Today Political Scientists talk about the concept of “government legitimacy”. Defining legitimacy is actually quite difficult, but some of the ideas we tend to associate with it include benevolence, competence and popular support.
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Aug 27
Legitimacy, Democracy and Chinese Government
Written by: whooper | Filed under:General, Opinion |
22 Comments » newest 2010-08-31 23:18:32
In order to understand any system of government, we need to understand the extent to which government aligns itself with the common good. For example, Fredrick the Great, King of Prussia 1740 to 1786, was an example of a famously benevolent and progressive despot who transformed his country from a relative backwater into an intellectual and military superpower. An interesting question is what mechanisms, if any, protected the Prussians against selfish / incompetent Kings? The answer is brutal, in 18th Century Europe incompetent regimes tended to be annihilated by their neighbours, because in the long run the common good, the flourishing of society, brings economic success and military power. For example, the Ottoman Empire eventually disappeared because its failure to embrace Prussia’s progressive values left it weaker than its European neighbours.
Aug 03
Democracy need reform – Australia, China and USA: A Tale of 3 Natural Disasters
Written by: Chua Wei Ling | Filed under:Analysis, Opinion | Tags:australia, China, Democracy Needs Reform, USA
122 Comments » newest 2010-08-29 17:31:38
122 Comments » newest 2010-08-29 17:31:38
This month mark the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, USA (29 August 2005), This remind me the 2nd anniversary of the Earthquake in Sichuan, China (12 May 2008) three month ago and the 1st anniversary of the Black Saturday (Bush fire) in Victoria, earlier this year in Australia (7 February 2009).
The similarity of these 3 events is that they are natural disasters with many deaths and many more left homeless. However, for those who lost their home in such a large scale natural disasters, which government do you think do more and care more for their citizens in need? The so-called “autocratic” regime in Beijing, China or the so-called “democratic” and “human right” governments in USA and Australia?
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This post was submitted by Chua Wei Ling.
Aug 01
minipost-Obama: “Does not seek to contain China.” Think again.
Written by: pug_ster | Filed under:-mini-posts, politics | Tags:ASEAN, China, Hillary Clinton, obama, Vietnam
45 Comments » newest 2010-08-31 03:21:16
45 Comments » newest 2010-08-31 03:21:16
Going back to 11/09 when Obama made his historical trip to Shanghai and Beijing, things seems to go pretty well for both countries. Obama said: “The United States does not seek to contain China. On the contrary, the rise of a strong and prosperous China can be a source of strength for the community of nations.” Perhaps Obama spoke too soon.
It looks like 2010 will be the worst diplomatic relations between China and the US since 1989. It started with the censorship issue with google, then trying to isolate China from Iran’s with its nuclear program, the issue with the sinking of the Cheonan resulted in war games between South Korea and US in the Yellow sea. Perhaps these issues will come and pass, but there are more distressing issues in Southeast Asia. Continue reading »
This post was submitted by pug_ster.
Jul 30
Give Us the Face, Keep the Change
Written by: berlinf | Filed under:Opinion, culture | Tags:culture, racial discrimination, stereotype
58 Comments » newest 2010-09-02 17:39:56
58 Comments » newest 2010-09-02 17:39:56
Reports of “renting a white guy” is making its rounds in the US media. In these reports, Mr. Mitch Moxley shared his rather interesting experience as a fake businessman in China. Moxley claims to have no working experience, yet he was hired by a Canadian Chinese to be a quality control expert for an American company in China. Together with several other such fake quality control “experts”, he went to a place in Shandong, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony, made speeches, shook hands, and took photos. For these, he was dined and wined in a good hotel, and got paid 1000 dollars and promised better work like this in the future. I wonder if somebody in America would like to rent a Chinese guy for half that money. Not very likely, and there is even an immigration law coming in Arizona, making non-residents’ lives even more difficult than they already are. Continue reading »
Jul 20
minipost-Android and China, how the phone market will change in the coming years.
Written by: pug_ster | Filed under:-mini-posts | Tags:Android, China, Google, smartphone
18 Comments » newest 2010-07-29 13:27:10
18 Comments » newest 2010-07-29 13:27:10
In the recent release of the highly praised iphone 4, many people thinks Apple will dominate the smartphone market for the next few years. For the most part that it true. RIM will cater to the corporate market. Microsoft will probably fall to the wayside with its botched launch of the Kin and its slow deployment of Windows Mobile 7 OS. Yet Apple makes oodles of money selling iphone4’s and ipads at a premium.
