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AnonymousFor anyone interested in Korea and especially life in North Korea these days, the play "Yoduk Story" will be performed in LA on October 19-22 at the Scottish Rite Auditorium. The play, written by a N. Korean refugee has been a smash hit in S. Korea and tells the story of two lovers in N. Korea's most notoriuos prison camp. The play's unflinching portrayal of Pyongyang's gulag's-including floggings and amputations, is viewed by activitists as a crucial tool in pressuring governments to take a more aggressive approach toward confronting North Korea over religious persection and human-rights abuses. Tickets are available at http://www.yodukprison.com
AnonymousThis is a good source of reporting on contemporary Chinese events, with a particular focus on economic and financial news.
Looking at the number of stories datelined 'Xinhua', suggests that this is an official state news outlet. Having said that, the state news isn't always damagingly propagandist - I was in Beijing iat the time of the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the state-run China Central English language TV did an excellent job of discussing the history of colonialism in the region (Britain's using poison gas on the Iraqis in the 1920s, for example) and nationalist responses (by some very learned professors of history and politics). This was a much more in-depth than the snapshot being offered at the time by the US media - you know, the kind of coverage that treats last week as ancient history and lacks anything approaching even the most rudimentary historic perspective.
(On the other hand, the state media's coverage of the emerging SARS outbreak at the time was much less than transparent - talking with a military doctor on the train to Beijing, it transpired that several patients had died in regional hospitals, which brought the official version into question.)
Ray
[Edit by="rrobinson on Mar 6, 3:02:32 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousThat's http://www.chinatoday.com[Edit by="rrobinson on Mar 6, 3:05:11 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousA website linked from China Today's page - http://www.travelchinaguide.com - that gives a great potted history of each of China's provinces plus a guide to historic/cultural sites of interest around the country (and not just the Forbidden City or Xian's terracotta warriors). It's a great addition to the ol' bag of tricks we need to keep to hand in order to be the most effectivve teachers 
Enjoy
Ray[Edit by="rrobinson on Mar 6, 3:21:14 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousIn the LA Times today (Mar 17, 2007), there's an interesting article titled "China's demoratic path outlined." It mostly talks about Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his thoughts for the future of China economically and politically. What I found most interesting is that even though the article makes Wen sound almost like a capitalist and supportive of democratic ideals, he states that democracy in China will "take a long historical period...to develop into a ...developed system." What is inferred is that he plans to keep control of the country while he's in power and leave the democratic process to happen after he's gone. However, atleast it's an indication of China moving, even slowly, towards more freedoms for the Chinese people. Or, am I just being too hopeful, or maybe cynical? Any thoughts on this??
John
AnonymousJust to respond to the Chinese premiere's comment that democracy will take a long period for China to adopt a more democratic form of government...
It seems to me that, as Americans, we expect other countries to follow our own model of government, one which a reasonably long and well-intentioned pedigree, but which has aparent flaws (not least the amount of money required simply to declare a candidacy for higher office - fundraising by political frontrunners for the 2008 presidential campaign is already being figured to pull in four or five times the dollar amount of the last go-around - and we're still twenty months out from Novemebr 08). Looking to Japan's democracy - in reality a simple evolution from the zaibatsu system of rule by noble families - and South Korea's thirty years or so of dictatorship, it looks like democracy in China, when it comes, will grow in its own way and have its own unique characteristics.
It's also worth bearing in mind that the government of China - whether by emperor, the Great Helmsman, or Communist party functionary - faces problems of scale almost unknown to the Western democracies. China must feed 1,300,000,000 people, and maintain control of a country of many and various ethnic and language groups - that is, it must provide its vast population with enough of the basics to keep them from rebellion. It also has to cope (so far unsuccesfully) with the migration of millions of laborers from the countryside - where a good 85% of the population still live - to the towns. As a statistic, China still has so many people on the land that, of the overall global population, one in nine is a Chinese peasant.
I am in no way apologizing for the actions - and inactions - of the Chinese Communist Party (for an example of government heavyhandedness, go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,,2049176,00.html) but, as in studying any situation, it is required that we look at the wider context.
