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GOLDSEA |
ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Can China Avoid the Soviet Union's Fate?
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 06:08:47 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.]
LAW SHOULD DICTATE.
Honestly, there are alot of things I like about China. For instance I like the way that a murderous, totalitarian (Mao) could come in, throw out most foriegn influences, force China to change and unite it under a single party system.
Chairman Mao's driving forces and accomplishments are not too asimilar from Hitler's and Stalin's. THAT is the type of Leadership some parts of the world need.
This is why America is so strong.
#1 America has a united front against all outside aggressors.
#2 America is a huge country that is made of UNITED territories which can share and pool resources and
#3 America has a huge government but, one leader.
In a way, America, China and Russia are superpowers merely for these reasons.
America's main dirty deed is subterfuge. If certain large continents were to unite, not only would AMerica lose its grasp on the Earthly balance of power but, America might one day become a 2nd class nation.
There are two other places that could benefit from a MURDEROUS, Dictatorial leadership similar to MAo, Stalin and Hitler.
#1 is South America which is plagued by poor work ethics and racism.
and #2 is Africa which is plagued by remnants of the British intrusion and turf wars.
I guarrantee you, the day a single leader is able to unite these two countries is the day that China, America and Russia become totally F&%*%D!
I know this is true since I came from a lower middle class background and have climbed my way up to nouveau status.
ACD
Youv'e climbed your way to nouveau status and you could not even muster up the strength to place a long distance phone call to me while I was in Shanghai? You drive cheap Japanese cars that you dont own and you have yet to actually tell us what you do for a living despite your claims of nouveau status?
I think you work at a dead end ,glass cieling job.
Nicholiservia@hotmail.com
Sunday, April 06, 2003 at 07:42:36 (PDT)
[68.161.74.194]
NS PHD EMP --
""But, #1 have you actually lived there?""
Yes my family and I lived in Hong Kong and we frequently visited Beijing and Shanghai. I personally was there on business deal and from what I witness living there, I can tell you that Hong Kong and Shanghai are a HUGE tourist attraction, the number just keeps getting higher.
I'm certain your Mandarin or Cantonese is purely on the "tourist" level.---
My mandarin isn't great but I can carry a conversation. Plus I have a Co-worker that is Chinese who is more familiar with the surrounding than I am, so I frequently travel with him around town.
-Well or one thing, I already know we have the most advanced and powerful military on Earth.---
Yes but let me give you a phylosophical view, "sometimes power can only mean so much".
-China's legislative bodies are unjust and corrupt due to the Cultural Revolution and traditional culture.----
No, their legislative bodies are not corrupted as you said. I can tell you this from my own eyes that it is pretty stable and a lot are under control. Why do you think business of every kind are booming in nearly every neighborhood in Guang Zue and other cities. The country now also have mini court system with local branch, it also have state court system and now it even have certify lawyer that are appointed by parties in Criminal and Civil cases. What you are reffering to is... old China.
AT LEAST in America, we can RALLY against war.--
But did it do any good beside stand on the street holding a sign that reads "No war for oil". I tell you that it is all a bunch of garbage. I never protested the government of the US and never will because there is absolutlely "NO POINT". Some of my friends in PA didn't do so either, and if you ask them they will tell you the same thing, "NO POINT".
guess what country is putting the rest of the West and your whie ass in Jeopardy by selling N Korea weapon technology?---
I firmly believed that the situation between NK and US will be solved peacefully. We may think we're so tough but when it comes to true war we hide like babies, ask any american general and they will tell you the same thing.
Frankly I am disgusted by you and your friend. Who would keep friends like that besides a total scumbag.---
First, don't call my friend a scumbag, he is a good man who just needs a little help. On occasion he just drinks a lot and in trouble with the law but everything else is fine. And I don't choose friends base on class level. I have sucessful friends and some not, but I treat them all the same.
If TSJ wants to insult ACD on a Chinese-Chinese level, you have nothing to say about that cause you aren't on their level.------
Off course I'm not on their level cause I'm NOT CHINESE. Now if you will, I have things to do.
The White Man
Friday, April 04, 2003 at 17:54:13 (PST)
[198.105.45.18]
NS PHD EMP
Don't speak of reasoning. You only have a misguided conviction. You pretend you are a China expert that knows the country inside out. You made up facts on Lincoln LS and Contiental Towncar and luxury Buick that don't even exist in the Chinese auto market and I caught you bluffing.
I GUARANTEE you never went and worked in China. You probably went on a package tour to all the touristy spots for 2 weeks.
I GUARANTEE that Yu-Ping, Ryomoto Technologies and your ex Japanese boss exist only in your imagination.
