Social Reponsibility in the Global Community

Lately, the issue of social responsibility has been at the forefront of my mind, particularly since reading the Covenant with Black America by Tavis Smiley. In this book Smiley addresses the issues that prevent the Black race from going to the next level, issues such as health care, education, and the justice system ironically the same issues that Dreyer addresses in the readings. The problem I have with both books is there lack of correlation with other cultures, it seems both books seek to isolate the two cultures in a "unique" struggle of trying to provide resources or improve on the necessary accessibility to crucial resources. Unfortunately people of all cultures fail to realize that we are all in a struggle to survive, and that eventually the population boom in China causing soil degradation will impact the environment in South Central Los Angeles. I feel that the same struggle around the world is being shared, and no one wants to identify with similarities. I feel as an American citizen, I need to do all that is necessary to help my global neighbors in China, whether that be; recycling, carpooling, or conserving energy. I believe China needs to also take global responsibility by taking more precautions to improve its own environment. Minor improvements will have a major impact on the global community, helping create a greater sense of social responsibility.

John Bolton Needs A Clue

Can someone please tell me why John Bolton is still showing up in the news as some kind of foreign policy expert? In a Forbes.com story (see story here) concerning the atrocities being committed in Myanmar, Bolton is again disparaging the ability of the UN to effect any positive outcome while blaming China for not doing enough to try and resolve the problem. Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Congress hustle this political hack from his appointment as US ambassador to the UN (another of our esteemed president's enlightened appointments) like a schoolboy being pulled out of class by his ear after misbehaving? So why am I reading about this stooge complaining that China blocked Myanmar from even being considered as an addition to the Security Council's agenda? Is it any surprise that any proposals put forth by the man who said the UN only exists to serve the interests of the US would be rejected? Doesn't this guy have a family to go spend time with like all of the other Bush administration jetsam of late? Apparently he mistook the advice of watching for the door on his way out as some indication of continued relevance.

Rampant Capitalism to Spawn Communism

Capitalism works. This statement is only somewhat true. It is true to America and other western countries, but not so much to the countries of the east. Reasons of why this phenomenon occurs is most likely do to our countries' history and primary thought. But we look at today and how things are. This is a capitalist world because it is the only thing that has worked proficiently in the past 200 years for any society. So naturally countries that are dying or are down, are going to do anything they can, to get back on top of things. This is true for China. China semi adopted the capitalist theory after Mao's passing and has been able to (in all aspects of the word) "capitalize" on this form of economy. Their economy is growing at an unchecked rate, WHEN it busts what will happen to the rest of the world, which is growing more and more globalized every second. A market crash in any of the top economies would mean that everyone goes back to zero, everyone would be on the same level. If something like this were to occur, and if everyone was forced to be on the SAME level, what would be the natural immediate answer? (hint: it starts with a c, and ends with ommunism)

Imminent Question?

China's fifty-eighth anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China is to be celebrated on Monday, October first. Over the past few years China has experienced, and the world has witnessed an incredible amount of growth. At a forum this past summer, I had the opportunity and priveledge to listen to Cheng Li, Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Studies Program at the Brookings Institution, speak on behalf of the National Committee of United States-China Relations. Cheng Li spoke of the impact China and the United States have on one another economically. The forum was upbeat, informative, and very interesting. Li gave much insight into the statistical growth and potential economic reward linked to the proper utilization and control over Chinese expansion. Li also theorized that China will approach it's continuing race towards one of the top five wealthiest coutries, with a capitalistic focus.
Of those who attended the forum, many had questions pertaining to looming military action between the two, from Li's perspective, superpowers. I have recently observed such questions, pertaining to an inevitable military meeting, with a brush of the shoulder. Many scholars and U.S. leaders act as though there will never be any troubles militarily between the two countries. In my opinion, and only time will tell, a standoff between the two nations will occur at some point in the future. I feel as though there will be no action in the near future or possible our lifetime. However, it is my opinion that the U.S. is now, and will continue to feel threatened by China's growth. At present China and the U.S. hold many qualities and opportunities which the other could benefit. However, due to recent happenings, one can see for themselves that the U.S. does not take it lightly when countries in possession of economic opportunity do not give way to democratic systems, intervention is imminent. The future poses an argument among fierce competitors. Whether it be militarily or bureaucratically in the end, too much money is at risk between countries of tradition, competition, and stubborness.

Tainted Toys

I am very concerned about all of the lead paint being found in American toys.
I wonder how long has this been going on! The Americans are just finding this out. It hurts me to think about this. It makes me think that someone out their is trying to hurt our children. My children are grown, except for one, and I do not plan on buying him any more toys because of this. I have two grandchildren, and I refuse to buy them any toys for a while. Lead causes brain damage, and we don't know if this has caused any of our children harm. Just last week the U.S. had another recall, and this one was over 200,000 toys.

China: Growing Industry and the Environment

The New York Times has produced and interesting online series called "Choking on Growth" (found here:http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/08/26/world/asia/choking_on_growth.html). It details the various environmental problems China is facing because of it's large population, and rapid industrial growth.

Even if one does not believe that climate change is either caused by man, or a threat to humanity, it is hard to dispute that in a world with limited recourses business and industry must become more innovative to stay profitable. While it may seem unreasonable to ask this of a less developed/growing economy, I wish that China would start implementing more environmentally friendly policies and practices. I understand that this would cut into their productivity and take away from their manufacturing advantage created by a cheap labor force. I, however, have two reasons why I feel they should. First, pollution is already cutting into their productivity. I've seen several estimates of and annual GDP loss placed between 3-5% due to pollution. That's a large chunk for anyone, but particularly for a state aiming at 10% growth annually. Second, it is a chance for China to show itself as a world leader. Sure, this could be accomplished by growing an economy as quickly, and by any means possible. Or it can be done by a large industrial nation that is most powerful in the world's economic center.

