China will continue to enforce a one-child policy for at least another decade. I’m fully support of this decision. China current has more than 1.3 billion people, making it the most populous nation. Without a one-child policy, an increase of population not only will increase the demand for food and energy in China, but also will stress the supply of energy and food in the world market.
Full story: China Sticking With One-Child Policy
Hillary Clinton won Ohio and Texas. People are discussing what this will entail for the US future. Some readers wonder Clinton will pick up Obama as her running mate, or the other way around. Some others think that if either one of them becomes the President, this country will go to “hell” — the end of capitalism and the destruction of the US mighty military power.
In addition, some are willing to go so far to say that China will take freedom away from the US if the next President is a Democrat.
politicalman11: The best part of your commentary, is what you didn’t mention..Congress..19 percent approval rating to Bush’s 35%…Democratic President and Democratic Congress will destroy capitalism, destroy the military and leave us vulnerable to China who is increasing their military spending 18%/year… That scares me a whole lot more than anything else…Freedoms are taken for granted for now by so many…
Why do some people so afraid of China? Do they think China will start a new Cold War or invade the US soil? The only plausible explanation, I think, is that certain people are just plain ignorant. They lack the knowledge about the World’s geopoltical issue. Their understanding of it is based on a limited view of events that occur no more than a short-distance drive from their homes. Their perception of other countries is based on whether or not these countries share a common culture with the US — if not, they must be the enemies of the US.
People, wake up! It’s time for you to read The Economist on a weekly basis.
The Brookings Institutions, a leading US think tank, published a video interview that discusses the future top leaders of China. In China, the Communist Party always handpicks its government leader. The video speaks of two party candidates that may rise to the power after President Hu Jintao — Shanghai Party Secretary Xi Jinping (習近平) and Liaoning Party Secretary Li Keqiang (李克强).
What’s so fascinating about these two people is that they each represent a very different group of Chinese people and with conflicting interests.
Xi Jinping is the candidate of entrepreneurs and the emerging middle class. His father was the veteran Communist Xi Zhongxun, who served as a member of the Politburo, China’s second most powerful decision-making body, in the early- to mid-1980s.
Unlike Xi, Li Keqiang hails from a humble family background. Li grew up in Anhui province and began his career as a farmer. His father was a low-ranking local official. He overcame these obstacles, rising through the ranks of the Chinese Communist Youth League, Hu Jintao’s most important power base.
Given the distinctive background of these two people, picking a new leader is not a easy task. Picking Xi Jinping could mean more government policies that benefit the rich and the educated. Picking Li Keqiang could bring about an attempt to narrow the wealth gap between the rich and the poor.
There is no certainty in Chinese politics. Regardless who rises to the power at the end, competition is a good thing, but with some minor concerns.
… by choosing two people to compete against each other, this is something quite new in Chinese politics. So you will see a more dynamic factional politics in the next five years. In a way this is good—it will make the Chinese political system more open, more competitive, and probably more transparent. On the other hand, perhaps things might get out of control, because clearly these two leaders represent some conflicting interests, and the social forces will choose one or the other of these representatives, and this could lead to things spinning out of control.
Spotted on Virtual China
To many people a democratic China sounds like a oxymoron. A recent New York Times article discusses democracy in China. Before I go on with my comments, here is a summary of the article.
A pro-democracy article is recently published in a state-run news media. To some, this is a sign that the Communist party is ready to move forward with democracy reforms. The New York Times interviewed few analysts and China top officials on this news. The conclusion is that the Communist government is “talking” democracy, and any major democracy reforms are unlikely.
I wonder whether or not it is remotely possible for China to be democratic? If yes, how should we go about doing it? To answer these questions, we must first understand: (1) what’s democracy? (2) what does it mean for China to be democratic?
Shortage of wives and poor retirement systems are key social issues in China. Because the country is governed with a one-child policy and a Chinese tradition that prefers boys over girls, by 2020 China will have 30 million more men of marriageable age than women. Since most families have only one child, without an improved social security system, young people are facing the prospect of supporting two parents and four grandparents well into their old age.
Are there solutions to the problems? Here is what I think. To solve these problem will require major social changes in multiple generations. However, there are few things that the government can do to help. First, the government should reform its poor social security system, and give extra support to people that are with multiple aging parents and grandparents. Second, via education, the government should bring open-minded thinking to young people. People should abandon the old Chinese tradition that gives preference to boys.
The value of the U.S. dollar continues to soften against the euro and the British pound. According to an IHT report,
Last year, the euro appreciated more than 11 percent against the dollar. The British pound rose nearly 14 percent against the dollar in 2006.
Obviously, this is a good news for the European travelers in the U.S. and the European currency investors. However, it was a bad news for people like me whose salary is paid in the U.S. dollar.
Will the value of the U.S. dollar continue to slide in 2007?
Read the rest of this entry »
A key to maintain a country’s competitiveness is to invest heavily in research and development. The U.S. is a good example. Scientific advances and entrepreneurship have helped this country to be a dominant force in the global market.
According to OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), by the end of 2006, China will become the second-highest investor in R&D.
The burgeoning economic powerhouse has rapidly increased the money and manpower being invested in R & D, and spending by government and businesses will reach more than $136 billion in 2006, the OECD said Monday.
For comparison, Japan, formerly the nation with the second-highest investment in research and development, will dole out $130 billion this year, and the EU nations (including France, Germany and the U.K.) together will allocate $230 billion.
An interesting fact is that the growth rate of China’s R&D surpasses the growth rate of the country’s GPD.
Its R&D went from 0.6 percent of its GDP (gross domestic product) in 1995 to more than 1.2 percent in 2004. That doubling growth rate is faster than the rate of growth for China’s entire economy.
Source: China rising rapid in R&D, report says, CNET.com
Not too long ago, the world is buzzing about the strengthen tight between China and African countries. Now everyone is focused on a different relationship, the strengthen financial tight between China and the Middle East.
According to The New York Times, instead of seeking foreign investments from the Western countries, Chinese have been seeking more investments from Saudis and other Middle Eastern investors. At the same time, investors from those countries are shifting their money into the Chinese red-hot IPO market. Read the rest of this entry »
