Can China Avoid the Soviet Union's Fate?
(Updated )

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? TSJ,

Another voice wasn't being racist. He was just stating his view. You need to know how to distinguish racism from some just stating their own views.

P.S. can you bring out what your people bring into this world.
ka
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 20:50:42 (PST)    [24.239.152.113]
but please stop with the racist comments. It doesn't matter if he is black or not. The blatant racism you people are exhibiting is totally uncalled for.

TSJ,

So when Nicholi insulted your/our race over and over...it is not racism , right?
Azn angel
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 17:07:03 (PST)    [61.11.245.7]
How quickly we forget the events of 9-11

----911 was not an invasion. 911 was an attritious act. You could argue China could nuke America but, they wouldn't be that stupid. If they did, I would see the Pearl Tower, Jin Mao and PuXi, Hang Zhou and Pudong in flames by my own hands.

Furthermore, if you give any credibility to the beliefs that 911 was caused by some secret American/Israeli oligarchy who needed a reason to step up attacks on the middle east, then it is possible that 911 was not an accident.

I guess that's an example of building things to US code.

--------Your right about this, frankly I think all American towers should have anti aircraft weapons stationed in or around them. I always believed we should have SAM sites in nYC. maybe Ill get my wish.

I had a conversation last night with some other proffessors about THE BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY in YUGOSLAVIA during the Serb-war a short while ago. I insisted America bombed it on purpose because not many people know outside of Yugoslavia that Yugoslavia was selling the Chinese technology for radios.

If America bombed the embassy on purpose...GOOD JOB they deserved it!
If america bombed it by accident which I refuse to believe considering how accurate we hit it.... That was a LUCKY SHOT!

You still are not able to answer why the test run in the USA ended in a death of a worker and the one in China did not.

---When the train was tested, I was in China and not at home. I have no idea about it. If the Chinese train experienced a death, damn commies would bottle the story up.

As for your comments on Bayside...
Bayside is a mixed area just like neighboring Douglaston. I know you wanna sound funny for the forum but, being full of **** doesn't cut it.

By the way, am I to believe acdroput that you are AFRAID to call here with your imaginary corporate phone? Your imaginary credentials dont fool me sweat shop abuser.
Nicholi Servia PHD EMP
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 16:56:50 (PST)    [211.156.17.11]
The British don't make history?

---Perhaps Hong Kong never existed?
---Perhaps Blair's record stand with America to fight terrorism does not exist. Etc,etc,etc
History happens all the time.

"Perhaps you can explain to me why when I walk through a mall, the models are usually white women?"
Sorry, but you're losing it. What does this have to do with the British ruling through the mind?

----If you can't understand this one then your confused. It reminds me about when I was in school a while ago and my professor explained that White supremacist racism is so deceptive that the ignorant cannot point it out or feel it. Thank you for reminding me.

Why don't you ask the beggar why he's wearing a suit. I'll bet money that he won't say something like, oh because I'm trying to be a white man.

-----Perhaps maybe then you can tell me why so many Koreans and Chinese dye their hair blonde and wear colored contacts.
Don't tell me this ridiculousness about eye-surgery not being a point towards racism.

The surgery is called "chink-eye " surgery for God's-sake.
I don't wanna hear your thoughts about this Christine because for all I know, you actually ran out and did this.

CALLING ERIC TSJ !!!!!
I wanna hear what you have to say about"chinkeye surgery" and Asian women dying their hair and wearing contacts.

Nothing against the British...

---You are POLITICALY CORRECT like an average person brainwashed by the hymie-media.

...but the days when they ruled are over. Sure they still left their influences all over the world, but they are not manipulating anyone.

----oh really? Then all those accusations against Tony Blair and the British Government are imaginary?

One day Nicholi, you will wake up alive or dead

-----the way I see it a person can only wake up in two states unless you have figured out a third?

The Roman civilization is dead. And according to your theory the dead Romans are ruling the mind of modern people....

The Roman Empire is gone... but the Italian moffia has its headquarters in Rome. Are they not the new Roman Empire? How much control do they have?
Nicholi Servia PHD EMP
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 16:37:01 (PST)    [211.156.5.203]
"China is nothing, that is why I am here."

Because you're nothing too?!?

Boy you are one confused Mofo.
AC Dropout
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 15:33:33 (PST)    [24.136.115.189]
1-White men don't want asian men to dominate the world.

2-Black Men had experienced that the White man are already on top. And it's nothing they can do about it. It's a norm for them. But they don't want to be left behind so they are afraid of the Asian men rising.

3-Asian men just want to rise above the White man, regarless.
AB
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 15:28:07 (PST)    [24.239.152.113]
---It's shoddy research at best. I'm not denying or believing it either way, but it's far from being 100% solid fact. TSJ-----

Hey dude, it's from an historian by the name of "Gavin Menzies". He is a famouse historian who has a real PHD. This is his expertise, no reason to denied his claim unless you can be as smart as him and prove other-wise.

