China joined the WTO (World Trade Organization) After 2001: An Oral History

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This interview is about the event that China joined the World Trade Organization in
2001. Which would allow China access to new trading partners, more opportunities,
higher economy raising speed.

Interviewee: Ivy’s mother

Interviewer: Ivy Chen

Date: May 9, 2021

Location: Home (call contact)

00:00-00:19 The introduction of the interview

00:20-00:39 International influence of the event

01:00-03:40 Interviewee’s perspective toward this event

03:40-06:40 Personal experience

06:40-09:53 Personal impact of the event

09:53-10:05 Representation of the event

10:23-10:24 The end of the interview

(00:00:00) Ivy: Hello everyone, my mother was willing to complete this interview with me when
she knew that I got this task. My mother will answer my questions in Chinese, and I’ll translate it
into English. Are you ready?

(00:17:00) Ivy’s mother: Yes, I am!

(00:19:00) Ivy: So let’s begin!

(00:20: 10) Ivy: Okay, so let’s begin with the first question. Which event do you think has
international influence and also has impacts on you?

(00:39:22) Ivy’s mother: [Chinese] I think it should be the event that China joined WTO (World
Trade Organization). I remember that year was 2001. I've searched for the exact time... It should
be 2001.12.11. It was 3 years after I graduated from the university, when China joined WTO.

(01:00:00) Ivy: Ok, what do you think about this event? Is it positive? How big was the
international impact?

(01:19:21) Ivy’s mother: [Chinese] Hmmm… China opened its policy in 1978, it has been 23
years from 1978 to 2001 when China joined WTO. Joining the WTO made our country more
open to the world. I think it's the first impact. For the second impact, I think after joining WTO,
China, being a developing country, gained a more favorable and fair market environment. (the
connection wasn't stable) This definitely promoted the export of items. And since that, we started
importing items from foreign countries. I remember at that time, I was able to see many things
which I hadn't seen before. Those were the items imported from foreign countries, so it was
impressive. The third one is that I think our enterprises are facing more competition. It did
stimulate enterprises upgrading. And for the fourth, I think it should be increasing job
opportunities for people. Because people were getting more opportunities, so people were more
willing to work, and lives became better. Therefore, I think it did have positive influences. In
addition, I think after joining the WTO, we were able to export our good items to other countries.
Which also enabled others to use our products. We could make a contribution to the world, by
providing cheap and good items to the whole world. That's why I think it has positive impacts.
Hmmm, that’s it.

(03:40:26) Ivy: [Chinese] Great. Could you share your personal experience related to this event
with us?

(03:53:20) Ivy’s mother: [Chinese] Sure. I remember at that time, some students in our
university, the seniors, started doing jobs which were related to foreign trade and export. And I
especially remember that there was a senior, who was making travelling products. And he found
a foundry in China processing, and followed the foreign standard to produce. Then exported his
products to other countries. And he kept doing it for a few years, and earned much income. So I
think this world trade enabled our seniors to become the second crowd of people who became
rich after the reform and opening-up policy. And to me, I went to Guangdong province after I
graduated. At that time, Guangdong was one of the biggest provinces which opened its economy.
One of the first opened provinces. And the graduates like us, came to this province. And since
China just joined the WTO, many material-producing industries, raised one by one. So I
remember at that time it was easy for me to find a job. And I have so many choices, and our
salary was so much higher than my old province. I was so excited when I got my first salary, I
told my parents that I was going to buy them gifts. And my first month's salary was even higher
than my parents' salary. So I was so excited at that time and it was so impressive to me. And I
also saw the other people around me, including my neighbors and my friends, just like the
example I've mentioned before, they all caught this chance by working hard. And became rich
since then. Right, that's it.

(06:40:00) Ivy: Okay, thank you for your sharing. Here’s the fourth question. How did this event
change you? [Chinese] You can explain it from different angles, life, choice, thought etc.

(06:57:15) Ivy’s mother: I think joining WTO changed our lives, let us become richer. (the
connection wasn't stable) And not just a few people, everyone was becoming richer, especially
the people who caught this chance. And I remember in 2001, China joined the WTO. At that
time, it was 3 years after I graduated and I got a job. 2 years later, I married and had a baby, our
Ivy.

(07:43:28) Ivy: [chuckle]

(07:44:08) Ivy’s mother: At that time, we started having the thought of travelling around the
world. Hmmm… As our economy was increasing, we got to know foreign products, cultures,
books etc. Which lets us have the thought of visiting different countries. So when Ivy was 6
years old, our wishes were starting to be accomplished. Just then, we took her on trips all around
the world. We made sure to take her on trips when she has time, and we've kept doing that until
now. We do it every year, visiting different countries, and learning about various cultures. And
during this process, we've seen many new things and learned a lot. And because of that, we
started having the thought that let Ivy go to high school in the US. And we started working for it
after Ivy completed her primary school study. Ivy also worked hard to prepare for studying
abroad at that time. Hmmm...So I'm glad that she can interview me with fluent English now.
Also, my husband and I have the same wish that we can improve our English. So that in the
future we can communicate with foreign friends directly, without flaws. That's one of our
wishes. Yea.

(09:53:00) Ivy: [nod] Hum. Is there anything which can help you recall that event when you see
it?
(10:05:12) Ivy’s mother: [Chinese] Ah, yes. I think the photos of our travelling are the best
things. They recorded our steps of walking out of our country and embracing the world. Which is
meaningful to me. Yes.

(10:23:18) Ivy: [nod] Hum. Thank you for your participation.

(10:24:18) Ivy’s mother: [smile] Hi Ivy you’re welcome!

[End of interview]