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? Here is an interesting article I read today on CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/east/01/16/china.diaspora.reut/index.html
It basically claims a lot of foriegn trained Chinese, who left China for better opportunities are now returning.

One Chinese person who went back claiming that the Canadian economy was not doing well for the past couple of years.

I sometime wondered would it have been better off for my family if we did not leave due to the cultural revolution and the KMT retreat to remain on the mainland. Granted I took advantage of the dot.com bubble in the US, but what's to say I would not have taken advantage of the double digit growth for the last 10 years if I grew up in Shanghai all my life.

I guess this is just random pondering or the grass is greener on the other side issue.
AC Dropout
   Friday, January 17, 2003 at 07:48:19 (PST)    [24.136.115.189]
[Tangential racial discussion omitted.]
NS PHD EMP
   Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 16:08:38 (PST)    [211.156.10.1]

[Recent posts have focused too much focus on personalities and race. From here on out, we won't take the time to edit out the more egregious phrases and sentences but will simply omit entire posts. --Ed]
"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."

Sounds a lot like someone on this board, ahem, the "PHD". Actually, this applies to almost everyone. Extreme racism is the result of insecurities or fear towards others. During the Reconstruction plan, white southerners, afraid that their dominance has ended, terrorized blacks in order. A hundred years later, we are still the same.
Christine
   Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 13:45:36 (PST)    [141.151.9.200]
TSJ
"Yeah, but is ENGLISH not the international language of commerce? Their impact will forever be felt."

Great civilizations leave their marks, however, what is the British doing today that will make such an impact?

"I'm not defending Nicholi here, 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. "

Have you read his posts? I find some of the things he said about Asians, whites, women, to be absolutely absurd and totally uncalled for. After his first post, I rebuked him and thus I became a white girl since in his messed up mind whites don't have any knowledge of China, even though he worships white supremacy in his later posts. Let's not forget he's bashing Asians on an Asian board, which is why the other posters responded as they did. This guy, has no respect for anybody including himself so
I don't understand why you're still defending him.
Christine
   Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 13:36:13 (PST)    [141.151.9.200]
"PHD"

"----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."

Like I said, the Brits took over the world about a COUPLE HUNDRED years ago so people began to view the white man as the one in power. There is no way they can influence so much of the future today. Whether you want to admit it or not, Britain is not what they were and they probably won't be back on the path to be a superpower in a long while.

"Perhaps maybe then you can tell me why so many Koreans and Chinese dye their hair blonde and wear colored contacts."
The same reason why white women are dying their hair and wearing colored contacts, to create a new look. Believe me, there are more white women dying their hair than all the other races.
Long before the white man had any sort of power, the beautiful women in China had big eyes with a crease, pale skin, long black hair, and a small mouth. This was the standard of beauty for ages, and part of it still hold true today. The Asian women, well the Chinese at least, doesn't do surgery to be white, they do it to fulfill the standard of beauty. Afterall Nicholi, you're a guy(or are you, cause you sure did get pretty mad when this other guy asked about my information, not likely a guy's reaction), so I don't think you understand women. We don't do things in order to be like other people, we do it to make ourselves better.

"I don't wanna hear your thoughts about this Christine because for all I know, you actually ran out and did this."

Nicki, even though we know you need a reality check, just admit it this time that you know nothing about Asian women. It's much better than making up some lame excuse trying to shut me up. But you know what, I don't feel the need to improve my features because I'm quite happy the way they are.

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

What's wrong with being politically correct? At least I feel secure enough myself to not feel the need to be derogatory towards others. I may be politically correct, but I'm certainly not brainwashed. I understand the good and the flaws of society. If you have read my previous posts, I do point out both the bad and the good. Unlike you, I live in the real world.

"Your right about this, frankly I think all American towers should have anti aircraft weapons stationed in or around them. "

If this is not paranoia, then I don't know what is. What are you afraid of? If America is so powerful, then tell me why you want to take these ridiculous measures?

"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!"

Nicki, my question is, if you hate the Asian race so much, why are you still here trying to prove yourself in front of a bunch of Asians, whom you consider to be inferior?
Christine
   Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 13:23:29 (PST)    [141.151.9.200]
I want to start on a positive note today.

Hong Kong has its good points despite being not as great as Eric TSJ tries to make it out to be. For instance, the food is incredible. In fact, after all my travels I must conclude Hong Kong food ranks with Taiwanese food as the absolute best in the world, far surpassing any European cuisine including the French. HK style Western cuisine is also the best in the world. No authentic Western cuisine from any Western country can compare, IMHO.

