To say that this new China is the same as the old is to be utterly ignorant or ideological—perhaps both.
Comment: China is not a nation faced with internal instability. If the Chinese People considered themselves totally oppressed, then the nation would change its administration. That there is less instability, in the world now, than there was in the past is a tribute to the lengths citizens of nations go to be more understanding to each other, and to themselves. All nations, must exist peacefully within, and without.
Comment: There is good reason why governments protect their national farmers. If farm produce produced in a nation is allowed to be sold freely internationally, on a large scale, then the price of farm produce which is exported from that nation, will rise considerably, for the citizens of that nation. This may be the considered opinion of governments around the globe, On China, I believe that China has a system of government, in which both the government and the people are dependent on one another. In the United States, The United States being a democracy, a section of the people and the government may not agree and work together on many policies, if they do not have similar opinions. In a democracy, it is imperative, that the population understand, that the government is totally in their hands, and the population function, having this idea in mind, and helping themselves, their nation, and all the nations of the world, with this idea. China is a Communist State, which has allowed a capitalist mode of existence for its economy. We say, that China is not Communist, at our peril. The President of China, may feel that China needs economic and financial growth with the help of western industry, but the Communist Party mechanism still exists, strongly represented at the head of the government. Perhaps, this economic scenario, makes the Chinese Government, be perceived as more accountable to it's nation. China, is doing well economically, because of its current national scenario. I believe, that the Chinese Government is powerful, but with economic freedom, the people of China, see themselves as very free in a different aspect of their national identity. One cannot have freedom in national economic activity, in sections of the economy. There will be angst in the population, if this be so. All the people of China, are economically free, but the Chinese People must make their nation enriched, with their new perception of wealth, and also themselves. Wealth is for peace of mind, and not for the destruction of peace of mind. If China is peaceful, then China will not only grow as an economic power, but also as a nation which is regarded well by all.
Comment: I've lived in mainland China for two years and plan to continue to stay here, and I just have to say that your assertion that polls in China reflect content with the government are, as you say, utterly ignorant or ideological, perhaps both. I have taught hundreds of university students in my time in China, and have been surprised to receive the same happy responses to questions about their government, except that in about 98% of cases, when I become good friends with the students, their responses change radically. China has a vast history of forcing their people to obey, and not to complain, and to think that it has disappeared just because Mao is gone is astonishingly ignorant. What the polls represent are manufactured responses, not public happiness. And the sooner the world realizes this, the sooner more than one sixth of the world's population can have an oppressive regime forced to back off.
And by the way, the "billion long-suffering men and women of the world's largest dictatorship" refers to the roughly 90% of China's population (or, just slightly over one billion) who are classified as "peasants."
Mr. Zakaria, you claim that many China bashers have rarely bothered to visit the country. I dare say your own visits have been similarly few?
Comment: I've lived in mainland China for two years and plan to continue to stay here, and I just have to say that your assertion that polls in China reflect content with the government are, as you say, utterly ignorant or ideological, perhaps both. I have taught hundreds of university students in my time in China, and have been surprised to receive the same happy responses to questions about their government, except that in about 98% of cases, when I become good friends with the students, their responses change radically. China has a vast history of forcing their people to obey, and not to complain, and to think that it has disappeared just because Mao is gone is astonishingly ignorant. What the polls represent are manufactured responses, not public happiness. And the sooner the world realizes this, the sooner more than one sixth of the world's population can have an oppressive regime forced to back off.
And by the way, the "billion long-suffering men and women of the world's largest dictatorship" refers to the roughly 90% of China's population (or, just slightly over one billion) who are classified as "peasants."
Mr. Zakaria, you claim that many China bashers have rarely bothered to visit the country. I dare say your own visits have been similarly few?
Comment:
FREE TRADE GIVE AND TAKE
CHINESE FREE TRADE TAKE AND TAKE
Comment: I have been a Newsweek reader for more than 25 years, ever since I was a student in the UK. I am from Hong Kong originally. Like some readers perhaps, I first read Fareed Zakaria's article with skepticism as he discussed his view on Iraq, China & India etc. However, I find that Fareed's analysis is both unbiased and true in a sense that he knows what he's what about and further more, he is knowlegeable. He isn't just repeating the China-bashing rhetorics (which is becoming hip in the U.S., although not necessary), he has insight in the subject matter. As a Western educated & politically liberal person from HK, I couldn't agree more with his analysis on China's rise & how America should handle this relationship. I have to say that he really speaks out a lot of my compatriots thinking (almost all of my friends are Western-educated - U.S., UK, Canada & AUstralia). We know that political system in China has to change. However, the US media these days seem to lead the American people to think that nothing good comes out of China. Period. This makes us liberals in HK feel that this is far from reality & began to view these media as totally irrelevant. So when I read Farreed's articles, I thought "hey, this guy utters words of wisdom, he knows the subject". He's not a malfunctioned recorder who could only repeat rhetorics all day!! He is a gem that Newsweek could have. Please keep up the good work Fareed.
MY
Hong Kong
Comment: No victory, no peace
Know victory, know peace
No freedom, no peace
know freedom, know peace
No Jesus, no peace
Know Jesus, know peace
Comment: Great essay!
I am an American living in China, and I have to say that from my observations, the Chinese government is not nearly as scary or evil as western media would have us believe.
I believe that true peace comes from understanding. Americans should try to objectively understand China before critisizing and bashing it. It is really quite an amazing nation and I have really enjoyed getting to know it. I hope that others will get to know this joy too.
Comment: Although i do feel China is progressing, i still feel majority of the Chinese national pride stems from the fact that their Govt. has a strong leash on them. When it comes to internet, protesting, religion, environment just to name a few, its like the Govt wont tolerate any criticism and only want the outside world to see what the deem positive. As a democracy the Chinese are still behind. Good article though.
Comment: Great points. Very insightful and wise. Hats off toward you.
Comment: Actually Chinese people do have very open attitudes toward outside world. This time, China invited many medias to China for the interviews, I think, Olympic Games this time is a good opportunity to shorten the distance between China and the rest of the world. Olympic Games this time will make more people know about China and begin to like China.
