It's no secret that China's future looks brighter than that of other nations. Green energy, innovation, and a more prominent role in world politics will all be part of the picture, said President Hu Jintao at the APEC CEO summit last week. In a wide-ranging speech he surveyed the global landscape, touching on the environment, the world's economy, and the internal problems that China faces.
Right now the most pressing concern for world leaders is to foster growth and stability. Mr. Hu noted that the financial crisis has changed the balance of power, which mechanisms of governance do not yet reflect. A more equal partnership is required than the one we have had till now, Mr. Hu said: "The emerging markets and developing countries are carrying greater weight in a global economy and playing a bigger role in global economic governance."
Mr. Hu stressed his country's commitment to free trade. China will resist protectionism, and it supports the development of a free-trade area in the APEC region. In its newly prominent role, China aims to deepen cooperation between and among emerging markets and developing countries.
Environmental concerns are becoming increasingly important, and the scientific and industrial developments that will fuel growth must also be green. The twelfth five-year plan stresses sustainability, and between 2011 and 2015 investment in the environmental sector will be double that of the five years previous. This will also present opportunities for business. "The strong green demand and China's sound investment environment will provide a vast market and great investment opportunities to businesses in all countries," Mr. Hu said.
When it comes to innovation, Mr. Hu wants China to shift its position from that of follower to that of leader. To this end the country is doing its best to improve intellectual property rights and legislation. "China will work hard to make itself an innovation driven country and to achieve the transition from 'Made in China' to 'Created by China.'"
While noting the rich potential that his country currently enjoys, the president was not reticent about its problems. As in other nations, there is a risk that growth that is too swift could be destabilizing. There are vast disparities between rural and urban areas and sometimes a lack of coordination in policy. The changes in the country are putting acute pressures on the environment and the economy. "Unbalanced and unsustainable development still poses a major challenge to China," Mr. Hu said. "There are many hurdles."
Yet all in all, the Chinese president was optimistic about the future. He spoke of its huge economic potential and indicated that China is open for business. If properly managed and if its challenges are overcome, China may well be able to fuel the recovery of the world's economy at the same time as bettering the lives of its citizens.
Mr. Hu's vision of the future was hopeful. "We will deepen reform, ensure we are improving people's livelihoods, and enhance social harmony and stability." That would be good news not just for China, but for everyone.
Watch statements of this type. Particularly after something like Obama's SE Asion tour last week. They indicate policy direction. Translation: West look out, it's a new world order and you are no longer in charge. Third world, don't look to the west, That's what they want you to do. Assert your new role and look to us your comrade. We are the emerging force in the world. But weakness is also revealed. China must have stability. When about 25% of your country is first world and the rest is still varying degrees of third world with great expectations, those expectations must be managed because if unmet, patience will wane and they will eventually look for someone to blame and hang... China fears that threat most and that unto itself will ameliorate the threat perhaps to the world's advantage. It is so interesting to see the sophistication of the Chinese who just a decade ago were still calling the west dogs to little effect. Pay attention.
Watch statements of this type. After Obama's SE Asian Tour last week. They are long term policy hints. Translated, it means, "hey stupid west, it's a new world order, recognize it or wither on the vine. We don't need to defeat you militarily, we can do it economically. And all you third world countries don't suck up to the west we are you. And under it all is a very subtle implied threat. But the first sentence reveals their weakness. They MUSH HAVE stability or the majority of their populace emerging from the third world will not have their expectations met and will look for heads.
They are not on any crusade, they are trying to improve all the time.
We have not changed, and that is the problem; we are unhinged and locked in a 1980s cold warrior time machine, that we refused to exist from.
Chinese nuclear weapon technology and other capabilities will soon surpass the USA scientific technology.
The Chinese now have had the Rocket Guidance technology (purchased from Hughes Aircraft in the 1990's in return for a political campaign contribution via Chinagate bagman Johnny Chung) for intercontinental ballistic targeting anywhere in the USA (and anywhere else around the world). The Chinese missiles would not fly on course before this technology purchase.
The USA should fight and try to win the war for the Scientific and Technological Superiority that won WWII and gave the USA a bountiful lifestyle for a few decades following WWII! If we lose the scientific and technology lead to China or any other country, the USA will rapidly decline into a third world nation, and our citizens will have to work for the Yuan equivalent of US pennies per hour after the US government causes the total economic collapse of the USA with their deficit borrowing for federal spending, and then the buying power of the US dollar will go to zero.
The USA is no longer the scientific and technology world leader that it once was just a few decades ago.