I give him the credit and am satisfied by his claim. He has proven to me and will do so to the world. This is just the beginning of his campaign. He just finished his book and in a year or so, you'll see more people realize this fact and respect it. Christopher Columbus is no longer the one who is remember to have discovered American. Is a person by the name of Zheng He. You better believe it, don't be ignorant and disrespect history that the Chinese has set for the world. Historian's don't lie about history, it's fact they use evidence to support.

----but it's far from being 100% solid fact.----

But it sure is 99% solid fact. If you were a wise man, you would have know that nothing is really 100%, only with the exception to God. (lol)

Loser!
PHD Historian
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 14:43:45 (PST)    [162.83.147.138]
"Looks like Eric / TSJ has run away with his tail between his legs. My work is done."

Perhaps someone doesn't have the time to post every single day. Look below. I'm right under you, newbie. HK'ers will never bow down to Taiwanese. =P

"Notice all the Black people with Chinese characters tatooed on them."

Yes, but most don't make any sense, such as Marcus Camby's. AI's on his neck, "jung sum" (loyalty), is dope though. I think most get it just to look cool, and have no regard to the Chinese culture, although it shows that they have some reverence toward it, just like with the Chinese "cheung saam."

"The British used to rule the land and the seas. Though their influences in the world today can't be denied, most of it is the result of its glorious days awhile ago."

Yeah, but is ENGLISH not the international language of commerce? Their impact will forever be felt.

"The minute few Ac Dropout points out with "wealth and power" make up less than 15% of the ****** population."

No, you are sooo wrong. More like 5%!
TSJ
Eric@KristinKreuk.net    Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 14:22:35 (PST)    [67.116.231.241]
-----China is afterall the world's largest pool of cheap labor. So all this means is that Chinese people (all 94832948239483294932489348 zillion of them) are serving the white man like slaves.

"So in the end China will still have her say, even in the economic areana."

Nope, wrong again the white man has his say.
Posted by "a Lunatic" on Jan 09------

Remember when, "China is no world power", said that the Asians serve White mans lives slaves. Well, he was actually referring to TSJ because TSJ is the only AZN boy here that is really serving the White man like slaves. The white man is his master and he is doing their dirty work. Good for you TSJ aka lunatic #2. You only make me laugh at your stupid ass. I bet both of you, [lunatic and lunatic #2] got a good kicking by the white man by now, and when your done serving the white man then maybe you two can come over to my house and serve me too. And I'll also give you two a good kicking. lol

------please stop with the racist comments. It doesn't matter if he is black or not.-------

unfortuantly the country that you now live in does matter, just because your too blind to really see reality by stay in your room with your only friend, the computer, doesn't mean that everything is truly equal. Am I breaking your heart by telling you the hard true about your beloved America?

-----The blatant racism you people are exhibiting is totally uncalled for. Obviously, you have never heard of George Washington Carver, one of the most influential inventors of any race.---------

He's not being racist. He is just stating his view. Do you have a hard time understanding the difference. o0o, maybe is because the white man brain-wash you into their thinking that anything is racist. You need to have your own indentity instead of theirs.

Well it doesn't matter which country is doing good in this world. As of now China is doing good, so don't denied the reality. When you do, your just as ignorant as you claim another voice to be. And if you haven't notice, George Washington Carva is mixed.

So.. can you list any more invention? And also list some of your own. If you can't list any then don't expect us to list them.

TSJ aka lunatic #2,

I've notice that your only here when you have answer to our post. But you seems to disappear and ignore the ones you don't have answer. Your a wuss.

Phil Chen, and the Chinese folks,

Anytime when these anti-chinese mention that China is not a super-power. It really means that it is, they just want to live in denial and fear that China will catch up. But they can keep on living in fear for another 20 years or the rest of their lives because China as of now is unstoppable. And is going, going, and keeps on going. BTW, I'm not Chinese, I'm Japanese but when China does well. It is good for me too. It is why I'm here for some support.
Sony
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 13:05:08 (PST)    [24.239.152.113]
TSJ,

Hey boy, what ever you may be. What did your people bring to this world?

----When did I say Cantonese are superior? I just said that there are more overseas Cantonese than any other Chinese. ."....................." You say you don't personally, but the word "anti" is too strong to be used for an objective view. It was YOU who said HK is a dump. Uhh... come again? Who's the one making moronic statements now?------

So do you mean that because there are more Cantonese in America does that make them superior to other Chinese? And btw that is not true that there are more Cantonese in America than other Chinese. You are lying. At least not where I lived.

--I also said that other Chinese hate on us [Cantonese].--

This is the funniest thing I ever heard. You are a paranoid idiot who need to get out and breath the fresh air. You really need help, other-wise you're going think the whole world is against you. Do you remember Columbine High School. What happen to those two student who when on a shooting spree, why so? They feel the same way you feel, thinking everyone is against them. You need to go to a metal institute.
physco
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 10:46:54 (PST)    [24.239.152.113]
What? Eric has sneaked back in? Time to put in another tour of duty and smack his little brain.

