Beijing starts gating, locking migrant villages

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100720...20100720065800

China denying something that makes it look bad. Surprise, surprise.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100720...20100720065800

Another oil spill only this time in China. Environmentalism doesn't seem so crazy now.

Rising tide of Christianity in China:

"In a fiery sermon, one young missionary makes oblique references to rampant materialism, corruption and the immense wealth gap between rich and poor. It's a message that hits home in this hardscrabble part of China. "In China, a lot of so-called atheists treat money as their God," storms the young man who is preaching to the gathered crowd. "But only in God's truth can you find real freedom."

More here: http://n.pr/93e7g6 (NPR audio but also full text, first of 5 parts)

pizal81 - Are you part of the missionary vanguard?

James50

I went to China on a school trip in the summer of 2007.

IT was a great experience and I'm so happy I was able to go. I must say, we were never harassed or treated badly by police, but it was quite obvious the people of China do not have nearly the same freedom that we have here.

And it is strange to see from the naive eyes of an optimistic 17-year old. Especially the military dressed guard in every bank... and that every bank was the "Bank of China x" x= business,commerce, agriculture etc.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home...s-growth-model

This article mentions some of the major problems that China is facing, but not indepth. China is now the Second largest economy in the world.

I need some help placing Chinese generations. The current saeculum's turnings are fairly clear, but I just can't figure out the genetions.

The WWII crisis and the Civil war in China ended in October 1949 when Chairman mao announced China was a communist country so the "high" starts in

1949-1965 1T note: Civic orders was strong, but everyone was still poor

1966-1990? 2T The "Culteral Revolution to Tiananmen plus one year.

1991-present 3T Lot's of evidence of unraveling in the news. Check the above article


Anyway, the prophets of the cultural revolution would probably be born 1946?-1963?

Nomads born 1964 to 1988 (I have real problems seening nomad characterists in China's nomads)

Civics - 1989 - ???? they are called the little emperor generation, but they don't really say that about people at the front of the generation. It's more of a recent developement.

Prophets are kinda easy to spot in China. They are preachy. They know exactly how to live and don't really consider other ways, but listen politely. They have high, high, high expectations for their children that are impossible to live up to. Live to work as well.

Nomads - I can't figure them out here. I really don't know where to start. I think the only aspect I really see is low self-esteem although they would tell everyone they were confident, because they have to to survive.

Civics- Currently we have the "little emperor generation" The pride and joy of their parents (at least the boys) One thing I don't understand about them. Is that society is being very critical of "post-90" gen. I was watching TV and one girl was crying because the media has been so harsh. Now the oldest born in 1990 would be 20 now so they may be the last of the nomads, but I don't see that.

China's generations are usually referred to by decade and that is just a rough indicator.

I know some of you have been to China. Did you guys notice anything. I would really like to understand the current Nomad and Civic generations better. Any discussion is help. I think best when bouncing ideas of others.

China's Great (Quantum) Leap Forward

In May, Chinese scientists announced a demonstration of "quantum teleportation" over 16 kilometers (10 miles), creating what Matthew Luce, a researcher at the Defense Group Inc.'s Center for Intelligence Research and Analysis, calls "secure communications guaranteed by the laws of physics." China is now at the cutting-edge of military communications, transforming the field of cryptography and spotlighting a growing communications arms race.

Not so good Samaritan

http://chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local...-Samaritan.htm

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_usa_china_currency

America is trying to get China to raise the value of it's money to it's natural rate. The US keeps pressuring China to do so even though it would hurt China. I think China is right on this one that America should focus on it's own economy instead of blaming it on China.
Another thing America could focus on is the human rights in China. People work in dangerous conditions and get paid very little. If the states pressured China to protect their workers from greedy companies it would solve a lot of problems.

Pictures sometimes do say a thousand words.

Take a look at this.

These are the office buildings of Foxconn in Longhua near Shenzhen, China. Foxconn is the Taiwanese company that makes the iPhone, IPad, Playstation, Wii, and Dell computers.

The simple caption: Suicide Nets.

Think about this the next time you think China is about to take over the world (and perhaps the next time you use your iPhone).

James50

Originally Posted by James50

Pictures sometimes do say a thousand words.

Take a look at this.

These are the office buildings of Foxconn in Longhua near Shenzhen, China. Foxconn is the Taiwanese company that makes the iPhone, IPad, Playstation, Wii, and Dell computers.

The simple caption: Suicide Nets.

Think about this the next time you think China is about to take over the world (and perhaps the next time you use your iPhone).

James50

What do you expect with a population of 100 zillion?

Originally Posted by James50

Pictures sometimes do say a thousand words.

Take a look at this.