Comment: Critics based on ignorance of the fact are ridiculous and unfair. China and the western Countries should know more about each others.
Comment: China is complicated. Chinese people are complicated too. most of them support the goverment, But at the same time, they hate to see corruption and dereliction in the governing party or government. But overall, they are proud of his country, they do not like others to blame them. They thought they have seen all the shortages and they are correcting and approaching.
Comment: I agree with the writer. I also think the west countries know little about China. When I talked with my foreign classmates about china, they just know china is a big city. In their view, china is still in the old time. The main reason is they cannot get more information about modern china in their own country. You know, most westerns don???t know Chinese. They depend on translation. The translations just introduce the old things which differ china from them greatly. This obstacle results the westerns have misunderstanding about china. When then come to china, they care about china traditional culture. They visit the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall in Beijing. They drink douzhier, eat roast duck. They listen the Beijing Opera. No one will sit down and try to understand the new china. The other reason, I think, is the different social system. Some west country have misunderstanding about the china government. Because china has different opinion with west country, some west country regard china is a different one. They just want to change china into their category. It is impossible. So the media maybe mislead the public.
Compare with the westerns, Chinese people knows well about the west countries. One simple reason is many young people want to know the outside. They learn English well. They get the information directly from the newspaper, magazine or internet. They have no bias on west countries. This is quite different from the west countries.
China has made great development since 1978. If you come to china, you will find globalization has influence on the social life. China has market economy. China government pay more attention to the citizen???s life. Chinese are satisfied with their life. China government is a responsible government in the world. For example, China has taken a lot of measures to protect the environment. This is part of participation in the world issues.
If west country could knows china well, the world will get better. Just as Beijing Olympic said: One world, one dream.
Comment: Greetings Miss Jane Lee ! I live in the west and I am Chinese and I am very proud of my origin. My children and grand children do not have western names and we are proud to retain our Chinese names, so I recommend that you and our Chinese people do not take western names.
Miss Lee, you need not feel defensive about our great motherland, because China today is the envy of the world and the west in particular. All that heat that is generated against China has grown out of jealousy. Be proud of China.
Comment: Ccomradeyap, allow me to assure you that, while we do admire the wonderful accomplishments of China, and all the great things they have been kind enough to share with us over the centuries, we in no way envy them; respect yes, but eveny, no. Obviously you are proud of your homeland, as you rightfully should be. We are happy to have you as a part of our American community, and hope you are happy here. Most of us in this country today were born in America, but our roots began with our ancestors who came from various countries; they all worked together to make this their new homeland, and they did a fantastic job of becoming what we are today and most of us would like to see it continue as a haven for anyone who wants to be a part of our country, as long as they come through legal channels. For any illegal to feel they deserve to receive the same benefits as those who came here legally, or were born here, is not acceptable. Even being born here does not assure you of any special benefits unless we work for them, as we expect to. As for your children having your ethnic names, that is strickly a personal choice. About the only thing some people know about China is where the best Chinese restaurant is located locally. But to their credit, they are willing to learn, for its by learning that we come to appreciate the many things another ethnic group can offer us in the way of crafts, food, interesting stories of their ancestors, ect. When we all begin to accept each other as fellow humans who share the planet, we would be amazed at how much more efficent & challenging & peaceful life could be by everyone sharing their particular talents instead of making unfounded harsh judgements about each other before all the facts are in. I, personally, am decended from Irish, German, English, & American Indian, & there are members of my family who have married those who are part Hispanic, and part Japanese, so we are a multi-culture; we all get along fine--well, most of the time, lol, but our dis-agreements never have anything to do with ethnic cultures, its more a personality clash that is over in a matter of no more than a day. We are all family on this planet, and as such, should help each other-not try to tear each other apart. Do I sound like a little Susie Sunshine? Yeah...well...if Dorthy could go over the rainbow to find the land of Oz, why can't I?
Comment: Cool! It's good to hear some reasonable voices from America. I hope there are more people like you, the world will then be a better place.
Comment: Actually I find most of us are like Star3 but they tend to put the idiots on TV so that is the view the world has on us.
Comment: I agree with the writer. I also think the west countries know little about China. When I talked with my foreign classmates about china, they just know china is a big city. In their view, china is still in the old time. The main reason is they cannot get more information about modern china in their own country. You know, most westerns don???t know Chinese. They depend on translation. The translations just introduce the old things which differ china from them greatly. This obstacle results the westerns have misunderstanding about china. When then come to china, they care about china traditional culture. They visit the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall in Beijing. They drink douzhier, eat roast duck. They listen the Beijing Opera. No one will sit down and try to understand the new china. The other reason, I think, is the different social system. Some west country have misunderstanding about the china government. Because china has different opinion with west country, some west country regard china is a different one. They just want to change china into their category. It is impossible. So the media maybe mislead the public.
Compare with the westerns, Chinese people knows well about the west countries. One simple reason is many young people want to know the outside. They learn English well. They get the information directly from the newspaper, magazine or internet. They have no bias on west countries. This is quite different from the west countries.
China has made great development since 1978. If you come to china, you will find globalization has influence on the social life. China has market economy. China government pay more attention to the citizen???s life. Chinese are satisfied with their life. China government is a responsible government in the world. For example, China has taken a lot of measures to protect the environment. This is part of participation in the world issues.
If west country could knows china well, the world will get better. Just as Beijing Olympic said: One world, one dream.
Comment: I agree with the writer. I also think the west countries know little about China. When I talked with my foreign classmates about china, they just know china is a big city. In their view, china is still in the old time. The main reason is they cannot get more information about modern china in their own country. You know, most westerns don???t know Chinese. They depend on translation. The translations just introduce the old things which differ china from them greatly. This obstacle results the westerns have misunderstanding about china. When then come to china, they care about china traditional culture. They visit the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall in Beijing. They drink douzhier, eat roast duck. They listen the Beijing Opera. No one will sit down and try to understand the new china. The other reason, I think, is the different social system. Some west country have misunderstanding about the china government. Because china has different opinion with west country, some west country regard china is a different one. They just want to change china into their category. It is impossible. So the media maybe mislead the public.