About the new book, 1421: The Year China Discovered America, Eric writes:

"It's shoddy research at best. I'm not denying or believing it either way, but it's far from being 100% solid fact."

How do you know it's shoddy research and far from solid fact? You've become a history professor all of a sudden?

Even the *possibility* that the Chinese might have outdone Europeans centuries ago really burns you, doesn't it? It can't possibly be true that your White masters were ever bested, can it?

Eric, you also wrote:

"You say you don't personally, but the word "anti" is too strong to be used for an objective view. It was YOU who said HK is a dump."

I specifically stated it was not an objective view, but a counterpoint to your smug crap about overseas Chinese culture being Cantonese culure, Shanghai malls trying to imitate Hong Kong, and how Hong Kong has the best integration of the urban and the rural.

Nevertheless, it is easy to assert that Hong Kong is a dump and be totally objective. It's crowded to the point of claustrobia. In too many places you can look around and find trash all over the place. People there tend to be way too loud in public and have little consideration for others. Some of them, like yourself, worship Whites. So, yeah, overall it *is* a dump. That's just reality. Face it, it's got nothing to do with hate.

By the way, the description from another participant of you as a houseboy for Whites is rather fitting. I had a good time laughing my ass off on that one.

To: Nicholi

I've decided not to call your Shanghai number because it's too far away from me. That's why I'm so glad you're coming back to America. Give us your home number in America and we'll be sure to call you there.

And by the way, you still haven't explained your conspicuous lack of real credentials. And you still don't know how to capitalize PhD properly. Such an impressive intellectual giant among us.
Phil Chen
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 10:45:24 (PST)    [207.214.44.147]
Nick,

"The truth is fluid and subject to change if we want it to."

Oh boy you need to take a course in philosophy one day. The truth is suppose to be immutable, like the gravitational constant.

Only Bruce Lee's Jeet Kwon Do is fluid and subject to change.

I hope you didn't glean your insights on China watching Bruce Lee films. hahaha.

And I gave you both my number in the USA and China. I got no messages from my secretaries either. So your point?

"China is nothing, that is why I am here. Coming here makes me appreciate the extras, freedom and power I enjoy in America. I wish we could send all Americans to China for a month so tey would learn to appreciate what they have. We have it all but we waste what we have.
Middle Classed Americans and EVEN the poorer classes live better than the average citizens here.
The minute few Ac Dropout points out with "wealth and power" make up less than 15% of the ****** population."

Really foaming at the mouth now aren't we. Breathe and count to 10 the next time you post.

So you claim the poor in the project USA live better than the affluent class in China. Boy aren't you grasping at straws to boost your self esteem.

If you sent all the American to China. I hope they would learn something about work ethic and commitment to the betterment of society. Gongyi is what I hope Americans can learn from China and most of Asia.

Sure I agree with you the majority of wealth and power a controlled by a minority of people on the planet. Fortunately your not part of that elite group. I mean there are some pretty stupid people in that group, like GW Bush for instance. If it makes you feel better you're on the same level of intelligence as GW Bush.
AC Dropout
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 10:36:32 (PST)    [24.136.115.189]
Phil Chen,

Sorry to see you leave so soon. Don't worry about Nick aka Jing Cha. He'll be trolling around for awhile. With bigger and more outrageous claims in the future. That is his nature.
AC Dropout
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 10:23:59 (PST)    [24.136.115.189]
TSJ,

"George Washington Carver"

Mr. Peanuts?!?
We bring up a eunich that might have discovered the world and you compare him to Mr. 101 uses for peanuts.

Hahahaha I gotta laugh.

Glad to see your back.

Look the reality of China, even HK, is that the official language is Mandarin. But the natives speak the local dialect all time. This is nothing new. It has been going on for thousands of years.
AC Dropout
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 10:21:05 (PST)    [24.136.115.189]
Phil Chen, AC Doptout, Christine.

This guy by the name of TSJ is a white man. I don't buy a minute that he is Chinese or asain. Just by the stuff that he said and the way he approach on subject makes me think so. He gets threatened whenever anyone bring out China's accomplishment. And if he was Chinese, he must be a really dumb one.

---It's shoddy research at best. I'm not denying or believing it either way, but it's far from being 100% solid fact.---

Why don't you give us evidence why it is shoddy. Give us an explanation. What are you? A historian? Unless you are one, then you can't judge on it's crediability.

Off course your not going to denying it because you have no reason too. You don't believe it because you didn't read it, you dummy.

P.S I don't think you are smarter then the Historian who wrote that book. Your just a loser behind the computer.
Sony
   Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 10:17:09 (PST)    [24.239.152.113]

NEWEST COMMENTS | EARLIER COMMENTS