These are the office buildings of Foxconn in Longhua near Shenzhen, China. Foxconn is the Taiwanese company that makes the iPhone, IPad, Playstation, Wii, and Dell computers.

The simple caption: Suicide Nets.

Think about this the next time you think China is about to take over the world (and perhaps the next time you use your iPhone).

James50

All I can say is, Wow...
On the other hand, nothing wrong with being prepared... I guess...

Originally Posted by stab1969

All I can say is, Wow...
On the other hand, nothing wrong with being prepared... I guess...

They could use bullet proof glass in the windows.

Originally Posted by Adina

They could use bullet proof glass in the windows.

It wouldnt matter... in that particular case, if there's a will there's a way.
Also keep in mind, the nets were probably provided by the government. To put bullet proof glass in every window in every skyscraper, the cost would go to the individual owner of the offices that lease there. At the same time, it's probably not an hourly or daily occurrence to really merit installing bullet proof glass in every building

Originally Posted by James50

Pictures sometimes do say a thousand words.

Take a look at this.

These are the office buildings of Foxconn in Longhua near Shenzhen, China. Foxconn is the Taiwanese company that makes the iPhone, IPad, Playstation, Wii, and Dell computers.

The simple caption: Suicide Nets.

Think about this the next time you think China is about to take over the world (and perhaps the next time you use your iPhone).

James50

I did post about this...

Originally Posted by Poodle

I did post about this...

Sorry, I must have missed it. I can no longer keep up with the posting volume and skip a lot of stuff.

James50

In an attempt to understand Chinese people a little better, I've started asking some coworkers some nosy questions. What I've found to be interesting so far is that everyone from the atheists to the Protestants has some sort of space set aside for a kind of "ancestor worship" or veneration.

The three state religions of China (San-kiao or three doctrines), are Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.--Confucianism or Ju-kiao (a name adopted by the disciples of Chu-hi in in A.D. 1150) is the religion of the literati; from the moral principles taken from the books arranged by Confucius a state religion has been created; the Trinity (San-ts'ai), Heaven, Earth, and Man is represented by the emperor, T'ien-tze, Son of Heaven, the high-priest of the cult who pays his homage at the winter solstice at midnight and to the earth at the summer solstice. The state worship includes three grades of sacrifices, the victims being things, though persons are not excluded: (1) the great sacrifices offered only to T'ien (Heaven), Ti (Earth), Tai Miao (the great temple of ancestors) and Shieh-tsi (gods of the land and grain); (2) the medium sacrifices, an homage to the sun, the moon, the names of emperors and kings of foreign dynasties, Confucius, the ancient patrons of agriculture and silk, the gods of heaven, earth, and the cyclic year; (3) the inferior sacrifices (Kiun-sze, crowd of sacrifices) offered to the patron of medicine, the spirits of celebrated men, the clouds, rain, wind, and thunder, the five celebrated mountains, the four seas, four rivers, etc. The supreme ruler of heaven is Shiang-ti. There is no priesthood in Confucianism.

Taoism, or Tao-kiao, was invented by the disciples of Lao-tze, but the lofty theories of this philosopher have denigrated to the grossest superstitions, alchemy, astrology, and a worship of a pantheon of idols, the highest of which is Yu-hwang Shang-ti; the chief of the Taoists resides at Lung-hu-shan (Kiang-si).

Buddhism, or Fo-kiao, the religion of Fo (Buddha) comes from India; it is said to have reached China in 221 or 219 B.C. The first certain fact regarding Chinese Buddhism is that it was orally taught in the year 2 B.C. to an ambassador of the Emperor Ngai by the Ta Yue-chi. It was officially recognized by the emperor Ming-ti (A.D. 61). The search for manuscripts in India led pilgrims like Fa-hian and Sung-yun (Fo-kwo-ki), Hwei-shin, the celebrated Hiuan-tsang (seventh century), I-tsing, Wang-Hiuan-ts'e, Wu-k'ung and others to undertake long voyages which have thrown great light on the geography of Northern India and Central Asia. In spite of their exertions and of the numerous manuscripts they brought home, it was not until 1410 that the Chinese procured a complete copy of the Buddhist canon. Buddhist abbots and monks invariably perform the ceremonies of Confucianism.

Whatever be the importance of these three religions, they are insignificant compared to the real, national religion of all Chinese — ancestor-worship.

Ancestor worship originated in filial piety which, being of paramount importance in the eyes of the Chinese, is the object of a special book, the "Hiao-king". Filial piety, however, is not a natural, spontaneous feeling, but a well-defined duty, embracing the obligations towards the emperor, princes, officials, parents, and these vary according to the classes and people. In every house there is a tablet, if not a room; a rich family has a separate building; this is the hall of ancestors; the tablets are called p'ai-wei and the temples tze-t'ang. During the period called tsing-ming, in the first part of April, a general worship of ancestors takes place in the form of libations, and the burning of candles, paper and incense.

