Satellite Bombing

I am very curious about the Chinese government's intentions behind the satellite bombing experiment, especially in relations to soft power. China's economy is booming and the U.S. relations with China are reasonably good. I'm no expert but I could see China having and announcing this experiment as a means of getting attention from the U.S. which has been focusing on the problems in the Middle East. It seems today that the only way the United States will give a country attention is if they cause a stir. That said I am curious to know what sort of attention the Chinese would like receive from the U.S. Some ideas that came to mind are in order to continue the trade deficits or perhaps the currency discrepancies that the U.S. has harped China for. China could be accruing soft capital with the U.S. to use later on and to keep the United States from being able to push to the Chinese around. From a military perspective the United States would have to rely on technology to fight the Chinese, for the Chinese to compete with the United States' military technology, increases the unlikely-hood that the United States will not resort to military action against the Chinese even in the more extreme circumstances. This leverage China now has could lead several different outcomes and I look forward to discussing them in this blog and seeings those events enfold.

results of new research

The BBC news reported today that China is failing to make progress in improving and protecting the environment based on a new Chinese government report. Research group director, He Chuanqi, claims that in comparison to China’s economical and technical modernization, the ecological lags behind. According to the research, after United States China produces most greenhouse gases in the world although, they are claiming that they are heavily investing in renewable energy with intentions that at least 15% of its energy comes from renewable sources, mostly hydro-power by 2020. China’s leaders continually promise to improve country’s already heavy polluted environment. The reports should bring the worry to the government officials who constantly put economic development in focus. At the World Economic Forum in Davos this Saturday, British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, stated that any deal that does not include China and India to commit to global warming improvements on their behalf will not be successful.

Space Race

Has anyone seen "Space Cowboys"? I don't know if I beleive the story the world was fed about Chinas recent space satelite destruction. They say that it was a test to destroy one of their weather sattelites. I think maybe there was something wrong with the sattelite. I can be very embarrsing to have something happen like that, especially if theres something on the satelite that they are trying to hide. No I'm just kidding, I dont think theyre trying to hide anything like in that movie. But it is odd that they took so long to give an example. If it was just a simple test why coulnt they just tell everyone right away. I dont think its a smart way to prove a point considering satelites are extremely expensive and many parts can be reused from them. And i know that the US would be very upset if one of their satelites were to fall victim to the Chinese anti-satelite system, which is just a ballistic missle. So China, maybe be a little quicker in your responses after blowing something up, okay?

Asian Inflation

Center for Asian Democracy
It worries me to hear about China's newest news regarding their 2006 economic numbers. They seem to be putting most of the support for such good numbers on the government spending that has helped Asian business grow. By the government spending so much money on its infustructure it has increased its actual economic numbers but now may be seeing the real results of their economy as infustructure spending can only include so much. Roads do not need fixed every year. I feel that China government may have maid a mistake spending so much in the last ten years. If they had spread out their spending their numbers would have been lower but they would have a longer effect which is better for the coutry overall. I think China wants to prove to everybody that their coutry is the best and these numbers may be a result of these wants.n But i fear that in the long run all this will do is cause a devestating recesion to their economy. I hope this is not the case as this would cause problems for the entire world. The goods that they produce and export will start to cost more which would result in higher prices in other countries. Hopefully they will continue to grow or if there is a problem on the horizon they can fix it without any major hiccups for China, and the rest of the world.

China and 007 finally meet

China is finally going to allow their theatres to show a 007 film, after getting past government censors. Casino Royale, featuring actor Daniel Craig as the world's most famous movie spy, will be the first Bond film ever to legally play in China.

A premiere red carpet event has been planned in anticipation for the film's belated release, with Craig expected to attend.

Royale will be shown in Chinese cinemas uncut and uncensored, according to Sony, the film's distributor. It is interesting to note that the country is allowing to screen a movie whose theme is gambling, while any form of gambling is banished in mainland China.

"What we told them is, we are fighting a common enemy, terrorists," said Li Chow, Sony's China head. "That was well accepted."

But one part of the original film has been slightly altered to better sit with China's fragile relationship with the western world. Actress Judi Dench, who plays "M", said that she had to re-dub one line. In Britain, she says, "Christ, I miss the Cold War", but in China, she says, "God, I miss the old times."