The bottom line is that Taiwan, Hong Kong and China are all dynamic entities constantly reinventing themselves. Unlike has-been, over-the-hill European countries such as England, they have bright future prospects. Whatever they may be today may no longer be true tomorrow.

Nicholi and Eric both make the mistake of thinking them China as a snapshot, a static image. They fail to see the motion, the velocity and the dynamism. Thus they cannot comprehend or accept the greatness that is yet to come.

To Eric:

What's this nonsense about Hong Kong people bowing down before the Taiwanese? I'm not sure where you get your strange ideas. The only thing I'm aware of is that the Taiwanese are still enjoying self-rule, while Hong Kong people are on a leash. Again, just the facts.

Has anyone asked you to prostrate yourself before a Taiwanese person? Does your personal lameness and subservience mean all Hong Kong people are lame and subservient? I rather think not.

Finally, Eric, please answer your friend Nicholi's urgent call. I also wanna hear what you have to say. I understand he's angry and bitter with his lack of romantic success in China, but this is getting ridiculous. Maybe you need to tell him to shut up.

To Sony:

Thanks for your support. I happen to think there's a lot that the Chinese, be they from Hong Kong, Taiwan or the mainland, can learn from the refinements, grace and elegance of the Japanese culture, so I'm glad you're here. Asians need to stick up for one another.

By the way, I own Sony stock. The company isn't flying high right now due to the overall state of Japanese economy, but I have faith in Sony's - and Japan's - future.
Phil Chen
   Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 13:09:52 (PST)    [207.214.44.147]
I don't even know who the hell is who now since we have all this flotsam floating in and out of here now, so I'll just put one response as a whole. From now on, newbies, please do us a favor, and read back several pages before butting in, and having some notions about us by reading just one post.

HAHAHA... so I'm a white boy now, huh? Okay, in that case, I'm a white boy who knows Cantonese and about Chinese culture, so what does that make me? Wouldn't that show that I admire Chinese? Good one.

Oh wow, some book comes out by some guy, and just because it talks about China having some accomplishments, you guys jump all on the bandwagon, and say whoever doesn't believe it to be a sellout. All of a sudden this stuff comes out, and we have to discredit years and years of previous research, written in thousands of publications?Uhh... who's being closed minded now? I said I didn't deny or acknowledge it either way.

If you don't know that Cantos are hated on by other Chinese, you obviously have no clue about Chinese history, or have never been to China. It may not exist as much anymore, but there are age-old stereotypes that are being upheld through jokes (such as Cantos eating everything with legs except tables). Phil says he doesn't hate Cantos, yet comes up with all these examples (most of which are opinion).

Yes, do your research, buddy. Cantos are the HUGE majority in the states.

Pretty ironic how you call me paranoid, when you guys are the ones who are soooooooo afraid of the "white man," and get butt hurt when someone tells THE TRUTH, even if it doesn't defend China. You say I am anti-China, but it's painfully obvious that you are anti-USA, and you are LIVING IN THE USA. Who do you pay your taxes to? Certainly not to China. Get your priorities straight. For the final time, I love the traditional Chinese culture, just not the country.

Here's this guy called Sony, obviously named after the Japanese brand, yet he is going against the very guy who said Japanese electronics are superior. Make up your mind, man.

Hahaha... why the hell should I answer all the questions asked of me? Stupid questions don't deserve a response. Besides, I don't have the time to sit here and respond to all this gibberish anyways.

Oh yeah, Nicholi. I don't mind the dying hair thing. (I can sense all the "sellout" white boy posts coming my way right now.) It's just the style. I don't think it has anything with being white. Long before the races intermingled, people dyed their hair and put on face paint. How about people who dye their hair blue or red? What race are they imitating? The answer is none, just like with any other color. It's just fashion.

All you people in here are waaaay too mationalistic and closed minded. How do you even survive in the states if you hate other races so much? We are Chinese, but so what? We are all just citizens of god's green earth.
TSJ
Eric@KristinKreuk.net    Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 11:21:09 (PST)    [67.116.231.58]
------please stop with the racist comments. It doesn't matter if he is black or not.-------

Regardless what Nicholi Servia says, the people on the forum recognize the following things:

Nicholi Servia is Black (why? because he says so...but everything else he says is a lie)

Nicholi Servia is not a PHD holder!

Nicholi Servia is not currently in China!

