A few days have past already from this historic (no matter how you look at it) visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the USA.
I do not have to mention that China is one of American biggest trade partners, partners with whom America has the biggest Trade Deficit - overall U.S. deficit with China - $25.63 Billion (ref-a). They have been manufacturing many if not the most of the 'every-day-use' items available on our market, from the simple plastic toys to the high end electronics. The Chinese political system have embraced the free market economy to a certain degree, making China the fastest growing economy in the World, in 2010 exceeding 10% growth. It's anticipated that in not so far-away future this economical giant will supersede the US economy. The fourth-quarter of 2010 China's GDP numbers make it all but certain that China became the world's second-largest economy in 2010, ending Japan's 42-year reign in that position (ref-c).
China is the World's bigger owner of the US debt - as reported by Guardian (ref-b) China owns 907 Billion USD, superseding Japan who owns now 877 Billion USD. The total debt being a staggering amount of 4 Trillion 310 Billion USD. A the same time China's President stated during his speech in Washington that US-dollar dominated global currency system a "product of the past."(ref-d). He then highlighted moves to turn the yuan into a global currency.
China grows not only economically, it's military machine is also in overdrive (thanks to the economical success). We have just learned that the new Chinese Stealth Fighter has been successfully tested, making them even more formidable force.
It leaves also two other threads (long promised and not yet delivered) - a ballistic missile whose only purpose would be the aircraft carriers (our carriers) and also a ballistic, anti-satellite missile - which could blind the US defenses and targeting systems in a blink of the eye.
I am not trying to cause an unsubstantiated fear of the Armageddon. Far from it. As a matter of fact I still believe that no one (Chinese, Russians, nor Americans) really wants any military confrontation. But I believe that what we are witnessing right now is just a new and improved Cold War. Cold War whose purpose is making the normal, economical bargaining between the countries like China and the US completely impossible.
Since the moment when I was old enough to start understanding any political environments and the forces governing the interaction between the Political Blocks I stood in awe looking at what Russia and China were creating. No matter if the term "Evil Empires" applies to them or not any more, they are still (right now it's obvious that China more than Russia) involved in changing the World according to their agenda. Agenda which is not limited to the 4 year periods (election cycle in the US), but is designed to produce effects in 100 years periods or even longer. The scary part of is is that they succeed in it.
Energy crisis is not anything our generation invented. There is also a crisis of the minerals needed to advance in electronics, a well known shortage of copper... China, for long decades, has been establishing it's presence and influences in the most of the underdeveloped then, and developing now countries in the world. They were "sneaky" enough not to push too hard their political agenda (trying to convert the target countries to the Communism) or even radicalizing them too far. Thus keeping these activities under the radar of the US politics.
When I was in the Sudan in 1985, and 1986 I was surprised learning that at that time there were about 100 thousand of Chinese workers in the Sudan - the employees of the construction companies, oil companies and mining companies "helping" the host country and the same time assuring for themselves the resources until this day hidden under the Sudanese soil. And the Sudan was just an example - this kind of quiet invasion has been conducted in many of the African countries.
When the whole West runs out of resources - China may still have an Ace in their sleeve.
China has become a World's Super Power, Super Economy, force to be reckoned with on any level. And yet, the intellectual property issue is almost completely unresolved. Even though since 1994 - Copyright Implementing Regulations - Makes copyright infringement a criminal offense (violators can be sentenced to prison for up to seven years or executed in severe cases) as estimated only 10% of Microsoft software is used in Chine under the legal license. But it doesn't concerns software piracy only. Well known are cases of the "knock-off" products being produced freely in China and distributed all over the world. I believe that it is symptomatic.
I only mention here the on going 'human rights' abuse (as reported over and over by Amnesty International). China's human right's policies have caused strains between the rival powers, with the U.S. calling on China to release jailed dissidents, including Nobel peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, who was prevented from attending the Dec. 10 prize ceremony in the Norwegian capital. Nothing happens - except of President Hu mentioning that our relationship shouldn't interfere in the internal policies of our countries.
No one questions that the relationship between the US and China is one of the most important bilateral relationships, not only for us, but the world in total. But, even though Mr. Hu stated firmly: "We do not engage in an arms race or pose a military threat to any country. China will never seek hegemony or pursue an expansionist policy" (ref-e) - should we treat it for the face value, or be as vigilant as possible? I go for the latter.
--------------
The President of the People's Republic of China comes to the US to have talks with the President of the USA. No matter what is anybody's personal feeling about this summit, the importance of such an event is unmeasurable. Our ties (economies of both countries) are becoming closer and closer. The changing of political climate within that country allows the American businesses not only "off-shore" the production of the goods (what is at least a controversial issue for many) but also creating the factories and products which will be sold only on the Chinese market - profiting the American economy.
In such a climate, facing such a difficult task of making this relationship work - a prominent radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh mocks the President Hu's speech by 30-second-long imitation of him speaking in Chinese, delivered on his radio show while he was watching the actual speech on the Fox Network.
It made me speechless...
---------------------------------
ref-a: The Wall Street Journal - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703583404576079600579354700.html
ref-b: The Guardian - http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/jan/18/us-federal-deficit-china-america-debt
ref-c: The Wall Street Journal - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704590704576092730688164622.html
ref-d: The Wall Street Journal - http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110118-714345.html
ref-e: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-01/21/c_13700418.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment