DALE: China's image

“China’s Image,” now that the Olympics have ended China can indeed do much to preserve its improved image worldwide. Yet after the Beijing Games’ stunning success, many of these options are dependent on Beijing’s willingness to acknowledge the numerous opportunities for improvement that remain in both the international and civic arenas. One policy decision that would allow the Chinese government to capitalize on the image coup of the Olympics would be to acknowledge the right of the 23 million people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to participate directly in the United Nations’ specialized agencies. Taiwan’s diplomatic allies have already submitted a request to add an item regarding Taiwan’s participation to the agenda of the 63rd UN General Assembly, which commences next month on September 16. By allowing for the world’s 23rd largest economy to meaningfully participate in the specialized agencies of the UN, Beijing would do much to bolster its reserves of international goodwill and further improve China’s image around the globe. Vance Chang Director,Press Division TECRO