CHINA DAILY | HONG KONG EDITION Wednesday, January 16, 2019 | 11 VIEWS

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana Huang Qunhui ‘Chinese wisdom’ Integration best answer to trade hurdles is a boon for eepening economic integra­ We should build on the existing Asian A strong UN­China sus­ through in cross­border e­commerce tion in Asia and the Pacific is a transport infrastructure agreements development and ultimately led to a UN industrialization longstanding regional objec­ ESCAP maintains to further reduce regu­ tainable development treaty on trade digitalization. ESCAP tive — not an end in itself but latory constraints, costs and delays. For partnership is essential to members have adopted this to support our decades of reform and opening­up Da means of supporting the trade, invest­ instance, ESCAP members are working the exchange of electronic trade data have highlighted the importance of six ment and growth necessary to achieve to improve the efficiency of railway bor­ take this agenda forward and documents signed by China in 2017. kinds of “Chinese wisdom” in promoting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Devel­ der crossings along the Trans­Asian Rail­ and strengthen our resil­ ESCAP is now working to support the China’s unprecedented industrial devel­ opment. It is a priority for all member way network. accession and ratification of 25 more Fopment. states of the United Nations Economic There is great potential to improve ience to global trade ten­ countries that recognize the opportunity First is the adherence to the principle of mak­ and Social Commission for Asia and the electronic information exchange sions and economic to minimize documentary requirements, ing progress while maintaining stability, in order Pacific. Since China has a valuable con­ between railways, harmonize customs promote transparency and increase the to guarantee the continuous growth of industries tribution to make in this regard, I am formalities and improve freight trains’ uncertainty. security of trade operations. Full imple­ and deepening of industrialization. Over the past beginning 2019 with a visit to Beijing to reliability. The recent international road mentation of cross­border paperless four decades, China has implemented progres­ discuss with Chinese leaders how we can transport agreement between the gov­ trade in Asia and the Pacific could reduce sive reform focused on economic construction, strengthen our collaboration and accel­ ernments of China, Mongolia and Russia ment of large­scale renewable energy export costs by up to 30 percent. And and made great efforts to build a harmonious erate progress. grants traffic rights for international power plants and the transition to clean­ regional export gains could be as high as and stable development environment. To stabi­ The case for deeper integration in Asia road transport operations on sections of er energy across Asia and the Pacific. $250 billion. lize economic operation, China has consistently and the Pacific is becoming increasingly the Asian Highway Network that con­ The fight against climate change in As we look to the future and put in deepened reform and established a favorable apparent. Recent trade tensions high­ nects their borders. We should expand it part depends on our ability to better link more efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda’s relationship among reform, development and light the region’s vulnerability to protec­ to other countries. up our networks. The achievements of Sustainable Development Goals, eco­ stability. tionism from major export markets, and The region’s dry ports, the terminals the Association of Southeast Asian nomic integration must remain a priority. Second is to establish the right coordination a UN ESCAP analysis shows how region­ pivotal to the efficient shipment of sea Nations in strengthening power grids A strong UN­China sustainable develop­ between industrial policy and competition poli­ al supply chains are being disrupted and cargo to inland destinations by road or across borders is a leading example of ment partnership is essential to take this cy, continuously improve industrial efficiency investor confidence shaken. Export rail, also have huge potential to be devel­ what political commitment and technical agenda forward and strengthen our resil­ and make greater efforts to reach high­end growth is expected to slow and foreign oped. A regional strategy is in place to cooperation can deliver. ESCAP has ience to global trade tensions and eco­ industrialization. China has taken successive direct investment to continue its down­ build a network of dry ports of major brought together the region’s experts to nomic uncertainty. Working with all the measures to coordinate the relationship between ward trend. international significance, and ESCAP is develop a regional road map on sustaina­ countries in the region, we have a unique the government and market, as part of market­ Millions of jobs are forecast to be lost looking forward to working with China ble energy connectivity. China is current­ opportunity to place sustainability con­ oriented reform, so that the market can play a and many workers displaced. Unskilled to implement it. ly chairing this group. siderations at the heart of our efforts and critical role in resource distribution, and the gov­ workers, particularly women, are likely to Sustainable energy, particularly cross­ For maximum impact, transport and build seamless regional connectivity. ernment can perform its duties better. suffer most. As such, increasing seamless border energy trade, is another key plank energy initiatives need to be in tandem That is an opportunity, which in 2019, China’s industrial upgrading measures are in regional connectivity — expanding the on ESCAP members’ connectivity agen­ with soft infrastructure which helps ESCAP is determined to seize. accordance with its industrial development poli­ infrastructure which underpins cross­bor­ da. Connecting electricity grids is not boost trade. ESCAP’s analysis ranks Chi­ cy. It has achieved effective coordination between der commercial exchanges and intra­re­ only important to meet demand, and na among the top trade facilitation and The author is UN under­secretary­gener­ industrial policy and competition policy, and gional trade — must be part of our ensure energy access and security. It is logistics performers in the region. This al and executive secretary of the adjusted these policies to suit the actual situa­ response. also necessary to support the develop­ expertise contributed to a major break­ UN ESCAP. tions, thereby effectively promoting technologi­ cal progress, industrial efficiency and industrial upgrading. That industrial development and Thorsten Pattberg industrialization have been successful and bene­ ficiary to China’s economy is evident from the progress the country has made.

