[The
Independent, U.K.]
Global Geographic Times, People's Republic of
China
Addiction to
Growth is China's 'Berlin Wall'
Can President Obama persuade China not to be so dependent on growth, particularly trade-dependent growth? Likening Beijing's obsession with growth to a Chinese version of the 'Berlin Wall,' Feng Mengyun of China's state-run Global Geographic Times expresses his wish, when he writes in part, 'I hope while visiting China, Obama declares: 'Mr. Hu Jintao, tear down this wall!'
By Feng Mengyun [冯梦云]
Translated by Jimmy Chow
November 16, 2009
People's Republic of China - Global
Geographic Times - Original Article (China)
U.S. President Barack Obama, “Ambassador
of Peace,” has finally set foot in Beijing. Ahead of his visit, North Korea
fired missiles, there was a sea battle between North and South Korea, and
Somali pirates took 28 Chinese sailors hostage. These events tell Chinese who their enemies and friends are!
The trip comes after German
Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and other
political leaders walked hand-in-hand through the former sentry post at the
Berlin Wall [Checkpoint
Charlie]. Twenty years ago, there were those willing to risk their lives to
bring down the Wall and to allow West Berlin, West Germany and the rest of the
world see the atrocities of the East. We could see the courage of those trapped
people stubbornly seeking freedom and democracy. Every drop of blood stirred
world feeling. It was precisely each and every one of those people, who were
unwilling to live in shackles, that prompted U.S. President John F. Kennedy to
say while standing at the wall: “Freedom has
many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a
wall up to keep our people in …”
All of those who lost their lives prompted U.S. President Ronald Reagan to
announce: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
Can Obama repeat Reagan’s
message to Chinese President Hu Jintao? Can he persuade Hu Jintao and Taiwanese
President Ma Ying-jeou to join hands across the Taiwan Strait? Chinese and
Western culture aren’t always at odds, but whether they always agree isn’t that
important. What's important is how to enhance the happiness-index of the
Chinese people.
Prior to thirty years ago, the old Chinese model caused tremendous
suffering. But an even graver sin would have been to stick with the system that
caused such suffering.
President Barack Obama visits China's Great
Wall, Nov. 18.
CLICK HERE OR CLICK PHOTO
FOR BBC COVERAGE OF TRIP'S END
SEE ALSO ON THIS:
Global Times, China:
U.S. and Beijing Disagree on Obama's Chinese Name
Global Times, China:
Chinese Netizens Have 'Sharp Words' for President Obama
China Daily, China:
Obama Can Teach
Shanghai Officials
a Thing or Two
China Daily, China:
VIDEO - Chinese React to
Visit of President Obama
Global Times, China:
'Obscene Postcard' Emerges
of Taiwan President and Hillary
Der Spiegel:
German Editorials - Obama's Soft Approach to China Won't Succeed
The Times, U.K.
Obama's Bow to Japan Emperor
Shows U.S. 'Confidence'
The Telegraph, U.K.:
Obama 'Breaks
Conciliatory Tone';
Criticizes China Censorship
The Australian, Australia:
Obama's Personal Story No
Substitute for Policy in Asia
Globe & Mail, Canada:
China 'Plays Down' President Obama's Visit
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
Jin Canrong, (a renowned expert on U.S.
issues and associate dean at the School of International Studies Renmin
University), said: “China has greatly benefited [from opening up in the 1970s].
Trade has multiplied 128 times from $20 billion in 1979 to $2.56 trillion in
2008, of which $1.7 trillion comes from exports, so China and the U.S. are in a
win-win situation, which also explains why the U.S. as sole superpower and China’s
meteoric rise are not contradictory, even if conventional Western theories of
international relations find it hard to reconcile that the rise of China was
essential.”
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
But while [Chinese] exports stand at $1.7 trillion, domestic
sales are only $860 billion. China's
trade deficit with the U.S. is $300 billion. This seems like a
huge trade surplus, not to mention a contradiction. More difficult to fathom is
how much foreign exports are responsible for China’s rise. Today, even with 20
percent of the world’s doors closed to trade [with China], China unceasingly
opposes trade protection and domestic unemployment is rising by the million. Is
China capable of dealing with this?
The unpredictable issue is China itself. Because rising growth has
become China's "Berlin Wall."
Obama’s “mutually beneficial” thinking has already
received widespread support in liberal countries, which is why the 2009 Nobel
Peace Prize went to the first Black U.S. president. Since he arranged to visit
China before going to Norway to collect his Prize, I hope while visiting China,
Obama declares: “Mr. Hu Jintao, tear down this wall!”
CLICK HERE FOR CHINESE VERSION
[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US November 20, 1:37am]
