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Rob_Hugo@PortNWThere was an interesting article in The New Republic's online edition on July 24, 2007. The article, "Why We Should Worry About China's Economy" by John B. Judis, states that the Bush Administration is worried because"China has ascended as a world economic power--evident this month in its record $26.9 billion trade surplus and in a GDP larger than that of Britain or France."
China's combination of autocratic politics and state capitalism seems to be a winning strategy for that country. However this model is seen as a threat to developing democracies in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
China's defenders say not to worry. China's prosperity "will eventually lead to a more democratic and pacific China." The article states, however, that the last two decades show that just the opposite is true: "Those years have seen very rapid economic growth along with the eradication of reform and the consolidation of the Communist Party's power."
China's rise as an economic power, says Judis, sends an ominous message to other emerging powers such as South Korea, Taiwan, Brazil and India. One does not want those countries to get the idea that China, with its poor record on workers' rights and wages and human rights in general, could be a role model as to how to proceed on their path to economic prosperity.
Glenda Sheppard
AnonymousThere was an interesting story posted by Reuters today which states that all hotels in China are now required to distribute condoms and AIDS literature to guests. The Zhejiong area of China had implemented fines for hotels that did not do so earlier in the year, but this latest policy comes from Beijing itself and is Chinawide. China has a very spotty record when it comes to the fight against AIDS. In the past the disease was off the radar, and when it was mentioned it was categorized as a decadent, imperialistic disease spread by Westerners. This latest change in government policy shows that the Chinese are now starting to actually take some steps towards dealing with their growing AIDS problem. The AIDS virus is making some serious inroads into the general population in China. Hopefully, the government will step up these efforts and introduce greater education programs for their people, and testing centers/couseling sites really need to be created.
Of course, it doesn't slip anyone's notice that the condom/AIDS literature distribution in all hotels implies that the AIDS virus is primarily an 'import'- brought to China by others. 🙁
clay dubeAIDS is a large problem in China (and elsewhere in Asia, especially India). Teachers on a study tour in spring 2006 were surprised to find condoms and other items among the toiletries supplied by the hotel (note: the condoms were not free, the toothbrush, comb, etc. were). I explained that Henan Province (where this particular hotel was located) was particularly hard hit by AIDS because of sloppy blood plasma collection practices. Entire villages have been decimated by the disease.
Here's an English language website from the Chinese government:
http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/aids/112999.htm
The WHO AIDS office's website is at:
http://www.wpro.who.int/china/sites/hsi/
AnonymousThe news services reported today that the first former high-ranking Khmer Rouge official has been ordered to stand trial for crimes against humanity. It is about time! I have been following this story with some interest for years; it is amazing how long this dance has gone on. Pol Pot died years ago without having to face trial, and there are relatively few Khmer Rouge officials left to pay the piper. According to today's announcement, there are four more to be named shortly, including Pol Pot's second in command. There have been countless jurisdictional arguments, political in-fighting, and various other issues addressed to even get to this point. I am keeping my fingers crossed. It is simply unbelievable that those responsible for the atrocities of '75-79 have yet to be punished. Even more incredible is that the vast majority of those who are still alive never left the country, live openly without the need to hide, and many mid-level Khmer work for the current government. What a mess! People don't seem to realize the extent of the annhiliation that happened during this era- more people died under Pol Pot's reign of terror than Hitler's, per capita.
A sad side note: it is amazing how many Khmer Rouge leaders were former educators/teachers. Shades of Mao.
AnonymousDid anyone read the newswire story about the Chinese governments announcement that up to a million cars will be banned for a period in Bejing? Concern for poor air quality and the impact it will have on Olympic athletes during the games was the stated reason for the initiative. Buses, taxis, and certain other vehicles will be allowed on the road at all times, but cars ending that have a license plate ending in an even number will not be allowed on the road when odd number cars are, and vice versa. By all accounts the air quality in the capital is atrocious- much worse than LA (if you can imagine). It is unfortunate that these kind of measures are only in place because of the olympics.