In todayÆs world, virtually no country on earth is immune from the effects of globalization. In the global economy, any adjustment, large or small, has an effect somewhere down the line. Eduardo Aninat, Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF) The Foundation for Globalization Cooperation's Second Globalization Forum, defines globalization as ôthe increasing interaction among and integration of diverse human societies in all important dimensions of their activities--economic, social, political, cultural, and religiousö (Aninat, 2001). Aninat goes on to explain the global environment that we are living in, where the immediacy of information allows companies to be much more responsive to the needs of their customers and to operate at a much more rapid pace. He describes ChinaÆs position as it readies itself to enter the global market and points out that globalization will improve ChinaÆs economic picture but will also have some short-term adverse effects.
The entry of a country into the new world of globalization is rather like the marriage of a commoner to a prince. Although it will undoubtedly require sacrifice, and there is no turning back to an easier time, the rewards will be great and the advancement lasting. China may have a bit of a rough ride as it enters the global market, but not to do so would be to needlessly forfeit much prosperity and growth.
As an ancient country, China has had a long history of events that have shaped its current situation. Among these has been its longstanding tradition of monitoring and regulating religious activities in the nation. When the Manchus took over and started the Qing dynasty in 1644, foreign policy was immediately affected. ôTheir approach to foreign policy, which was to make everyone treat the Emperor like the Son of Heaven and not acknowledge other countries as being equal to China, didn't rub the West the right wayà.ö (Frankenstein). China...