Wandering China

AN 'OVERSEAS CHINESE' STUDENT'S JOURNEY INTO DISCOVERING THE IMAGINATION OF CHINA.

January 28, 2012 • 12:09 am 0

Barack Obama confronts the China challenge [BBC]

Familiar refrain. Election time = need to identify where the us and them lines lie, clearly.

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Barack Obama confronts the China challenge
Damian Grammaticas, Beijing correspondent
Source – BBC, published Jan 25, 2012

A year ago US President Barack Obama was holding up China as an example of what a country can achieve if it invests in infrastructure, education and innovation.

But, at the start of this election year, his State of the Union address has painted a wholly different image of China, as a place that does not play fair, that steals intellectual property and gives huge handouts to its manufacturers.

America, President Obama said, is not going to stand by while that happens, and he has promised to take action. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: BBC, Beijing Consensus, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, Communications, Economics, International Relations, Mapping Feelings, Media, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Soft Power, Strategy, Trade, U.S.

January 27, 2012 • 1:10 am 0

Davos 2012: Who’s afraid of China? [BBC]

It certainly piques my interest that three odd years after China helped lift the global and regional neighbouring economies during the GFC (with a RMB 4 trillion stimulus package 扩大内需十项措施), scepticism toward their economic intent still remains.

Critics then levelled accusations that China was compounding an already hyper-inflated and overheated global economy. Ulterior political intentions and self-determinism  aside, the fundamental truth for the Chinese remained – there was little for the bottom-lined focused Chinese to gain in an unstable economic environment.

It seems from the initial salvos at the Davos 2012 World Economic Forum Meeting that the lens in viewing China is still one of skepticism. Internally, is China going to have a hard or soft landing, will its economy overheat, does it have the right balance of investment and consumption? And the number of cynics of what China does overseas seem to be growing. See - Chinese overseas investment draws Davos scrutiny (New Zealand Herald, January 27, 2012)

“The problem in non-Chinese public opinion is that there’s a Chinese official behind every Chinese business person,” World Trade Organization director-general Pascal Lamy.  

This,  Lamy argues is a question of perception that needs to be tweaked by developing a ‘better’ grand narrative. See  also - China’s reality lost in translation, Davos told (Channel News Asia, Jan 26, 2012).

What is also particularly interesting is the question of timing of the Davos meet. Pegged squarely during the Chinese Lunar New Year period, the top Chinese leaders were always going to give this meet a miss. See - China Dials Back Its Davos Presence in Holiday Week (Wall Street Journal, Jan 26, 2012).

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Davos 2012: Who’s afraid of China?
By Tim Weber
Business editor, BBC News website, Davos
Source – BBC, published January 26, 2012

Many in the West worry about being overwhelmed by the sheer size and strength of the Chinese economy. Photo – Getty Images

So, who’s afraid of China’s economic power?

Mention the topic in polite conversation, and chances are that you’ll hear complaints about dumping cheap products, stealing jobs and grabbing resources.

If you talk to politicians and economists, you may hear complaints that China is keeping its currency undervalued. There are worries about the size of its foreign currency reserves – currently approaching a massive $4tn (£2.55tn). Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: BBC, Beijing Consensus, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, Communications, Domestic Growth, Economics, Government & Policy, Influence, International Relations, Mapping Feelings, Media, Peaceful Development, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Reform, Soft Power, Strategy, The Chinese Identity, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities, Trade

January 14, 2012 • 10:08 am 0

Taiwanese vote in key presidential election [BBC]

One of two key political changes that China needs to watch closely whilst its own leadership sees a process of renewal. The US elections follow sometime later in the year but for now, Taiwan has to be in its sights. Threat to China’s notion of stability if the KMT fail to regain power? Very possibly so.

On another note, I do not fully agree with the article’s claims that China seeks unification, at least not right now. It is unlikely China would want to absorb a nation of millions of democracy advocates and a developed free media industry when right now, it has already stated clearly its intent to moderate Westernization in the mainland.

For more, do check out Polls open for Taiwan leadership election (China Daily, Jan 14, 2012)

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Taiwanese vote in key presidential election
Source – BBC, published Jan 14,2012

Mr Ma is seen as having a slight advantage in the polls, but the race is tight. Photo – AP

Voters in Taiwan have been going to the polls to elect a new president, in a contest that will shape the island’s key relationship with China.

The current President, Ma Ying-jeou, is seeking a second term, but is facing a strong challenge from Taiwan’s opposition leader, Tsai Ing-wen.

