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GOLDSEA |
ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Can China Avoid the Soviet Union's Fate?
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 06:08:48 PM)
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?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
PAHAHA!! Another stupid comment from AC. Funny all those countries are pretty well off compared to your 3rd world dump. ----
I am a white america and am very ashamed/ disgraced at what these american are saying about China. First off your, what are you reffering to by that? China is also mine because I worked there for eight years and the people have been so wonderful to me, that made me in love with the country. And here you are talking about yours, it's also mine too and I'm white. So think before you talk, not all American white are against China like you.
AC, why don't you speak when your backward China?
Again, your. What is up with you? Frist let me tell you something about China, from my white view. China is a great country and it's on it's way up. I know becasue I've been there. The few greatest cities that I've visited are Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. I have to tell you that these three cities that I've visited are just fantastic. It just melts my heart to see these three city light up at night. It is way better than NYC. It's more cleaner and the people are so much nicer. I was surprise to see this because even though I am a foreigner I was still welcome by these great chinese people.
So stop your ignorant american view of China, I also know that some congress people have the same view as I do and very happy about it, clinton is an example.
And China isn't dependent on US economy?
Gosh, I wonder where all these cheap frivolous toys come from??? ------
Why do you keep thinking that we are better than the Chinese? To tell you the truth, we aren't much better. Our country is on a backward run as it has been for the last few months. And here you are on your computer typing away garbage. You need to go get a job and help the economy or something. I told you that I've been to China before and the place is great, the industries are beginning on a continuing bases of improvement.
Your an embarrassment to all Chinese.--
Your an embarrassment to the American culture, not just white american.
There is a HUGE difference between the occasional pedophile kidnapper that abducts a girl AGAINST THEIR PARENTS' WILL------
To prove you wrong, there is no huge difference in America and China. I've seen some of my white friends who lives by the project who did something like that the other day. But because of me, I told them not too. I'm glad at least I'm making a difference in the world by stopping one white friend of mine to not do what he has desire too. You're a disgrace to the me and the white race, call me a traitor all you want but I'm not the ignorant one bashing China.
The white man
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 at 14:59:27 (PST)
[198.105.45.18]
'I think this LSD guy is on here just for the sake of debate and harrassment. There is one topic where he is espousing the coming rise of Asia and Asian Americans, and their ultimate reign, and then he's now talking about the failures of Asia(ns).'
Asians just like everyone else are not perfect.
LSD
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 at 12:41:32 (PST)
[66.212.81.209]
ACDROPOUT
No the girl was not footbound. I was there with collegues invited to see the opening ceremony's of a thearter opened in the city. When we went travelling, the situation occoured.
I guess you wouldn't know about things like this considering your from Taiwan. Perhaps your thoughts of corruptability only revolve around barbershops and boatbrothels?
I don't think you really spend as much time in Asia as you claim. Either that or you only go to the tourist traps.
NS is calling you out!
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 at 11:52:49 (PST)
[68.161.72.167]
Is that seriously the best rebuttal you can come up with? There is a HUGE difference between the occasional pedophile kidnapper that abducts a girl AGAINST THEIR PARENTS' WILL and parents that would SELL THEIR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD for cold hard cash.
---perhaps AC DROPOUT could tell us all the story about how JACKIE CHAN was nearly sold by his poor family to a British couple when he was a baby.
Imagine that, Jackie would have lost his chance at career and a fabulous life simply cause his parents were poor.
Perhaps Rush Hour would have starred
Jet Li and Chris Tucker.
NS PHD EMP- Your post was hilarious. You were right on target about his weak response. How can a country move forward into the 21st century and become an economic superpower when it treats women and children in such a manner?
-very simple answer. IT CANNOT
Now that Asia is finally seeing outbreaks of diseases and other humanitarian issues that have been left untreated. That seems to be the answer for everything...dismissal.
AC DROPOUT
They are right about you. Your responces have been quite lacking in finess. In fact, so has your comments. Your information is pretty weak.
-you wanted dirt on the UK.
How about the fact that they purchase Asian children to add color to their white families and the fact that they nearly purchased J. Chan's sorry ass.
NS PHD EMP
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 at 11:46:19 (PST)
[68.161.72.167]
"NS PHD EMP- Your post was hilarious. You were right on target about his weak response. How can a country move forward into the 21st century and become an economic superpower when it treats women and children in such a manner?"
