Hello everyone,
I am new to EssayForum, and I am recently preparing for the essay question.
It is very close to the deadline, so I am very anxious and desperate for any help!!!
Anyway, the below is my first draft, and would appreciate for any help!
Thank you sooo much!!!
"Considering the events of the last five years, select an issue or problem on which your national government has taken a major policy position or initiated major action. Propose an alternative position or solution to the issue or problem and support your viewpoint with specific information." Limit to 750 words.
On June 29, 2010, the president of my country, Republic of China (Taiwan), signed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with the government of the People's Republic of China (mainland China). The pact aims to reduce tariffs and commercial barriers between these two countries. It was seen as the most significant agreement since the two sides split after the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
There is currently much controversy in Taiwan over the ECFA, including over potential effects on local Taiwanese businesses, as well as on how the government has presented it to the public. The government of China uses its influence on neighboring economic powers to prevent them from signing free-trade agreements (FTAs) with Taiwan. Therefore, under the leadership of the Chinese National Party, Taiwan was motivated to sign the ECFA partly in hope that once it has this agreement the PRC will stop pressuring other countries to have such agreements with Taiwan. Moreover, the president claims that Taiwan must sign the ECFA to prohibit Taiwan from being marginalized as other countries in the region become more integrated.
However, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) believes that the ECFA is a cover for unification with China. Furthermore, it neither accords the same rights as a FTA nor accelerates capital outflow and brain drain of management and technology expertise. The chairman of the DPP indicated concerns that the trade deal will damage the local economy and undermine Taiwan's sovereignty. What is even worse, the agreement could lead to an influx of mainland Chinese white-collar workers or professionals to work in Taiwan which could put the job security of locals at risk.
It goes without saying that economics and politics are like two sides of the same coin. While some people assert that more and more neighboring competitive countries join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Free Trade Area (AFTA), and Taiwan must catch up with the trend to sign the ECFA with China; others claim that signing the ECFA will bring about some irreversible consequences. In my opinion, whether to sign the ECFA requires an in depth knowledge and a thorough consideration. The president of Taiwan should take every aspect into account and come up with complementary measures before signing the far-reaching agreement.
First of all, there is hardly any linguistic barrier between Taiwan and China. That is to say, the ECFA could result in a dumping of cheap Chinese products into Taiwan's market, which would hurt local industries such as agriculture with lower profits, higher unemployment and a lower average income. Besides, lacking for explicitly official regulations is a major concern of the ECFA. Therefore, the government has to form corresponding measures and specific statutes to protect the suffering industries, as well as provide adequate guidance and assistance.
Secondly, Taiwan's economy heavily relies on exports which in turn made it vulnerable to world markets. Besides, Taiwan's dependence on the United States continues to decrease as its exports to Southeast Asia grow, and China has recently become Taiwan's largest trade partner (over 40% of the exports). However, the public worry that China might impose trade sanctions on Taiwan once we sign the ECFA. Hence, the government must jump at the opportunity to take initiative in establishing trade agreements with other countries. At the same time, we should negotiate with China not to restrain other countries from having trade cooperation with Taiwan.
Finally, as to politics, many protesters fear the pact will eventually lead Taiwan to Chinese reunification. It's no denying that the diplomatic and military tensions have not been reduced since the ROC government retreated from China after the Chinese Civil War. Nevertheless, Taiwanese residents lose faith in the government because of the deal. To be honest, the issue of independence or unification is a complex one, and we should maintain the status quo for at least 30 years. Both governments should reach a consensus and get consent from the citizens for the day to come.
In conclusion, the true benefits and impacts brought by ECFA to Taiwan are still in debate. Even so, the agreement is described as an ambitious accord that fundamentally changes the game between the two countries and hence affects the regional economy and even the transpacific tempo for the United States. Although the deal is thought to benefit Taiwan far more than mainland China, the government of Taiwan should watch out for the possible consequences and exert every effort to compensate for the loss.