I HAVE REASONS to believe that (Remember I caught you bluffing about the non-existent Lincoln LS and Towncar?) you acquired the knowledge of Asia through internet website filled with fragmented knowledge on Asian history and other media. Your knowledge is not first-handed. Because almost all westerners that have lived in Asia for sometime know (I GUARANTEE THAT AS WELL)that HK was a British colony when Jackie was nearly sold. Also, Macao was a PORTUGUESE colony until 1999 and it had never been a country by itself.(IGUARANTEE you must have overlooked this important fact). So you think human rights situtation is at issue there. Well, guess the Portuguese didn't give a damn about their Chinese/Macaoese subjects then. I still remember how jubilant the Macaoese was when China took the coffer-empty colony back from Portugal.
FOP
Friday, April 04, 2003 at 10:14:13 (PST)
[66.135.128.76]
FOP
--I was suppossed to fly to Wuham next month but my flight was cancelled ahead of time because of SARS.
Frankly, with the average Chinese person having or having been exposed to SARS, I was not very interested in going back so soon anyway.
If I was near a Chinese and they coughed more than twice in a row, frankly I would be terrified. A common cold that KILLS POEPLE is certainly a scary thing.
My buisness there is US government work. Other than that you don't need to know anything else.
Thats why I love Goldsea so much because I can come here to find out the latest news rather than rely on Chinese propaganda.
*While you rant ignorantly about an arrogant and stubborn China,tremendous changes are happening in China every single day
KIM
---yes they are. In fact, I keep reading lovely reports of people dying from untreated Childhood diseases and the addition of new Diseases to our ecosystem that have been traced back to HK. You are so correct!
AC DROPOUT
--America's actions in Afghanistan are just and neccessary. China would understand this except for the fact that they LOST the last war they had and the country that attacked them is doing way better than they are. (Japan)
The only revenge the Chinese can get now is by making fun of or insulting the Japanese... Behind their backs anyway.
NS PHD from redneckville
Friday, April 04, 2003 at 09:54:20 (PST)
[68.161.72.167]
If it did what are you going to do Nick, commit suicide?
Pumpkin Pie
----commit Suicide? I am not the Gay chinese actor Leslie Zhang!
maybe u should tell every overseas Chinese to return to China, so they will not suffer persecution.
Law Should Dictate
---- Thats a really good point. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing your information and view of China us.
KIM
---Actually, he only shared his opinions with us. There was no depth to his argument besides a little, upset tone.
And I know that not all white people are againt China. I have a white friend that I know for a long time who have nothing but good things to say about China. He is somwwhat like you in the way he thinks, he always tell me that China is getting stronger by the minute and will be up there as it is like US.
---Wow that is very nice to hear. Almost sounds similar to those Whites that say they would vote for Colon Powell or the ones that say (in front of the camera) how nice their stay in a poor country was.
It basically states that the USA human rights are deteriorating after the 9/11 incident.
---ACDROPOUT
That pitiful response of yours is barely admirable. First of all, human rights are an intangible thing and are not subject to deterioration. Even though hate crimes and discrimination are PRACTICED, it does not change the fact that America has OUTLAWED these things and thus made them ILLEGAL and subject to penalty.
That is the difference between America and China right there for example:
China DOES NOT practice equal oppourtunity hiring. In America, a FALUN GONG member can get a job. In China, not only are such people discriminated against, they are tortured and KILLED by the Chinese police and government or thrown into institutions.
China obviously practices what is reffered to as RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION.
"Executing Child Offenders and the Mentally Ill"
ACDROPOUT
---Chinese Propaganda! Reverse Lies!
In China, FALUNG GONG is considered a crime and only practised by THE MENTALLY ILL. When an FG member is arrested, they are beaten to death by the cops and if hey are female, they are thrown into the cells of male inmates to be raped and sodomized.
In China, drug dealers or "suspected drug dealers" are executed after a 2-5 hour long court appearance in which they try and plead their case against the government which NEVER LOSES! They are lined up and shot innocent or not.
In China men who kill their wives for "crimes of passion" are given a slap on the wrist and let go after mental evaluation.
There was a man named Wing who actually SCALPED his wife (killing her) and he was considered mentally ill and stayed in a psychiatric center in Beijing for 2 years before being let go.
In China the police force has been noted for allowing kidnapped women to remain in their capttor's hands because: the police felt bad that they could not find wives.
http://www.globalmarch.org/virtual-library/catw/factbook/china.htm
And God dammnit I KNOW the Chinese are not accusing America of "discriminating against Muslims!"
AC Dropout Dont even get me started about the XIN JIANG muslim groups who:
#1 aren't allowed to work in Shanghai, Beijing or aside Han Zu Chinese
#2 Are poor and allowed to starve by the PRC government
#3 Are allowed to have corrupt state government structure because the Han Zu Chinese government "doesn't care
#4 Aren't given as much financial support as the Han Zu populated Provinces.
And a Child Offender such as those trenchcoat moffia boys or the 17 year old that goes and randonly shoots at a school DESERVES TO BE PUT TO DEATH. I was a teen to and I never sniped a schoolyard filled with babies. Child Offenders, Child rapists and Child molesters deserve to be put to death. Im behind America 100% on this.