Why study China?

Studying China should be the United States most important topic. It consists of 1/4 of the world's population, with 5000 years of civilization. It currently contains the world's second largest economy, and fastest growing economy, at 8%. China is the 3rd biggest trading partner of the United States, and the United States largest trade deficit. It is considered to be the largest existing communist country, but the idea it is still under communism can be disputed. Under Jiang, meaningful low level elections existed, along with a term limit, and capitalists permitted to join the party. The economy consisted of stocks, and culturally, money talks. Undoubtedly, this is in stark contrast to China's long and distinct past.

New Business in Seoul helps Bar Patrons

I recently read a article from the New York Times's International Page that there is a new business taking off in the streets of Seoul, South Korea. This business is people who drive customers, who had a little too much to drink, back to their residence in the customer's car.

This apparently started from the need to get drunks from driving on the road in the streets of Seoul. This is a wonderful business where a alcoholic intoxicated person who can't drive calls a number, and several minutes later a qualified driver is there for the intoxicated person to drive for.

I know in the United States we have taxi cabs, and this takes care of some the drinking and driving problems. But if a company were to start that offered their services for less then taking a taxi, then I believe it could be a good way for that company to make a profit and also a good way to keep people from drinking and driving. We should take this idea from our East Asian brothers.

China airwaves to become boring

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has banned "sexually provocative sounds" on television and pulled the plug on a show reconstructing infamous crimes by women ahead of a major Communist Party meeting next month.

The order, issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, is the latest in a raft of measures which have included axing reality shows featuring sex changes and plastic surgery and banning talent contests during prime-time.

"Sexually suggestive advertisements and scenes showing how women are influenced into a life of crime are detrimental to society," it said in a statement posted on its Web site on Wednesday, referring to its decision to axe "Red Question Mark", a crime documentary.

"Commercials containing sexually provocative sounds or tantalizing language as well as vulgar advertisements for breast enhancement and female underwear are banned, effective immediately," said the SARFT notice.

The watchdog also ordered an end to programmes with titles including the names of "sex-related drugs, products or medical institutions".

A total of 1,466 advertisements worth 2 billion yuan (132 million pounds) in revenues had been stripped from China's airways since August, SARFT said, citing department statistics.

Since launching a campaign to purify China's state-controlled airways earlier in the year, the media watchdog's edicts have gained fever pitch in recent weeks, ahead of a meeting of the 17th Party congress, a sensitive five-yearly meeting at which key government leaders are appointed and national policy set for the next few years.

It earlier urged the country's increasingly freewheeling broadcasters to forgo vulgarity and bad taste in the pursuit of ratings in favour of providing "inspiring" content for the masses imbued with "socialist" values.

A male dominated society

It has always intrigued me as to why China places such an emphasis on boys. My mother is a social worker and used to work in the adoption field. Every year, we knew of dozens of families who adopted little Chinese girls. I would always ask my mom why girls were always adopted, never boys.

This consequences of this problem is now catching up with China, from what I hear. There are too many men compared to women, and there aren't enough women to go around for men to marry. As a result, China has experienced a decrease in their reproduction rate. Obviously, a female and male is needed to reproduce, but too many men are single, not having a wife to produce offspring with.

I think over the course of the next several years, China's reproduction rate is going to steadily decline and the results will prove to be even more challenging.

dalai lama

The Dalai Lama visited Germany recently. Chancellor Angela Merkel invited the Dalai Lama, she is very supportive of human rights. China is not happy with this relation. China sees the Dalai Lama as a man rebellious of their ways and would prefer if trading partners did not have visits with the Dalai Lama. China is openly upset, but it doesnt seem to be that big of a deal. Although threats have been made, trade relations should be fine between Germany and China

International Trade

The U. S. government recently reached an agreement with Japanese government to allow UPS and other air carriers to expand service to and from Japan.
Under the new agreement UPS gains the rights to operate six daily flights between the U. S. and Nagoya, Japan. Theses 6 new daily flights to and from Nagoya will supplement the 47 weekly flights to and from Tokyo and Osaka that UPS already operates. The agreement all so allows UPS to move Japanese-origin volume other Japanese markets.
These new agreement will be beneficial for international trade between Japan and the rest of the world. UPS plans to connect Nagoya by changing a current flight between Anchorage, Alaska and Shanghai, China to operate Louisville, Kentucky- Anchorage, Alaska- Nagoya, Japan- Shanghai, China. With UPS' numerous "Around the World" flights and the opening of an air hub in Shanghai, China next year; will allow for more trade to occur between Japan and other Asian and European countries.

Taiwan Denied

Thursday, the United Nations' General Assembly denied Taiwan's application to become a member of the U.N. This is the fifteenth year in a row that Taiwan's application has been denied.

This year is the first time that a large scale campaign with a high profile has been conducted. Additionally, this year's application was unique because the application was filed under the name "Taiwan" for the first time. Chen Shuibian, the Taiwanese president, was especially disappointed by this year's rejection. He has said that the country will hold a special referendum in March to gauge popular support for the proposal.

The United States was not surprised by the rejection of Taiwan's application. The U.S. knew that the application would likely fail and could increase tension between Taiwan and China. Originally, a representative of Taiwan's government held China's seat at the U.N.; however, a representative of China's communist regime took over the seat in 1971. Although a Taiwanese ally, the U.S. must be cognizant of the volatile relationship between China and Taiwan. China is increasingly becoming a powerful nation on the world stage due to its recent economic success. The U.S. must continue its balancing act not to alienate an ally or anger a potential business partner.

