Voices of the world: Who will benefit from China's further open economy?
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E-mail Xinhua, March 4, 2014
The notion of building a new open economic system, including easing investment access, accelerating the construction of free trade zones and further opening up inland and border areas, has been clearly brought up at last year's third plenum of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
It is expected that the ongoing "two sessions" -- the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) -- will keep deploying and implementing the open economic policies.
Who would benefit from those policies and what are the expectations of the people overseas? Xinhua reporters interviewed people from all walks of life in many countries to hear their views and expectations of China's reform ahead.
DIALOGUE 1
Xinhua: How do you look at China's opening-up policy? Does it bring benefit to you or the people around you?
Sophia Solonicheva, a 24-year-old clerk at a sports goods chain store in downtown Moscow, Russia: "China's opening up has promoted the cooperation between Russia and China, which has a significant impact on our lives. For example, many of our goods for daily use, like clothing and electrical appliances, are from China."
"I majored in Chinese language, so that gives me a chance to be sent to China to help explore the market there. I believe that China's open economy will bring more and more benefit to my company and myself."
Garikai Desmond Matambo, employed in an advisory firm in Johannesburg, South Africa, said China has brought to his country two things: jobs and nice products with lower prices.
"The factories and branch offices of Chinese electric, mining and telecom equipment companies in South Africa has offered us job opportunities," he said.
"The low prices of Chinese products, such as the ones from Hisense (a Chinese household appliances manufacturer), have put pressure to other foreign brands, forcing them either to lower their prices or suffer defeat in the competition," Matambo said.
"Thus, it is the customers that get the benefit," he said, adding that Chinese products are improving in quality as well as their market shares.
Alexandre Rhone, a project manager in a software company in Paris, believed China's opening-up has brought opportunities to enterprises and individuals worldwide.
"Though I haven't directly had business contact with China, I have met some Chinese counterparts and entrepreneurs. They have many ideas and are doing solid work. China has a vast market with many opportunities. I believe that one day, I will become good partners with them," he said.
DIALOGUE 2
Xinhua: What do you think of the newly-built China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Area (FTA)? If a bilateral free trade agreement is struck between China and your country, do you think it will make a difference to your life?
Hubert Lienhard, CEO of German machinery company Voith and chair of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business, said German enterprises are very interested in the Shanghai FTA.
"It means the areas that were once opened exclusively to Chinese enterprises, such as the banking, insurance, logistics and telecommunication sectors, are now available to foreign companies, and German companies are doing a good job in these areas," said Lienhard.
"But although many liberalizations have taken place and opportunities arise, the 'negative list' still covers many areas, which we hope will have a change," he added.
Norman Li, chairman of Australian infant milk powder producer Careline Group, said a free trade agreement between China and Australia will be very beneficial to his company and other firms engaged in bilateral trade.
"Tax cuts will relieve the burden of enterprises and enhance the competitiveness of their products," he said.
Li added that thanks to a free trade agreement with China, similar products from New Zealand have an advantage in prices as they are exempt from taxation.
"I expect China and Australia will reach a free trade agreement at an early date after the two sessions," he said.
Meanwhile, Li Keum-ju, a 51-year-old restaurant owner, expressed concern that South Korean farmers will face competitive pressures from inexpensive farm products from China after the two countries sign a free trade agreement.
"Many South Korean farmers are afraid that the influx of Chinese farm products will worsen their situation and likely deal a heavy blow to the country's agriculture," she said.
"What if nobody wants to be a farmer? Will all farm products rely on imports?" Li said. "If so, there will be no guarantee for our livelihood."
DIALOGUE 3:
Xinhua: What do you think of the series of measures taken by the Chinese government to expand its opening-up? In what areas do you think China could take bolder steps after the "two sessions?"
Garry Crockett, chairman of China Ready & Accredited, a Chinese-owned company providing training and consultation in tourism and culture, replied:
"Any relaxation in terms of foreign investment would be warmly welcomed as it would provide the impetus for many businesses to start or expand their businesses in China," he said.
"China's emerging middle-class presents great attraction in terms of helping to meet increasing demand in areas such as quality food products and a range of professional services," Crockett added.p "Of course the opportunities for Australia's quality tourism and education industry are enormous with the increasing numbers of Chinese outbound travellers and students. Australia has 122,000 Chinese students currently being educated in Australia and over 700,000 Chinese tourists visited Australia last year," he said.
Monica Fang, chairwoman of Brazilian medical device company Anatomic, said "bringing-in" and "going-out" is a good idea initiated by China's opening-up policy.
"Encouraged by such policy, Chinese immigrants like me can serve as a better bridge for cooperation between Chinese and Brazilian enterprises," she added.
"In the future, our company will expand operations and set up branches in China," Fang said. "The two sessions are expected to have a huge effect on us."
David Denoon, director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at New York University, called on China to further open markets for American service industry, including insurance companies and banks.
China should also attach greater importance to intellectual property right protection in such fields as software design and medical products, he said.
The opening-up policy will bring a competitive mechanism and advanced technologies that are conducive to China, Denoon said.
Garth Shelton, a professor of international relations at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, voiced his hope that while striving for the Chinese Dream, China will also help African countries realize an "African Dream."
"I hope China will further develop its trade with South Africa and other countries on the continent," Shelton said.
He called for more investment from Chinese enterprises, saying they should take part in more infrastructure projects.
Chinese tourists should also be encouraged to travel to Africa as they will create more jobs for Africans, said the professor.
"I also hope the single trade structure between China and Africa will be improved and more value be added to African countries' exports," said Shelton. Endi
