Do you think that trade with China is fair? I ask because there seems to be the rising probability of a currency war with the Chinese, who make it their policy to devalue their currency to maximize exports. China is the #1 exporter of cheap manufactured goods, but the catch is that they buy almost no manufactured goods from other countries. They have the largest labour force on the planet which they are able to manipulate. It is a capitalist version of communism with almost no regard for human rights. I have met a whole lot of Asian people in my life, and I have a strong respect for them. Most people that I have talked to in Greater Vancouver who have lived in China hate the Chinese government. Otherwise, they would still be living in China. One of my best friends fled from Hong Kong in 1999.
I remember when Prime Minister Stephen Harper boycotted the Chinese Olympics in the summer of 2008. In the election of the fall of 2008, the Chinese-Canadian vote shifted strongly Conservative. Just look at Richmond BC. I remember when Harper was critical of the Chinese regime the Liberals slammed him, and yet Asian-Canadians strongly agreed with the Prime Minister. You don't have to play nice with the Chinese government to win Chinese votes in Canada. It is like, should I support Robert Mugabe to win the support of Zimbabwean refugees? Not at all, if they liked Mugabe and the state of their country, they never would have left.
China will do whatever is in its best interests, just like the US will do whatever that will benefit itself. If we looked from a neutral perspective, China undervaluing its currency is "fair" because other countries have done the same. When Japan undervalued its currency, how come there wasn't the same outrage from Western countries? In that respect, there is a double standard.
ReplyDeleteI myself am Chinese-Canadian (and I must note a very proud Canadian, born and raised here). Contrary, I think most Chinese-Canadians are very supportive of engaging in trade and dialogue with China. The sentiment is that greater trade and exchanges lead to a more liberalized China. That is my view as well, when you consider the enormous strides China has made in just 30 years. Certainly, human rights lags behind, but with a growing middle class, globalization and the spread of ideas, democratization of rural areas, and an exploding Christian population, I am cautiously encouraged about the future of China.
In 2008, many Chinese voters shifted to the Conservatives in spite of Prime Minister Harper's cold stance towards China. They realized that Conservative policies reflected their values more than the Liberals. Now that Harper has decided to engage, rather than shun China, Canada can play a bigger role in shaping the future of that country. Let's not forget that Chinese people have emotional ties to Canada. Canada valiantly defended Hong Kong from the Japanese in WWII, and Norman Bethune is a famous hero who aided Chinese soldiers against the Japanese invasion. It is on this note that I think we need to build bridges with China and work constructively to improve human rights and living standards there.
“Do you think that trade with China is fair?”
ReplyDeleteI don’t know. I’m just a consumer. If I like a Chinese product at a price that seems fair, I buy it. But that’s just micro economics. In order to answer your macro question if it’s fair to Canada and the Chinese we would need some help from the government to guide us. We’d need a Parliamentary Committee to look into it and then have big picture politicians like Iggy (who never owned a stock) and Duceppe (the commie) tell us if it’s fair.
In short we need Big government to examine this , us little serfs just don’t know.
nomdeblog
o/t
ReplyDeleteperson's not eligible to vote in the Vaughan byelection, print up 60,000 flyers to advertising 5 protests against Fantino's candidacy,
media also giving the Caledonia group alot of the usual anti-conservative mega coverage,
results from the first protest:
'...About 10 to 15 people protested outside Conservative candidate Julian Fantino's Woodbridge campaign office Sunday afternoon, despite the rainy weather.
The group Conservatives Against Fantino was formed by three residents who live near Caledonia....'
http://www.silobreaker.com/first-of-five-protests-against-vaughan-conservative-candidate-fantino-carried-out-sunday-5_2263867244784123914
How very disappointing for the Toronto Star, eh.