Protest on YouTube

In the last edition of 'Foreign Policy' there was a brief article on YouTube-like websites popping up all over the world. These "YouTube Clones", as FP called them, are doing more than offering endless entertainment for its viewers. In places like Turkey, Jordan, Tunisia, and even China, these websites are creating means for citizens to express political protest.

Xiao Qiang, a professor at the University of California Berkely, leads the "China Internet Project." He explains, "Video has certain power that text doesn't have. Visual media has a powerful effect on the human psyche." Even more importantly, these sites provide a safer means of expression than taking protest to the streets.

Specifically in China, amateur photographers created a slideshow featuring pictures from a coal mine disaster. The sideshow has the country's national anthem playing behind it and generated massive amounts of viewers on 6rooms.com (China's YouTube Clone). The central government was not pleased by the amount of attention given to the disaster.

The Syria Connection

The NY Times reports on a delegation from Syria (story here) visiting Pyongyang. Apparently Israel's recent air strikes on what it claimed were nuclear development sites in Syria (completely in violation of international law and with the logistical support of the US) have not dampened the relationship with N Korea, which is accused of providing the technical support for the targeted weapons program. That N Korea even has the available nuclear materials to supply Syria (a move that is unimaginable given the recent progress made between the US and N Korea in halting its nuclear program) is a direct result of yet another abysmal failure of Bush Administration foreign policy. Of course now that the N Korean genie is out of the bottle concessions are being made, concessions that (if made earlier) would have prevented N Korea from resuming its nuclear program which had been stalled when the Bush administration took office. I don't see how N Korea could have been expected NOT to resume its nuclear program after having been dubbed one of the countries in Bush's fatuous "Axis of Evil", especially after the ludicrously justified destruction of another country in that demonic triumvirate.

North/South Korea Unification

It's not a surprise that recent talks between North and South Korea have been on reunification. The question is whether the North will submit to the democratic government of the South?

I do believe that the government of North Korea will collapse through its mismanagement of the state, of finances, and embargoes from the United States and other countries. Its just a matter of when.

Red Coats

Hi, my name is Roslynne, thank you for inviting me to your website. Right now we are studying about China. This is an interesting class and I enjoy learning about different cultures, and their way of living. I want to concentrate on the Red Coats. I find it interesting that your government would use children to help enforce the laws. I find it hard to imagine that the adults really listened to the children, in those respects. It seems to me that they had to grow up fast with all of that responsibility. In a way, they did not have much of a childhood. I wonder if anyone has done a study to see if this affected the children emotionally, or even mentally!


▼ September (1)
Asian Political Science Class

One Child

I have heard some rumors throughout my life, and have now learned that some of them are true. I did not want to believe that in some parts of China, a woman can only have one Child. Has anyone thought about the fact that, one day the gender ratio will be off balance! That you will not have someone to carry on the family name, if you have only girls! I love children very much girls and boys. I would hate to have to choose between the two.

Happiness

Hi Everyone out their. I love some of your values, but some of them trouble me. I am concerned about the fact that happiness doesn't matter in a Chinese person's life. I need to have some happiness in my life to survive. The World and people in general can be so cruel. Their is so much hate, sorrow, and tragedy going on. It is hard for me to accept the fact that, in some cultures happiness, does not matter.

China's price fixing implication

The debate over communism causes much unrest and debate among a variety of political and economic gurus. However, in the latest ordeal which has “consumed” China, communist, not capitalist ideals have helped keep consumption up.
The recent rise of food prices has given way to a price ceiling on many food products. According to the article “An Old Worry Nags Again,” in the September fifteenth issue of The Economist, the price of pork was 70.3% more expensive than last August. Reasons behind this are for the increasing prices of feed and an outbreak of disease in pigs. These occurrences lead to the death and slaughter of millions of infected pigs. Herein lies the social unrest behind the price increases.
The Chinese government has “bullied” many local merchants into setting price limits on food prices. Local business associations have grown angry due to their capitalistic mindset. They feel they should be able to charge a higher price because the products they’re selling have now become more expensive for merchants to buy and sell. However, in order to keep students and peasants, whom Hun Jintao lends a helping hand, from rebelling and rioting, the government has set price limits and subsidies to raise more livestock. This fixed price setting has kept otherwise furious students, peasants, and the middle-class calm. If the government did not intervene on behalf of the masses there could be massive unrest. By setting a limit on prices the government has kept capitalism from overtaking the balance of the present day agrarian consumption. Giving into the capitalist merchant’s way of business would pave way for inevitable problems. Yet once again, question over tampering with items and as quoted by The Economist, “doctoring of meat,” has put the credibility of Chinese goods into the spotlight.
Merchants have begun injecting water and other weight increasing chemicals to get their moneys worth. Some of the pork being sold is being filled with substances to add to the weight of the pigs to allow merchants to charge more for the same product which would, without the fake increase of weight, be priced at a much lower amount.
Though a non-capitalistic approach has curbed much unrest, it puts into question China’s inability to monitor domestic products and thereby stunt the international market’s openness to accept and trade with China’s tainted domestic goods.

China and the Catholic Church

I read this morning that the Catholic Church and Pope Benedict XVI are trying to reconcile their differences with the Chinese. China cut ties with Rome in 1951 over the Vatican's recognition of Taiwan. At that point the state backed Patriotic church was born and appointed its own bishops without Vatican approval. Last year two priests were excommunicated from the Catholic church for accepting such appointments. What I'm waiting to see is if the Pope will abandon his support of Taiwan in favor of closer ties to China but at the same time won't that once again be an example of the church doing what helps it politically instead of what's right.