Mr Ma has greatly improved ties with China, but Ms Tsai says his approach could endanger Taiwan’s sovereignty. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: BBC, Beijing Consensus, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, Democracy, Domestic Growth, Economics, Government & Policy, Influence, International Relations, National Medium- and Long- term Talent Development Plan, Nationalism, New Leadership, Peaceful Development, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Social, Soft Power, Strategy, Taiwan, Tao Guang Yang Hui (韬光养晦), The Chinese Identity, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities

January 11, 2012 • 3:37 am 0

2012 – China’s year of change [BBC]

BBC’s Damian Grammaticas talks about 2012 being a paradoxical year of change for China. For the Chinese he posits, this is the start of an ‘unnerving period of flux, both in China and the outside world.’

As China prepares to commence its next phase of leadership, two critical international relations could also change with the US and Taiwan about to stage presidential elections this year.

How will China adapt to maintain an external stability formula for its continued ‘peaceful development’?

Signs of internal cohesion under threat by Westernisation is one moot point that was also in the news recently. In recent times, China may have been successful in marginalising the US in international relations but when it comes to cultural capital, it has deemed itself too far behind and has decided to act.

We see the formulation of a top-down war cry; that hostile Western forces are seeking to destabilise the country by ‘Westernizing’ it.  China makes a first move with Beijing combating “excessive entertainment” and “a trend towards low taste” by eliminating two-thirds of prime-time entertainment. See Zakaria: Where did China’s TV shows go?

President Hu makes it succinct in writing - “hostile international forces are strengthening their efforts to Westernise and divide us… ideology and culture are their main targets”.

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2012 – China’s year of change
by Damian Grammaticas, Beijing correspondent
Source – BBC, published Jan 3, 2012

The president has warned that ‘hostile’ powers are seeking to ‘Westernise’ the country. Photo – BBC

2012 promises to be a landmark year for China, a year of change. But here’s the paradox – you are unlikely to see much change, not for most of this year, not in China.

In fact, the opposite is more likely to be the case. China’s current leaders, who will step down later this year, are expected to batten down the hatches, clamp down on discussion and dissent and avoid any controversial decisions.

For them this is the start of an unnerving period of flux, both in China and the outside world. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: BBC, Beijing Consensus, Chinese Model, Culture, Democracy, Domestic Growth, Economics, Greater China, Influence, International Relations, Mapping Feelings, Nationalism, New Leadership, Peaceful Development, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Social, Soft Power, Strategy, Tao Guang Yang Hui (韬光养晦), The Chinese Identity, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities

December 14, 2011 • 2:29 am 0

UK economy ‘to face bigger downturn’ [BBC]

While European economies are expected to contract next year, Stanchart predicts the world economy as a whole would grow by 2.2% next year.

They point toward an indicative shift in the status quo: “It will be a recovery made in the East and felt in the West. If ever one needed to illustrate the shift in the balance of power, this is it.” - Chief economist at Standard Chartered Gerard Lyons.

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UK economy ‘to face bigger downturn’
Source – BBC, published December 12, 2011

The UK economy is to contract by more than previously thought, according to a leading forecaster.

Economists at Standard Chartered bank said the economy will contract by 1.3% in 2012, having previously predicted growth of 0.6% for next year.

The eurozone economy will perform even worse, the bank forecast, contracting by 1.5%. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: BBC, Beijing Consensus, Chinese Model, Economics, Finance, Media, Soft Power, Trade

November 10, 2011 • 1:28 am 0

Eurozone crisis: What it means for East and West [BBC]

Food for thought from Stanford University professor Ian Morris, author of ‘Why the West rules — for now”. In this piece, he offers a thought experiment.

In just one century, China has gone from financial basketcase to the world’s banker, and Europe has made the same trip in the other direction. It is one of the biggest turnarounds in history. How did it happen? And, more to the point, what does it mean?

It certainly seems an unusual prospect for since the epoch of industrialisation, the West has had little need to look to the East with a begging bowl, preferring to exert its dominance through imperialism and colonialism. One only need look back in history to realise this is by no means something new. Civilisations and their influence ebb and flow; the Chinese have had their days in the sun with their massive array of tributary systems. The balance of power still shifts between the imaginary lines of East and West.

And the Chinese have been aware of this. The feng-shui loaded proverb 风水轮流转 (feng shui lun liu zuan) which still offers much utility even in modern Chinese speech and thinking, speak of the nature of the world, where fortunes – like the water and winds will keep turning.

