Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 313 Return to GATT
In terms of organizational capacity, capability, and efficiency, given a clear direction and technical data, China's progress is unparalleled.

According to Lin Ran's estimate, within ten years at most, China will be able to advance to the level of 1990 in the semiconductor field.

This is still based on the fact that China has a large number of industrial shortcomings that need to be addressed.

If we're talking about innovation, China's current environment might be lacking. Large-scale training of science and engineering talents has not yet begun, the overall technology-oriented environment has not been formed, and financial support is even more out of the question.

Innovation is difficult, but China is truly adept at replication, and not just simple replication, but replication with its own innovation.

Making incremental innovations based on existing technologies, not being satisfied with simple replication, and seeking greater profits—this is one of the key reasons why China has been able to differentiate itself from other developing countries.

Whether at this point in time or sixty years from now, Geneva will remain an important location for international organizations and a crucial venue for international negotiations.

"And I set the stage once again for the next chapter."

At the Redstone Base, Lin Ran looked out at the rocket test stand and murmured the song "Ten Years of Human Life," thinking that his actions this time were truly paving the way for the next chapter.

Lin Ran's confidence stems from the door, his own experiences, and also from the change in his status in 2020.

If the Analects says that at seventy one can follow one's heart's desires without transgressing the rules, Lin Ran now feels that he has already achieved the first half of the saying: following one's heart's desires.

A large number of international negotiations were held in Geneva.

GATT's headquarters are located at the William Lampard Centre on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Inside, representatives from various member countries are taking their seats. Today, they will discuss an extremely important topic: whether or not to reinstate China's seat in the GATT.

Yes, it's restoration, not addition.

The world map on the wall also bears the slogan "Trade Connects the World".

Each delegate is accompanied by interpreters from their respective countries, ready to translate their own language into English and other delegates' languages ​​into languages ​​that their assigned delegates can understand.

English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and more—this is a battlefield without bloodshed.

Chairman Pierre Dubois, a Swiss diplomat, struck the gavel to announce the start of the meeting.

"Distinguished delegates, we now discuss item five of the agenda: the consideration of China's request to restore its GATT contracting status." He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the room. "I would like to invite Representative John Smith of America to speak first."

John Smith stood up: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We recommend restoring China’s status as a GATT signatory.”

Japanese representative Hiroshi Tanaka objected, saying, "Since 1947, China's predecessor has made important contributions to GATT. Any change in representation should be carefully considered to avoid disrupting existing trade relations."

Furthermore, we are concerned that this move could trigger political instability in the Asian region.

Smith quickly responded: "Mr. Chairman, allow me to clarify that the predecessor of China officially withdrew from GATT in 1950, so China's seat is currently vacant."

The admission of the PRC is not to replace existing members, but to fill this vacancy.

According to international law, a change of government does not affect a country's membership in international organizations.

As the de facto ruler of China, it should inherit the seat it held in 1947.

French representative Marie du Pont then stated: "France supports America's proposal."

Accepting China will inject new vitality into global trade and promote economic development and stability in Asia.

We believe that trade cooperation is a bridge that transcends ideology.

South African representative John van der Mewe flipped through the documents in his hands, then rose to object:

South Africa could not support this proposal.

The Chinese representative did not attend the meeting in person, nor did they make any commitment to join the GATT or express any understanding of the GATT. Whether the Chinese economic model is compatible with the free trade principles of the GATT still requires further and thorough discussion.

Smith spoke with a Johnson-esque persuasiveness: "Mr. Van der Merwe, the core of GATT is to promote trade, not to judge economic models."

China has made it clear that it will abide by GATT rules, including gradually reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

Refusing their participation will only allow other countries to seize the Chinese market, which is detrimental to all of us.

Brazilian representative Carlos Silva raised his hand and raised a procedural question: "Mr. Chairman, I would like to confirm whether China is applying as a new member or claiming to inherit the existing seat?"

Dubois reviewed the documents and calmly replied: "Based on the request received, China claims to be the legitimate government and should inherit the seat from 1947. Given the predecessor's withdrawal declaration in 1950, this request is considered a restoration of membership, not an application for new membership."

Smith added, "That's exactly right."

Article 25 of the GATT allows for decisions on such matters to be made by majority vote. The debate lasted a full hour.

Representatives from all sides took turns speaking, creating a very enthusiastic atmosphere.

This matter is full of profound meaning.

Dubois struck the gavel and announced: "We will now vote. The motion is as follows: Should the PRC be allowed to regain its GATT contracting status? Those in favor, please raise your hands."

Smith's gaze swept across the hall, and hands from England, France, Canada, and other countries were raised one after another.

He counted quickly, trying to estimate the result.

“Those who disagree, please raise your hands,” Dubois continued.

South Africa, Japan, and several Latin American countries raised their hands, but the number was noticeably smaller.

After counting the votes, Dubois announced: "The majority of votes are in favor, the motion is passed."

The PRC has been restored to its GATT contracting party status.

Whispers and applause filled the hall.

China rejoined GATT at this moment.

However, this is only the beginning, not the end.

For China, joining GATT means that if others grant you Most Favored Nation status, you also have to reciprocate.

If it weren't for our flagship products, such as radios and calculators, we would not only have paid off our foreign debts to the Soviet Union, but we would have also accumulated a considerable fortune.

Panda Electronics has been operating well in Hong Kong and even Southeast Asia, and has gained considerable experience.

Past achievements have given China a certain level of confidence to join GATT.

Otherwise, even if America wanted to bring China in, China itself would refuse.

If you're a purely agricultural country, why would you join GATT and then refuse foreign investment? Joining won't get you a slice of the pie; it will make you the pie to be sliced ​​by others.

With the prospect of future advancements in LCD TVs and further strengthening of semiconductor capabilities, the voices within China ultimately supported joining GATT, outweighing the opposition.

Let me explain a bit more about why China didn't send a representative.

This is because after 1949, someone announced on behalf of the Chinese side that they had withdrawn from GATT (the group that fled to the island), but the Yanjing side never admitted that they had withdrawn.

In other words, from the perspective of Yanjing, I didn't even say that I had withdrawn, so why should I send representatives to hold a so-called meeting to restore my seat?

China officially regained its GATT observer status in 1982. At that time, the demand for foreign investment was high, so China had no choice but to reluctantly accept it and began the long road to rejoin the WTO.

As of now, China has never admitted to withdrawing from the agreement.

They went out and came back in, and China itself was oblivious to the whole process, while other countries were making a huge fuss about it.

With this, China officially became a signatory to the GATT again, a status that is even higher than that of a formal member state.

Dean Rusk arrived in Yanjing in autumn carrying this very gift.

"Rusk, I fully understand your purpose. We also hope to do business with America, and we do not rule out doing business with any country in the world."

But we can't do what you want us to do.

We cannot persuade Hanoi to stop, nor can we interfere in their own affairs. If we did, how would we be any different from the Soviet Union?

At most, I can only write a letter to persuade them. As for what you want me to do—forcing Hanoi to compromise by stopping support—I'm sorry, I can't do that, even if America threatens to cut off trade with us!

Rusk was somewhat disappointed because the other party's tone was very firm, and he realized that he would not get what he wanted at all this time.

"If the Soviet Union could do it, why can't you?" Rusk subtly expressed his doubts.

"If the Soviet Union does this, sooner or later they will have to bear a price that they themselves cannot afford. We do not want to bear such a price in the future, so we cannot do this. I wonder if you can understand?"

Rusk said he couldn't understand it; he could only understand the first half of the sentence and not the second half.

(End of this chapter)