Compare with the westerns, Chinese people knows well about the west countries. One simple reason is many young people want to know the outside. They learn English well. They get the information directly from the newspaper, magazine or internet. They have no bias on west countries. This is quite different from the west countries.
China has made great development since 1978. If you come to china, you will find globalization has influence on the social life. China has market economy. China government pay more attention to the citizen???s life. Chinese are satisfied with their life. China government is a responsible government in the world. For example, China has taken a lot of measures to protect the environment. This is part of participation in the world issues.
If west country could knows china well, the world will get better. Just as Beijing Olympic said: One world, one dream.
Comment: So, after "Inscrutable Indians", now it is "Inscrutable Chinese"!
Comment: hjk
Comment:
Which is more harmful and vicious to this world ?
Between a drug labeled with "drug" or a drug labeled with "Candy",
Between a known propaganda or a propaganda in disguise.
and beteween the propaganda in China and America.
The propaganda is known in China and people just don't take it seriously;
However, the propaganda in America and the west is propaganda in disguise,
The media are manipulateed by a very small but powerful intrest group in a cunning way,
That's the ultimate drug will claim your mind and soul,
Relax, you will not feel the least pain....
Comment: Do Do Do Do Dooo Dooooooo
Comment:
Which is more harmful and vicious to this world ?
Between a drug labeled with "drug" or a drug labeled with "Candy",
Between a known propaganda or a propaganda in disguise.
and beteween the propaganda in China and America.
The propaganda is known in China and people just don't take it seriously;
However, the propaganda in America and the west is propaganda in disguise,
The media are manipulateed by a very small but powerful intrest group in a cunning way,
That's the ultimate drug will claim your mind and soul,
Relax, you will not feel the least pain....
Comment:
Which is more harmful and vicious to this world ?
Between a drug labeled with "drug" or a drug labeled with "Candy",
Between a known propaganda or a propaganda in disguise.
and beteween the propaganda in China and America.
The propaganda is known in China and people just don't take it seriously;
However, the propaganda in America and the west is propaganda in disguise,
The media are manipulateed by a very small but powerful intrest group in a cunning way,
That's the ultimate drug will claim your mind and soul,
Relax, you will not feel the least pain....
Comment:
Which is more harmful and vicious to this world ?
Between a drug labeled with "drug" or a drug labeled with "Candy",
Between a known propaganda or a propaganda in disguise.
and beteween the propaganda in China and America.
The propaganda is known in China and people just don't take it seriously;
However, the propaganda in America and the west is propaganda in disguise,
The media are manipulateed by a very small but powerful intrest group in a cunning way,
That's the ultimate drug will claim your mind and soul,
Relax, you will not feel the least pain....
Comment:
The most nationalists are those who study abroad (me too),not inside china.
Why?!
Because the closer you get to the west, the more truth about the west you will find
-- A mean, greedy, resentful heart under a well dress ....
Comment:
The most nationalists are those who study abroad (me too),not inside china.
Why?!
Because the closer you get to the west, the more truth about the west you will find
-- A mean, greedy, resentful heart under a well dress ....
Comment: To the concerned Canadian, get out your butt and do something for yourself and your country and stop whingeing. Why can't you work a bit harder and achieve what others could by sheer hard work. It is people like you that disrupt the harmony of this world. The world does not owe you a living. Get a life, mate!
Comment: You are such a terrible person!
Comment: Here's what I think about China. Beyond the obvious facts that it's gorgeous, that it has a history of such magnificence, tyranny, complexity, creativity and unprecedented bloodshed, it is now rising up to take ownership of the 21st century. There are many other countries that don't especially like this, the USA being one of the foremost. But the 20th century was ours, so now it's time for us to move over and give the spotlight to another. China is learning, and quite quickly, that it cannot remain both the world's leading economic power and preserve a hard-line communist regime. Soon, it will forego the latter so that it can develop the former to its highest potential.
I would like for our two countries to be allies, I believe we both can benefit by it. So, each of us on an individual basis should try to adopt and hold that mindset. If people would stop being afraid and suspicious of everyone else but Americans, there is no limit to what we can achieve together. Long live China and America and India and Brazil and Kuwait and Iraq and Great Britain and Italy and I'm going to quit now because it takes too long to name every country in the world. Thank you.
Comment: China taking the ownership of the 21th century is sort of inflated; yes the biggest story might be about China or to be exact about the relations between US and China. If hardliners in China's military force dwindle fast, China has a chance to be on an equal footing with the west in 50 years; otherewise it may take 100 years or even longer. The most important thing is to keep the current world order from being turned upside down by the Western right-wing or left-wing somnambulism--that is so rash and macabre. The voice like yours keeps this world safe and healthy and firm in the face of Hitler's ghost.
Comment: As a Westerner who speaks Chinese and has lived in Shanghai for many years, I agree with most of these insights too.
Yes, there are problems in China and I like the fact that we, the people, can fire incompetent or corrupt officials in Europe or the US; unfortunately, we often still elect the wrong people.
Above all though, if you must critisism should be something done and discussed in private. Many of my friends or colleagues here critisize their own gevernment, but they will not do it in a way that causes loss of face.
The Chinese people rightly take pride in their history and 5000-year old cutlural legacy. Grandstanding and critisizing "China" is taken as a huge slap in the face by most people here, as the distinction between its people and government is not always clear; it is much as someone in the US may take cristism of the current Bush administration as anti-American.
Comment: As a chinese, I agree with what you said. This is a article about true china.
Comment: As a Chinese, I agree with what you said. This is a true article.
Comment: Mr. Zakaria has actually pointed out two ideologies here in America:
The old one: A government so called as communist must be toppled with or without the use of US military force (so as to add glory to US as the leader of western democracies);
The new one: China is our ideological enemy deserving constant public humiliation unless it begins immediately to behave like a western liberal (by giving up its claim on Tibet).
To soften condemnation from the right-wing conservatives, China should renounce its nominal belief in communism (although it is no long truly beheld), but some communist hardliners (especially some high-ranking generals might rather die than give it up as a failure);
To soften condemnation from some Western liberals, China might need to give up Tibet, but this would anger the majority of the Chinese people who believe in a historical justification of China???s claim over Tibet.
