| The report entitled
"China Manufactured and China-Brand Products", published recently
on the US Wall Street Journal, talked glibly about how Southeast Asian manufacturers
are facing the fierce competition with China brand products. Some Western
media, echoing this, took advantage of this opportunity to spread the view
that "made in China" has constituted threats to the international
market.
However, the mainstream opinion and industry insiders in the Southeast
Asian region have their different judgments. The article entitled "Take-off
on a Giant Dragon" carried recently in the Bangkok Post of Thailand
said: China is rapidly becoming a strongest force in the Asian commercial
and trading environment, the entire globe can feel the quantity of its
economic heat. Meanwhile, on the topic regarding Southeast Asian region's
economic recovery over the past few years, ASEAN (Association of Southeast
Asian Nations) diplomats generally agree that China's stable and rapid
economic development has boosted the economic rejuvenation of the Southeast
Asian region.
At present, the trade volume of ASEAN and China amounts to around US$40
billion annually, the volume of exports from ASEAN to China is higher
than that in any other regions around the world. The China-ASEAN free
trade area soon to take shape will undoubtedly provide more convenience
and space for the region's economic and trade activities. The project
had started early this year and is under construction at an accelerated
pace. The region, boasting a consumption population of 1.7 billion, is
a vast market with a GDP total of US$2 trillion. After the completion
of the free trade area, the region will enjoy a better development prospect.
Just as the board chairman of the Chia Tai Group of Companies of Thailand
has said: The more prosperous is China's economy, the more benefits ASEAN
nations can get therefrom.
After its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), China has
acted an important part in the world, the further opening of China's economy
will bring more opportunities to its neighboring countries. The World
Bank research report on the integration of East Asia expresses this view:
the role China assumes in the region is incomparable, China is becoming
an important market for the export products of other East Asian countries.
Obviously, China's development, instead of constituting threats, has benefited
and will continue to benefit its neighboring countries and even the global
economy.
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