China – the sleeping giant

China is joining the World Trade Organisation. This is
radical news - as the giant begins to stir and wake - economically speaking.

"...Known in the early 20^th century as the "whore
of the Orient", before fading to grey under communist conformity, Shanghai has
charged into the 21^st century as the economic powerhouse of the
People's Republic of China...

China's ascension to the World Trade Organisation has been
seen as a positive catalyst in terms of easier entry for Kiwis to the China
market and in some cases that is true...

New Zealand's traditional export mainstay -– dairy
products -– was also tipped to make increasing inroads into the lucrative
Shanghai East China market...The traditional Chinese diet doesn't include much
dairy produce but that is changing and with Shanghai launching a milk-in-schools
programme we are expecting a new generation of dairy consumers..." The
Dominion Post, 10 October 2002.

So, the grip of communism appears to be loosening -– and can
you imagine what would happen to NZ dairy exports if just 5% of the population
of China was educated to drink a glass of milk a day?