Source: Telegraph Media Group

China's economic growth continues

China has reported a 10.7% economic growth rate for 2006. Record-breaking growth is not new to the country; China has been growing steadily for over a decade. The economic craze has been fueled by huge exports and massive investments in buildings, roads and cities. My recent visit to China confirmed this investment-construction was everywhere with new buildings going up in all the medium-to-large cities. During my visit to Shanghai, a tour guide reported that over 1/3 of all the world's cranes were currently in the city. It was quite obvious that construction was the city's main priority.
The growth has many government officials and private specialists worried about asset bubbles, excessive bank lending and an overheating economy. Beijing has taken steps to stifle the growth somewhat-raising interest rates and putting pressure on banks to rethink lending practices. While inflation has remained minimal, that could change very quickly and lead to economic havoc.
I do not know much about economics, but I do think it is unrealistic to think the market will not eventually slow and possibly recede. China has a rocky national economic history-many times in the last century its citizens have starved to death as a result of failed political policies and economics. China should practice fiscal reserve and take precautionary matters. I believe the country is so invested in becoming a world power and building its capital that it may be sacrificing the well being of its people. There are still millions in the country side who are starving and without adequate housing. All the world's cranes cannot erase that. And while a percentage may be impressive, the real China that I saw is less optimistic.

China to pass US in online users, despite censorship

With an upward growing trend in practical in everything, China is on its wayto surpass the U.S. in the number of internet users, according to Techtree,a global online electronics store.

China's Internet population now totals 137 millon people, accompanied by a24 percent annual online growth rate. It is currently behind the numberonline users in the U.S., with nearly 210 million out its 300 million peoplewho use the net.

But if China conitnues an online growth rate of 24 percent, then it is to beexpected that in two years, China will become the nation with the mostInternet users in the world.

This surge in internet use in China follows a trail of confirmed reportsthat its government censors and blocks Internet content that is consideredanti-communist, obscene, and subversive.

As the irony of China's growth continues, so will their importance in theworld economy, politics, and power.

Note: This post was supposed to be for last week, but I ran into some trouble with setting up my account. All is clear now.

According to what I've read about the internet in China, it said that the internet was established in 1987, and currently there are more than two million teenagers are addicted to it. Reports showed that there were more than 110 million users of internet in China in 2005. The number of internet users are increasing, and more people are using the internet; that means the policy for internet users are very strict. The government in China was afraid that the internet would spread information that they think would be inappopriate to let the people of China read it, so they have restrictions that would banned articles that mentioned anything bad about the government . They have a system called the Great firewall of China, which blocked websites or prevented the flow of information that they think can spread the wrong ideas to the people of China. As we all know that freedom of press is prohibited in China, which means that the media, the newspapers, etc. are under the control of the government. Everything in the newspapers, internet, and media should have the permission of the government before it can be out to the public. In my own opinion, I think that if China wants their country to be better, then they should let everybody's voices be heard. The reason why I think that it's a bad thing for China to restricted freedom of press or speech is , because if the government wants to become a stronger and better country, then they should listen to what the citizens of China want or say. Of course, there are still a lot of changes that could be done to make China a better country, and by listening to what the people want and their opinions are a very useful thing for the government to makes changes.

Chinese missile tests

It has been confirmed that the Chinese have recently completed a test that confirmed the test of a satellite assault missile. The Chinese used this missile to explode an old Chinese weather satellite over their territory. Many countries have shown great concern for this test, including Great Britain, Japan, and the United States. It seems that China is trying to put a little bit of icing on the situation by saying that this was not an attempt to militarize space. The main problem with this is that there are no weapons in space as of yet, and this marks the first weapon deployment into space.

China cannot argue that this is some type of scientific test by their government because it simply isn't. Although it may seem as a revolutionary idea, scientists have been able to perform such tests since the implementing of the very first intercontinental ballistic missiles during the Reagan administration. Other governments have not performed such tests because of a lack of necessity. There is nothing threatening or imposing about an out of date satellite, but the debris from an exploded Chinese satellite can damage U.S. spy satellites that orbit at the same altitude.

Surrender to the Communist

One thing that I thought was interesting while reading Wild Swans was that when the Communist first overtook the Kuomintang the people seemed to be so relieved. After living in such horrible conditions under the Kuomintang the Communist were initially treating all of the citizens so well. The way the people were treated proved to be very sucessful in the Kuomintang surrendering to the Communist.

China Welcomes The Vatican

The BBC News Agency featured an article today concerning a renewed effort by China's state sponsored Catholic Church to mend its tensioned ties with the Vatican. One announcement featured in the article was that the newly elected Pope would be writing a letter specifically addressing Catholics residing within the People's Republic of China.

From the article:
"I hope and I also believe that the Pope's letter will show his love of China's churches," Liu said in a telephone interview Monday. "I am hopeful that it can improve Chinese-Vatican ties."

Liu Bainian is the director of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, basically China's state sponsored catholic church, which is separate from the Vatican in much the same way the Anglican Church of England is in Great Britain.

I think this is a very important step forward for the two churches, towards possibly uniting at some point in the future. Previously there had been little to no dialogue between the two Catholic entities, which is rediculous considering they both fall under the same banner of catholicism. Creating a dialogue is an important step forward.