Whichever path Europe takes, let’s hope the world learns a useful lesson together from this as our fates across East and West become more intertwined.

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Eurozone crisis: What it means for East and West
By Ian Morris
Professor, Stanford University
Source – BBC, published November, 7, 2011

Eurozone leaders have brought their begging bowl to China, looking for help in boosting their bailout fund. So what does this say about the shift in the global balance of power?

In October 1911, China rose up in revolution. Four months later the last emperor had fallen and European moneymen were flocking to Beijing, eager to finance the bankrupt new republic.

In October 2011, another European moneyman headed for Beijing. But Klaus Regling, head of the European Financial Stability Facility, did not go there to lend to China. He was there to borrow, asking China to save Europe from economic disaster. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: BBC, Beijing Consensus, Chinese Model, Culture, Domestic Growth, Economics, European Union, Finance, Foreign aid, Greater China, Influence, International Relations, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Soft Power, Strategy, Tao Guang Yang Hui (韬光养晦), The Chinese Identity, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities, U.S.

November 6, 2011 • 11:09 pm 0

[G20 + Eurowatch] China: A rich fool? [BBC]

Eurozone watch: is China staying cautious to prevent being themselves being ‘kidnapped’ by European debt? Or is China going to be the rich fool falling into the trap of a cunning plan to curtail its rise?

Apart from this BBC report, Shanghai Liberation Daily also suggests that China has, dues to its commitment to international stability,  become obliged to write a ‘rescue’ story of the ‘poor saving the rich‘ (Shanghai Liberation Daily).

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China: A rich fool?
Damian Grammaticas, Beijing correspondent
Source – BBC, published November 4, 2011

This is, everyone agrees, a dangerous time for the global economy. China’s President Hu Jintao was saying so at the G20 in Cannes: “At this critical moment, the G20 must work to address the key problems, promote global economic growth and financial stability,” he said.

So what does he mean as far as China is concerned? The utterances of China’s leaders can be, to borrow from the Greeks, positively Delphic. Is China prepared to put its money on the table?

Here in Beijing it’s worth listening to the swirl of commentary in China’s newspapers. They have a lot to say about Europe’s crisis. Remember China’s media is state-controlled, so it gives a pretty good idea of the way the currents of thinking are running. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: BBC, Beijing Consensus, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, Domestic Growth, Economics, European Union, Finance, Foreign aid, Greater China, Influence, Mapping Feelings, Nationalism, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Social, Soft Power, Strategy, Territorial Disputes, The Chinese Identity, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities

October 30, 2011 • 11:37 pm 0

[Inaccuracy in BBC report?] Henan riot: China anger after drunk police accident [BBC]

No longer another brick in the wall: Some more evidence the Chinese people are more and more unwilling to tolerate social inequity in the name of collective growth.

This report from the BBC claims that because China’s official media is wary of reporting social unrest it did not mention the disturbances, which perplexed me as it is not entirely accurate.

Here’s the official Xinhua report in question - ‘The accident has triggered a public outcry on Weibo.com, China’s popular Twitter-like microblogging service, after pictures posted on the site showed gruesome scenes in the aftermath of the crash.’ The ruling party has been keen to demonstrate its legitimacy to rule an increasingly knowledgable populace.  They have little qualm exposing and making an example of most breaches of its 52 unacceptable practices publicly and firmly, though some argue this rule does not apply to the highest echelons.

Other sources: From the Associated Press - China cop accused of crashing police van while drunk, killing 5; crowds smash cars in protest (Washinton Post / AP, October 31, 2011) and Chinese cop accused of drunken crash (Sydney Morning Herald / AP, October 31, 2011)

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Henan riot: China anger after drunk police accident
Source – BBC, published October 30, 2011

There have been violent protests in the central Chinese province of Henan after a policeman suspected of drunk driving crashed his car and killed five people.

According to China’s official Xinhua news agency, the policeman was arrested after his car hit two lamp posts, which fell on top of people.

Witnesses and local reports said a crowd stopped the police taking away bodies, damaging and flipping hearses and a police van. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: 52 Unacceptable Practices, BBC, Censorship, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, Communications, Corruption, Culture, Democracy, Domestic Growth, Human Rights, Mapping Feelings, Media, People, Politics, Population, Reform, Social, The Chinese Identity, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities

July 11, 2011 • 7:56 am 0

US-China spat over South China Sea military exercises [BBC]

Ongoing tensions over the South China Sea – though the territorials disputes are critical, of significant note is how the US and China are fighting over playing the game of ‘guardianship’ over the region. The second infographic below is useful for a quick comparison between rhetoric and capability.

