Though it is commonly agreed in China that the nation's World Trade Organization (WTO) entry will benefit the country by accelerating its modernization drive, opinions vary among ordinary people about its impact. A survey conducted by Beijing Youth Daily in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou produced interesting results.
"Are you optimist about your future after the entry?" Most people said yes: Some 65.1 percent of in Beijing, 61.7 percent Shanghai and 61.6 percent in Guangzhou. Asked if China's WTO entry might produce volatility in the society -- thus asserting a negative influence on their lives -- 40 percent said that they planned to put more money aside to meet any possible risks.
In regard to their expectations about career development after the WTO entry, reactions were positive but mixed. "I will have more opportunities," was the opinion of some 64.1 percent of those surveyed in Beijing; 60.6 percent in Shanghai and 52.6 percent in Guangzhou. But nearly 50 percent of those surveyed in share-holding companies and 38.4 percent in state enterprises said that they were worried about possible layoff after WTO.
What will be the more positive changes people can expect to see from the WTO entry? Nearly 90 percent of the surveyed thought medical care would be much cheaper; 89.1 percent believed that they would have opportunity to visit more foreign countries; 74.8 percent believed that more Chinese families would send their children to study abroad; 76 percent believed that more Chinese could afford a car because of a cheaper price; and 71 percent believed that buying on credit would become popular in China.
As for advantages that ordinary people might expect from the WTO entry, 68.6 percent of the surveyed felt sure that more Chinese could afford the goods of famous foreign brand because they would be cheaper; 56.9 percent believed that Chinese could be allowed to buy insurance in foreign insurance companies; and 51.7 percent expected that Chinese people could purchase stock certificates of foreign firms.
(Translated by Feng Yikun for china.org.cn from People's Daily November 20, 2001)
