Richard Koo - President of KC Group International, INC.
Nanjing, China - 17 September 2001
By the beginning of 21st century, China started a new page of its glorious history. It will be officially admitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Beijing is going to host the 2008 Olympic Games. APEC will have a meeting held in China in October this year. Shanghai is eagerly preparing to apply for hosting the 2010 World Expo. All these major events show that China becomes more and more popular and has a greater influence in the international economic stage. Today, the 6th annual Chinese Enterpreneurs Conference is held here in Nanjing. more than thousands of domestic and overseas Chinese Enterpreneurs get together and exchange our experience and discus of the hot issues. This meeting has a very significant meaning to our future cooperation, unification and hopefully, a brightest success in coming years.
1. Globalized Economy - Chances and Competition
As we recalled in last century, th world had a very rapid gowth in every aspect. the countries all over the world became more dependent to each other, including the mutual investment by the industrialized countries, joint ventures between well-developed countries and developing countries, business trade, and the open market of finance and technology. This close relationship among the countries has created an environment of globalized economy. The tendency affected by every aspect under globalized economy keeps changing the rules and order of the world trade economy. The productivity continues to grow and the resources are going to be re-allocated. These changes will eventually move the economic focus to a new place.
Thus, China, with a huge potential market, is considered a new economic focus. It is a big and populated country. The domestic economy has grown rapidly since the adoption of reform and open door policy. The living standard in China keeps going up and the ability of technology development continues to rise. The domestic gross production was more than tens of billion of US dollars last year, the 7th highest country int he world. Even though the world's economy has been slowing down for quite a while, China has still maintained an around 8% growth rate in economy. People were very surprised by its economic growth. Especially, under the policy of monetary expansion, the demand of domestic market continuously increases and China becomes one fo the most potential markets in the world. China has a big impact in the progress of globalization.
Since China, with a huge potential market, joining the WTO is one of the China's economic goals in the past several years. By attending the Organization, Chian can quickly catch up the pace of the world's economy. Further, China will intensively search for multi-party joint ventures and mutual understanding, a step towards a liberal society and the development of free trade. In result, the economy in China will lead to a broader and deeper level of reforms. At the same time, China will also face a more serious competition from other countries.
Therefore, during the progress of globalization in 21st century, besides the cooperation and competition, there is full of business opportunity and challenge. We, as overseas Chinese, should grab the chance of China's open door policy and join the force with China to face the challenge. China, after a series of challenge, will be able to provide all Chinese more opportunities and room to grow.
2. Windows and Bridges to The World - Shame and Honor
During the progress of globalization, the world needs compeitition in order to improve as well as mutual understanding. China is trying its best to learn about the world and keep up its pace with other countries as its national development strategies. On the other hand, China also has an ultimate goal to show the world its cultural and national point of view. The overseas Chinese have the obligation, capability and willingness to act as bridges and windows between China and the rest of the world.
In fact we know that there are millions and millions of Chinese all over the world. They survive the competition and struggle to live for so many years. Most of them had created their own solid foundation in the countries they live. They still maintain our Chinese traditional and cultural merits - peace and honor. They follow the local rules and create a harmonious relationship with the local residents. In addition to their familiarity of the local rules, language, tradition and customs, their communication with other races and local government becomes much easier. As being the so-called "bridges", overseas Chinese should take the advantages of their strong foundation to present China and help their local countries to understand China.
No matter when and where, overseas Chinese have a very strong tie and affection with their motherland's destiny, shame and honor. Nowadays, some foreign governments and their nationals are still lack of understanding of China, particularly in the United States of America. Not only the general public in America has very limited knowledge about China. Event he united States Government, Congressmen and Senators are also lack of awareness of China. Some of them may even have a very strong prejudice against the overseas Chinese in their countries. For example, in the early of this year, the conflict between United States of America and China over the spy plan incident caused an alarm of their relationship. The American Chinese had to face a great pressure from all levels of the local society. If the relationship is getting worse, their living, business, and future will be badly affected. Therefore, the overseas Chinese should be obligated to demonstrate that Chinese is a peaceful group of people and China is not an ambitious country that wants to become a superpower in the world. In the Chinese history in last century, either during the Chinese revolution to remove Qing Dynasty or the deadly war agaubst Japanese invation, the overseas Chinese exhausted their resources to provide invaluable help. During the progress of globalization, we believe they will enthusiastically provide their greatest effort and assistance and wish China prosperity in the future.