Another great and popular superstition is Fung-shui (wind and water). To describe this is impossible, though it is the daily guide in a Chinaman's life. It is a system of geomancy founded on the "Y-king", systematized in the twelfth century; the date of a marriage, the proper place for a burial ground, a lucky site for a building, etc., the settlement of all these questions depends on the laws of Fung-shui laid down by the professors, who besides a knowledge of Buddhist and Taoist doctrines, had some superficial ideas regarding natural science, medicine, and astronomy.

US trade deficit with China balloons to new record

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The US trade deficit with China ballooned to a new record in August, sharply widening the overall trade gap, according to data that added fuel to growing American furor over China's currency.

The Commerce Department said the August trade deficit rose nearly nine percent from July to 46.3 billion dollars.

That was far worse than economists predictions of a 44.5 billion dollar gap.

The 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened its fifth plenary session in Beijing Friday to discuss the nation's next five-year development plan.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2...t_11409508.htm

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-bud...ate-hike-means

China is starting to show they are concerned about the future of their economy.

From a long article about the current revival of Taoism in China: "For Abbess Yin, the young people are a chance to mold Taoists in the image of her master. “The only people who are worth having are older than 80 or younger than 20.” "

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/magazine/07religion

Originally Posted by The Grey Badger

From a long article about the current revival of Taoism in China: "For Abbess Yin, the young people are a chance to mold Taoists in the image of her master. “The only people who are worth having are older than 80 or younger than 20.” "

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/magazine/07religion

That is very interesting! Given the Anarchist tendencies of Taoism I wonder if it will be a fuel for a Liberal uprising against the regime.

Once you get past the advertisement, a pretty good presentation on why Japan's economy is toast and why China may soon be -

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2010/11...ll-grey-swans/

Is China's Competitive Edge Already Eroding? - Megan McArdle

In the US, when I mention that I was going to China, I was liable to hear a flood of complaints. China manipulates its currency to make its goods artificially cheap. Americans are being forced to compete with cheap Chinese labor who live on practically nothing. There are no labor and environmental standards.

That last isn't quite true, but it's certainly different from the United States, and it's hard to argue with the former two arguments: China does manipulate its exchange rate to subsidize exports to the US; and its labor is very cheap.

Both of those factors, however, are changing. The endless acquisition of US currency is unsustainable. The sterilization transactions required to keep their foreign exchange operations from turning into inflation have left the banking system positively gorged with low-interest government bonds; and now that the sterilization has eased, the inflation is showing up anyway. The current official figures are 4.25%, and a bank economist we spoke to yesterday expects something over 5% in the near future.
The wages, too, are starting to rise. Anecdotally, we're hearing reports of labor costs jumping 15-30% in major urban areas like Beijing and Shanghai. Importing low-wage workers from distant farms and using the labor cost advantage to dramatically undercut competitors is a strategy that has limits. To see why, look at the map I posted the other day when I wrote about high speed rail:

China's cities cluster very tightly around good coastal ports, and the Yangtze (that horizontal line in the middle). I'd argue Shanghai and Beijing are near, as the traffic is close to Manhattan levels; if you can't move people or goods, you can't grow much bigger. As those other major cities start hitting the limits to their growth, the cost of living will rise sharply in these cities, and even unskilled labor willing to work for poverty wages will cost enough to make large classes of goods, like textiles, mostly unprofitable.

There's a lot of talk about moving further west, where there is untapped land and cities can essentially be built in the middle of nowhere to house new people and industries. Massive freight rail and port upgrades are underway that will supposedly allow goods to be moved from new growth areas in the hinterlands.

But one person we talked to yesterday, who specializes in helping American companies break into China, said simply, "If you're in an export industry, you want to be next to the port." Water is the cheapest way to transport goods, and switching between transport modes always adds costs and delays. If you can just put something on a boat and keep it there, this will always be preferable to driving it to the railhead, loading it into the container, and then reloading that container onto a ship.

Moreover, there is, as someone else told us, "considerable unrest" in the west. Companies do not like to locate where local riots might disrupt their supply chain.

That means that for China to remain competitive, it is going to have to move rapidly up the value chain. I'm pretty sure they can and will do this, which means that competition from China will remain. But it won't be the same kind of competition. It will be less about low price, and more about value added. For many American companies, this may be even harder to face. But for American (and Chinese) consumers, it will ultimately be a huge boon.

here.

I think China in the 2010s will likely be the Japan of the 1990's. The bubble will burst, and they will be 20 years getting over it. We need to be suspicious when people begin to think another country are supermen.

James50