In the face of the size of the nation and the pride that the Chinese people take in their long-lasting history and their ability to think clearly, believers of the two above-mentioned ideologies appear as somnambulists, not giving any damn to the maintenance of the current world order.
The right-wing somnambulists should ask two little questions: Why has US never really threatened to topple the communist Cuba (there was a buzz when the word of Castro???s near death came out), and why has US never formally threatened the North Korea with bombing of its nuclear facilities (even though such a move might gain popular support)?
Those liberal somnambulists should know that nothing is more ridiculous to the Chinese people if someone thinks that China would please western liberals by giving up Tibet. The world moves on in spite of somnambulism or explodes due to somnambulism that is common-sensibly called ignorant or ideological by Mr. Zakaria.
Comment: If the US government or the Chinese government happens to monitor and read this e-mail, then I have a message for both of you: Go stick in in your memory hole!
Comment: Well, now, isn't that about the most profound comment of the evening; must have taken you all of a micro second to come up with that. And just where would that "memory hole" be located, sweetie? perhaps you might try using your head for something other than holding your ears apart. When China & the U.S. A. have their next meeting, I'm sure they will want to consult you, should you have any other sage advice to offer.
Comment: America spends too much time on Middle-Eastern politics. Yes, Iran *might* get a bomb, and that *might* set off an arms race. But in Pakistan, India, and China, you already have three nuclear powers that are at odds with each other. Furthermore, China has political objectives in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea. These are places where we also have substantial strategic and economic interests.
The focus on the middle east is fine, since we do need oil. However, we should be working on energy independence so that we can comfortably let that place go to hell or be fought over by other powers who still need oil. The only other reason we seem to give a damn about that area is that our policies are distorted by certain political groups in this country.
And in anticipation of comradeyap / chongyeeyap / Little Daisy Mae Yap -- China is to be congratulated for its growth, and to be welcomed to the world table, of course. However, I don't think the Chinese will be as comical as you. They know the U.S., Russia, India, and if necessary, Japan have nuclear weapons and well-guided missiles. Should China forget that fact and start stepping on other countries' interests, it won't be too hard to remind them.
Comment: Ron Paul, well spoken! May I add that if the Chinese are as smart as they would have us believe, then they certainly would not want a confrontation any more than we do; it will be in the best interest of both of us to maintain a workable relationship, however, its really their call, as I'm reasonably sure, based on our past history, we will not attack them without provocation, but as you stated, neither will we back off should they challenge us.
Comment: Hello Ron Paul for pope ! You are one real naive cat to think the USA somehow can use the atomic bomb to drive home an arguement. No nation and that includes the USA caan use the atomic bomb to win an arguement in this day and age; the USA having a stockpile of 65,000 atomic bombs is the biggest fool of us all. If the DPRK has one atomic bomb and is a damned fool for it then the USA is 65,000 times a bigger fool than is dear leader Kim. Forget the atomic bomb for all time and for all purposes. We will end the world if atomic bomb is used.
China does not need the atomic bomb, swear to god we don't. Our glorious People's Liberation Army is purely defensive and god help America if the USA dares to invade China. We are prepared for any defensive wars but we are by nature a peaceful nation and we can defend ourselves; make no mistake about that. You Americans may as well know that your mighty carrier led 7 or 8 fleets are obsolete and from your woeful performance in Iraq and Afghanistan you have shown to the world that the USA can only face down puny 3rd world nations; against any well armed nations like China you may be suited to destroy but you cannot win in any such wars. The USA make war against the People's Liberation Army ? That is wishful thinking.
Comment: The U.S. doesn't start wars, we finish them. We went to Afghanistan because they are the ones who attacked us; we are in Iraq because Saddam Hussein invited us when he insinuated his country had WMDs and were prepared to use them. You don't do that to a country that has just been hit and is still in shock unless you are looking for trouble. Just plain dumb, but then no one had ever accused Saddam Insane of being smart and was able to make it stick for long. He was a tyrant who did not hesitate to shoot his own son. Yes, he invited us, and we RSVPed. Liberal say we should have tried to "communicate" with the terrorist and try to come to a "peaceable" understanding. Hummm...lets think about that for a moment...OK, enough thinking, time for action. We are communicating with them--in the only language they understand. What the liberals don't get, is that unlike any enemy we have ever delt with before. these do not care a fig about life--not ours or their own. They believe dying for their Allah will glorify them, so we are just helping them to become "glorified". Too bad old Bin Laden is too much of a coward to show his ugly rat face so we can help him become "glorified". We feel its God's job to judge Bin Laden, its our job to arrange that meeting. The God we serve is a God of love & peace, but He also can be wrathful when necessary. Our God gave us freedom to choose, he blessed us and a blessed nation, He expects us to be responsible. No, America is not perfect, if it were, it would be called Heaven, instead of America, but being located here on planet Earth, we have to contend with human frailties. So, having said that, why is it others expect America to apologize for being imperfect, but will not amit to any imperfections of their own? So, May I watch while you walk on water?: Last time I tried that, I sank right to the bottom. When you can do that successfully, then I may be sufficently impressed to listen to any other theories you may have.
Comment: Comradyap, I do have a few questions for you, if you care to answer, fine, if not, that is certainly you choice. !st question: Since you, obviously love your homeland, China, why are you living in the west? 2nd question: Why the name "Comrade"? That leaves the door open for a lot of speculation.
Comment: Whether China goes to war is China's decision. We certainly don't want it. I assume China is not so stupid as to think (as you do) that the rest of the world is a bunch of unarmed children.
Meanwhile, talk all you want about the glorious PLA. They haven't captured Taiwan in all these years, so talk about "three systems" is as ridiculous as you.
Comment: A brilliant article! We need to recognise that every country will be (just like human beings) a mix of the good and the bad. For example, the USA is the power which took in the tired, poor, huddled masses from Europe yearning to breathe free and gave them a new life. It is the country which put defeated Germany and Japan back on their feet. Corporate America???s policies on diversity and anti-harassment are an example to companies all over the world. USA is also the country which invaded Vietnam and Iraq and created Guantanamo. Why shouldn???t China be also a mix of the good and the bad? www.winnowed.blogspot.com
Comment: Why do folks like Zakarias always want America to be ultimately accountable on the world stage, but expect no concessions from countries like China, India, Brazil, and Russia; countries where journalists can get jailed, beaten, or even killed if they were to criticize their own governments the way Zakarias does his?
