[Natalie Sanchez]

China’s so called port investment spree in Europe is said to have some countries in the European Union scrambling for answers to what's next with China EU trade. According to the article China is already Europe’s largest importer much like the United States. The article attached is titled Chinese Firms Now Hold Stakes in a Dozen European Ports and outlines the growth of trade influence in Europe and all over the world. The article also discusses the company COSCO and its issues with human rights as well as the investment they have made in especially Greece. The Greek port has attempted to maintain oversight of the port but China maintains control of the operations of the port. Along with Greek ports other countries such as Belgium have recently opened ports where China has been the major investor.

 

https://www.npr.org/2018/10/09/642587456/chinese-firms-now-hold-stakes-in-over-a-dozen-european-ports

 

[Natalie Sanchez]

The government of the Peoples Republic of China has been extending their influence to Latin America. More recently the Panamanian Prime Minister agreed to an alliance with China and Beijing. Taiwan is being affected because most of the countries that still recognize Taiwan are Latin American and Caribbean countries. China has been investing in countries like El Salvador that recently broke ties with Taiwan. China has a history of not doing business with countries that recognize Taiwan and in many ways some impoverished countries are opting to do business with Beijing because of the economics of their countries.

[Natalie Sanchez]

Teaching about religion in China has been somewhat of a weakness for me. I understand that the country is officially atheist but there are millions of people that practice a religion in China. In doing some research I came across “The Souls of China: The Return of Religion After Mao” by Ian Johnson. The short book trailer does a good job in showing a glimpse of the past and where the future may go in terms of religion.

 

https://religionnews.com/2017/05/17/china-once-officially-atheist-now-booming-with-religion/

 

[Natalie Sanchez]

In the past 10 years international travel for Chinese citizens has risen. International travel is more accessible to high income individuals in China. This is something I talk about with my students in terms of migration. Also, people living in urban areas seem to be the ones that are traveling more than the rural regions. We also look at China’s internal migration amongst the more low income citizens. Many of the low income citizens in China are subject to internal migration mainly when it comes to the flexibility of their jobs. Many have moved from home in rural areas to places where there is more work or better economic opportunities. In addition, China’s Hukou policy makes it difficult for some to obtain a better lifestyle especially those designated agricultural.

[Natalie Sanchez]

I’m interested in seeing where China’s emerging economy is going. Just by the growing numbers of the middle class, we can see people being lifted out of poverty and to a higher standard of living. I found the charts and graphs indicating the numbers for 2030 that show the low middle income growing more than any other group as a good sign for China’s economy, society and citizens. The people are shifting and will be spending their money differently as well. I imagine that the chart showing what people spend their money on will change as well. People will be spending more discretionary income on recreational activities and items.  What I can foresee hindering the economic growth of China are the government policies. There was an interesting line in one of the readings that mentioned “communism can never marry capitalism.” WIll China ever really be a free market if they continue to have policies that interfere with economic growth?

[Natalie Sanchez]

The first mini lecture was a great crash course on China’s geography and demography. Every single map and graph that was used would be perfect for my AP Human Geography students. We go over China’s many ethnic groups, language dialects, and we look at demography using population pyramids.  I especially like the last slide as a warm-up comparing how Chinese and Americans spend their money.

 

The second lecture is more focused on topics we cover in World History. We cover more modern China from 1900 forward. I like the primary documents that were used that would interest students like the currency and the use of political figures. A good exercise would be to compare China’s currency to other countries currencies.

 

The Hukou system is something that I know very little about but have taught the Lunar New Year migration for example. I’m interested in the description, dislocated people, for many of the migrants during this time period. I show a portion of Lixin Fans The Last Train Home to show the scale of migration during Lunar New Year. I’m interested in connecting the Hukou system with this mass migration.

 

Resources

Last Train Home by Lixin Fan

NPR China   https://www.npr.org/tags/127994355/china

 

[Natalie Sanchez]

Hello everyone, 

My name is Natalie Jaurequi and I am a teacher at Alhambra High School in Alhambra, CA. This will be my sixth year teaching at the high school. I teach the World History and the AP Human Geography classes. A lot of the content I teach invovles contempapry China issues. I am excited to learn more and impart that knowledge on to my students. I look forward to working with all of you over the next few weeks. 

 

 

 

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