CAN CHINA AVOID THE SOVIET UNION'S FATE?

he People's Republic of China likes to compare itself with the United States. Both governments were forged to throw off the imperial yoke. Both are amalgams of many races and nationalities. Both are great continental powers capable of harnessing immense resources to promote national agendas around the world.
     Beijing's bosses cite these parallels to justify China's ambition of returning Taiwan to the fold -- forcibly if necessary -- and violently suppressing movements for Tibetan independence, Moslem separatism and religious tolerance. The party line: "In a few decades we will be as prosperous, unified and democratic as you Americans."
     Unfortunately, some observers see closer parallels to the former Soviet Union.
     Founded in 1910 to free Russian peasants from oppressive landowners and a weak imperial government, the Soviet government quickly and ruthlessly expanded into a superpower that rivaled the United States in military might and reach. On top of nearly 300 million citizens of several dozen captive nationalities, the Soviet Union became the puppetmasters of virtually every Eastern European government. By 1989 it was buckling under the burden of superpower competition. In 1991 the communists lost power to the reformist Yeltsin. The Soviet Union broke apart into Russia and a dozen independent republics. Today Russia is a nation of 150 million struggling to build a capitalist economy from the rubble of the communist meltdown.
     Among the Soviets' earliest converts were Mao Tsetung, Zhou Enlai and other young Chinese intellectuals who saw in communism salvation for the Chinese people from western imperialism and internal corruption. Mao's long struggle against Chiang Kaishek and the Kuomingtang would have ended disasterously without the support of dozens of ethnic minorities in northwestern China who believed his promise of ultimate political autonomy. Their help proved more valuable to Mao than the billions in American aid and direct military assistance to Chiang. By 1949 the Kuomingtang had fled to Taiwan and the PRC ruled the mainland.
     Beijing's bosses have been as ruthless as the Soviets in consolidating territory and suppressing separatist movements. But they have been far more successful in creating a functioning economy. They began capitalist reforms in 1979. By 2001 China's economy had become free enough to enter the World Trade Organization. For the past two decades it has grown at an average annual rate of 9%. Few of China's 1.25 billion go hungry and about 125 million enjoy living standards comparable to Malaysia and the Philippines. By some measure China has just surpassed Japan in GDP and will surpass the U.S. by 2025.
     But China's future as a united nation is far from assured.
     Even assuming peaceful reunification with Taiwan and victory over Tibetan separatists, Beijing's leaders face some big hurdles. They must integrate a billion subsistence-level farmers and workers into the consumer economy of the east coast or face ethnic discontent on a scale that would dwarf America's racial strife of the 1960s. Yet burdening the developed regions could breed separatist sentiment in Guangdong, Fujien, Manchuria and other regions. Over 100 languages and dialects are spoken in China. Long-suppressed religious minorities are becoming better organized thanks to the internet and other communications technology.
     Are China's prospects for staying united more like those of the U.S. or of the former Soviet Union?

(Updated )

-Ac Dropout
--What does being half black and 6'6" got to do with penis size.

According to mypenis.com...Alot.
when I was 18 It hit 10 inches and All I could say was "yup Im Black". (not sure what the Native American numbers are...


--Unless you're dumb enough to believe in your own sterotype
:^( Guilty as charged. My fiance knows the deal though.


Then I guess you must be as dumb as the average half black man as well.
Origionaly I would have replied F$%$ Y*% but Ill instead respond by asking:
How dumb is the average half Black Millionaire?



------BLAH BLAH BLAH....That's why these stealth planes attack radar installation first. Because they don't want to be detected.....BLAH BLAH BLAH.

First of all,there hasnt been a single situation where a stealth fighter was involved to this day.
What YOUR refferring to is either an F117, a B1 Lancer or a B2 Spirit. These are called bombers you F&$#.
BOMBERS are too large to evade radar continously in flight so they do target radar stations using HARM missles.


The F22 and the COMANCHE are considered Stealth fighters. The F22 hasn't seen combat yet and the Comanche project. is still in development even though it is field approved.
the F22 is SMALL enough to be naturaly radar avoident and with its included stealth factor, it is nearly invisible. its RCS is the SAME as a Bumble Bee and its heat elements are cooled continously in flight. The heat is vectored UP and AWAY from the rear making it nearly impossible to hit with a Heat seeker (that is if the enemy pilot isnt dead already).