You can pull out these ridiculous Chinese government
"Americadissedussowemustsaveface" bulls*$t retorts on a person like TheWhiteMan or Kim who have never been to China for more than a week but, don't try to pull it on someone who lives there.
Nicholi says dont try it!
Friday, April 04, 2003 at 09:43:02 (PST)
[68.161.72.167]
Law Should Dictate,
"Why is there more diversity in the West as opposed to China?"
How so? China is a culmulation of 52 ethnic groups and a merger of many ancient nations.
"Why is China still not a democracy?"
The exact mechanics of the China political system is quite pluralistic. There are reforms for 8 consultant parties. Also local elections are held for local leaders. These lower party leaders than elect the higher party leaders. Like our electorial system leadership always wants a buffer from the masses.
On the flip side. Why do we call the USA a democracy, when it is not a true democracy? Why is our current President not elected by the people?
"Why do Chinese students have to study in Western Insitutions?"
Chinese are not arrogant about knownledge. As the last dynasty was going through a decline many students went to Japan and Europe for knowledge.
On the flip side why is the USA so close minded about Chinese medicine? Why is it that Chinese medicine call holistic medicine in the west?
"Most important, why are women less valued in China than men, hence the large ratio of males to females?"
I think many moons ago I challenged these number as not being realistic. Since the studies were only done in two rural areas. A small slice of the entire Chinese population. In the rest of China the natural ration of 109:100 is more of less holds for the entire population.
But on the USA side why are teenage girls being promoted as sex symbols in our culture? Is it not disturbing that girls in the middle of puberty are getting breast implants and plastic surgery?
I guess if you are giving out career advise, I should do the same. I'm sure you will be happy serving burgers to me in this #1 country for many generations to come. I would like to super size it, thanks. lol..
AC Dropout
Friday, April 04, 2003 at 09:26:50 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
PAHAHAHAHA!!!
First off, it's not PAHAHAHAHA, it's HAHAHA.
Where does China send all those cheap goods to? ---
I can see that the best thing you can come up with is China's cheap goods, you really need to get over it. It has been months and your still saying the same things.
If China decided to stop sending cheap Chinese goods to the US. Americans could easily acquire those goods from Mexico or India.------
Don't embarass yourself on this site right now. India and Mexico don't have the kind of varity of goods that China does, why do you think China has higher GDP then those two countries.
Give me a break! China might be growing rapidly but its far from catching up to US any time soon.---
When it does catch up then what are you going to do, become a sucide bomer in China?
Pumkin Pie
Friday, April 04, 2003 at 09:10:46 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
NS PHD EMP,
"A Fool and his money are soon parted"
Like you and your Hummer incident last week I take it.
"I have had to commute with Chinese and learn to speak the language in order to survive."
Really? survive? I thought you just spoke English and the whole country would revolve around such an accomplished person like yourself. You kill a pig with your bare hands or something in China.
"-Well or one thing, I already know we have the most advanced and powerful military on Earth."
What's that got to do with our government. That's more about the profits in our arms market.
"-China's legislative bodies are unjust and corrupt due to the Cultural Revolution and traditional culture."
No more corrupt than our current un-elected president and all the political scandals in Washington.
"-The US government is not as hostile towards citizens who are unhappy with it. AT LEAST in America, we can RALLY against war. Try protesting in a country that has protesters and Falun Gong members killed."
What about Waco, TX? What about Pres. Kennedy Assassination? If you compare civil protest in both countries they are more of less the same. Once a protest cross the line of civil disobedience both countries will have the authorities to deal with the protestor swiftly.
Guess what country invented NK and SK. Not only that but also started the arms race in the Koreas to begin with. You guess it...USA.
China has about 2000 years of recorded history. Guess what it has been through more good and bad stretches than the USA. It once conquered 90% of their known world. There longest good stretch last a few hundred years. I would not be too concerned about them. I would be more concerned about where the USA is going in the next couple of years. China plans on developing their country.
AC Dropout
Friday, April 04, 2003 at 09:10:08 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
Get a life, really!,
Because you are not a business person you need to understand what it means to build a factory in China. It means a company invested millions of dollars there. Also it needed to invest in the corporate culture there and the efficent process of conducting business. If you think they can just pick themselves up and move to another country on a snap of a finger, you are living in a pipe dream. If those other country were so great, why didn't those company open office there in the first place.
No country is self sufficent anymore, that is what occured during globalization. No even the USA.
"Equal footing"
That's what baffles me most about you and the funky bunch. First off you take this as a personal threat if another countries develops and perhaps comes to level of the USA. The second is that this is what democracy is all about, everyone is on equal footing. No matter of background. In a democratic world this principle should be applied to countries as well.
AC Dropout
Friday, April 04, 2003 at 08:58:54 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
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