Android came out about 2 years ago and steadily rose up from being the niche smartphone to the ‘alternative’ smartphone. Mobile manufacturers like Motorola, HTC, Samsung, and LG clearly are in the game while other companies like Dell, Lenovo, and Acer will have smartphones down the pipeline.
But what does Android and China have do with this? After all, google (which developed Andriod) and China were at odds with the censorship issue earlier this year. Despite this, China has been embracing the Android market with open arms. They are creating Android services with their own email app stores, search engines and maps from google. Continue reading »
This post was submitted by pug_ster.
Jul 06
Freedom in the World 2010
Written by: Steve | Filed under:News, human rights, politics | Tags:China, Civil Liberties, government, hong kong, Political Rights, Singapore, taiwan, tibet
243 Comments » newest 2010-08-28 04:47:55
243 Comments » newest 2010-08-28 04:47:55
Once per year, Freedom House releases its annual report covering the levels of freedom throughout the world. I’ve included their reports for China, Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. They issue two scores, one for Political Rights and one for Civil Liberties, along with a Freedom Status. The lower the number, the higher the rating.
China (2010)
Political Rights Score: 7 Explanatory NoteThe numerical ratings and status listed above do not reflect conditions in Hong Kong or Tibet, which are examined in separate reports.
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Jul 02
minipost-“Sticking it to the man” – education in China
Written by: Raj | Filed under:-mini-posts, General, education | Tags:China, education
6 Comments » newest 2010-07-06 17:52:14
6 Comments » newest 2010-07-06 17:52:14
Something a bit different – go to the Mercury Brief to read an interesting and personal account of the Chinese education system from Michelle Cui Xiaoxiao.
Continue reading »….In contrast, he argues, Chinese teenagers are never allowed to take risks, which blocks self-understanding and self-reflection. Because Chinese students never confront typical teenage tribulations, they are doomed to live out their teenage years forever.
I am a product of one of these Chinese boarding schools, and a participant in many small acts of teenage rebellion. Yes, we were required to wear uniforms and were not allowed to wear jewelry. But my desk-mate and I had fun sneaking ear studs behind our hair, an act we perceived as extremely defiant. We were not allowed to leave school on weekdays, so we pretended to be sick and obtained special permission from school nurses to leave school for two hours. Then we devoured hamburgers and fries at McDonald’s and came back in time for afternoon classes.
Jun 26
The ECFA trade agreement between China and Taiwan looks like it will be signed in the near future.
It is hard at this point to be sure of who will benefit the most from it economically. There are concerns in Taiwan that there will be a net loss of jobs as a result of the agreement. Whilst Taiwan will be able to ship goods to China with fewer trade barriers, this does not mean that increased trade will employ more Taiwanese than lose their jobs due to an increase in Chinese imports. After all, some Taiwanese bosses may just pocket increased profit, though others will see increased demand and need to employ more workers. It will be easier to consider the impact of the agreement after it has been in place for a year or two.
But now that the ECFA has been agreed upon, where do Sino-Taiwanese relations go from here? The Wall Street Journal has a suggestion.
Jun 23
Issues with India/China Relations
Written by: Steve | Filed under:Analysis, General, politics | Tags:China, dalai lama, government, history, india, nationalism, politics, tibet
59 Comments » newest 2010-09-02 18:18:47
59 Comments » newest 2010-09-02 18:18:47
I came across two articles recently, both concerning India/China relations but one written from the Chinese point of view while the other was written from the Indian side. I thought it might be interesting to compare the two viewpoints to see just how far apart they really are.
The first article is from the China Daily while the other is from an Atlantic Council forum. The China Daily article feels there are ‘three gnawing issues’, as they put it. The Indian side looks at it historically, politically and diplomatically. They are both short so I’ll include them in their entirety.