Maybe Zakarias should just cross his fingers and keep praying for that "Post-American World" he wants so badly - That way, the news of opposition leaders in Russia being shot dead in the streets and Tibetan dissenters being massacred by Beijing won't get in the way of those countries setting the precedent on the UN Security Council that Zakarias finds so endearing.
Fareed, were you sick the day they taught the words "human" and "rights" in your Punjabi English class?
Comment: Does being politically correct mean taking a nation as an enemy when it is full of corruption but has no plan to challenge the overall world order or Western democracy? Basically China just defends its own mistakes wihout a plan to turn the world into a communist one..
Mistreatmen of a guy with some faults is far more dangerous than that guy's faults!!!
Comment: as a chiese, i should say that our country is developing towards a more open society than before, and although some problems here and there, since China is big an' long history nation, reforms on any thing should be handled properly and slowly, Chinese people, most of them have same attitude as I have now.
Comment: I am sorry you are a cheese. Please try to stay away from hungry mice.
Comment: "The new world might well be the same as the old???the 19th-century world, that is, marked by economic globalization, political nationalism and war." MOST of the 20th century was also "marked by economic globalization, political nationalism and war." The 21st century is and will be the same. Human nature cannot change in a matter of decades or centuries. Significant cultural change takes longer than that as well.
Comment: Great job, Mr. Fareed!! Please keep it up. I always enjoy reading your articles, which are far more objective and insightful than the majority of articles on American magazines that are only fit for narrow-minded domestic consumption. Your articles are usually far more insigtful and demonstrated your thorough knowledege on international affairs, which however may be a bit complicated for some of your more provincial readers to comprehend.
Comment: Great job, Mr. Fareed!! Please keep it up. I always enjoy reading your articles, which are far more objective and insightful on many articles on American magazines that are only fit for narrow-minded domestic consumption. Your articles are usually far more insigtful and demonstrated the thorough knowledege on international affairs, which however may be a bit complicated for some of your provincial readers to comprehend.
Comment: The author has constantly praised China for having converted several hundred million poor Chinese in the country side into the middle class, but failed to mention the buildup of the super rich class who owns their success to the special connection with the ruling party. The division of rich and poor has been increasing, such that many of the rich have become billionares, the number of which is only second to United States, while the middle class and the poor becomes poorer because of the recent price increases in food and other commondities.
Comment: You are absolutely right. However, are we really better than the Chinese? Our founding father B. Franklin has said famously that our government should be constructed in a way to separate the 3 subjects men love the most: power, money and women. Are we anywhere close to that dream? How about this report from Washingtonpost: Bush Officials Condoned Regional Iraqi Oil Deal. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070203322.html
It is taxpayers who have shouldered $500 billions in Iraq, however, only a few are harvesting billions. This is only a tip of iceberg.
Comment: "Republican Sen. Sam Brownback went to Beijing and discovered???surprise!???that the Chinese government engaged in espionage. He fumed to CNN that the authorities could "listen to anybody and everybody and their communications and their recordings." One month earlier the senator had enthusiastically voted for the FISA Amendments Act, which allows the U.S. government to do pretty much the same thing."
That is such a retarded thing to say. FISA was passed by the legislator and wiretaps need FISA court permission. That is called separation of powers. Does China have that Fareed?
Comment: You want to pick a winner of police state between China and USA?. Just see these from washingtonpost. I have not seen or heard of that in China.
"Arlington, VA - Searching my BlackBerry?: Why in the world should Customs have the right to search my BlackBerry and laptop files just because I am coming home from being in London on business? ... I have no problem -- at all -- with them fully searching my bags and person. But as I've seen first hand they seemingly have carte blanche to read my e-mails and personal files without a warrant. Some of this stuff is sensitive work materials on an encrypted laptop. But that doesn't matter to them. ... Frankly these Gestapo tactics sound like something we would find in a communist country." (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/travellog/2008/02/it_came_from_the_chat_are_sear.html).
"Federal agents may take a traveler's laptop computer or other electronic device to an off-site location for an unspecified period of time without any suspicion of wrongdoing, as part of border search policies the Department of Homeland Security recently disclosed.
Also, officials may share copies of the laptop's contents with other agencies and private entities for language translation, data decryption or other reasons, according to the policies, dated July 16 and issued by two DHS agencies, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement." (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/01/AR2008080103030.html)
Comment: This is ignorance on your part. The American intelligence community has been unlawfully spying on its own citizens forever. You have a school book understanding of democracy. I suggest you do a little research on unlawful intelligence practices in the U.S. This is not covered in the media. So you have to dig for it. But, the facts are there.
I am talking about before the Patriot Act and new legislations that makes it lawful for the U.S. government to seize your laptop with no just cause. Or before there was checkpoints, that do searches for no just cause... btw, do you live in the suburbs.
Comment: Professor Francis Fukuyama has renounced his affiliation with neo-cons because he sees clearly that the unjustified use of force leads only to chaos and destruction of the present world order still best called as liberal capitalism.
Professor Fukuyama should be more worried to see the effort made by some Western liberals and activists to take China as a dark force. So the world appears to have a swing towards Robert Kagan???s view of another cold war or a return of history where violence and strong will prevail instead of rationality or rule of laws.
China has been moving in the right direction in the past 30 years; the Chinese people think so and many clear-eyed Westerners think so. Even Mao 40 years ago had no idea of having a big fight with the west if China was not under attack from the West.
Of course, there is a dark force in China that flirts with the idea of overthrowing the civilian government and putting China back into the old communism ready to fight with any threats from the west. If this dark force is able to maintain some sanity in the face of neo-cons??? China-bashing yells, it might be deranged by the yells from some Western liberals, which testify well to the inevitability of the clash of civilizations.
Dear Mr. Zakaria, the world might be turned upside down in ignorance and dangerous ideologies if we are short of the voice like yours. I better understand Bertrand Russell???s remark now that connects Rousseau???s romantic idealism of personal freedom with Hitler???s fascism. I see now a close connection among the current ideology of Free Tibet and a new racism against China and a chaotic world where lives would be lost and liberal capitalism would be turned upside down.