Nicholi Servia MIGHT be in China but only as a teacher (Ac Dropout)

Nicholi Servia is not really named Nicholi servia.

Nicholi Servia owns a scooter (because he says so but, he is lying about everything else)
If I had wanted to lie, could I not have claimed to own a Lexus or BMW? according to Christine, their are plenty of those but, no Buicks (which she is dead wrong about).

Nicholi Servia claims to be part European and part Black as well as Indian. He is telling the truth here...but everything else he says is a lie?

Nicholi Servia cannot tell Ac Dropout the name of a noodle shop near Fudan...yet, when NS asked AC for the address so he could go there, AC refused to give it to him and insulted him by saying (OH he is probably in China but, just a loser English techer)

Nicholi Servia PROMISED he would answer any and all questions once he found out if AC dropout was REALLY the corporate big wig he swears he was. NS wanted ACDROPOUTS credentials only to be IGNORED? by Acdropout who is morbidly afraid to call China (which should be no problem for a Taiwanese/PRC super buisnessman.

Doubtful Thomas calls Nick a liar to his face yet must believe 99% of what NS says because without some truth, he cannot diffrentiate from the lies.

PHIL CHEN and Another Voice contine to write their silly rants about Nich while totally ignoring negative information NICK posts which can be proven.

Christine...... is still here?

This has been the state of affairs on the forum for the past 3 months. This forum is here to answer the simple question whether or not CHINA WILL FACE THE FATE THE SOVIET UNION DID.

If anyone posts anything negative about China... the people question that persons credentials. If that person has crdentials or not...they are still dismissed and insulted.
In order for anyone to post here, they must simply post annonymously (i.e. Phil Chen and Doubtful Thomas) or pretend to be three different people at once ( I CAUGHT YOU).

So what does all this mean? All the posting in the world is not going to stop the natural events of order on the globe. China will be what it is and America will be what it is. Taiwan will be what itis until America and China create conflict over it or decided to simply let it go. No big deal right?

As fo inslting people like Eric...I find it ridiculous to tell a person who claims to be a holder of PHD degree he is NOTHING and NOBODY and then turn around to tell ERIC he is not even the proffession he claims to be and to say he is a Whitewashed ABC. Thats just ridiculous.

what is really foolish is the fact that your logic system is flawed to the point of being ludacris.

In order for you to call me a liar and fraud...you actually must believe what I say.

You think I am Black? How do you know I am not a White man using an alias to incite people without being called racial slurs (synonomous to whites)?

You think I am not Chinese? How can you tell I am not a Hua Chow?

You think I am a liar and fraud? Maybe I am telling the unvarnished truth.

You think I am whatever I say I am but, I don't have what I say I have?

Your PROOF I have no PHD is the fact that I make alot of Typos? would you believe that I own a laptop computer from my job? The keyboard is quite small and my hands are large. I dont proofread sometimes. In fact, the only way I type perfectly is by using Microsoft word to edit. Is that worth making an insult about Acdropout?

You either believe me or you don't, either way...Im still here until the editor puts "this forum is closed to new input". WHAT will we all do then?
Nicholi Servia PHD EMP
   Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 09:25:32 (PST)    [211.156.8.73]
Nicholi Servia PHD EMP,

What's your opinion on Jerry Curls, Ralaxer, Weaves, Chinese character tatoos, and whitener.
AC Dropout
   Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 09:09:01 (PST)    [24.136.115.189]
Nicholi Servia PHD EMP,

Italian mob lost power in NYC in the 80's the Chinese Tong been running everything in NYC for the past 5 years now.

Get your facts straight

hahahaha.
AC Dropout
   Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 08:31:59 (PST)    [24.136.115.189]
Nicholi Servia PHD EMP,

hahahahahahah... I got tears in my eye reading your post. Bayside a mix neighborhood?!? I gotta laugh. There are no black families in either Bayside or Douglaston. You must mean Jamaica Queens. And not Jamaica Estates either.

If blacks started making in North or Northern Blvd. you know what a roit the community boards would make. Especially the Gated Community in Bayside. hahahahahaha.

The rest of your post is nonsense. Sure call my number. Come to Northern Queens. I'll smack the crap out of in real life as well.

Please leave China and come back to NYC and I'll put the punk black man in his place. In fact, come to Flushing where black people are always mindful of what they say in front of asians.

The train was tested around Thanksgiving.

You're just a funny stupid man. hahahahaha.
AC Dropout
   Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 08:30:55 (PST)    [24.136.115.189]

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