The pig as universal archetype of optimism Fourth is to follow the principle of consolidating and developing eppa Pig, the adorable cartoon friend: Suzie the Sheep, Molly the Mole the public economy while series that originated in Britain, or perhaps even Zoe the Zebra. has grabbed the attention of She or shall we say her show’s produc­ encouraging and supporting the Americans and Chinese alike. ers try to be international with Peppa by private economy, and ... cultivat­ PThe preschool television show features a having her eat Italian spaghetti, write to piglet and her jolly family and friends. a French pen pal, and celebrate the Chi­ ing industrial development ... And aren’t they cute and memorable! nese New Year. This is why Peppa is Yet the reasons why the show is so pop­ shown in 180 countries and ular across the Pacific may slightly differ territories around the Third, industrial parks have played an impor­ according to local customs and, yes, world. Bajie, mean­ tant role in promoting rational industrial distri­ mythology. For example, Americans love while, can lay back bution and coordinated regional development. Peppa’s churlish British accent. They and rest on his An industrial park is a modern industrial collab­ don’t like Peppa’s bicycling without a hel­ laurels for oration production area which includes an eco­ met and her constant fat­shaming her being part of nomic and technological development zone, father, Daddy Pig. world litera­ high­tech industrial development zone, and an Chinese audiences don’t mind Peppa’s ture since 1590. export processing zone. Which means an indus­ temper tantrums. That’s because in Chi­ Both pigs trial park brings together production factors, na a pig gets away with far more complex have cracking highlights the unique features of different sectors character script thanks to the most weaknesses. and optimizes industrial distribution, which are famous pig of them all: Zhu Bajie from Bajie, for exam­ conducive to promoting industrialization and The Journey to the West. ple, chases after transforming the development model. Peppa Pig, or Peiqi as she is spelled in butterflies and has Fourth is to follow the principle of consolidat­ China, lives in a tiny house on a steep, to carry most of ing and developing the public economy while steep hill. The fabled godly general Bajie his party’s encouraging and supporting the private econo­ was expelled from Heaven, reincarnated luggage, my, and cultivating an all­round, dynamic indus­ on Earth, fell into a pig well and came out while Peppa is trial development mechanism. Based on its half­pig, half­man. A comparison a sore loser and actual national conditions, China has established between the two is difficult, but not “unfriends” you in socialist market economy with Chinese charac­ impossible. no time. Which teristics. This principle cultivates market players Zhu Bajie is a deity. Peppa is a drawing. brings us to the two including State­owned enterprises, private enter­ Kids love Peppa. Parents love Bajie. Bajie extraordinary charac­ prises and foreign enterprises, providing a coor­ SHI YU / CHINA DAILY may be an immortal, a monstrous porker, ters bearing extraordinary meaning in dinated dynamic mechanism for China’s yet he’s only the sidekick to the Monkey East and West during the Year of the Pig industrial development. King Sun Wukong, whereas Peppa may in 2019. the most auspicious creature after the through The Journey to the West. Fifth, China has not only actively participated look like a two­dimensional pink hair In ancient Greece, the pig stood for fer­ mighty dragon. Linguistically, the pig is And Peppa in its original is used by in economic globalization to establish a sound dryer but, at least she has a show named tility and lucky charm. The wild boar was glorious. Having a pig is colloquial Ger­ Chinese pupils to practice their English and open modern industrial system. It has also after her. the sacred animal of the Germanic tribes, man for “Lucky you!” In Chinese writing, comprehension skills, which is a lot of established several special economic zones, In detail, Zhu Bajie is greedy but toler­ including the Anglo­Saxons. Whoever a pig under a roof means prosperity, fun thanks to the many singsongs, laugh­ opened 14 coastal cities to the outside world and ant, lazy but good­hearted. Peppa is sassy owned a pig, had, in the eyes of his neigh­ means family (jia). Everyone (dajia) liter­ ter and animal noises. It’s a win­win pig­ joined the World Trade Organization. It has and energetic. Bajie, or Pigsy as he is bors, plenty to eat. ally means big house with a pig. gy, and why not. attracted huge amounts of foreign direct invest­ called in America, has a successful ani­ Every year on New Year’s Day, Europe­ Peppa and Bajie are also excellent lan­ Peppa and Bajie are universal arche­ ment, introduced massive advanced technolo­ mation series Journey to the West under ans gift each other small figures of a smil­ guage teachers. In case you are not types of optimism, prosperity and good gies, and made use of overseas market resources his belly since the early 1980s while Pep­ ing sow, a bunch of piglets or a pig with a familiar with preschool education these luck. And that’s part of the reason adults to increase its exports that have greatly promoted pa’s 2004 debut is novel to world history. coin under its trunk. They also some­ days, those shiny and very pink fellows are tuning in their kids for