China faces obstacles to becoming a democracy, not least its culture of administrative corruption, and a long, long history without democratic or republican traditions. China must also solve the problems which will hamper its ascent to world economic superpower - pollution and piracy, as well as systemic corruption. However, as the country becomes more and more a workshop to the world, and the standard of living of its population rises, it would seem that democratization must follow, a cart behind the world-trade horse.
But it would be shortsighted - and somwehat patronizing - to imagine that China will feel bound to follow the Western model, much less that of the U.S. The Chinese feel themselves to have at least two thousand years of success, and can rightly claim to have led the world until the rapid industrialization of the West. And, of course, the inner circle of the CCP will be reluctant to let slip the reins of power, unless it's to metamorphosize into a free market elite (something, perhaps, like the oil men and lobbyists who seem to shape the workings of our democratic system). It's telling, I think, that at the last national convention of the CCP, delegates voted, for the first time, to allow entrepreneurs Party membership.
It seems a little presumptious of us, a country a little over two centuries old (four, I guess , if we take Jamestown into account) and a mere 300 million strong, to be directing China - at least, I'm sure that's how many Chinese feel.[Edit by="rrobinson on Apr 3, 9:47:51 AM"][/Edit]
[Edit by="rrobinson on Apr 4, 6:38:29 AM"][/Edit]
AnonymousRegarding my comment that democratization will follow as China looks to begin evolving into a free market economy, maybe this Washington Post op-ed piece by Harold meyerson proves me wrong. What's your take?
Ray
In Fear Of Chinese Democracy
Listen to the apostles of free trade, and you'll learn that once consumer choice comes to authoritarian regimes, democracy is sure to follow. Call it the Starbucks rule: Situate enough Starbucks around Shanghai, and the Communist Party's control will crumble like dunked biscotti.
As a theory of revolution, the Starbucks rule leaves a lot to be desired.
Shanghai is swimming in Starbucks, yet, as James Mann notes in "The China Fantasy," his new book on the non-democratization of China, the regime soldiers on. Conversely, the American farmers who made our revolution didn't have much in the way of consumer choice, yet they managed to free themselves from the British. In New England, however, they did have town meetings, which may be a surer guide to the coming of democratic change. It's a growing civil society -- a sphere where people can deliberate and decide on more than their coffee -- that more characteristically sounds the death knell of dictatorships.
Which is why the conduct of America's corporate titans in China is so disquieting. There, since March of last year, the government has been considering a labor law that promises a smidgen of increase in workers' rights. And since March of last year, the American businesses so mightily invested in China have mightily fought it.
Beyond the Starbucks of Shanghai, the China of workers and peasants is a sea of unrest, roiled by thousands of strikes and protests that the regime routinely represses. Cognizant that they need to do something to quell the causes of unrest, some of China's rulers have entertained modest changes to the country's labor law. The legislation wouldn't allow workers to form independent trade unions or grant them the right to strike -- this is, after all, a communist regime. It would, however, require employers to provide employees, either individually or collectively, with written contracts. It would allow employees to change jobs within their industries or get jobs in related industries in other regions; employers have hitherto been able to thwart this by invoking statutes on proprietary information. It would also require that companies bargain with worker representatives over health and safety conditions.
It's not as if Chinese unions would use these laws to run roughshod over employers. Chinese unions are not, strictly speaking, unions at all. They remain controlled by the Communist Party. Their locals can be and frequently are headed by plant managers, whether the workers want them or not. And yet, these changes proved too radical for America's leading corporations.
As documented by Global Labor Strategies, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization headed by longtime labor activists, the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and the U.S.-China Business Council embarked on a major campaign to kill these tepid reforms. Last April, one month after the legislation was first floated, the chamber sent a 42-page document to the Chinese government on behalf of its 1,300 members -- including General Electric, Microsoft, Dell, Ford and dozens of other household brand names -- objecting to these minimal increases in worker power. In its public comments on the proposed law, GE declared that it strongly preferred "consultation" with workers to "securing worker representative approval" on a range of its labor practices.
Based on a second draft of the law, completed in December, it looks like American businesses have substantially prevailed. Key provisions were weakened; if an employer elects not to issue written contracts, workers are guaranteed only the wages of similar employees -- with the employer apparently free to define who, exactly, is similar. Business is relieved: Facing "increased pressure to allow the establishment of unions in companies," Andreas Lauff, a Hong Kong-based corporate attorney, wrote in the Jan. 30 Financial Times, "comments from the business community appear to have had an impact." The new draft "scaled back protections for employees and sharply curtailed the role of unions.