Military Moves

A recent op-ed in the NY Times by Robert Kaplan describes the recent expansion of Asian militaries, most notably China, Japan, Korea, and India. All have been spending more money on their militaries for things like nuclear weapons research and their navies. The navies of some of these countries is growing larger than western european powers like France and England, who have cut their military budgets while these east asian countries have largely expanded theirs. It is hard not to be concerned a little when any country is beginning to focus and spend so much more money to arm itself and it is very disturbing to know that so many countries in one area is doing it. I do not wish to say that they shouldn't protect themselves or they don't have the right to do it, but we can only hope that these armies aren't being expanded to one day march on other countries or be used for imperial purposes(which some might argue is what the U.S. has done with its army in Iraq).

Rickshaw Beijing

For my history class on Modern China, we are reading a book called Rickshaw Beijing by David Strand. It is a fascinating account about rickshaw pullers during the 1920's. It discusses who became rickshaw pullers, and the influence they would play on the economic and social system that existed in China. The book gives great insight into the role local police played in dealing with rickshaw men, even though some were rickshaw men as well. Even women would disguise themselves as men, to have the opportunity to pull rickshaws. Another fascinating issue covered is the technological progress that the rickshaw represented. While the rickshaw pullers had an extremely difficult job, they were freer and more independent than many workers. This book should definitely be viewed by anyone who has a fascination with Chinese history.

China Rejects American Imports

An interesting story has emerged while Mattel initiates yet another round of recalls on Chinese made toys covered in lead paint. In July and September, China rejected over 40 tons of pork imported from Canada and the United states. Upon inspection, the meat was found to contain traces of the growth hormone ractopamine. The US and Canada are two of 24 countries that do not ban the hormone's use in meat produced for human consumption.

While the non-approval of the hormone appears to have more to do with protecting Chinese pig farmers than with any health concerns (the hormone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1999), I wonder if this was in any way a chance for Beijing to hit back at criticisms aimed at it's recent export troubles.

Beijing to launch price freezes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7004218.stm
The above mentioned BBC website and article contains a look at the continued problems that the PRC has faced due to inflation. While the article is interesting in and of itself the last paragraph presents an even bigger dilema for a population well over a billion people. "The Chinese government has moved quickly to stamp out the problem, but pork imports have surged as domestic supplies try to recover." This paragraph is in reference to the traditional appeal of pork and chicken products that are preffered by Chinese consumers and the Blue-ear disease that has taken a toll on the pork population of China, thus increasing imports of pork. Interestingly, understanding that major fluctuations in food supply could undermine the Chinese Communist governemnts rule might help other countires around the world find new and better ways to deal with the major economic import/export deficits that many face with China today.

Should Taiwan have a seat at the UN?

The Solomon Islands and a few other nations recently petitioned the UN requesting UN membership for Taiwan, a question that has been brought up annually for at least 15 years. The UN denied the request, on the grounds that Taiwan is part of China, and each nation receives only one seat. Missing from the discussion were the views of the citizens of Taiwan.

Do you think Taiwan should have a seperate seat in the UN? Keep in mind the social and economic differences between Taiwan and mainland China.

China helping Darfur

China Credited With Progress on Darfur
By WILLIAM C. MANN

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. diplomat on Wednesday reported significant progress in Darfur peace talks and credited China with playing an important role.

Andrew Natsios, President Bush's envoy to help solve the 4 1/2-year-old conflict in Sudan, said neighboring Libya also has begun to cooperate.

The primary obstacles to peace talks now, he said, are some of the dozens of rebel groups, rather than President Omar al-Bashir's Sudanese government.

Due to Chinese influence, Natsios said, Sudan's government has accepted a U.N. Security Council resolution passed in July to authorize a 26,000-member military and civilian peacekeeping operation.

China has come under widespread criticism by aid groups for ignoring atrocities by the Sudanese government while spending billions on Sudanese oil.

Natsios told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, that such behavior has changed.

"I think the Chinese are like a locomotive that is speeding up," he said. "They are even doing things we didn't ask them to do."

On Tuesday, China reported sending a third batch of soldiers to the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Sudan to oversee a 2005 agreement that ended a long-running civil war. Beijing also plans to send troops to the Darfur operation.

Natsios said putting in place a comprehensive agreement in southern Sudan is far behind schedule. The deal gives autonomy from the Muslim-dominated national government to the largely animist and Christian rebel administration in the south.

Until that agreement is fully in place, Natsios said, "there will be no peace in Darfur."

As for Libya, Natsios said Sudan and Chad, both Libyan neighbors, have been fighting a little-reported border war by proxy, using unofficial forces against each other. Libya negotiated a cease-fire, Natsios said, "and it appears to be working."

Libya also is hosting a peace conference between Darfur rebel groups and the Sudanese government starting Oct. 27.

Natsios said the problem with such negotiations is that the rebel groups feel "that they get everything they want or there will be no agreement. I have told them that is not the way negotiations work."

typhoon interrupts world cup

Fifa made a decision to post-pone the women's world cup due to Typhoon Wipha. A few of the matches were stopped at the last minute, affecting crucial warm up strategies for several teams. The matches in Shanghai have been moved because the typhoon is directly affecting this particular area. Two million people have already been evacuated. In better news, The U.S. soccer team has advanced to the quarter finals.

Bejing Olympics 2008

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Bejing have been called groundbreaking and controversial. Some have said that we should boycott the Olympics, in protest of China's communist views. Others have said that we should embrace the Olympics as a chance to form even stronger ties with the Chinese government.



Personally, I think that the Olympics could be a turning point in our relationship with China. This could be a huge sign of friendship that could be seen by other countries throughout the world.