You're too confident in obsolete technology. Those Commy Flankers, Platypuses, and Berkuts cant compete with EVEN the likes of an F16. An F22 or a X-36 has their asses flagged.

JING CHA
   Sunday, June 23, 2002 at 18:20:38 (PDT)

JING CHA,

Maybe as a weekend vehicles USA cars are good. But they are mostly throw away cars after a few years. Not very reliable after the 5 year mark. If $30,000 is your price range you might as well get a Toyota SUV or a Lexus if you save up some.

Asia in general doesn't have much public awareness of fire hazards. Probably because the new city is built up on top of the old ones. So it is pretty hard to implement code retroactively.

Like I mentioned $80,000 is pretty small money. That barely buys a studio apartment in Shanghai these days.
It doesn't covers legal fees to get a contruction permit for a small factory in the economic zones.

I just want to put things in perspective for you about business in China.
AC dropout
   Sunday, June 23, 2002 at 13:49:07 (PDT)
$80,000 (645,000 RMB) is not a bad investment into the cafe idea in China. I can buy entire Penntium 3 computer systems for $479 each. I have recieved a letter from the PRC about the Internet Cafe situation, However I was given the option of either organizing safety procedures or having the local police guide the shop keepers in the matters. If youve ever been to Shanghai, Shandong or Beijing, You would notice how poor many safety precautions are, Elevator weight, traffic conditions, etc. Im certain even if I face a fine, its a slap on the wrist.
As for buying a decent car....
I had a choice of a Cadillac Escalade 2003, a GMC Yukon, a Licoln Navigator 2003, or Ford Brand.
I Choose a Ford Expedition 2002 instead of 2003. All together I payed $30,000 Fully loaded. I love this car. The look is perfect. The size is perfect as I am very tall and the car itself feels flawless. They BASH American made cars but I think Ford Licoln and Mercury are extremely good.
As far as cars are concerned, I might invest in Dong Feng Motor Corp's new models instead of pulling out but I dont see the point in investing in China's auto industry. The average car price is FAR to high for the average consumer to afford. They survive daily on public transportation. Cars cost 3 times what they should. Id be better off investing in Bikes and motor scooters.

JING CHA
   Thursday, June 20, 2002 at 20:55:19 (PDT)
JING CHA,

What does being half black and 6'6" got to do with penis size. Unless you're dumb enough to believe in your own sterotype. Then I guess you must be as dumb as the average half black man as well.

Do you know how stealth technology works when active radar hit the hull. It reflects back a smaller signiture not identified with jet planes. It cannot absorb all of it, it cannot destroy the wave, it is not an wonder woman's invisible jet. This plus a small heat signiture, usually thought to be background heat anamoly, will alert people that a jet is in the area. In addition the 6 missles will have a vector that can be traced back to the source of firing.

That's why these stealth planes attack radar installation first. Because they don't want to be detected.
AC Dropout
   Thursday, June 20, 2002 at 10:13:37 (PDT)
AC Dropout

If an F22 fires 6 missles, The Fighter itlsef remains undetected and the Enemy target only realizes it has been fired upon when its RWR detects the Radar eminating from the missles. the F22 uses passive radar and the missles use active tracking. Get those facts straight PLEASE.
JING CHA
   Thursday, June 20, 2002 at 08:14:39 (PDT)
---AC Dropout
Actually I though your handle meant "penis lacking" or "golden tea."
I liked it better when your handled meant "penis lacking" myself.

Actually, one of the great things about being Black and 6 foot 6 is that I cannot be insulted in this manner. You can Ask my fiance. If You wanna insult you should try again.
JING CHA
   Thursday, June 20, 2002 at 08:11:05 (PDT)
JING CHA,

We are operating in different levels in China. Those numbers are impressive, but a few orders of magnitude short of the firms annual expectation of our venure in China.

Not to be rude, but you consider 80K to be part of family wealth, you can barely buy a descent car with that kind of money.

You described an 80K investment with a negative annual return. You're down the hole 4K plus expenses every year. Either you are not descibing the business correctly, or I can see why you are not pursuing this venture full time.

Actually I read a report that they are planning to pull the plug of all internet cafe, until they are able to past safety inspection. They will issue licenses to those that are able to pass. You best contact the local police and find out when and if an inspection is coming to your location.

AC Dropout
   Wednesday, June 19, 2002 at 09:11:41 (PDT)

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