China - Good Lord

I don't believe we individual citizens of the USA give China the appropriate attention. Recently it executed its former "chief drug regulator" for taking bribes and allowing them to fall into the current international furor related to fake products. The government stated the individual had taken bribes in and allowed "six types of fake medicines" to be approved. The interesting part of the whole issue, to me at least, was the response by China to this issue.

1. They did EXECUTE the person who the blame was placed upon. Now, take this with a grain of salt, in that complicity of an issue like this is far greater than a single individual. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of people in government who probably knew of the issues and that doesn't even count the people who were actually making the fake products. This person was executed as an example.

2. One particular set of words stated was that by 2010 China would have markedly increased its ability to monitor fake products, but that it would take at least five years (2012) for them to make a serious dent and be able to control their manufacturers. The acknowledgment of the issue. The realization of the significance of the issue. And the measured reaction that shows a considerable understanding of the situation. With the MONTHLY surplus of goods traded to the US topping $26 Billion, and the legislative branch of the US fighting for the yuan to be let free to trade in the international monetary markets, China must take action in order to feed it machine.

As a good friend of mine tells me continually, the Chinese history is full of ups and downs and the US is still Number 1. As I tell my friend, do not let that history satiate you adn make you lazy. The Chinese are serious about this world. They are going to be the largest economy in the world. I recently read an article where a comment was made about the inroads that Chinese politicians have made in Asia and the reactions by the peoples there. A particular quote stood out that went something like -

China's Asian partners see the United States as a passing fancy. The US has only been around for about 200 years. China has been here for 3,000 years and they expect China to be here for another 3,000 years.

This is a grand world we live in. Down with the Humans! Long live the Humans!

A Chinese Democracy

Though the words sound very common to the ear for someone tired of the banter from American politics...is it as common to hear something similar from the leading of he Communist world? A Chinese democracy would be an interesting concept. Who is to say taking the long, gradual road toward their democracy isn't the correct path. We must remember, this is the first time human society has had a chance at doing the things it does.

The Korea Times - Democracy in China

``Planning and market forces are not the essential difference between socialism and capitalism,’’ he said. ``A planned economy is not the definition of socialism, because there is planning under capitalism; the market economy happens under socialism, too’’

The market, Deng concluded, is simply a tool that can be used by both socialist and capitalist societies. Since then, China has become transformed into a country where the market trumps planning at virtually all levels but still calls itself a socialist society.

Asked at his annual press conference if he meant that ``there will be no democracy in China in the next 100 years,’’ Premier Wen responded, echoing Deng: ``Democracy, legal system, freedom, human rights, equality and fraternity’’ are not peculiar to capitalism. ``Rather, they are the common achievements of human civilization made in the long course of history and the common values pursued by entire mankind.’’

China Growing

Watching China and listening to its growing pains is awe invoking. 1.3 Billion people pushing for a piece. Some of money...many of money. Some for harmony. And some deep down inside real Communists. Which really wouldn't be that bad if it weren't for scarcity and evil human beings. There is the continual presence of its manufacturing might. The volumes of money that are currently being shifted toward Asia due to the demand of the Chinese machine are immense. The environmental costs are torrential. And the government can tear from the people their moral fabric.

The world is always growing. Pushing, pulling…contraction and growth.