Diplomacy is when we work with other countries, not ignore them. We need to fully support the 2008 Olympics in Bejing and go in with open minds and ears.

Japanese Premier's Resignation

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, resigned from his position. Abe was very unpopular in political circles and with the media. A tense new parliamentary session began Monday with members deadlocked over Japanese military participation in Afghanistan and the premier's exit.

Abe's successor will automatically become the next prime minister. The opposing Democratic Party will likely call for a general election soon. They Democratic Party is against a law that allows the Japanese navy to refuel American ships and our allies' ships that are participating in the war in Afghanistan.

The majority of the Japanese public is against their involvement in Afghanistan. They say that their support of the American navy violates Japan's pacifist constitution. This is a striking example of the war on terror influencing domestic politics within our allies' borders.

China Inks Deal with Iran

China has just signed a $20 billion dollar (14.4 billion euros) deal with with Iran, this two-way trade marks an ever growing relationship with the Iranian government, as China struggles to meet the needs of a growing population. However, Sinopec (China's Petroleum & Chemical Corp) has stated earlier this year that they did not have intentions on buying Iran's expensive natural liquefied oil. As China continues growing, they just may have to go back on their word and buy more from the 2nd largest natural gas reserve (Iran). This comes at a unique time, as the United States is discouraging the use of Iran's energy resources, yet the United States fails to offer any alternatives. China needs the oil and Iran has the resources. Maybe the United States is stressing over the idea that Iranian interior minister stated "We have many big projects on the table," these project may leave America in the dark. One can only wonder with America having so many enemies, are the Chinese-Iranian relations strictly business? I guess we will see in the near future, because what's done in the dark always comes to light.

Traditions Influence

Tradition. Sometimes we see it in our own culture but, to us it is easier seen and understood by looking at cultures rather than our own. In America our capitalist way of life is the norm. We know nothing else but what is normal, unless we are privileged to live or are educated to understand from a different perspective. This is true for all cultures, this is why there is so much grief and uncooperative natures of nations and countries. It is easiest to see someone else's "faults" rather than our own. Yet what a fault is, is to be determined by ones own beliefs and traditions they were taught to understand. We look at the differences in other counties (i.e. China, Japan, East Asia) and observe their way of life. As Americans it is difficult to understand Communism or Confucianism, but to Asians it is difficult to understand Capitalism and Protestantism. These characteristics of our two countries is what they were founded on (America: Protestantism, China:Confucianism). These traditions of thought were the base of the culture, politics, and way of life, of the country in which one may live.

Trade With China

This past spring China had run into problems regarding regulations of prescription drug and pet food manufacturing. The reasons for the problems were corruption and the punishment for the head of China's FDA type regulation agency was executed. One can also remember this past summer when there was a massive recall by Mattel. The reason for the recall was lead paint in the toys which is hazardous if consumed, particularly by children. The person linked to the lead paint whom Mattel had outsourced the work, Zhang Shuhong, killed himself the morning that Mattel announced the recall. The New York Times announced Tuesday that China had signed a pact to prohibit the use of lead paint in toys. With all this in mind, one can see that China takes swift action bureaucratically to end problems involving global business. However, the August sixteenth article in the Economist, "China's Toxic Toymaker," touched on the notion that it is not the regulation of the products manufactured but the people and businesses who are doing the manufacturing that need to be regulated. In other words, inspections of manufacturing facilities is what people like Charles Schumer, a New York senator, are calling for. China may ban the use of chemicals and metals such as lead, however, does anyone really know whether or not a plant is using the banned substance unless there is an inspection of the facility.

Trouble at the Women’s World Cup

The Associated Press is reporting an interesting story from the Women's World Cup currently taking place in China. On the eve of a match with China, team officials from Denmark found two Chinese men spying on a strategy meeting they were holding. The men were recording the session with video cameras while hiding behind a two-way mirror. The men were taken away by local police, and have yet to be identified. Denmark lost to China 3-2 the next day.

While nothing has been proven (FIFA has said the Danish do not wish to pursue the matter), the circumstances look bad. Cheating in sports, as seen recently in many forms here in the US, happens. My concern, however, is that the Chinese might attempt and be caught doing such a thing at the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Olympics are not just a sporting event. They are a world event, with great symbolic power. Many see the Beijing Olympics as an opportunity for the Chinese to prove themselves to the world, to show how far they have come on the last 30 years, and to prove wrong criticisms from the West they see to be false or unfair. It would be unfortunate for such an opportunity to be missed.

300 Million of Rural Population will be urbanized by 2027

I went to chinanews.cn and viewed a reporting saying that 300 million people in the rural areas of China will be urbanized by 2027.

I have doubts about this claim. 300 million people is a great number to urbanize in 20 years. The amount of money and resources to urbanize that many people would be a lot. Also, many of those rural people make their living off the land, so why would they want to be urbanized? If China can live up to its promises then they can potentially help a great portion of their population.

New Death Penalty Decision

China's Supreme Court announced today that they want to cut back on the number of executions handed down by lower courts for lesser crimes like embezzelment and crimes of passion. They also stated that the penalty should not be handed down if the person does an adequate job of compensating for the crime that they committed, for example paying the company back for the money that they embezzeled from it. As someone that disagrees with the death penalty, I think this is a very positive step forward for the country responsible for more executions than the rest of the world combined. The Chinese government has already stated that the number of executions this year will be the lowest in ten years. This shows a very progressive attitude for the government and its' court system and hopefully we will see more decisions like this in the near future.

