The Pearl River Delta - Can it still grow?

Klaus Beck writes:
The presentations and panel discussion on early 14th of December marked the first in a series of events related to questions of China’s role in the global economy. The situation in the Pearl River Delta was chosen as an example of how global trade imbalances visibly affect people’s lives and livelihood. A definite “yes” to multilateral approaches and systems was the common assumption during the lively discussion at the Knutsford Hotel, venue of Heinrich Boell Foundation’s events in Hongkong. In order to identify in what way and by which means such a system could produce sustainable results, most speakers present referred to the situation on the ground.

Au Loong-Yu claimed that the tight social and political control was the main reason for China’s efficiency and therefore also competitiveness in global markets. It were mainly the workers who paid the price for China’s miracle boom and at the same time were denied access to interest representation and wealth. Han Dongfang from the China Labour Bulletin also referred to the worker’s miserable situation and called the WTO a double sided sword for China. On the one hand it enabled China to open up to the world, on the other hand it increased the pressure on the domestic economy and society. He called the establishment of a rule of law and of a Chinese civil society as the only way out of the dilemma. Together with Man Hoon-Poon with the Hongkong Confederation of Trade Unions he stressed the importance of labour law implementation and called the growing awareness amongst the workers rather than enforcement by the authorities as its realistic basis for the future.

Cristine Loh from Civic Exchange Hongkong described how the “sick man of Kanton” has become fatter and fatter and needs now to become healthy in order not to die. Necessary both fro growth and the environment were first of all information. Information on ecological figures is still kept secret in China while precondition for a realistic assessment are facts available to the public.

Kevin May of Greenpeace Hongkong concentrated on Chinas booming electronic industry and electronic waste. According to research, 4000 tons of electronic waste is produced every hour and a large percentage of this e-waste is regularly being re-exported to the developing world. A lot of it comes in through Hongkong, traditionally being a free port. Concluding on the downside of free trade, in the following panel discussion fears were expressed about things moving too quickly to find suitable means for change.

Klaus Beck lives in Beijing and works for the Heinrich-Boell-Foundation.

Kommentieren 14. Dezember 2005