Jun 09
India at the Shanghai World Expo and its significance in Sino-Indian Relations
Written by: Maitreya Bhakal | Filed under:Analysis, Environment, General, News, culture | Tags:China, China environment, Chinese culture, culture, environment, expo, expo 2010, india, india china relations, india expo 2010, Indian Culture, indian pavilion, indian pavilion expo 2010, shanghai expo, shanghai expo 2010, Sino-Indian relations, soft power
30 Comments » newest 2010-07-31 06:58:19
30 Comments » newest 2010-07-31 06:58:19
In the midst of the concrete and steel jungle that is the Shanghai World Expo, stands the Indian Pavilion, the ‘greenest’ of them all, built entirely of environment-friendly materials, showcasing India’s unique brand of Culture, History and Soft Power and offering an unprecedented opportunity to further improve Sino-Indian relations
The Expo has finally come to China. A largely forgotten event in most parts of the world, it has been rejuvenated, on a scale in which no other country could even dream of. A record number of 192 countries and 50 organizations have registered, the highest in the Expo’s history. Most people hadn’t even heard of the expo before it came to China. The verdict is clear – The Expo needed China as much as China needed the Expo.
It has been described by the Chinese government as “a great gathering of world civilizations”, and is an excellent opportunity to improve ties between two of the oldest – India and China.
This post was submitted by Maitreya Bhakal.
Jun 09
Another perspective on looking at China’s past
Written by: No99 | Filed under:Analysis, General |
66 Comments » newest 2010-07-19 07:03:53
Regarding the topic of China’s long and rich history of science and technology.
Here is one perspective to look at it. Only a few of the points here were made by me, but a lot of information I got from elsewhere and people who study this topic. I will try my best to put what I know so far understandable and straight to the point.
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Jun 09
minipost-Power Grows for Stricking Chinese workers. Good for China?
Written by: pug_ster | Filed under:-mini-posts, Analysis |
15 Comments » newest 2010-07-07 01:40:32
Chinese Workers: “I’m mad as hell and not going take it anymore.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/business/global/09labor.html?ref=world
The Recent suicides at Foxconn seems to be a watershed moment for Chinese workers who are fed up with the long hours, low pay and crappy cafeteria food. Recent strikes at this company, Honda and KFC recently announced substantial pay raises raises alarm bells for the companies and questions if they can still can produce goods affordability in China. China has already facing a of shortage workers in Guangdong/Shenzhen areas as well while the Chinese government is willing to stand aside and allow these strikes to happen.
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This post was submitted by pug_ster.
Jun 01
Across the seas: an iPad’s “gray” voyage
Written by: Nimrod | Filed under:General |
9 Comments » newest 2010-06-08 20:03:40
A shopper looks over an iPad at an Apple Store.
Apple was elated that iPads sold briskly. Then they fretted when they sold out. Apple continues to experience supply shortages, just like with the iPhone release. Where have all the iPads gone? It turns out the iPads are not just made in Chinese factories, but even their distribution is re-routed by networks of Chinese people.
A CBN Weekly (第一财经周刊) feature examines the intricate gray market for iPads, and the role of overseas Chinese in this informal logistics chain.
May 30
Opinion: the Foxconn Incident is a Reflection of the Growing Pains Associated with China’s Traditional Mode of Development
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Analysis, General, News, Opinion, economy | Tags:economic development, foreign reserve, foxconn suicides, trade imbalance
6 Comments » newest 2010-06-01 14:25:15
6 Comments » newest 2010-06-01 14:25:15
The following is a translation of an op-ed published published in China Review News.
May 27, 2010 – Opinion: the Foxconn Incident is a Reflection of the Growing Pains Associated with China’s Traditional Mode of Development
The recent spate of suicides at Foxconn in China has brought unprecedented attention to this major international manufacturing subcontractor of electronics equipments. While the causes of these suicides are inevitably complex, the incidents are a general reflection of the stress the traditional mode of development has wrought on China’s society and provide a warning that change must be brought about soon. Continue reading »
May 28
minipost-China: Responsible Stakeholder, Stakeholder, or World Leader?
Written by: Legalist | Filed under:-mini-posts | Tags:China, leadership
7 Comments » newest 2010-06-10 19:01:40
7 Comments » newest 2010-06-10 19:01:40
Robert Zoellick, former US deputy secretary of state and current World Bank chief, coined a role for China, responsible stakeholder. It was obviously self-serving because the US wanted to retain the right to judge who was responsible and who was not.
China clearly didn’t pick the role up although there are still commentators who say China should do this or that if it is to be a responsible stakeholder.
Furthermore, China doesn’t seem to like the descriptor of stakeholder either. It’s such a neutral term, one doesn’t know what it means anyway.
Instead, China should strive to be a world leader. Like it or not, or exercise it or not, China’s influences on the global economy, energy, environment and security are growing.
China needs to sit at the top table setting rules and enforcing them accordingly for the sake of global prosperity and security. The annual US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue is a good start.