While taking a history class on modern China, and a political science class that covers China as well, you begin to understand the significance that China's culture has played in their economics, and governing. Currently, I am starting to agree with the writer Cao Jinqing, who believed that China is moving away from socialism, and establishing their own style of bureaucratism rather than adopting a Western-style liberal capitalism system. China seems to be consumed with not being too much like the West, that they will always keep a considerable distance in their economical views. Following Confucianism has caused them to take certain paths that will run opposite of the West. Now that the Chinese are starting to function efficiently with Confucianism and building a sound economic structure, they are going to continue in an upward trend. Their top leaders possess engineering backgrounds, rather than law backgrounds, this will enable them to prosper to new heights, but might have a negative affect on civil rights.

chicken smugglers

Huge efforts have recently been made by the Vietnamese to stop the smuggling of chickens in from China. Chicken smuggling is one more battle that must be fought in order to stop the spread of bird flu, which has taken over 100 lives in Asia. Vietnamese officials say that if the flu spreads into Vietnam easily, it will likely spread throughout the world, causing a pandemic. Officials also say that the flu is likely to mutate into a virus that is more lethal and easier spread amongst humans. Authorities have found that the reason chicken smuggling is going to be difficult to stop is huge profits by the smugglers. An average chicken smuggler will make a great deal more money than a vietnemese or chinese chicken farmer.

China's Development

China is ruining its resources it desperatly needs to feed its own people. China has too many mouths to feed, deserts, droughts, pollution, dwindling water supplies and rampant development that is erasing very important farmland. Most of China's homegrown food is not even edible by Western standards.

Here's a link to an article discussing China's Development Consequences:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/25/asia/26china.php

Kim Jong Il (cont.)

This kind of goes with the post on terrorism in North Korea and how it could never be alleviated because of the illogical Kim Jong Il. Not until the Northerners of Korea can adopt the morals and convictions of their Southern neighbors, they will always be the controversial country that harbors and supports terrorist activity. I'm surprised that since the Korean war, the U.S. has not really intervened with any sort of force to try to maintain a reasonable level of social progress concerning the disoriented peoples of the north. I would have figured that Kim Jong Il would be on the same "wanted dead or alive," level as Sadaam Hussein. It's good that the U.S. had contested North Korea's nuclear missile plans, but can we be sure that we've stopped them completely?

China and Venezuela

Bloomberg.com reports that China and Venezuela (see story here) have agreed to a more than $10 billion deal to produce oil in the Faja del Orinoco region. This is definitely a step that will increase Venezuela's status in the world as a player to be taken seriously and is sure to get under the skin of the Bush administration that has been vigorously attempting to isolate the country after a failed coup against leader Hugo Chavez in 2002. Venezuela on the other hand is attempting to reduce its reliance on the US market that currently accounts for over %50 of its oil exports. It appears that China, with this move, is flagrantly disregarding US interests in a region that has historically been considered by US policy planners as a "backyard". Obviously the CCP knew this to be the situation leaving open to speculation whether the move was a calculated slight towards the US or a necessary one in light of China's present energy needs.

Lack of "youth" in Chinese political leadership

During last week's reading, I was surprised to see that the average age of the standing committee is 61.1 years of age. What was even more surprising was that none of the committee members are young enough to be considered a member of the 5th generation. Why is there a lack of "youthful" presence in the Chinese government?

I would think that China would want to have some type of up and coming leader on the standing committee to gain experience. What happens if several prominent members of the committee suddenly become ill, or even worse, pass away? Is there no contingency plan? When the 4th generation dwindles down, a fresh, unexperienced member of the 5th generation is going to have to step up. Having a new leader with no political experience on the national level is not something I would expect out of a major actor like China.

I was also amused to see that every single member of the standing committee has an educational background in engineering. I gleaned two things out of this:

1. It is obvious that China placed a huge emphasis on grooming it's citizens to focus on jobs that require an extensive background in math and science. This is clear proof that the United States needs to follow suit.

2. I would think that this may limit the ability for China to be well-rounded when it comes to international diplomacy. If all of the country's top leaders have training in the same area, what hapens when they have a situation that requires experience that falls outside of their expertise?
Many times, diplomacy requires the skills possessed by business men, not engineers.

Although the lack of diversity on the standing committee would seem to warrant problems, it does not seem to be a major issue.

Chinese Baby Trafficking

In eastern China, police have broken up a baby trafficking ring that is responsible for the trade of more than sixty infants. The children were taken from the Yunnan province in southwest China and most were sold to people in Shandong, a province in eastern China. The trade in babies thrives in China. Many of the children trafficked are girls because families are limited to having one child in urban areas and couples sometimes sacrifice female children in order to have a son. Laws designed to control reproduction by China's communist government result in the abandonment of helpless children rather than population control.

Cult of Personality

Imagine yourself at your current age living in China in 1949. The only government/politics you have known throughout you entire life is one of instability and constant warfare in one way or another. As far as you can remember your country has been at war with itself (Chinese Civil War 1927-1950), and the whole world outside of China has been fighting on and off. The fighting and battles is at its peak, this war has affected almost everyone living in China. What are you to do?
I’m not saying that General Mao was a prophet or anything, but I have to admit that he was at the right place at the right time, but most importantly Mao had the right idea (for his country, that is). War and instability affect everyone, they make people think. They make people think about what is right, and what is has been taught and what has been learned. What Mao did was take the deep seated beliefs and ancestry of the Chinese nation, and was able to provide an alternative to the authority that had previously failed. Communism was knocking at China’s door and Mao had the key to let it in.

