Virtuous globalization, the three-zeros policy, and China’s choice

ABSTRACT Economic globalization is generally desirable and beneficial to a great extent, but not necessarily virtuous. Modern history has proven time and again that economic globalization may go astray if rivalry among big powers are not coordinated and regulated in a timely manner. Thorny issues arise inevitably when globalization involves big economies such as China, whose resource allocation mechanisms deviate significantly from that of a typical market economy. This paper will focus on: 1) What is virtuous globalization? 2) Why should big powers adopt the goal of three-zeros (zero tariff, zero barrier, and zero subsidy) as a necessary condition for achieving the goal of virtuous globalization? 3) Why should China in particular set a leading example to adopt and implement this policy to make a real contribution to the building of global institutions that are conducive to virtuous globalization as well as its domestic economic reforms.