Comment: This is truly a masterpiece of understanding China. Few people can accurately unveil the complexity of the state of mind of China today. Indeed, Evan Osnos brilliantly captures the complexity of the rise of nationalism in China???simultaneously Western and anti-Western among the educated. Fareed Zakaria pinpoints that we don't know what to make of the views of the Chinese people, who are more aggressive than their government on many issues, including Taiwan and Tibet, and who often seem more anti-American. Let me offer an amateur help on the conclusion. While the Chinese are learning from the West to reclaim their historical status for sure, it is questionable that they want to be an exact replica of the current West. The fate of anti-Western development in China, which is a sure reaction to the unfair and self-righteous China bashing, is in the hand of West again.
Comment: This is truly a masterpiece of understanding China. Few people can accurately unveil the complexity of the state of mind of today???s China. Indeed, Evan Osnos brilliantly captures the complexity of the rise of nationalism in China???simultaneously Western and anti-Western among the educated. Fareed Zakaria pinpoints that we don't know what to make of the views of the Chinese people, who are more aggressive than their government on many issues, including Taiwan and Tibet, and who often seem more anti-American. Let me offer an amateur???s help on the conclusion. While the Chinese are learning from the West to reclaim their historical status for sure, it is questionable that they want to be an exact replica of the current West. The fate of anti-Western development in China, which is a sure reaction to the unfair and self-righteous China bashing, is in the hand of West again.
Comment: f
Comment: ntent/article/2008/08/01/AR2008080103717_pf.html), the government has TEN official stations (CCTV 1-10) and control the content of all others thereby dictating news content by fiat and thus obviously influencing the nation's "aggressiveness."
No one doubts that China today is ten times better than Mao's China. No one doubts that China's living standards are rising for millions and that is a great thing. But Fareed is using highly questionable tools, such as this poll which, as he notes, leaves out what Chinese people are really worried about- massive corruption and utter destruction of their environment ; also his conclusions about the sentiments of the Chinese people vs. those of the government's either confuses or ignores how much the CCP controls the flow of information and thus those very sentiments he's trying to use as evidence.
Comment: Hello Dr Strangelove ! Wishful thinking is all that you in the west have control over. China is well pass the status of a 3rd world power. We are today's China and we are what we are, the Middle Kingdom of the 21st century. The west still would like to think of China in 18th century, but that is already wishful thinking.
The China of this 2008 Olympic Games is only the tip of the China that will emerge from a China that will eventually unite into a truely ONE CHINA 3 SYSTEMS; and that will be a Chinathat will be 3 times the power of China of today's. Watch this space !
Comment: You sounds more brainwashed than those Chinese.
Comment: Plus, if you do not trust the polls done by PEW, why do not you show your data, for example, poll by Drstrangelove24
Comment: use your own knowledge to find the truth rather than be swirled hither and thither by the media. understanding is the prerequisite to make an objective,sensible and meaningful judgement about the others
Comment: understanding and proper knowledge about the others can lead to objective and sensible judgement . try to find the truth rather than be swirled here and there by the media.
Comment: The U.S. has had democracy since 1776 but it did not prevent her from institulizing slavery of Blacks and genocide against native Americans (just counting the number of Native Americans before and now). Democracy is so overrated!
Comment: Once, when someone told me they did not believe in God, because they had never seen him, I replied " I've never seen China, either, but I believe it exsist." They then said: "But we have evidence that China exsist, and books that tell us about the country." To which I then replied: "We, also, have evidence of God, in the trees, flowers, animals, and even the air we breathe, and we, also, have a book which tells us about Him. Now, if you'll allow me to watch while you create a universe, I may be sufficently impressed to listen to any other theories you may have."
Comment: C.A. Its not Democracy that is the problem, its the mis-use of Democracy by some to explain away their actions. And fyi, it was not only white Americans who were responsible for slavery, many blacks were sold into slavery by their own tribes, & by other tribes, also, many tribes invaded other tribes, and took their captives as slaves. Slavery was in Egypt, its always exsisted in one place or another, and, practically, every ethnic group on the planet has been discriminated against at some point in time; an example is how the Irish were treated when they first came to America. I'm not attempting to excuse it, only to explain it. America has never claimed to be perfect, nor does it have a perfect history, if we did, we'd be called Heven, instead of America, but we are still located on planet earth, and therefore, subject to faults. Every country, without exception, has been guilty of behavior which is considered to be wrong, but would you call God wrong when he allowed his son, Jesus, to be born of the House of David? After all David was not exactly shy about going after what he wanted. Yet, God loved David. As the book says, "God works in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform." God bless America is not just a song, I believe God did bless us; how else do you explain the youngest nation becoming the most powerful in such a short time when other nations had milleniums to accomplish what we did (with God's help) in a few years-relatively speaking? The Bible is full of such stories. Just another person's thoughts on the subject...
Comment: How can you use a Pew Research poll in a country that has been raised to give the correct answers when polled. It's called "biaozhun shuyu." Unlike America, there are consequences in China if you decent, ask the thousands of people in prison who strayed from the government line.
Also, Fareed states that the Chinese people are more aggressive than the government but he ignores the fact that it is the government channeling all the negative energy via their death grip on the media. Anyone who has been in China knows that all the news there tells this story: China is on the up, CCP is good for you (chaos without it!!!), outside world is dangerous and aggressive towards us. Fareed can pussyfoot around the most blatant issues all he wants, but the fact remains this is a government where not one person has been elected by the will of the people. And if you think they don't still adhere to the notion that "power comes from out the barrel of a gun" then just look at their capital punishment records; have you ever seen a video of them doing it? It's scary- gun to the back of the head. But I doubt Fareed, when he hops from nice hotel to nice hotel with his translator- buffered from reality- witnesses these things.
Comment: Drstrangelove24 's respones to Mr. Fareed's article exactly eximplifies the type of ignorance that typical Americans have on China that Mr. Fareed wrote about. What typical American political journalists do is not to report objectively but to find faults and focus all on the negatives on a country of 1.3b people. The typically brainwashed American reader with little knowledge on the outside world would then join the China-bashing band-wagon, thinking that the Chinese but not Americans are brainwashed.
