China
The DGAP‘s China Program falls under the supervision of its Otto-Wolff Director.
This program‘s main focus is the examination of the subsequent and probable effects of China‘s and Taiwan‘s recent membership in the WTO (January 1, 2002). The joint WTO membership caused a surge of economic transition, but may also cause a major shift in bilateral and regional politics; this aspect is further examined in the program from a Foreign Policy and Security standpoint.
Various growing investments and joint ventures along with the trend to move Taiwan‘s more labor-intensive production branches to the mainland and the opening of the employment market will further intensify and improve relations between China and Taiwan.
At the same time, the implementation of the WTO regulations could cause economic
and social instability as the hundreds of millions will be released from jobs
in the agriculture sectors and from outdated state production lines.
Yet, the resolving of internal problems and the possible economic improvements,
tied to the integration of these countries may cause a clear security destabilization.
China‘s active use of force and its expansion of military armaments along with the growing readiness of Taiwan to pursue independent goals creates a point of friction, whose effects could reach America and Europe. The ongoing objective examination of these developments is central to the events, conferences, publications and media oriented achievements of this program.
