China moves economy away from communism

Sac Bee ^ | 3/10/03 | Christopher Bodeen - AP

[NormsRevenge]

BEIJING (AP) - Struggling to modernize everything from finances to food safety, China moved further Monday from the Stalinist bureaucracy that its founders envisioned by reorganizing the way its government does business.

But while the restructuring approved by the country's largely powerless legislature means government will look and function differently, it doesn't represent a challenge to the political control of the ruling Communist Party.

[Dog Gone]

China abandoned communism long ago and replaced it with fascism. This looks like a loosening of fascist control, which is also a great thing.

It won't be complete, though, until they relax the fascist control of the political process, something they have not done much at all.

[sit-rep]

Ummmm... What is the average wage in China now? This would be my question. One that is continually un-answered...

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[gcruse]

Some slippery slopes are good things. This is one.

[Dog Gone]

The average wage is probably pathetic, but the Chinese are developing a robust middle class on the eastern coast. They had no middle class at all 20 years ago.

[Fishing-guy]

Agree. A large well-educated middle class is the way to defeat fascism.

I wonder what was the medium income for people of Taiwan and S. Korea when they got rid of their respective dictators.

[sit-rep]

We'll see if it beats the communism... I am skeptical.

It is my understanding that the army oversees the manufacturing companies there. The money is going to the Chi-Coms, NOT the people. If there is a "robust" middle class, then the wages are more than they were. Or, this "robust" middle class is the families of the Red Army.

[Dog Gone]

Despite that, it's still not easy to make money here. Competition is fierce among both foreign and domestic companies, all targeting the estimated 300 million to 400 million middle-class Chinese consumers. Nevertheless, it's considered one of the world's most promising growth markets.

“The GDP in China is growing a lot and with that we are starting to see a lot more disposable income,” Steinberg said. “You walk down the street and you see more handphones, the number of cars is increasing. The GDP in Beijing is supposed to rise up to $6,000 by 2008. And that's pretty close to a lot of developed countries,” he said.

link

[Malsua]

>>Ummmm... What is the average wage in China now? This would be my question. One that is continually un-answered...<<

Chinese workers on average make about 1/7th what the same worker in the US makes. The "underclass" however makes that ghastly $20/week. These folks live deep in the mainland. That said, Chinese companies have Dormatories and Cantinas to house and feed the workers, essentially free of charge. Granted, 8-10 live in each dorm, but they are provided for.

China IS moving towards capitalism. HU is in charge, and he's reforming the country. The old line is fading and there is a growing middle class that wants the toys.

I have pictures of mainland China complete with KFC, Pizza Hut and you name it. The Malls are full, the people can now own businesses and the Chicoms would rather become Chicaps. They're not there yet, but the signs are good and it's hopeful. The PLA is the problem, it's an old instituition who still thinks they are at war with the US.

-Mal