Brandon J

I am writing in response to the New York Times article "Hong Kong Tries to Stop Mainlander Baby Boom." In general the article states that many Chinese women go to great lengths to make sure that their babies are born in Hong Kong. The government is trying to discourage them. Chinese citizens from the mainland will have to pay $5,000 for their hospital care before they are even allowed to enter Hong Kong. Thousands of women from the mainland come to Hong Kong to give birth because it entitles their babies to permanent residency here. The benefits include a free education and subsidized health care as part of Hong Kong’s British-inspired welfare policies. Hong Kong residents pay as little as $12.80 to give birth at a hospital because of extensive government subsidies. The number of babies born in Hong Kong to mainland mothers surged to 15,000 last year from several hundred a year in the late 1990s. The article stated that the ward was so busy that the regular nurses were joined by retired pediatric nurses who had been called in to help give the babies bottles, burp them and change their diapers. Beijing officials have been quiet on Hong Kong’s restrictions. Mainland leaders seldom comment publicly on issues involving Hong Kong, to avoid being accused of interfering with the city’s autonomy, but they wield enormous influence on a wide range of issues.
I am not totally sure how to feel about this article. As an American it almost seems natural for me to be outraged that these women are having restrictions placed on them about where they may receive healthcare. It seems that in America we are obssessed with human rights and being free. However China is not America and when reading this article one needs to put themselves in the Chinese mindset. I don't think it's fair for us to impose our western beliefs on China. I was wanting some feedback on whether or not China has quality healthcare anywhere else in their country because if not maybe funds would be best spent if they were used to improve and expand upon Hong Kong's hospitals. Just a thought.

Rapid Change in Social Issues.

While reading the text required for our course Wild Swans, I noticed a rapid change of social attitude towards women and young boys and girls. Although I have not reached the life of the narrator, the change of lifestyles between her grandmother, and mother has been astonishing. This is of course compared with previous generations of Chinese attitude and treatment of women spanning centuries if not millennia.

During the youth of the grandmother women were considered more as a piece of property, less than human. This description is not limited to the roles of concubines, but also to a man’s wife. The importance of a woman with respect to the importance of a man was in no means comparable. Women seemed to be seen as more of a mix of art and factories in which to produce heirs.

Although this had been an engrained tradition in much of China, the attitudes towards women began to change upon the dawning of the twentieth century. Later in the life of the Grandmother, she found a husband that would seriously consider her feelings over other men. This was evident when he distanced himself from his sons to marry her.

The Narrator’s mother had not suffered the same hardships that the grandmother had in her youth.

The narrator’s mother did not have a purely arranged marriage, and she was not courted to a much younger boy so that she could help “Bring him up” as was the custom described by the narrator. She had many young men she considered, but her parents did not force her into a marriage that they knew she would not enjoy as a free woman. She also did not have to marry as young as her mother did. The mother was allowed to obtain an education that would allow her to gain a career outside of a household. I have been very impressed by the social behavior of the Chinese portrayed in this text, and the willingness to adapt to situations accordingly.

China and the Vatican are making attempts to mend their broken ties. It seems as if China's need to control religion in their country has caused a great rift between the Chinese Catholics and the rest of the world's Catholics. Talks are not going well because of the appointment of the three bishops by the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church Association, which oversees the government-approved church in mainland China. The Association has been accused of kidnapping clergy members in an effort to make them consecrate the third bishop. Of course, the Vatican maintains its sole authority to appoint bishops, although it does take suggestions from governments. By forgoing the century-old traditions of the Vatican, China is sending the message to the rest of the world that its government will not allow for the freedom of religion and that its power is dominant to any other-including that of the Pope.
Hopefully, some agreement can be reached. The country has been busy modernizing its appearance and facilities for the 2008 World Olympics in Beijing. They need to modernize their view of religion and realize that worshiping freely is not treason.

Hoa Pham said...
In my own opinion, I think that the China One Child Policy is a good thing for China, even though it has been criticised by many Western religious groups. They think that in general that the one-child policy is against human rights of reproduction. They criticised the China One Child Policy due to the fact that because of this policy that's why most families in China used the method called sex selective abortion, which highly destroyed male-female ratios population. This created the result that there are more male than female. But in the good side the China One Child Policy reduced the problems that come with overpopulation, like epidemics, slums, overwhelmed social services like health, education, law enforcement, the availability of land and more. Even though it has some criticisms, it still has helped China with all the problems that I have mentioned above. In conclusion, I think that with this policy, China's economy has increase tremedously due to the fact that if China doesn't have overpopulation, then there will be enough jobs for every citizens and unemployment rate will be low.**** I need help with this blog thing****Posted by Hoa Pham at 4:33 PM Saturday 1-13-2007 0 comments
6:42 PM

And we're back

Sorry for the time without posts, but Winter Break at our university snuck up on us this year. Between finals and everything else, it was hard to find time to post.

I hope everyone else had happy holidays, and, starting tomorrow, regular commentary on Asian-related news will begin again.