Comments on: A Different View on China

By: Janette

Janette — Sat, 13 May 2006 00:30:25 +0000

This article has been translated into Chinese here: http://chn.blogbeta.com/138.html

By: Nameless

Nameless — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 20:40:41 +0000

“Just one comment, could someone have visited the US during the 1930s and have guessed that the US would dominate the world economy in 50 years?”

Most people probably would have guessed the US or Germany. France was on the wane since Germany became a national state and cracks were beginning to appear in the British Empire.

By: AP

AP — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 15:58:45 +0000

Just one comment, could someone have visited the US during the 1930s and have guessed that the US would dominate the world economy in 50 years?

By: Travelling Mack

Travelling Mack — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 12:35:02 +0000

All – very interesting thoughts.

Im heading there for work in the coming weeks… hence just finished reading a fascinating account of the life and times of doing business in China…

Mr. China, by Tim Clissold

Worth a read for another varied perspective.

By: Dylan

Dylan — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 13:18:14 +0000

I think my previous comments are confusing. I was referring to the fact that the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) labels the economic system “Socialism with Chinese characteristics” and the form is a free market with some socialistic controls.

By: Dylan

Dylan — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 12:39:01 +0000

I like the entry and agree with most comments, except “I think communism works well for the Chinese.” China is not communist in name or practice.

By: Madhu

Madhu — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 03:29:51 +0000

Thats why India will rock the world!:)

By: China Law Blog

China Law Blog — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 02:26:29 +0000

I agree with your friend's assessment regarding the Chinese government's need to figure out what to do with its 800 million rural citizens who have not yet really joined in the boom. But, I am curious how it is that he formulated that view. From visiting the tourist cities he mentions? From going out into the rural areas? From the Chinese press in English? China Law

By: steve olechowski

steve olechowski — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 00:33:03 +0000

Beijing is changing in remarkable ways, you can feel it while you are there. It’s amazing to feel capitalism clashing with the red state.

But yes, it is the most polluted place I have ever been in the world. I pretty much felt sick whenever riding in a cab or just being outside. That said, they are cleaning up the city immensely for the olympics. I wonder how the atheletes will fare in this environment.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 23:12:32 +0000

Glad your friend was at least able to enjoy both the “Internet” and the “clean and well run” tourist attractions.

It’s not uncommon for foreigners to visit China–sometimes for months–and never see the country as it really is. To get the bigger picture you 1) need to get off the beaten path between the tourist staples of Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, etc; and 2) have some understanding of Chinese modern history to put what you are taking in into a larger context.

Doing the above frames today’s China as one the most fascinating places in the world.

China is testing limits in so many different ways:
-Demographics (size, one child policy, gender gaps)
-Tremendous economic growth (sociological impacts , regional class divisions)
-Free markets without freedom
-Access to information (Internet access/gdp percapita)
-Natural resources (use and conservation)
-Education
-Taiwan

The list could go on. To see these dynamics occurring “live” both amazes and bewilders.

Your friend is right, “China is wild”. Here’s hoping he finds more to appreciate before he gets to his next tourist destination.