China does not see itself as a Super Power

[Guest Tony n Terrific]

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-03...ent_6568705.htm

[Guest Mike and Lily]

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-03...ent_6568705.htm

 

China's policy under Deng was to participate, not to lead. And not to make enemies. Sounds like the policies the USA had during WW1 and WW2. We joined the conflicts much later than the other powers which helped the USA become one of the pre-emiment superpowers. Our (politically) isolationist policies really were an advantage. It's a lesson that has been forgotten in recent years. Our location in the western hemisphere also helped us. That's an not much of an advantage in today's global environment. Deng had it right. The Chinese are carrying that lesson into the future.

Edited March 27, 2008 by Mike and Lily (see edit history)

[rogerluli]

IMHO China wants to be a regional leader in the Asian realm. That is the concept of The Middle Kingdom. In the rest of the world they are present where they need to be to acquire the natural resources their economy requires. They are very smart about how they play their cards. The economic miracle of the last few decades is not an accident...

[esun41]

This can be a very delicate issue but my perception is that China protects it's interests just as the Chinese people protect themselves. It is a do or die situation I feel. It's either contribute to the common good and benefit or shrivel up and die.

[georgeandli]

Think esun 41 nailed it. Chinese tend [as a rule] to work together for the common good starting the family unit and that attitude works up the ladder. We in America do the same [as a rule] but it doesn't seem to go higher until we are faced with a common problem that affects the whole. Seems we here tend to worry short term without denying gratification.

[Guest Tony n Terrific]

Think esun 41 nailed it. Chinese tend [as a rule] to work together for the common good starting the family unit and that attitude works up the ladder. We in America do the same [as a rule] but it doesn't seem to go higher until we are faced with a common problem that affects the whole. Seems we here tend to worry short term without denying gratification.

I read in one of Former President Nixon's books that we Americans think in seconds the Chinese think in Centuries. This was one of his opinions on China.

[rogerluli]

Think esun 41 nailed it. Chinese tend [as a rule] to work together for the common good starting the family unit and that attitude works up the ladder. We in America do the same [as a rule] but it doesn't seem to go higher until we are faced with a common problem that affects the whole. Seems we here tend to worry short term without denying gratification.

I read in one of Former President Nixon's books that we Americans think in seconds the Chinese think in Centuries. This was one of his opinions on China.

 

They plan 10 years at a time...in the US its election to election...

[georgeandli]

Roger, I think you give too much credit. 4 years, more like 4 days

[pkfops]

As Grandpa Mao said:

 

"We must see to it that all our cadres and all our people constantly bear in mind that ours is a big socialist country but an economically backward and poor one, and that this is a very great contradiction. To make China rich and strong needs several decades of intense effort, which will include, among other things, the effort to practise strict economy and combat waste, i.e., the policy of building up our country through diligence and frugality."

 

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., p. 71.

[rogerluli]

As Grandpa Mao said:

 

"We must see to it that all our cadres and all our people constantly bear in mind that ours is a big socialist country but an economically backward and poor one, and that this is a very great contradiction. To make China rich and strong needs several decades of intense effort, which will include, among other things, the effort to practise strict economy and combat waste, i.e., the policy of building up our country through diligence and frugality."

 

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., p. 71.

 

Well Pete they sure are following the Chairman's lead because they've got diligence and frugality down cold...

[pkfops]

As Grandpa Mao said:

 

"We must see to it that all our cadres and all our people constantly bear in mind that ours is a big socialist country but an economically backward and poor one, and that this is a very great contradiction. To make China rich and strong needs several decades of intense effort, which will include, among other things, the effort to practise strict economy and combat waste, i.e., the policy of building up our country through diligence and frugality."

 

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., p. 71.

 

Well Pete they sure are following the Chairman's lead because they've got diligence and frugality down cold...

 

I have to wait until the trash is full before taking it out so as not to waste the trash bag.

[griz326]

A John Fairbanks book I read on China many years ago gave me the impression that the Chinese have never seen themselves as conquerors. Fairbanks said something like, the Chinese defeat invaders by absorbing them into the nation and making them Chinese. ...or something like that.

 

Deng's policy of "when it comes to foreign policies, China is to participate, not to lead, not to have enemies" probably grew out of the sort of ancient wisdom reported by Fairbanks.

[rogerluli]

As Grandpa Mao said:

 

"We must see to it that all our cadres and all our people constantly bear in mind that ours is a big socialist country but an economically backward and poor one, and that this is a very great contradiction. To make China rich and strong needs several decades of intense effort, which will include, among other things, the effort to practise strict economy and combat waste, i.e., the policy of building up our country through diligence and frugality."

 

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., p. 71.

 

Well Pete they sure are following the Chairman's lead because they've got diligence and frugality down cold...

 

I have to wait until the trash is full before taking it out so as not to waste the trash bag.

 

Ah I can beat that with both hands tied behind my back... We don't have heat... or lights...

[yuzhen]

As Grandpa Mao said:

 

"We must see to it that all our cadres and all our people constantly bear in mind that ours is a big socialist country but an economically backward and poor one, and that this is a very great contradiction. To make China rich and strong needs several decades of intense effort, which will include, among other things, the effort to practise strict economy and combat waste, i.e., the policy of building up our country through diligence and frugality."

 

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., p. 71.

 

Well Pete they sure are following the Chairman's lead because they've got diligence and frugality down cold...

 

I have to wait until the trash is full before taking it out so as not to waste the trash bag.

 

Ah I can beat that with both hands tied behind my back... We don't have heat... or lights...

I just sold pop bottles today to the recycler and made 23 rmb. Went to town right away to grab more pop to make more recyclables for next time

[Dennis143]

Not too long ago, China believed simply that a million-man army was all that it needed to assure and ensure its regional military dominance. Eyewitness to America's precision weaponry during Desert Storm changed that belief. They quickly realized how vulnerable their army is and they have since been undergoing a campaign to modernize.

 

If they're not a superpower today. We can all rest assured they'll be one tomorrow. They know that in order to be a global economic force they have to the power to protect their global interests.