When will China be a"superpower"?
A few weeks ago, I was at a forum that discussed the question: Will China be the next superpower?
The 4 speakers in the panel were relatively positive about China's development in the last few decades, and were cautiously optimistic about China's future. The discussion focussed much on economic accomplishments, and touched on the military prowess and political development of China.
My own concern, however, was not addressed at this forum. To me, it's really not so important for China to become a "superpower" - often defined in economic and military terms, and to some extent in political terms, particularly in relation to democratic development. To me, it's more important that China becomes a country respected by the rest of the world - respected because China contributes to the common good and because Chinese people conduct themselves appropriately as "global citizens".
The economic achievements of China in the last few decades have been the result of overwhelming self-interests by the Chinese people, realized in the context of a more open market economy. Read CAPITALISM in its early stage.
Some argue that the economic self-interests in this rising country have developed rapidly into "selfishness". The evidence lies strongly in the expanding gap between the rich and the poor, the cities and rural hinterlands, and the elite minorities and ordinary majority. Incidents of malpractice, negligence, corruption, etc., in business and government affairs are just the symptoms of a much deeper problem.
A strong economy that is built on the suffering of its own people, or people in other economies, is not worth having. When a people's vision is limited to economic profits and self-interests, no matter how great their achievements have been, they do not yet deserve the respect of other peoples.
How can the Chinese people take on the role of responsible "world citizens"?
The 4 speakers in the panel were relatively positive about China's development in the last few decades, and were cautiously optimistic about China's future. The discussion focussed much on economic accomplishments, and touched on the military prowess and political development of China.
My own concern, however, was not addressed at this forum. To me, it's really not so important for China to become a "superpower" - often defined in economic and military terms, and to some extent in political terms, particularly in relation to democratic development. To me, it's more important that China becomes a country respected by the rest of the world - respected because China contributes to the common good and because Chinese people conduct themselves appropriately as "global citizens".
The economic achievements of China in the last few decades have been the result of overwhelming self-interests by the Chinese people, realized in the context of a more open market economy. Read CAPITALISM in its early stage.
Some argue that the economic self-interests in this rising country have developed rapidly into "selfishness". The evidence lies strongly in the expanding gap between the rich and the poor, the cities and rural hinterlands, and the elite minorities and ordinary majority. Incidents of malpractice, negligence, corruption, etc., in business and government affairs are just the symptoms of a much deeper problem.
A strong economy that is built on the suffering of its own people, or people in other economies, is not worth having. When a people's vision is limited to economic profits and self-interests, no matter how great their achievements have been, they do not yet deserve the respect of other peoples.
How can the Chinese people take on the role of responsible "world citizens"?
posted by Michael Yue (Blog Owner) | 5:34 p.m.
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