For more, visit the US Department of Defense and what their official stance is here – Mullen Cites Importance of U.S.-China Relationship (American Forces Press Service, July 11 2011)

And the China’s Ministry of Naional Defense’s response here – Chinese general says U.S. military drills in South China Sea “inappropriate” (Xinhua, July 11, 2011).

Very poignant, how both sides paint this story.

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US-China spat over South China Sea military exercises
Source – BBC, published July 11, 2011

American and Chinese military chiefs have argued over US exercises in the South China Sea, after high-level talks in Beijing.

Chinese army chief Gen Chen Bingde said the exercises with the Philippines and Vietnam were “extremely inappropriate”.

But at a joint news conference, Adm Mike Mullen said the US would continue to support its allies in the region. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: BBC, Beijing Consensus, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, Domestic Growth, Greater China, Influence, International Relations, Media, military, Nationalism, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Strategy, Territorial Disputes, The Chinese Identity, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities, U.S.

June 3, 2011 • 11:20 pm 0

World’s tallest man saves dolphin [BBC]

2006: World’s tallest Bao Xishun, a former herder from Mongolia gets in the news for ‘saving’ two dolphins by using his gift of a long hand-span. The world’s tallest man since 2005, check out Time Magazine’s photo essay on him here.

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World’s Tallest Man saves Dolphin
Source – BBC, published December 14, 2006 

Photo – BBC. Towels were wrapped around the dolphins’ teeth

The world’s tallest man has saved two dolphins by using his long arms to reach into their stomachs and pull out dangerous plastic shards.

Mongolian herdsman Bao Xishun was called in after the dolphins swallowed plastic used around their pool at an aquarium in Fushun, north-east China.

Attempts to use instruments failed as the dolphins contracted their stomachs.

Guinness World Records list Mr Bao, 54, as the world’s tallest living man at 2.36m (7ft 8.95in). Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: BBC, Charm Offensive, Culture, Media, Nationalism, People, Population, Social, The Chinese Identity, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities

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Good Reads

A History of Hong Kong (Welsh, rev. 1997)

Behind the Open Door: Foreign Enterprises in the Chinese Marketplace (Rosen, 1999)

Beyond the Chinese Face: Insights from Psychology (Bond, 1991)

Charm Offensive: How China's Soft Power is Transforming the World (Kurlantzick, 2007)

China and the Chinese Overseas (Wang, 2003)

China Off Center - Mapping the Margins of the Middle Kingdom (Blum & Jensen, 2002)

China Wakes (Kristof & Wudunn, 1995)

China's Transformations(Jensen & Weston, 2007)

Chinas Unlimited (Lee, 2003)

China’s Security Interests in the 21st Century (Ong, 2007)

Chinese among others - Emigration in Modern Times (Kuhn, 2008)

Chinese Kinship (Chao, 1983)

Chinese Nationalism (Unger, ed. 1996)

Chinese Strategic Culture and Foreign Policy Decision-Making (Feng, 2007)

Dialetic of the Chinese Revolution (Ci, 1994)

Don't Leave Home - Migration and Chinese (Wang, 2001)

Integrating China into the Global Economy (Lardy, 2002)

Interpreting China’s Grand Strategy - Past, Present and Future (Swaine & Tellis, 2000)

Kinship, Contract, Community & State (Cohen, 2005)

Re Orient - Change in Asian Societies (Vervoorn, 2006)

The Gare of Heavenly Peace: The Chinese and their Revolution, 1895-1980 (Spence, 1986)

The Great Chinese Revolution: 1800-1985 (Fairbank, 1987)

The Overseas Chinese of South East Asia (Witzel and Rae, 2008)

The Paradox of China's Post-Mao Reforms (Goldman and Macfarquhar, ed. 1999)

The Real Chinese Question (Holcombe, 1901) **

Understanding China: A guide to China's Economy, History, and Political Structure (Starr, 1997)

Understanding China and India - Security Implications for the United States and the World (Lal, 2006)

Weaving the Net: Conditional Engagement with China (Shinn, ed., 1996)

Where Underpants Come From: From Checkout to Cotton Field - Travels through the New China. (Bennett, 2008)

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