Brain Drain

I noticed an article in the Christian Science Monitor this week that was about China moving ahead with certain innovations and encouraging more work and resources put toward research and development in technological fields. One thing that stood out was that it mentioned how many scientists leave the country because they feel more free to do research abroad and one of the main reasons given was that they are more likely to fear failing in China than elsewhere. There is now a new law being put forth that would refund money put toward a failed project if the scientist can prove they tried everything they could to make it work to the government. This seems like a very good step to take and would provide a way for China to keep its' smartest and most innovative minds inside its' own borders. This might even be seen as a model law for other developing counrties that need to take hold of the brain drains that they may be experiencing.

SOC Implications

In the August twenty-third edition of The Economist, an article titled The Almaty, Beijing and Moscow brought to my attention that China, Russia, and four central Asian states, had participated in a military exercise. The objective of the exercise was to successfully engage terrorists, and jointly destroy their military presence. A small town was constructed in Russia to represent the terrorists hideouts. The exercise was deemed successful and the six countries of China, Russia, Kazakhastan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, seemed pleased with the outcome. For the western world, the real question lies in the mindset behind this alliance known as the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation. Recent developments between Russia and the United States pertaining to missile defense systems in Europe have led many to question Russian president Vladimir Putin's new motives. The Economist compares the SCO as an alliance to counter NATO. This may not be a bad accusation since no leaders of the SCO have made an outright denouncement of this theory of counter alliance. The Chinese have also begun discussing plans for an oil-pipeline to travel from Kazakhstan to China. Another pipelione is in the works that would link Europe to Turkministan via Russia. With all of these natural resources in play between the SCO one must question the true need for an alliance. Protection and control of the SCO oil resources is not a wild reason for the formation of a military and political alliance. Another possible motive may be the alliance against the western nations in the event of an Iraq like intervention.

"The Coming China Wars" by Peter Navarro

I recently viewed a talk by Peter Navarro on his new book "The Coming China Wars" on C-Span2. His research into the economics of China was very enlightening and would benefit anyone interested in the activites of China on the world stage. Here is a link to the video: http://media.merage.uci.edu/merage/faculty/navarro/ComingChinaWars.wmv

Here is a book description from Amazon.

Book Description
China is now the "factory floor" for global production. It sells to the world at the competition-crushing "China Price" and we as consumers benefit greatly. Unfortunately for the world, this story doesn't end with a cornucopia of cheap Chinese goods on our store shelves. Rather, it begins precisely at this point. It is a story about how the rapid and often chaotic industrialization of the most populous country on the planet has put China on a collision course with the rest of the world. The emergence of China as an economic superpower is currently moving on a path that will affect literally every nation and every person in the world, and potentially cause great turmoil and conflict. The primary purpose of this book is to raise the level of economic and political awareness to a level which will allow all of us, including the Chinese, to begin to think much more deeply about how to stop the Coming China Wars and to participate in the set of very hard choices that must be made. The coming China Wars will be fought over everything from decent jobs, liveable wages, and leading edge technologies to strategic resources such as oil, copper, and steel and eventually to our most basic of all needs- bread, water, and air. Unless all of the nations of this world, immediately address these impending conflicts, the results could be catastrophic.

Synopsis
China is now the "factory floor" for global production. It sells to the world at the competition-crushing "China Price" and we as consumers benefit greatly. Unfortunately for the world, this story doesn't end with a cornucopia of cheap Chinese goods on our store shelves. Rather, it begins precisely at this point. It is a story about how the rapid and often chaotic industrialization of the most populous country on the planet has put China on a collision course with the rest of the world. The emergence of China as an economic superpower is currently moving on a path that will affect literally every nation and every person in the world, and potentially cause great turmoil and conflict. The primary purpose of this book is to raise the level of economic and political awareness to a level which will allow all of us, including the Chinese, to begin to think much more deeply about how to stop the Coming China Wars and to participate in the set of very hard choices that must be made. The coming China Wars will be fought over everything from decent jobs, liveable wages, and leading edge technologies to strategic resources such as oil, copper, and steel and eventually to our most basic of all needs: bread, water, and air. Unless all of the nations of this world, immediately address these impending conflicts, the results could be catastrophic.

Kim Jong-il+threats+nukes=terrorism

Apparently North Korea believes that they are going to be removed from a list of countries believed to support terrorism. And by they I mean Kim Jong-il, who comes across as all kinds of crazy. North Korea has been on the list since January 1988, when a bombing killed 115 people in South Korea. While I haven't heard any recent accounts of Jong-il supporting terrorism, he did just last year test a nuclear weapon and has repeatedly expressed an open hostility towards the west. Specifically America. Needless to say they probably won't get off that list. What's sad is the people of the country are broke and suffering but we can't help them because of the illogical Kim Jong-il.

Where is China's Central Bank?

I was somewhat shocked over the summer when I learned preparing for a presentation in my International Relations class that China did not have a central banking system. It wouldn't have occurred to me that any industrialized nation would go without one, much less a state in the economic boom China finds itself. With a growth rate pushing now 10% annually, I wondered how the government managed inflation, controlled currency supply, and engaged any of the monetary functions states around the world use to maintain healthy economies. How could, I asked my professor, a state achieve the worlds fourth largest GDP without such mechanisms?

I have yet to receive a definitive answer. One scholar suggested to me a possibility that could explain it. China, in their opinion, runs on corruption. A central banking system would impede such activities, and is thus, by many undesirable. In the mean time, inflation in a rapidly growing economy is kept in check by the government's artificial valuing of currency, arguably negating a central banks' primary purpose.

I am very interested to hear other perspectives on both why China doesn't have a central bank, and what the future holds for them should they not create one.

