico is one of the last
remaining obstacles to China's accession to the global trade
body after a 14-year struggle.

Jiang warned APEC leaders that while globalization brings
greater risks to all countries, the poorer members of the
world community are particularly exposed.

"Disadvantaged developing countries face new challenges to
their economic sovereignty and economic security."

"Countries should be allowed to choose the road to
development and determine the model and pace of opening up
in light of their own national conditions," Jiang said.

Jiang promised China would not falter on its pledges to open
its markets, made in order to gain entry into the WTO.

"China's accession to the WTO will be an important step to
broaden its all-directional opening-up," he assured fellow
APEC leaders. "After joining the WTO, we will honor our
commitments in good faith."

Jiang urged governments to find ways to minimize the
excesses of globalization and ensure it does not widen the
gap between rich and poor countries.

"Effective international rules should be worked out with the
concerted efforts of the international community on the
basis of full participation of all countries," he said.

"(That way) the process of globalization can be correctly
guided and managed and move in a direction of helping reduce
the gap of wealth between North and South."

During the APEC forum Chinese officials refused to give a
direct answer to where Beijing stood on the timing of a new
round of global free trade talks at the WTO, an issue which
divided rich and poor economies here.

China emerged relatively unscathed from the late-1990s
financial crisis in the region, although its 7.1 percent
economic growth last year was the slowest in nearly a
decade.


Jeff Ballinger
E- 502 
75 Cambridge Pkwy.
Cambridge, MA 02142
617 496-6423
www.nikeworkers.org