Comment: how long have you been in China? have you done some research work in the country, or try to communicate with its people in daily life? i want to know on what basis you put forward your feelings, maybe quotations from a so-called out -of -date scholar?
Comment: Stop stereotyping people you know little about it. All you know about China is from the propaganda spewed from a handful of Western media controlled by media oligarchs. Please use your brain and think for yourself. How much have you spent on intellectual endeavers (hint: watch sports, celebrity gossip, and right-wing talk-shows are not what I consider intellectual; reading New Yorker and New York Reviews of Books or London Reviews of Books are pretty close...)?
Comment: Great Article. It is appalling that Western thinkers are not delighted that the economies of China and India are emerging. This development is a great thing for mankind ??? the quality of life is improving all over the world. There are a great many things we can learn from these nations, like the importance of long-term planning.
The U.S. economy has been dictated by short-term, quick money making schemes. As a result we have abandoned our own industries, steel, rubber, auto, etc. Our economy is essentially backed by worthless paper. That???s not Chinas fault! We invest in genetically altered food, so that farmers have to buy seed year after year. Our fruit and vegetation does not replenish itself, and nutrients are 75% of what it used to be. We want to force third world nations to take this crap, even if it means their own farmers cannot compete. We don???t support the self-sufficiency of our own farmers, or farmers of the world. We want the masses to be dependent on these conglomerate seed companies. Even if it means we will further poverty and despair for human beings in American and around the world.
India has made a great investment in education; they plan and implement strategies to balance education of the rich and poor. The Chinese government supports industrial development -- and we complain that is unfair!? Our government should also subsidize our industries and farmers so that we are qualitatively competitive in the global economy ??? provided those companies make a long-term commitment to provide jobs and other benefits to the local communities, etc. It takes 100s of millions of dollars to get our industries, (i.e., solar) to state-of-the-art standards; albeit, we may not realize a profit in ten or twenty years. But, our banks and equity investors won???t fund these initiatives because they want to see a profit every quarter. We need government subsidies that secure our future.
So what do our leaders do? Opt to spend billions a year on war, attempting to steal others nations resources on the auspices of lies! How many Iraqi people have died!! Been mutilated and raped, are homeless for no just cause ??? 100s of thousands if not millions! The leading perpetrators Bush, Cheney, Hillary, McCain and Liverman are all still in office justifying their decision to enter the war and vying for power. Win the war? There are no chemical weapons in Iraq, McCain. What do you really mean, steal Iraqi oil? Are we really barbarians? Are we willing to honestly compete and exercise fair trade, even though it is harder to be good, than bad? That is our moral and economic dilemma. Long terms good is stronger than evil!
I agree with Fareed. We must be open-minded. It is a time for a change in direction.
Perhaps we can become global leaders in solar energy. We must improve the education system and challenge our future leaders to rebuild this great nation. We need funds for education, progressive technologies and industrialization ??? not war preparatio
Comment: BTW. I am an African American woman (technically my mother is white and father is black, but in this country if you are half black, you are considered black on your birth certificate and by law, and i dont have a problem with that).
Comment: Greetings Mr Amma ! It is interesting to take notice that a sensible opinion has come from an Indian and I mean in the most flattering sense. Most Indians have been mostly disparaging towards everything that is Chinese; but having said that I entriely endorse your's and the views of Mr Fareed Khan. I find it most amusing to read your American & western streotypical cartoon caricature of our Chinese government and leaders. You are still mired in your propagandized & juandized view of everything that is Chinese. I am amused because if you care to admit, you seldom read Chinese opinion that is anything at all that criticises the USA & the West. Whether it is good or bad, it is all up to you but we Chinese do not find it necessary to voice our opinion unless we are contributing something towards any project. This pecular trait of the Chinese people has always been interpreted as being "yes-man" syndrome. Be that as it may, why do you in the usa & the west find it so satisfying to criticise us. This is what I do not understand. Another thing that amuses me is, IF YOU SO LOTH US,CHINESE THEN WHAT IS IT ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS IF WE ARE COMMUNIST OR DEMOCRACY ? Does it really make you very happy if all Chinese become American ? But to what end.
China is doing very well being a communist nation and thanks to our great communist leaders and no thanks to the USA, that China has within a span of 20 yers become again the modern Middle Kingdom of this 21st century; is it therefore this miraculous success of China's that grate on you ? Or is it that you would prefere the China that was the 173rd ranked nation in the world just a mere 20 years ago. Now that China is the world's number 2 behind the USA is what drives you mad as hell ?
All the same, I enjoyed telling all of you out there who would wish our beloved China "ill". Read Fareed, he knows !
Comment: To coin a phrase from an old popular movie, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a dam". You can be communist, ruled by space aliens, or little monkeys, for all most of us care, so do it, but by the same token, allow us to make the same choice, we have chosen Democracy, so let us do our thing, and you do yours and we'll both live happily ever after--only not together. Why does some of the world feel so threatened by our freedom??!! We have not done anything to stop you from practicing what you want, as long as you keep it there, and don't bring it here, so show us the same respect. If your young people are copying western style and you're afraid of the influence of our culture, then, perhaps its time to ask yourself why, and to offer them something they can relate to. Our young people may appear to you as being selfish, spoiled, & mindless, but those same young people will, eventually, grow out of this stage of their life and grow up to be responsible, caring adults, just as we did, but we have our share of problems, as any country does with its youth, and without proper guidence, they may fall through the cracks of society to become less than we would like from them; we admit to not being perfect--do you? Remember its about free choice, and when you allow people to have that, then you make them responsible for the choices they make, they either reap the rewards of their choices or they pay the consequences. If the media is to be believed, the rest of the world has its mind made up about the U.S., so don't bother them with facts. Well, if you're going to have a reputation, anyway, may as well enjoy it...so...expect & you may recieve exactly what you expect...wouldn't want to disappoint you...so be very careful in what you expect. Seriously, I believe the media wants us to believe the world hates us, but evidence of the contrary has been reported, however, we saw just who our REAL friends were after 9/11. So, we believe what we see, and only half of what we hear. Are we YOUR friends in your time of need? Depends on your interpetation of "friend", and what kind of mood we are in at that particular time. Its late, I'm rambling...later...
