Posted on 08/07/2008 6:29:45 AM PDT by Dr. Marten
As wages rise, it will be difficult to continue the boom unless more Chinese mover into the service sector as in Hong Kong or Taiwan.
You’re right about the growing dissatisfaction amongst the Chinese populace, especially as more Chinese are allowed to travel. It’s quite possible they will follow Communist nations like Poland if they don’t get a grip on corruption, probably the Number One complaint of average Chinese.
China never really had a strong, steady central government until the Communist takeover of 1949. The Republic, established in 1911, followed a weak Qing Dynasty ruled by Manchus. The Republic was plagued by weakness as well and had to co-opt numerous warlords. The Nationalists, who arguably, won the Civil War of the 1920s were weakened by the shifting allegiances of some of the warlords and by the Sino-Japanese War 1937-1945.
China could also eventually battle against some of their southern neighbors and The Philippines for the Spratley Islands since there are natural resouces there.
Corruption has been endemic in Chinese public life since Imperial times. It will be very difficult to root out such an ingrained way of doing business.
I believe the Chinese government would prefer an imperial policy where they simply overwhelm and intimidate their potential adversaries. The means would be to create an economic and military power that her smaller neighbors could not hope to match, and then bully them into progressively greater degrees of vassalage. This is going to be a problem in dealing with the Russians, though. I doubt they will back down when challenged by the “little yellow sub-humans,” which is their favorite racial pejorative for the Chinese.
The propaganda, is the perspective coming from all the postings to this thread. And many others on the FR. The reality is, is that China is NOT participating in Cold War politics by initiating trade with other countries, but many on the FR are when they oppose her trade policies. It is this deep seated desire to contain her regardless of whether or not China becomes democratic. This desire is what brings forth the anti-China propaganda.
I read the fist few replies to this thread and have this comment: you can say what you will, but the Chinese government’s first and last priority is China and Chinese interests. I watched the first half of the show and any hint of whining about “human rights” and the “environment” was brushed off. They are looking out for number one.
Better that the dumbasses in Washington learn from them.
You got that right!
Oh, this is rich. Dude, I'm like 98% sure you're an employee of the Chinese government. You of all people should not be spouting off about "propaganda".
I'm not working for the Chinese government. And neither are the writers and producers of the documentary. Yet, someone, people on the FR see the conveying of this information as something diabolical. As though this documentary is some underhanded attempted to brainwash the American public.
But look carefully at the Article and what it is saying. It is merely talking about China's economic transformation and how it cannot be done with only 10% of the world's land. And that negotiating with other countries for their resources is a must for China if they are to continue to raise their standard of living.
Yet somehow, people on the FR read articles like this, turns it completely around and regurgitates it as pinko commie propaganda. This smacks dab as a throw back to McCarthyism. Except, this time around, China and not the former USSR is the centerpiece.
Yet, somehow, people on the FR see the conveying...
Then can I ask you a genuine question? Why are such a disproportionate amount of your posts on threads regarding China? Are you of Chinese descent? Did you travel there as a child and have fond memories? Do you do business with the Chinese?
I don't have a problem with the Free Tibet Folks, Sharon Stone, or Mia Farrow. They're doing what typical liberal radicals do. I don't agree with them, but their targeting of China is consistent with their beliefs. And China has big enough shoulders to endure them.
It's my fellow conservatives, who for years talk about free trade, free markets, then when a non-Western country participates and benefits, all of a sudden, the red flag comes up. That, I have a problem with.
I am a US citizen born and raised here. My parents are from China. My father even fought in Europe during WWII in the US Army (honestly).
I would simply like to see China raise their standard of living equal to that to at least of Europe, nothing more, nothing less. And to be honest, I think much of the rest of the world has that right too. Whether it be Africa or Latin America or the Middle East. And it will only be done through free trade, free markets, etc. Free markets, the very thing many conservatives believe in. Until.............a non-Western country get in on it.....and that is what really really irks me. That mindset in resisting non-Western countries in trade is a form of modern day imperialism.
I don't have a problem with the Free Tibet Folks, Sharon Stone, or Mia Farrow. They're doing what typical liberal radicals do.
No, they're really not. This has been an issue that transcends the political spectrum. On Tibet or Darfur issues, you would have a hard time distinguishing a FR thread from a DU one.
but their targeting of China is consistent with their beliefs.
You think China has clean hands when it comes to Tibet and Darfur?
It's my fellow conservatives, who for years talk about free trade, free markets, then when a non-Western country participates and benefits, all of a sudden, the red flag comes up.
You won't find any of us bashing on free trade with countries such as Japan, Indonesia or India.
I would simply like to see China raise their standard of living equal to that to at least of Europe, nothing more, nothing less.
I would love to see that too. But free trade alone will not bring that. A collapse and revolt from within is the only thing that will. You can have all the money in the world, but without real freedom, your standard of living is crap. And the rulers of China will never voluntarily give up their power. Ever.
Like what? Like the Opium Wars, the European “carving up” of Hong Kong and the “Chinese melon”, the Rape of Nanking, Japanese military sex-slavery, vivisection, and cannibalism. And Mao? The Chinese seem to forgive his viciousness, since he’s one of their own, but, according to what I’ve read and heard, the Chinese have three ordered priorities - reclaim Taiwan, face down the West, and make Japan bleed.
I'll comment at the risk of not knowing what DU is. Why do these issue transcend the political spectrum? What is unique about these issues to the conservatives. Especially Sudan now that China is involved. Certainly Darfur has been an issue for a long time and other African countries as well. But why now and why is always only when China is involved for the conservatives?
You think China has clean hands when it comes to Tibet and Darfur?
I don't ever believe I ever said that. I've been on this site for almost 10 years now. I've brought up Sudan on the FR when people were doggin China about human rights. Sudan got little or no attention. Actually, no attention is more accurate. Now that China is in there, it now becomes an issue in the conservative circles. Why now and why with China?
You won't find any of us bashing on free trade with countries such as Japan, Indonesia or India.
Well, how many "Made in Indonesia" or "...India" do you see when you buy a product? So, I think that actually supports my arguement. Let talk about Japan. I vividly recall the 1980's. There were two world powers outside the US; the USSR (militarily) and Japan (economically). I can vividly remember how the USSR was in the news and the friction that existed between our two governments. Yet, on the grass roots level, at work, talking with coworkers, animosity was clearly towards Japan. The USSR, at the grass roots level, even had their admirers when talking about their Migs, submarines, etc. Japan, there was little good said about them. I assume you remember the 80's and the animosity towards Japan.
I would love to see that too. But free trade alone will not bring that. A collapse and revolt from within is the only thing that will. You can have all the money in the world, but without real freedom, your standard of living is crap.
Lets say I agree with you in total. Why the animosity towards the ABCnews documentary? I mean, if China will never acheive it, why would it offend so many Americans if they are going down the wrong road? Certainly, there are many other countries with political systems that hasn't gotten them nearly as far as China. And yet, the animosity is directed AT China.
And the rulers of China will never voluntarily give up their power. Ever.
To some degree, it is already happening. It is still autocratic to be sure, but it is nowhere near the dictorial powers of Chairman Mao, not even close.
I’ve gotta watch the Brett Favre press conference, but I promise I’ll respond tonight or tomorrow.
No prob. I gotta head out soon myself.
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