Chinese Earthquake Relief: Chongqing

In the wake of today's 7.9 earthquake (which is hard to even imagine) in central China, I wanted to post this video that I've been meaning to highlight. Coincidentally, it is about Chongqing, a massive city in China and the story of its incredible growth. It is a city the size of New York that most Americans (including myself, until recently) have never heard of. It also happens to be near the epicenter of today's earthquake. I know that I often use my blog to excoriate the Chinese but I am always careful to point out that my criticisms are aimed at the PRC government. I have nothing but respect for the Chinese people and hope for them to have the same freedoms we enjoy in this country. I think the best thing we can do is understand each other's lives. I sincerely hope that the death toll won't rise any further. Unfortunately, I'm sure it will. Save the Children is the relief organization that I usually trust for things like this. (You can also donate for the cyclone in Myanmar - Save the Children is one of the only aid organizations that was on the ground before the storm hit.) It is important to remember that, no matter what our differences with the Chinese government, we shouldn't use that as a reason to neglect humanitarian efforts to help the Chinese people. Pray.

China's Perfect $#!#storm

I am really enjoying all the outcry and protests around the Olympic flame as it slouches towards Beijing but I have not written about my delicious schadenfreude yet. I have always thought it was stupid that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ever gave China the Olympics in the first place and was just another example of everyone lying down for the PRC. But now? Now, it could hardly be working out worse for PRC leadership! This was supposed to be China's coming out party as a world power but it has ended up looking more like China is on an episode of "My Super Sweet 16". (Yes, I have seen that show and it nearly as soul crushing and the PRC.) They are being exposed as the petulant children that they are. The well-timed Tibetan protests (as well as in other restive provinces) have shown how the PRC runs China. Iron fist. No dissent. Nothing to see here. Unfortunately, for them, there is plenty to see. I am glad to see that the IOC has said that athletes competing in Beijing will be able to speak freely while there (other than the actual Chinese athletes, of course). However, considering the IOC is basically a bunch of whores, I will need to see that to believe it. Good luck, NBC. I was all for a boycott but I think having the athletes speak out in Beijing or staging protests on the medal stand will be much more powerful than just not showing up (although, I think everyone - heads of state as well as athletes - should boycott the opening ceremonies). I will certainly watch way more of this Olympics than I have of any other in recent memory just to see what embarrasses the PRC leadership next, and believe me there will be plenty more to come. Now is the greatest opportunity Chinese dissidents have had since Tiananmen Square. Let's hope this public shaming will pressure the PRC into opening up life for the Chinese people (not to mention the Tibetan people). But don't hold your breath (although, in Beijing, you may WANT to hold your breath).

China v. US in Important Talks

A Chinese delegation is coming to DC to negotiate new trade policies. They are also continuing with their "We're China, #^&% You!" philosophy. Yesterday, the Chinese announced that they will allow the yuan to appreciate faster, which the US has been pushing for for a long time. However, the allowed appreciation is well below the 30 to 40% correction the US thinks they should appreciate the yuan. Also, the Chinese are doing it more to help keep their economy from overheating - the Chinese economy grew at around 11% last quarter. I don't want the US to be isolationist; besides that, growing the Chinese economy has lifted literally hundreds of millions of Chinese out of poverty over the last 30 years. China's economic relations with other developing market countries will also help raise people in those countries out of poverty. So, on the whole, the growth of the Chinese economy is a good thing, if you care about poverty. That said, the US can't sustain this inequitable trade relationship with China forever. No matter what comes out of these trade talks, it is important to remember that everything China does, it does for China - I'm not judging that as being right or wrong, it's just a fact. One to keep in mind.

Foreign Exchange: China's Economy, Iraq Insurgency, and Northern Ireland

Enjoy.

Kissinger on China's Inevitable Rise

"What is so mysterious about China? There are 900 million of us and it is not mysterious to us." [This was 30 years ago...now it is more like 1.3 billion. Or 1.6...but who's counting?]

Ha Ha Ha America

This is weird (it was recommended by a commenter in my previous post). I'll provide it without comment, except to say that it says a lot of true things about Chine and America. (Warning: Some vulgarity and profanity.)

We're China: #^&% You!

Last Wednesday I went and listened to the Chinese Ambassador to the US, Zhou Wenzhong, speak at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). I didn't get my question about China's intentions towards Africa answered but there were still many interesting points. Ambassador Zhou touched on several major points during his speech but the overarching theme concerned the idea that China is building a "Harmonious society". "Harmonious society" is the name of the ideological campaign that was developed in response to the impression among the Chinese that their government was over emphasizing economic development and ignoring the importance of social justice. The ambassador re-iterated the stated goals of the "Harmonious society", which were initially proposed by Chinese President Hu Jintau, that China is committed to the development of "democracy, the rule of law, justice, sincerity, amity, and vitality". The Ambassador stated that China is at the "primary stage" of socialism and that it will remain there for a long time to come. He characterized the "primary stage" as one of underdevelopment and said that China recognizes that its system of socialism is not perfect and that it needs and will receive improvement. He called improving economic development and achieving social justice the two historical tasks for China. Since instituting market reforms, the quality of life of Chinese citizens has improved greatly but China still has significant challenges to overcome. Challenges include increased economic gaps between urban and rural Chinese as well as increased corruption. The government had overemphasized economic growth without enough of a focus on increasing social justice. "Social fairness and justice lack sufficient safeguards." The Ambassador listed major tasks for the government to complete by 2020: to build a comprehensive socialist democracy, legal system, and rule of law. To provide better protection for the people’s rights and interests, to gradually reverse the trend of widening disparity between urban and rural areas, to build an income distribution structure and social security network to cover both urban and rural residents, to improve basic public health services and education, to increase the efficient use of natural resources and to noticeably improve the environment. The overall goal is to allow all Chinese to enjoy the benefits of reform and economic growth. The Ambassador also made the case that building a harmonious society in China will have implications on the world stage, with positive impact on world peace and prosperity. "When reflected in China’s foreign policy, the concept of 'Harmonious society' point to an inevitable choice of firm adherence to the role of peaceful development, a choice that is based on our judgments of the current situation in the world and our historical heritage and the realistic national conditions." It is the Chinese view that peace and development are the trend of the times. They believe it is unlikely that a major war could breakout in the near future and that they can use their economic development to help promote world peace. The Ambassador stated that China builds relationships with all the countries of the world based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence (mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence). China treats all countries as equals regardless of size and strength. "China opposes hegemony and will never seek hegemony." (This one I find particularly hard to believe.) The talk was mostly cordial but there is an unmistakable air that China believes their ascension is inevitable and, while they try to not say too many inflammatory things and try to portray themselves in a good international light, they will pretty much do as they damn well please.

Saturday Media Dump

Lots of stuff today. US New House bill to roll back oil company tax breaks and use the money to research renewable energy. This alone was worth voting for the Democrats. "White House: No Plan To Attack Iran, Syria". They didn't a have plan for Iraq, either. [BTW, Iran is a MUCH larger country than Iraq. Enjoy.] Middle East We have people in this country freaking out about a Muslim Congressman and, meanwhile, Israel is appointing an Arab Muslim to their cabinet. I hope we grow up someday. Egypt's President wants Iran to keep out of Iraq. Africa Interesting story about US involvement in Somalia. DDT is making a comeback and, this time, it is saving people's lives. A crazy preacher in Nigeria was sentenced to hang for lighting some of his parishioners on fire. Asia China will increase the flexibility with which it allows it's currency, the yuan, to trade thanks to a 74% increase in the country's trade surplus. More on China's strategy for African influence and in the Middle East.