Society San Morals

Crime, compared to most countries, is a minor issue in China. None of the police officers in China carry guns, except in Guandong. There is only one police officer for every thousand Chinese people. One would think with mega cites that boast populations many greater that 15 million, that crime syndicates would run rampant throughout China. However this is not the case. Crime is surprisingly low, especially in cities like Shanghai and Beijing. Before the olympics Beijing cracked down even more so on crime. The majority of crimes, around 80% in Beijing, are petty pocket thieves. Why does the country with the highest population in the world, have less crime than much less populated places? Are the Chinese morally superior to the rest of the world? As matter of fact I would argue the exact opposite.  Religion is pretty much non- existent in China. There is no separation from church and state, simply because there does not have to be in China. Chinese people do not go to Church. One student I talked with said he thinks about religion only a few days out of the year to pay his respect to Buddha. Sadly, it was hard for me to argue that Americans are not the same way. Buddhism, has a major presence in China, yet it still is more of a way of living than a worshiping and consistently practiced religion. Confucianism is similar. It stresses the hierarchical relationship, and reaching a state of datong, which is a perfectly harmonious society on earth. Some Chinese may believe in reincarnation, or some in nothing at all. My point is that religion does not take precedence in the lives of the majority of Chinese people. They are essentially a society in which the government instills goodness into its people. This is a scary thought. 

Although China may seem morally superior in many ways, they too have their fair share of problems. The Chinese are a very loyal people. Loyal to their country but more importantly loyal to their family. Maybe the thousand year history of family clans fighting for power, is now somewhat innate in the Chinese. For a Chinese person would gladly help out his fifth cousin with money, but might not give a cent to the beggar on a street they have passed for years. Not that everyone has to give money to beggars. As China begins to emerge as a world power, many diplomats pointed to the fact that the Chinese do business with 'unfriendly' countries. China is the only country that continues to trade with North Korea, if they would stop maybe there could be some resolution there. Also, China will trade with countries like Sudan, where dictators and inhumanity run wild. Even in their foreign policy China shows its lack of interest in a greater humanity for all. There are cases of children disappearing to work in brick and coal mines. And instead of making this public news, it is covered up. Some families are even encouraged to not look for their children by the government. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

In recent years, Faith has grown considerably in China. Churches are establishing a presence in China. Disasters like the recent earth quake the Chinese people came together as a country like never before. Amoungst chaos nationalism thrives. Also, in South Africa China stood up for humanity, to show its concern for the less fortunate of the world. As Christianity grows throughout China, so will Chinese nationalism and the belief in making the world a better place for all. It may even be what the Chinese need in order to close their ever widening wealth gap. If the people of the city would reach down and lend the farmers a hand, there is no doubt that China would be a better place to live. I believe God is needed in China, even if it is to just provide a solid moral code. Even if you are no religious, it all around you, and embedded in many aspects of Western life. Christianity is making giant leaps in China, but there is still a long ways to go, before any real change can occur. Hopefully one day we will see China become a leader in world relief. 

From 3rd World to Super Power

The past few decades it is evident that China is on its way to becoming a world power. They are certainly getting a lot of attention from many parts of the world. Yet there are so many issues that need too be addressed before China can even be considered as a world power. 

One huge problem with China's economy is that majority of big companies that have factories and offices in China are foreign investors. Some companies have built empires in China, yet they are still owned and run by Foreigners. As China's seemingly endless work force begins to run out, these foreign companies are going close down their factories, because wages will begin to increase, and as a result they will move to areas where there is an abundance of cheap labour, India, for example. I think that China needs to realize that if they do ever make it to the top, they will have no where to go but down. The higher you climb the harder you fall. 

I think most people forget that 65% of China's population still live in rural areas! This speaks volumes and I feel is so often ignored by those who speak of China as an emerging superpower. Yes, the may be quadrupling their annual GDP and are on pace to surpass America, but the quality of life of an average Chinese man compared to an American man will be much less. China can compete with America in numbers yet when it comes to quality of life, they are way behind. They have 4 times the population of America. China needs to reform the rural areas, and get farmers to produce more. 

Finally, China has a lack of natural resources. This could lead to China's downfall. Current problems include air pollution, drinkable water, and a lack of food. What is China's number one import? Food from America. The Chinese government needs to play a more hands on role in these environmental problems if they have any real hope becoming a superpower. "With great power comes great responsibility" I believe that was Peter Parkers Uncle who said that. 

China has without a doubt become a force to be reckoned with. Yet they are far from running the world economy. They need more successful Chinese owned companies, like Lanova, as well as a revolutionized agriculture system. The problems are all from within. Right now China is half world power, half 3rd world country, the gap needs to be closed before more damage is done. 