I am new to EssayForum, and I am recently preparing for the essay question.
It is very close to the deadline, so I am very anxious and desperate for any help!!!
Anyway, the below is my first draft, and would appreciate for any help!
Thank you sooo much!!!
"Considering the events of the last five years, select an issue or problem on which your national government has taken a major policy position or initiated major action. Propose an alternative position or solution to the issue or problem and support your viewpoint with specific information." Limit to 750 words.
On June 29, 2010, the president of my country, Republic of China (Taiwan), signed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with the government of the People's Republic of China (mainland China). The pact aims to reduce tariffs and commercial barriers between these two countries. It was seen as the most significant agreement since the two sides split after the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
There is currently much controversy in Taiwan over the ECFA, including over potential effects on local Taiwanese businesses, as well as on how the government has presented it to the public. The government of China uses its influence on neighboring economic powers to prevent them from signing free-trade agreements (FTAs) with Taiwan. Therefore, under the leadership of the Chinese National Party, Taiwan was motivated to sign the ECFA partly in hope that once it has this agreement the PRC will stop pressuring other countries to have such agreements with Taiwan. Moreover, the president claims that Taiwan must sign the ECFA to prohibit Taiwan from being marginalized as other countries in the region become more integrated.
However, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) believes that the ECFA is a cover for unification with China. Furthermore, it neither accords the same rights as a FTA nor accelerates capital outflow and brain drain of management and technology expertise. The chairman of the DPP indicated concerns that the trade deal will damage the local economy and undermine Taiwan's sovereignty. What is even worse, the agreement could lead to an influx of mainland Chinese white-collar workers or professionals to work in Taiwan which could put the job security of locals at risk.
It goes without saying that economics and politics are like two sides of the same coin. While some people assert that more and more neighboring competitive countries join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Free Trade Area (AFTA), and Taiwan must catch up with the trend to sign the ECFA with China; others claim that signing the ECFA will bring about some irreversible consequences. In my opinion, whether to sign the ECFA requires an in depth knowledge and a thorough consideration. The president of Taiwan should take every aspect into account and come up with complementary measures before signing the far-reaching agreement.
First of all, there is hardly any linguistic barrier between Taiwan and China. That is to say, the ECFA could result in a dumping of cheap Chinese products into Taiwan's market, which would hurt local industries such as agriculture with lower profits, higher unemployment and a lower average income. Besides, lacking for explicitly official regulations is a major concern of the ECFA. Therefore, the government has to form corresponding measures and specific statutes to protect the suffering industries, as well as provide adequate guidance and assistance.
Secondly, Taiwan's economy heavily relies on exports which in turn made it vulnerable to world markets. Besides, Taiwan's dependence on the United States continues to decrease as its exports to Southeast Asia grow, and China has recently become Taiwan's largest trade partner (over 40% of the exports). However, the public worry that China might impose trade sanctions on Taiwan once we sign the ECFA. Hence, the government must jump at the opportunity to take initiative in establishing trade agreements with other countries. At the same time, we should negotiate with China not to restrain other countries from having trade cooperation with Taiwan.
Finally, as to politics, many protesters fear the pact will eventually lead Taiwan to Chinese reunification. It's no denying that the diplomatic and military tensions have not been reduced since the ROC government retreated from China after the Chinese Civil War. Nevertheless, Taiwanese residents lose faith in the government because of the deal. To be honest, the issue of independence or unification is a complex one, and we should maintain the status quo for at least 30 years. Both governments should reach a consensus and get consent from the citizens for the day to come.
In conclusion, the true benefits and impacts brought by ECFA to Taiwan are still in debate. Even so, the agreement is described as an ambitious accord that fundamentally changes the game between the two countries and hence affects the regional economy and even the transpacific tempo for the United States. Although the deal is thought to benefit Taiwan far more than mainland China, the government of Taiwan should watch out for the possible consequences and exert every effort to compensate for the loss.