Taleban 'getting Chinese arms'

In a recent article on the BBC homepage, Paul Danahar writes of the recent findings by British and US forces that the Taliban have been aquiring sophisticated arms from the PRC. These arms inslude surface to air missiles, anti tank guns and a plethora of other munitions that are more than capable of matching the US and Britian in technological sophistication. While the article represents a ralling cry against Chinese interfernce in others affairs, maybe it might be best to take a step back historically and better understand the Chinese, since they are not the only arms dealers of the world (the top five in arms sales world wide are the US, Britian, France, Russia and the PRC). As such, an understanding of the Chinese culturally will appear as they often revert to previous policies of balancing the power of those around them or those who can have an affect on them. The first example is the Sino-Soviet Split, which reached its apex with the Uusuri River border clashes between Soviet and PRC forces in Northeastern MAnchuria in 1969. The reasons for this clash are long and begin as early as 1955 with Nikita Krushchev's refusal to propigate the fledgling PRC nuclear arms program. Yet the US involvement in Vietnam and that countries decline in world eyes led to the stunning reconciliation betwen the PRC and the USA in 1971. Mao was joined in this shift of power by then conservative president Richard Nixon, a long time anti-communist. Why these two idealogically antagonistic leaders found common ground at this time depends on whom we are analyzing, but Mao and the PRC were actually playing a very old game that can be analyzed as early as the Han Dynasty! This refers to the understanding of the traditional Chinese belief that one "barbarian" should be played off the other to achieve the sought after balance of power that the Middle Kingdom required at the time. This changing of support is a time honored traditon in China so much so that Nurhaci, the founder of the Manchurian tribal unification, learned these lessons well enough to create what would later be the Qing Dynasty, who would rule over the native Han Chinese from 1636 until 1911. As such, there is a long cultural history for the Chinese of using other groups against one another for their own ends. Accodingly, with this understanding of Chinese thought we should attempt new roads if the US plans to bring some type of manipulated peace to the region of Afghanistan. This should include the possibility of full involvement of the Chinese in this region as peace keepers. We , as Americans, must reconcile our current foriegn policies to include the major players of the world instead of attempting to bear the brunt of all of our endeavors alone. As is always the case, a better cultural understanding of other peoples explains their actions, whether they be complimentary or antagonistic to our own goals and allows us to situate our own actions to build allies for the support of our affairs instead of fostering traditional paranoias and fears.

KMT and Taiwan

The time period in which the KMT and Mao Zedong were competing with one another, is very intriguing. According to June Teufel Dreyer, author of "China's Political System," Sun Yat-sen converted to Christianity, and had the belief that capitalism should be reformed and not destroyed. At the same time, however, he also was accepting money and arms from the Soviets, and in return, Comintern advisers were reorganizing the KMT along Leninist lines. At first, Sun's perception was related more with Western nationalism, and after the 1911 revolution, the fall of the Manchu dynasty, he reformed nationalism as an opposition to foreign imperialism. Chiang Kai-shek took over for Sun Yat-sen after he passed away in 1925, and had much success with his industrialization strategy in Taiwan. Is this a major reason for why the Chinese and Taiwanese dislike each other? Is the animosity between China and Taiwan exaggerated here in the West, or is it beyond our comprehension?

The Black Panthers and The CCP

I just watched a fascinating documentary on the death of one of the most prominent members of the Black Panther Party, Fred Hampton. Among numerous other intriguing facts, I learned the extent to which the Black Panther's ideology was borrowed from the Chinese model of Socialism. I always knew that the Panthers had been a leftist organization but really never appreciated how much they were influenced by Chairman Mao's brand of Marxism. It is very interesting to me that the Panthers would choose to follow the model of the relatively nascent CCP instead of going with the firmly established Soviet model. Does anyone know if the Panther's had any direct contact with the CCP and if so to what extent? If you're interested in watching the documentary you can find it on (god love it) YouTube under the title The Murder of Fred Hampton or by clicking on this link.

North Korea to shut down nuke program

North Korea agreed on Sunday to shut down its nuclear facilities by the end of the year. Although the country has previously pledged to dismantle its facilities, this is the first time that a timeline for the shut down has been given. In exchange for dismantling its facilities, North Korea will receive oil and other aide to help the country economically. Perhaps most importantly, this act is being viewed as a step toward improving relations between North Korea, its neighbors and the West. Before North Korea is removed from the State Department's list of state supporters of terror, I think further investigation of the reported second uranium enrichment program needs to be conducted. Before full diplomatic relations are restored, the U.S. needs to ensure that full disclosure has taken place.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/09/02/koreas.nuclear.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch

China establishes an embassy in Costa Rica

I have recently read an article on chinanews.cn that announced the opening of a Chinese embassy in the country of Costa Rica.

I believe this shows the gains that China is making to make itself a super power on the level of the United States in the coming years. Usually on countries like teh United States and Great Britain could have embassies in countries like Costa Rica, but now China is there also.

China is becoming more powerful in its political and economic assets.

"Can You Live without China?"

In the July/August edition of 'Foreign Policy' magazine there was an interesting interview with author Sara Bongiorni. Mrs. Bongiorni recently published a book titled A Year without "Made in China". A few days after Christmas 2004, the author was examining the year's Christmas presents and noticed an overwhelming percentage of all the gifts included the tag line "Made in China". She and her husband thought it would be an interesting experiment to see if they could last one whole year without consuming anything made in China.

To make a long story short they failed (no surprise). Still, the book gives its readers a greater appreciation for how dependent the American consumer's life is on China. The author's family was unable to purchase a new coffee maker, blender, most toys, shoes, and even high tech products. Bongiorni comments that there is, "no way to function as an “ordinary consumer” without being willing to buy some Chinese products."

One surprise to some readers may be how economically disadvantaged a consumer is if he/she refuses to buy Chinese products. A pair of shoes costed Mrs. Bongiorni $65, the same pair from China was $15.