IMPRESSIONS GOT STRONGER and stronger, especially on the train trip between Hong Kong and Canton. Gigantic constructions were going on along the railroad – with scaffolding of bamboo and ropes.
THE COUNTRYSIDE IS still very poor and civic functions are closed. At the same time, big cities like Beijing and Shanghai have developed into global power centres.
THE ABOVE COULD comport with most developing countries, but this is China. The mix of Confucianism, communism and recently, modern market economy, make all comparisons pointless. China succeeded in mobilising masses in a way that can’t be found anywhere else. Take the Beijing Olympics for example. From one day to another, directives were introduced that cars are only allowed to drive every other day based on even or odd numbers on their number plates. The principle is not that remarkable in itself, but it really worked! I didn’t see one single car driving on the wrong day and this is a city of 17 million inhabitants…
AUTHORITIES ARE WELL prepared and are opening up to the surrounding world. 30 years after the late leader Deng Xiaoping introduced market economy in China it is only a matter of time before China takes over the role as the most important global player. Differences between rich and poor, the environmental issue and currently, active participation in discussions about how to solve the financial crisis is top priority on the agenda.
LEAST OF ALL WHAT the Chinese communist party wants is a growing wave of discontent in the Chinese countryside. The central committee’s goal is to double disposable income for provincials in 2008-2020. A top-to-bottom agricultural reform was recently introduced giving China’s 700 million farmers the right to let out, switch or assign their farming rights.
CHINA WILL LARGELY participate in the transformation to modern, environmentally adapted societies. The combination of bilateral collaboration with countries, leading edge in research and environmental technology development (Sweden not least) and the Chinese production capacity as well as the capability to mobilise masses of people, will have a decisive global impact. Hopefully, the WorldExpo in Shanghai in 2010 will work as a springboard into a more environmentally adapted social progress in China. The WorldExpo Shanghai estimates that the domestic audience will represent 70 percent of visitors to this world event.
THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS is affecting China as well. In the ASEM meeting in Beijing last week, China’s President, Hu Jintao, requested expanded global collaboration to solve the crisis. At the same time, President Hu clarified that stable domestic economic growth resulting in financial stability is the most important way for China to contribute. The GDP growth forecast in China is between 7 and 9 percent in 2009 and 2010. This is certainly a big step backwards compared to recent years’ growth but these numbers would make any Western country to rejoice.
TO SUM UP, I’d like to begin where I started. Each time I travel to China, I am filled by the same fascination and a particular energy making me want to see more. Development is going extremely fast and it feels like you have to “grasp the opportunity”. Companies and organisations are not the only ones interested in expanding in China. I also want my family and friends to get the opportunity to experience this vast country’s development.
I WILL SKIP THE TRIP to the sun this winter and go to China instead. It is only an 8 hour’s flight and I want my children (7, 9 and 11 years old) to see the Hutongs before only a few remain as a museum. I want them to feel the energy and experience Chinese children’s motivation to learn. I want them to see with their own eyes the construction of skyscrapers with scaffoldings of bamboo and ropes… Obviously, we will also take the opportunity to enjoy ourselves. Perhaps a couple of sunny days and swimming in Hainan or maybe skiing and snow in Yabuli. China has so much to offer. Go China!