Nov 16 2009
What about you, China?
Obama is visiting China at the moment. His town hall meeting with students in Shanghai was more of a formality, a TV show.
Thomas Friedman asking China to contribute more to the world rather than being a free rider.
Last week I was riding with a friend who just came back from Yangtze River or Chang Jiang cruise. He was amazed and also very proud of the progress China has been making.
“You should see how Shanghai is building up.” He excitedly exclaimed. He went on to say how sad China was during the last Qing (1860-1911), .. after the Boxer Rebellion .. .. Tiny little Belgium was a brute force to be reckoned with.. .. I knew many cities in China would make Manhattan (JFK airport in that matter) looking like third world – looks only, the hardware. Its people, the software is entirely another story. I watched the 60th Anniversary celebration (Oct 1) on Halloween night at a friend’s house. Hu Jintao rode in an open car, alone, up and down the ChangAn Boulevard. The Eternal Blvd’s new and old buildings (any old ones? I tried to remember ..) was impressively decorated showcasing China’s new found prosperity. President Hu said
同志们好 Hello comrades
同志们辛苦了 Great work .. well done .. comrades
from time to time during this ride. It kind of odd. Shouldn’t the troops greeting him rather than the other way around? I’ve never seen any head of state shouting greetings .. Yet, the Chinese leaders are very remote lot. Can anyone readily identify their wives, for example? How many children do they have, etc. The set up was so 21 century yet his greetings seemed so 19 century – out of place.
By no mean I fault him for doing so. Just very unconventional.
China is coming out.
I suppose one could argue that Bill Gates did not immediately give his vast fortune away. He took his time and did what he’s doing now. Why would China rush when she is just learning to be the center of the attention?
On the other hand, as Chinese, I would like China getting started as a major stake holder and shows the world she cares and able to hold down her share of bargain. Giver is always happier than taker. In all my encounters with Chinese (from anywhere), they’re all awed/excited by the progress but none of them have ever suggested that it’s time that China begins to be a contributor. Is it in our DNA to be a taker?
During his townhall meeting, Obamy mentioned Tibet and human right .. it’s so yesteryear. Who’s his China advisers? I am very sick and tired of hearing it. He knew US/China alliance was initially built on anti USSR the northern bear. Thank lord we all got over that. USSR dissolved .. and I’ve getting hit by them daily. Now I’m anxious to know when would the West/USA realize Tibet isn’t human right problem? Oh, I think I get it: it is the West way to annoy China. Paul Krugman thinks the World Out of Balance, and Chinese is playing a dangerous game. . Is that so? I knew nothing about economics ..
Talking about Chinahand, James R. Lilley had just died. He was born in Shandong, China; a former intelligence agent and ambassador to China. He’s President Bush (George H.W.)’s friend – the elder Bush was the head of CIA.