Phew!
Admittedly, a few nettlesome issues remain. First, about one-fourth of the global labor force is in China. Opposing steps toward the formation of unions there suppresses the wages of so many workers that its effect is felt worldwide. Second, since authoritarian China remains an adversary of the United States and a backer of some genuinely dangerous authoritarian regimes, blocking even the most modest steps toward the development of a civil society and democratic rights there poses a threat to U.S. security interests. Third, since the Bush administration champions the spread of democracy globally, why hasn't it taken America's leading corporations to task for retarding democracy's growth in China? And fourth, since preserving our national security should require executives at companies such as GE to answer for their conduct, where's the House Un-American Activities Committee now that we really need it?
AnonymousThis article is fascinating! The 2008 Olympics are a crucial factor in China's bid to solidify itself as an emerging powerhouse nation. The article maintains that no politically unsavory skirmishes or wars will be allowed to mar the 2008 Olympics in Bejiing. Clearly, the region is not as stable as the powers that be would have us believe. It reinforces my belief that what you see on the outside cover is often not a realistic indication of what is really going on. It will be very interesting to watch the Olympics in 2008 and see how the Chinese pull off their turn on the world stage.
AnonymousWhat are the international implications of a major military in China? What are the implications for us in the US? Is the build-up about an international concern or is about domestic issues in China such as relations with Taiwan? Any comments?
clay dubeThis Associated Press article (published by Newsweek, Feb. 24, 2008) details a "feng shui-influenced" McDonald's effort in a Los Angeles suburb (would it have killed them to be more specific?).
http://www.newsweek.com/id/114918/output/print
I'm not sold - but McDonald's has a record of success in this regard. Check out Golden Arches East (which includes a chapter on China written by Yunxiang Yan, an anthropologist who sometimes participates in our teacher training seminars) for the story of McDonald's plunge into East Asia and its embrace by people there.
AnonymousMcDonald's was already yellow and red when I first came to know about this fast food chain. In high school and college I tried to monitor (via Time and Newsweek) how many burgers it sold annually. I even remember a Time cover article showing a burger chained around the planet Earth. I thought yellow and red are Chinese primary colors already. I'll not be surprised if I see the Number 8 inscripted on its glass windows or other typical Chinese wall decors inside one of these days. All that in the name of business. And like you said, McDonald's has been quite successful on such Eastern-influenced ideas to spice its burgers.
AnonymousI saw this report on ABC news. I agree that people will go to McDonalds whether it's decorated with the correct Feng Shui or not. Although, maybe I'm a skeptic. According to the report, the McDonalds has increased profits by 25% since. Of course any place that is designed to look well, I'd pay McDonald's prices just to see it. It did look nice, I'd admit. For a $4.29 meal #1 regular sized and a diet coke in a cool looking environment is worth it to me.
Anonymousttp://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-atm28feb28,1,3709386.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
This is an LA Times Article that I was reading through today. It seems that a young man got life in prison for taking advantage of an ATM glitch and withdrawing thousands of dollars. It has caused an outrage towards the judicial system and the banking system because of the inequalities in the system. There are comments on the judicial system and criticisms that if you know the right people and have the right amount of money you can get away with anything, especially the increased umber of corrupt government officials. They also discuss the booming financial sector and the increased use of ATM's in China. As well as the distrust of the Chinese state run banking system. I did enjoy the article because this is stuff I didn't know too much about.
I must admit that I only really became interested in China and its current happenings last summer. However, I think that it's fascinating as it opens up to the world on so many different fronts. I suppose it was already open, but I guess it's becoming more capitalist. It seems as if it is a country in transition and it is taking and doing things in really remarkable ways. I apologize if i can't be more critical in my comments, but I think that i am still just learning.
AnonymousThe tricky thing is figuring out his agenda, right?
We often have all the things that we want to deny other countries.
AnonymousI've read a story a few years back of a the same thing happening to a woman I can't remember where. She instead of takeing the money she wnet inside the bank and gave it back. The bank in return gave her a reward for being honest.