I fear the government

The Chinese government, in some ways, rules through fear. I heard a reporter in China speak about about all the things he worries about, and I almost don't even want to write this post. They rule absolutely and have no qualms about breaking laws or keeping things under-wraps. Being a journalist in China is a difficult job. The government is constantly watching you to ensure that you do not shed the government in a bad light. Although, whether the government likes it or not China is becoming more western and more democratic. New ways of communicating, like blogs for instance, make it hard for the government to control what gets leaked out. There have been stories such as the BMW case (the government banned any discussion on it but you can still type it into google and find stuff) and many others that are reaching more and more Zhonggouren (Chines people), despite the government's efforts. In my opinion there are two major pressures being put on the government to change. 

The first is China's rapid modernization. As China becomes a modern nation there is a need for a modern government. The government cannot hide the problems of its country forever. Crimes could be anything from environmental  to corrupt officials. The fast pace, constant communicating world that is now emerging will show the true colors of the Chinese government. The demands put on it by the business world also require a more modern government. China is no longer communist, the government, to a certain extent, does not control industry. Capitalism reigns somewhat free, especially in mega-cities like Shanghai. Pressures due to modernization are forcing the government to be more laissez-faire and      

democratic. 

The second major pressure comes from the young people of China. Their fascination with Western cultural is evident all throughout China. Westernization has begun in China. There are T.V. shows the are 100% copies of American T.V. shows. Shows like American Idol, Ugly Betty, and even The Price is Right, all have Chinese counter-parts. The list goes on, from movies to models, and fashion, the new generation has a need or want to become more western. The models considered the most beautiful in China are those with round eyes, who look more Western. I believe that this fascination with Western culture will be the driving force towards China becoming more democratic. This new generation is very different than the ones that came before. The new face of China, I think, will be a different China than the world has ever seen. 

Westernization and modernization are already twisting the arm of the Communist government. I believe China is on its way to becoming a democracy. Many Chinese Professors speak openly about the need for China to Democratize. The answer lies in the generation that is about to take over all the jobs and businesses in Zhonguo. 

Observations on the Chinese mindset

Ever since I began studying Chinese I have found that there is a mindset that the Chinese people posses that Americans simply don't. My hunch came to fruition when I took a Chinese history class and learned about China's past. I will do my best to explain this very different way in thinking. 

First lets start with the Chinese language. For those unfamiliar with it, the structure of the Chinese language makes much more sense. Where as English has so many exceptions to rules and words spelled in strange ways, the Chinese, for the most part, stay consistent. Instead of calling the months january, february, and march, they call it yi yue, er yue, and san yue. Translate this to English and you get one month, two month, and three month. I recently read somewhere that people who have tried to invent their own languages take many things away from the Chinese because it seems to be more sensible. In Mandarin, there is only one word needed to use the past or future tense. One doesn't need to conjugate a seemingly endless amount of verbs. I could give example after example of ways in which Mandarin is more efficient and sensible than English or any other Western language. 

A less noticeable difference in the Chinese people comes from the way they think and act. After living with a Chinese boy for some time now, I have picked up the little things he does that are not 'American.' For instance the Chinese are not cocky in the same way as Westerners. If they are good at something they will let you know that they are. We Americans may be hesitant to proudly say what our strengths are, for fear of sounding too prideful or cocky. In the same way the Chinese recognize the things that they fail at. They are not afraid to admit they are not the greatest in the world at something. Imagine that?! At one point in history the Chinese believed they were at the center of the world, and the dominant culture. They soon found out, when the white men came, that while they were advanced in someways, they were very primitive in others. A good example of this may be silk. Making silk is one of the most tedious of processes. The silk comes from worms, and it is very hard to extract. The Chinese were making this sacred material back in 3000 B.C. (No there will be no E here, I am proud of being politically incorrect). This cloth was something Europeans had never seen before, thus it became a symbol of wealth and worldliness. I feel as though today's mindset in China is to get ahead by learning English. If one knows English in China it will almost automatically get them ahead in life. They respect the white man for his knowledge and America for its greatness, yet they strive to earn the same successes. 

China is a land of respect. Respecting one's elders is a lesson taught and re-taught very early on in a boy or girl's life. Kids do not talk back to their parents or complain about things they really want, to a certain extent of course. Still respecting your home and honoring the family is instilled in Chinese people at a young age. We lack this in America. I have never met a Chinese person who was rude to me on purpose. Maybe that will change, but that speaks volumes to me. They are a very serious people. The Chinese boy that lived with me claims that in China people are not as funny and don't joke around as much. 

It is hard to put down into words the mindset of the Chinese, but I know it is there. Next time you meet a Chinese person see if you can pick up on it. This post is 'to be continued' as I delve into Chinese culture and society. Who knows maybe I will come out with a different mind set. 

...To Be Continued...