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 )

>Got my intelligent Masters Degree >holding fiance, Gonna have my kids, >got my house, my car, my $20K Tv and >my cash money.

You got one black man who makes it to middle class, and he's so hoppin' happy he can't help but brag that he has what the average person has.

gzus in NYC
   Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at 20:08:34 (PDT)
Ha ha, both AC Dropout and Jing Cha are good for entertainment. All I see is the two of you trading barbs day after day.

U got the black dude with the inferiority complex and needs to try to tell everyone off on an Asian forum, obviously to compensate for the fact that his two ethnicities, black and native american, are the two lowest on this planet.
Native Americans- extinct, massacred
Black- the only bright ones are outside of Africa, with lots of white blood mixed in. The ones in Africa have an average IQ of 67. The ones outside, 85. 'Nuf said.

Then u got Mr. Bxscience.edu who still thinks commi planes beat out U.S. jets, haha
gzus in NYC
   Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at 19:54:34 (PDT)
JING CHA,

Just brought my posting down to your level, since you weren't able to bring yours up to meet mine.

You're so insecure about yourself it is not even funny. Hope you're not a wife beater as well.

Go ahead hide behind the race card. Everytime someone opposes you, it must be race, cause your 1/2 black.

Get over yourself. There are richer people out there. There are smarter people out there. There are even more accomplished people out there. I'm pretty sure I have you beat on all 3 qualities.

Unfortunately, no matter how much you want to be one of those people. By the quality of your postings, you're not.
AC Dropout
   Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at 11:34:19 (PDT)
-------In the PS 2 game with the dogfighting simulation. I always win with a commie built plane. I always shoot down the USA machinery. I took down a F-22
Sits home playing with a $299 kids toy and surfing the net looking for arguments. Continues to argue with a RICH man whos got his $ and is looking for financial info for investment in ASIA. Does his best to make himself appear intelligent instead of white trash while he continues to surf the net in his DSL equipt trailer.

Sounds to me like AC DROPOUT just might be an overwieght lamer filled with self hate.
JING CHA
hkpdjingcha@yahoo.com    Tuesday, June 25, 2002 at 12:35:47 (PDT)
----AC Dropout
She won't be the first Chinese female I courted away from an inter-racial relationship.

Too me this sounds like your a closet racist full of BULL#$%T. Why dont you do more interesting things with your time then trying to satisfy your White Supremacist desires to corner the vagina market. Why not go figure out a way to oppress Asian men or something. I got mines pal. Got my intelligent Masters Degree holding fiance, Gonna have my kids, got my house, my car, my $20K Tv and my cash money. SO why dont you feed that BS to STORMFRONT.com.
Consider yourself ignored.
JING CHA
hkpdjingcha@yahoo.com    Tuesday, June 25, 2002 at 12:32:07 (PDT)
JING CHA,

Why do you want me to consult your fiance on all these matters. Okay post her phone number and I'll give her a shout out.

Then she'll tell you who feels like a hot dog in a hallway. She won't be the first Chinese female I courted away from an inter-racial relationship.
AC Dropout
   Monday, June 24, 2002 at 15:00:01 (PDT)
JING CHA,

"How dumb is the average half Black Millionaire?"

Dumber than the average full asian Millionaire of course. And totally retarded compare to a full asian Billionaire. hehehe. If you insist on feeding me straight lines, I will have to go for them.

I'll spare you my remarks about your websites you have bookmarked and your fixation with the extra zero you placed on the length of your member. hehehe. Please don't go posting a pic on the website just to prove me wrong. hehehe.

Nah man you got it all wrong. In the PS 2 game with the dogfighting simulation. I always win with a commie built plane. I always shoot down the USA machinery. I took down a F-22 with a WWII bi-plane in 30s. Then I yelled, "Who's my b*tch." I got it all saved on a memory card too, if you want proof. hehehe.
AC Dropout
   Monday, June 24, 2002 at 12:24:34 (PDT)

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