The Trade and Economic Relationship Across the Strait
Presenter: Dr. Houchi Dung
Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
摘要：
Here, across the strait simply means between Taiwan and China. To speak of any relationship, trade of economic, between two political entities seems to be a futile effort. I am not implying that there is no trade or economic relation existing between two places. My dilemma is how to present such relation in terms of international norm.
Any human and social relation, trade or not, has to be built on mutual engagement. Thus, the first question must be: can Taiwan engage with China? The answer will be difficult, if not impossible. The reasons are obvious. Meaningful engagement which will lead to beneficial relation requires, at least, two essential ingredients: equality and respectability. China will never treat Taiwan in equal terms, and Taiwan will not be able to receive respectability from China.
One main purpose of trade, domestic or foreign, is to enrich the life of all people concerned. The wealth generated through fair trade must be possible to distribute evenly throughout the society by way of sound economic policy. Undoubtedly, China is becoming wealthier due to the policy of market liberalization. The irony is that the newly gained wealth is unjustly shared by only a small minority of the population. One consequence is the exacerbation in the discrepancy between rich and poor, leading to a great possibility of social instability. To trade with such a country can inevitably carries risks.
There are other risks involving trade with China. China, basically, is a society without tangible political infrastructures. Therefore, to have a profitable trade with China, one must have sufficient political powers and prudence to overcome bureaucratic hurdles. Otherwise, the traders have to operate under the whims of officials in charge.
Finally, one should not mix up trade with investments. China will be always welcome anyone to go to invest. Keep in mind an investment is to spend your money there. There is no guarantee that your investment will enable you to make money. Fair trade is different; it is to make money.