Comment: Amma: allow me to cerrect a bit. It is $500 billions spent so far in IRAQ war. Another $167 billions is on the way out from Congress. Plus, we are not attempting to steal oil in IRAQ. It is done already.
Report from Washingtonpost: Bush Officials Condoned Regional Iraqi Oil Deal. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070203322.html
Taxpayer spent billions so far, a few cronies of Bush regime harvested.
Enter Your Comment
Comment: Well written article but why so much fuss about China? The US is getting unnecessarily paranoid about China that it has to start installing long range missiles in the Balkans on the pretext of countering terrorism from the middle-east. The US is relentlessly though slyly trying to ensure that China is not going to be a superpower. Infact the US has never for a second ruled out China as a threat.
Comment: At first glance, this perky little essay seemed to break some cliches, but unfortunately, it turned out to be just like the same old tune that goes, anything or anyone that disobeys the orders of the U.S. will be smashed or at least, be criticised for "Shortcomings". This man's perspective on China is neither unique nor constructive, and he's been talking about China quite often these days, pretty smart anyway, it's like some Hollywood actress trying to make a fame out of sleep with the superstar...
Comment: It seem to be an essay that breaks the cliche, but the fact is, it's the same old tune goes that anything or anyone that disobeys the orders of the U.S. will be smashed or at least be criticised for "shortcomings". This man's perspectives on China is neither unique nor constructive, he talked a lot about China these days, quite smart anyway, it's like a Hollywood actress sleeping with the superstar and trying to make a fame out of it.
Comment: Well, I think your article said it all. It is time for us to adjust, and align our self with the new powers, China and India and accept them as allies. this is the time.
Ali
Comment: I agree with you, Fareed, with all the things you have said about the old world adjust to the New World.
If we don't align ourself with the rising powers and don't recongnise them, well, that is going to be a great mistake. Excellent article
Ali
Comment: "Concerned Canadian" is your typical westerner, who thinks in 18th century terms, that the west controls the world. China was the Middle Kingdom" for 5000 years before Europe was even civilized. Yes for a blip of 100 years in the whole span of world history, China was dominated by foreign forces, but that was then and now is now. We have again emerged as a world power, and yes China has spent US$60 billion to put on the world Olympics of all Olympics. We are all very proud again of our great and magnificient Middle Kingdom in the modern context. What drives the USA & the West mad as hell is to see the People's Republic of China grow from a country that has 600 million people living on less than US$1 (one) per day JUST A MERE 20 years ago INTO world power that threatens the security of the USA in just a mere 20 years. This has never ever happened before in all of history. The China of today is the China of the magnificent and glorious days of the Tang dynasty when China came face to face against an army of the Roman empire. 100 years of foreign domination at a time when China was ruled by a crazy woman is nothing.
The west thinks in terms of China wanting the endorsement of the USA and the West, that my friend is the illusion that a westerner wants himself to think as such. The S..t..that issues out of the west ? we Chinese ignore with contempt. The west never impressed us at any time at all. It is only the west that wants to think that they impress us.
The current lopsided trading terms in favour of China should not be difficult to understand and do not need any "western experts" to understand. IN SHORT THE WEST IN THEIR GREED AND FOOLISHNESS PAID THEMSELVES TOO MUCH FOR THEIR LABOUR. This greed that the west thought they could take for themselves has turned the west into a people of "layabouts and lazy". Competitiveness equals low costs per unit of production; the labour in the west is the least efficient therefore it costs too much to produce in the west. You in the west would like to stigmatise China's very efficient labour as "CHEAP" labour, but we like to think of our labour as more efficient labour. It is going to take the west centuries to catch up to China and the East. CHINA HAS ALREADY CAUGHT UP TO THE WEST. If wealth is measured in how much happiness that one can buy, then China has over-taken the west because we do not look to be billionaires, but merely to be a well off society. We already achieved this in just 20 years when China in that brief span LIFTED 400 MILLION CHINESE FROM THE DEPTH OF POVERTY INTO THE RANKS OF A HAPPY PEOPLE WITH ENOUGH TO EAT AND ROOF OVER OUR HEADS. Yes we do not have palatial houses like in Hollywood but we are happy.
We do not give *** for human rights; which is a western SPIN. We just want a good and happy life for ourselves and that in China of today is already achieved.
Comment: To Chongyeeyap: So China has made a lot of progress, we spoiled, greedy westerners are very happy for China, and hope their new found happiness last forever, and that they will use their new technology, ect. for a blessing for themselves, and for all of mankind. The same can be said about other countries, Japan has come a long way, and has now become one of the greatest manufactirers of imported products, including automobiles. They are a smart people and have used their abilities to benefit all of us. We have a good relationship with them, and, also with China, and hope to continue to have. The Chinese people are very capable and we are happy to see them progress, just as we are to see any nation do well. However, if that progress is used to challenge another nation, then, of course, there will be retaliation, so lets hope it never come to that. FyI, read up on your history, and you will learn it was not lazy, arrogant people who founded America, but hardworking men & women, who wanted a better life for themselves & their families than their homeland was offering them; they were brave people who risked danger in an unknown land that, often was hostile, to find peace & freedom, and I for one, will never feel the need to apologize for being a decendant of those people, our ancestors, who left us a wonderful legacy, I will never apologize for being a proud American! We are not intimidated by the success of other nations, we are thrilled to see them do well. We are not going to start a war with anyone, but, neither will we back away from one that challenges us and the freedom we enjoy. What you see as "greed" & "foolishness" is, in reality, a nation of people enjoying the kind of lifestyle which comes with freedom to choose. We worked for what we have, and will not see it trampled on by the likes of angry, mean, jealous morons! Now that China has "arrived", go enjoy it, and we will enjoy it with you-not against you. America is certainly not perfect, nor has it ever claimed to be, but its the damed best on the planet until the perfect one comes along! And for all you plastic Americans out there who would insult our forefathers by giving away all that they left you, or standing by and allowing it to be taken away, I say, either get your heart into America, ot get your ass out of it! Thanks for your time.