Well, US became a superpower after she had enslaved the blacks for 400 yrs, lynched the blacks or sometimes mexicans at will, imposed Jim Crow law in the South, decimated the American Indians and pushed the rest into barren reservations, locked up the Japanese Americans, extracted the men and assigned them to a segregated battilion for deadly missions and then paid a paltry compensation for their families after the war, excluded the Chinese migrant workers in 1880's.
The Israelis are shooting Palenstinian children, women and unarmed civilians everyday. Despite that, Israel is still dominant in the Mid-East. Why don't you all criticize the Jews for commiting such inhumane acts?
Given that, so tell me why a few occasions of parents' selling their own children would stop China from advancing? I saw parents selling their kids in HK in the 70's, but HK still made it to become a rich international city. Korean parents used to sell their kids in early post-war era and Korea is now an emerging economic power.
Women are thought of as animals in the US too. Don't we often call women "bitches" in this country?
FOP
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 at 10:46:13 (PST)
[65.147.94.239]
The LSD guy is a typical Hong Konger who gets his knowledge of his "motherland" from biased media, trashy HK tabloids, stupid HK movies, propaganda rather than from history class at school.
FOP
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 at 10:18:50 (PST)
[65.147.94.239]
Get a life,
Funny you must not travel a lot, last I checked China is getting much better than those 3 countries I listed.
12 year depression for one, lost self-identity for the other, and lastly a nation with puppet military on the brink of war. If you are well read you will know which comment refers to which country.
The comment was asking which country was more dependent for a healthy economy. The USA consumer market is totally dependent on China. Everything from clothing to cell phones to computers are dependent on China. If you were unaware the USA is driven by our consumer market.
On the flip side, China exports their services to two other major regions Europe and Asia. Not to mention their consumer economy is rapidly growing as well. Hence, they are better prepared if a severing of economic relationships occurs.
So I have refunded your 2 cents in full with interest as you can plainly see. 100% of a penny is still one penny as they say in the world of wall street. Rub them together and maybe you can make some sense. hehehe.
AC Dropout
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 at 09:25:10 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
LSD,
"He criticized the limitations and the flaws of the Chinese culture and people, which ultimately led to his to death."
Based on this comment are you predicting your own demise on Goldsea. hehehe.
"If u think I'm stupid to criticize China"
No, I just think your stupid. I read a lot of critism from Chinese intellectuals that made it their life goals to critise the PRC and to see reform come to China. Their critisms are very well thought out and insightful to the current events in China. You and the funky bunch just parrot off whatever English news source you guys find.
"No, I don't understand what u are trying to say!"
And that is why people like you will always be employed by people like me.
This comment just reflects your ignorance to the world at large.
The point being that there is more that one way to reach an objective. Or in layman terms more than one way to skin a cat.
To summarize some of China's goals are to close the income gap, reform their government, modernize their infrastructure. Are they accomplishing these task? Yes they are and quite well I might add.
What you and the funky bunch fail to realize is that their goal is not the become America. Can a nation achieve those goal and be successful and not be like America? China is sure giving people a run for thier money at this task.
AC Dropout
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 at 09:13:36 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
behind the headlines,
Are blind to the everything bad that goes on in the USA. People bombing abortion clinics to snipers in our streets. I don't need to read second hand reports of hearsay. I can walk down the streets of New York and name all the crap I see. Druggies, Prostitutions, Organized Crime, right at our doorstep.
I surprised some foriegn government hasn't decided to liberate the Black minority in our country yet.
AC Dropout
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 at 08:58:42 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
Funny all those countries are pretty well off compared to your 3rd world dump.----
Which third world are you talking about?? A dump, do you mean a dump on the rise?
And China isn't depended on US economy?--
No..not really. China can depend on other nation not soley on US. But it would be nice if it does. US depends on China just as much.
Gosh, I wonder where all these cheap frivolous toys come from??? ---
It came from your garage sale. You know where all those white people sell stuff on the street in front of their house hoping to make a few bucks. I see them all the time.
Your an embarrassment to all Chinese.---
No. your are an embarrassment to all chinese not to mention america too.
I have a life, do you?
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 at 08:19:26 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
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