Although many Chinese moved to foreign countries or overseas, their hearts with Chinese tradition and culture remain intact. Thier hearts are full of affectionate feeling and famly tie. They have the obligation, capability and willingness to become "bridges and windows" for China during globatlization.
3. High Technology and Business Trade - Prosperous and Beneficial
In recent years, China proposed a development strategy - thriving the country by consciousness of education. This proposal is really practical and rational.
After a few generations, the overseas Chinese rise to the highest level of recognition in many fields. Because of a strong background established by the old generation, the new generation of the Chinese immigrants receives higher education and professional training. They will have more room to advance or develop, even out of the steps of their old generations' traditional business. Many of them have earned their prestige in the areas of biology, chemistry, finance information technology, environmental protection, and etc. Besides their specialties, they have an understanding of globalization, a new order of economy, business operational experience in differenct areas and countries, and the business relationship between local and Chinese enterprises. The Chinese immigrants will gradually become a group who can work with people in foreign countries without any cultural barrier. Even though they may not immediately expand their business to China, they can, on the other hand, assist China in obtaining financial investment and healthy development of its economy.
4. Reliability of Task Force in Establishment of Basic Managerial Policy
Following the extensive progress of adoption of reform and open door policy, establishing basic managerial policies becomes top priority, including regulations for stock and securities exchange market, rules for different ways to handle monetary investment, and flexibility of laws and policies. China has been changing from a plicy of attracting foreign investment to a policy of totally open markets. In order to comply with the agreemtn with the foreign partners and counterparts, China must improve and complete the policies in finance, laws and regulations, taxation, and stock and securities. The improvement and completion of hte policies can help China to compete and increase the attractiveness. For instance, a lot of overseas Chinese have many years experience in stock and securuties and they are experts in finance and investment. In developing the basic managerial policies, they understand the general rules of economy as well as the situation in China. If overseas Chinese can contribute their invaluable experience, they indeed create a practical way for China to approach the world.
Furthermore, Chinese generally have a serious concern of education. There is no doubt that, admitted to WTO and successfully applied for hosting the Olympic Games, these events can increase the motivation to improve the standard of education. The overseas Chinese, successful in academy and profession, are willing in many ways to help their home country in education. If we can motive them to contribute their abilities and experience, it is indeed a good way for China to continuously develop and maintain its competition ability.
Thus, under the globalized economy, the concept of mixing commerce and non-commerce and business and potential business has been gradually expanded. The sense of markets does not simply include the meaning in economy but include the other factors like education, history and culture. The relative expansion of concept of Chinese entrepreneurs is also another considerable approach.
5. Seeking Agreeables and Accepting conflicts - encouraging unification
When the world is approaching the globalization, Taiwan is motivated and encouraged by a few ambitious politicians to become independent of China. A few countries, for their own benefit of being a super-power, are backing up these politicians' idea in order to prevent the unification of China.
China will eventually be unified. Unification is unavoidable and will gradually succeed. When the world keeps its eyes on China with a high expectation, Taiwan increasingly become dependent on mainland China in its business trade and commerce. Through different channels and in many ways, Taiwanese business men actively invest in mainland China. Furthermore, the improvement and development of policies by Chinese government create a better operating environment, high investment return, and a strogn basis of business. However, the uprising idea of Taiwan's being independent of China makes Taiwanese and entrepreneurs lose their confidence. Obviously, the economy in Taiwan is getting worse. Many companies move their headquarters and factories from Taiwan to mainland China. A unified economy on both sides has been created and unification of China will finally come true.
After the return of Hong Kong and Macau, the concept of one-nationa-and-two-systems has been actually activated. This concept is not only a successful model but also wins the confidence of the world. This concept provides a vigorous example for Taiwan to consider the unification.
No matter where people come from, Chinese will not forget their ancestors and motherland. They hate the idea of Taiwan's independence. The overseas Chinese, especially those from Taiwan, should express their hope of unification with their special background to the general public in Taiwan. Their expression will further eliminate the misunderstanding between people on both sides.
6. Conclusion
The Chinese leaders had mentioned that overseas Chinese are the national treasure. The overseas Chinese feel like kites that fly higher and their knowledge becomes broader. However, their hearts actually stay with China. Whenever the motherland needs them, China can call them bak to serve their motherland. Today, several thousands of overseas businessmen get together and discuss of the opportunities and challenge of the globalization. Having a feeling that China really respects the overseas resources. There is full of challenge during globalization and we believe all Chinese will stay together, face the challenge and opportunities, and search for our better future in the world.
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