文章基本信息

标题：California's Mexico connection
期刊名称：Growth Strategies
电子版ISSN：0894-1297
出版年度：2000
卷号：Jan 17, 2000
出版社：FutureScan

California's Mexico connection

The Pacific Council on International Policy, an independent and nonpartisan leadership forum based in Los Angeles, correctly notes that no country is more important for California than Mexico, our second-largest trading partner and export market and the country of origin for millions of people in our state. Mexico's proximity affects virtually every aspect of life in California: trade, investment, labor, education, health, environment, law enforcement, sports, religion, the media, politics, culture and cuisine. Yet most California public policy-makers and civic, corporate and professional leaders have not focused enough on California's growing connection with Mexico.

To strengthen the future of both California and Mexico, according to the Council, attention and cooperation are needed in four key areas:

Economic and social investment. California and Mexico should build a binational regional advantage in industrial growth sectors; expedite border crossings and improve air service; ensure sustainable sources of water supply; and, more broadly, nurture opportunities for expanded mutual investment and trade.

Immigration. California should work actively with Mexico to develop mutually acceptable ways of managing migration flows so that labor needs are met and the rights of both migrants and native-born citizens are protected.

Border development. California and Mexico should create new financing mechanisms for infrastructure investment; improve cross-border regional panning; coordinate transportation development; confront environmental challenges.

Education. California and Mexico should do more together to confront the challenge of education at all levels, from exchanges of books and students to expanded cultural exchange. The Pacific Council concludes:

Tensions over immigration, drugs, the environment and personal security are not going to disappear. On the contrary, as our two societies become more interdependent, frictions may well become more evident, frequent and bothersome.

But we can put these problems into proper perspective by understanding them better, anticipating them more intelligently, finding positive solutions where possible and identifying opportunities for mutual gain.