a bright and industrialization. And while stout Bajie beats up demon times make pig­shaped cookies from disseminate English and Chinese lan­ hopeful future of plenty. Four decades of reform and opening­up show armies in unison with his pals Sun yeast dough. guages to millions of eager learners. Lit­ China owes its development miracle to the Wukong and Monk San, saucy Peppa fre­ In China, the pig is the 12th animal in tle Fox, a Chinese language education The author is a German writer openness of its manufacturing industry. In fact, quently quarrels about who is her best the Chinese Zodiac calendar, considered company, teaches Duiwai Hanyu and cultural critic. China had opened up 22 of the 31 manufactur­ ing industries to foreign investment by 2017. Further opening up its economy to the outside Ren Xiao world, it has accelerated its marketization proc­ ess, maintained its development momentum in line with the cooperation and win­win trend in the global value chain of manufacturing, and Free trade pacts will drive economic growth made remarkable contributions to global eco­ nomic growth. Sixth, China has laid emphasis on urbanization espite the rising trend of pro­ accounts for nearly 50 of their total. It Although RCEP negotiations have been as a responsible global power. and industrialization, because economic mod­ tectionism and unilateralism has also helped increase investment dra­ delayed due to the 16 countries’ compli­ In March 2018, the remaining 11 mem­ ernization depends on the interactive develop­ in 2018, China supported and matically. cated interests, the talks gathered bers of the original TPP signed the ment process of industrialization and participated in various free The 13 countries agreed to the Chiang momentum last year. In fact, the mem­ CPTPP, and since then Mexico, Japan, urbanization. Industrialization provides the eco­ Dtrade agreements in East Asia. At the Mai Initiative, a currency swap arrange­ ber states are likely to sign a free trade Singapore, New Zealand, Canada, Aus­ nomic foundation for urbanization, while urban­ 20th ASEAN Plus Three summit in ment, in the aftermath of the 1997­98 agreement this year, which would cover tralia and Vietnam have ratified the ization offers excellent production factors and 2017, all the parties supported Premier Asian financial crisis to manage regional nearly half of world’s population and agreement. The CPTPP came into force thus widens the scope for industrialization. Li Keqiang’s proposal to build an East short­term liquidity problems. The initi­ one­third of global trade, and boost on Dec 30, but only those states that have China’s urbanization has lagged behind indus­ Asian Economic Community and said ative connects various bilateral mecha­ regional economic integration on the ratified it can enjoy its benefits. As the trialization for some time. But as China stepped they would deepen cooperation to nisms to a multilateral mechanism, and basis of World Trade Organization rules. CPTPP will allow its members to benefit into the middle and later periods of industrializa­ achieve that goal as early as possible. has the potential of becoming a primary The signing of the Comprehensive more from trade by further reducing tar­ tion early in the 21st century, its urbanization Accordingly, the countries in the source of funds. Thanks to the 10+3 and Progressive Agreement for Trans­ iffs, it is an anti­protectionist trade deal. process has accelerated effectively driving the region are focusing on the dual pillars of mechanism, a micro­economic research Pacific Partnership, which doesn’t And since China is determined to fur­ industrialization process. trade and development — the 10+3 coop­ office has been set up in Singapore. include China, last year is another sig­ ther deepen reform and opening­up, The “Chinese wisdom” used to propel industri­ eration mechanism and the Regional Efforts are also being made to establish nificant trade agreement. The CPTPP is vowed to never close its door to the out­ al development could help other developing Comprehensive Economic Partnership. an international body aimed at strength­ a successor to the Trans­Pacific Partner­ side world, and shares the trade policies countries to promote their own industrialization, The 10+3 (the 10 member states of the ening economic supervision, and ship agreement that former US presi­ adopted by the CPTPP, it has an open and as they gather experience from the process, Association of Southeast Asian Nations improving the regional financial risk dent Barack Obama promoted as part of mind on joining the free trade agree­ China will advance its industrialization even fur­ plus China, Japan and the Republic of prevention and assistance system. his “rebalance to Asia” strategy. But ment. ther. Korea) cooperation mechanism doesn’t As for the RCEP, it includes the 10+3 incumbent US President Donald Trump have an official name, but it has boosted states and Australia, New Zealand and withdrew Washington from it within The author is a professor at and director The author is director of the Institute of trade between ASEAN and the three India, and is aimed at establishing free days of assuming office in January 2017, of the Center for the Study of Chinese For­ Industrial Economics, Chinese Academy of countries to such an extent that it now trade among the 16 member states. thereby undermining the US’ credibility eign Policy, Fudan University, Shanghai. Social Sciences.