China can’t claim to be a poor or third-world country for inaction anymore. Many in the world are looking to China for leadership.
This post was submitted by Legalist.
May 27
minipost-Should China Ensure Order In Its Neighborhood?
Written by: Legalist | Filed under:-mini-posts, News | Tags:China, Korea, Military Conflict
122 Comments » newest 2010-08-06 19:13:49
122 Comments » newest 2010-08-06 19:13:49
War talks are in the air on the Korean peninsula. North Korea sank South Korea’s warship Cheonan. South Korea retaliated by imposing various sanctions on the North. The North responded by imposing its own sanctions on the South.
War can easily happen, by accident or design. South Koreans are nervous. Americans are nervous. Japanese are nervous. And others are nervous, too. Everyone is looking to China to bring the North Koreans to their sense.
Continue reading »
This post was submitted by Legalist.
May 26
minipost-Parents shocked at arrest of student over ‘terrorist threat’
Written by: Bill | Filed under:-mini-posts, News | Tags:racial discrimination, Stevens Institute of Technology, terrorist
88 Comments » newest 2010-08-17 13:24:48
88 Comments » newest 2010-08-17 13:24:48
Bi Yantao’s Note: The incident that happened to Tiantian Zhai has caused a stir in China’s media and blogsphere. Frankly, many people here in China are surprised. How on earth does US define the freedom of speech? All comments are warmly welcome, and I will introduce your insights to China.
China Daily
May 25, 2010
XI’AN/WASHINGTON — Zhai Taishan, the father of a Chinese doctoral degree student in New Jersey accused by US police of attempted arson and making threats, flew from Xi’an, Shaanxi province, to Beijing on Monday night, seeking help from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“I will never believe that my son is a terrorist,” Zhai said.
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This post was submitted by Bill.
May 26
minipost-[Translation] Profile Of A Foxconn Suicide Jumper
Written by: Charles Liu | Filed under:-mini-posts, General, culture | Tags:factory, foxconn, suicide
26 Comments » newest 2010-06-08 02:18:13
26 Comments » newest 2010-06-08 02:18:13
According to news articles collected by Chinese netters on Baidu Encyclopedia, the 7th Foxconn suicide jumper, Lu Xin, had exhibited mental imbalance. Despite of intervention by Foxconn, Lu took his own life:
http://baike.baidu.com/view/3602162.htm
Lu Xin
Lu Xin, 24 yeras old from Hunan, joined Foxconn Group on Aug 1 2009, part of Foxconn’s 2009 management trainee program. After the incident Foxconn gathered relevant employee, and reported to media. Investigation found, Lu Xin exhibited abnormal behavior prior to May 1 holiday, having thoughts of being chased. Foxconn then arranged employees familiar with Lu for councel and conversation, also contacted Lu’s family to provide care. Despite of these efforts, tragidy was not averted.
“He said someone is trying to kill him”
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May 23
Mathematics with ideological flair
Written by: Nimrod | Filed under:General |
12 Comments » newest 2010-06-08 13:55:38
A set of book scans from the Cultural Revolution has been popular with bloggers around the internet the last few months. Here is an interesting one, a secondary school mathematics textbook that begins on this page:
Chairman Mao teaches us: “Never forget class struggle.” Now we shall settle the account on how damned landlord Skinner Qian cruelly exploited peasant Uncle Zhang by his criminal “interest upon interest” scheme (See Figure 1.1).
Peasant Uncle Zhang originally borrowed only 3 Yuan from the damned landlord. After 10 months, “interest upon interest” made it 3*(1+30%)10 Yuan. Now, let’s find out how big this number is.
Then it becomes a normal text, giving a simple exercise in using the log table. Turns out Uncle Zhang owed 41.31 Yuan, but there’s more…
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May 16
Does democracy cause fiscal irresponsibility?
Written by: Nimrod | Filed under:General |
126 Comments » newest 2010-07-30 02:47:53
Let’s begin with some maps:
This is the public debt as a percentage of GDP around the world. It was posted by somebody earlier.
The Economist has constructed a 10-point scale “Democracy Index”, where the larger the number, the higher the degree of “democracy”. Lighter colors are more democratic.
In a previous post, a discussion was opened on whether democracy scales. I argued that a direct, large-scale multi-party electoral democracy gave adverse incentives for irresponsible fiscal decisions. I put forth an argument that the electoral process devolved responsibility to people who could not make them well, and to such a degree that a bad outcome was assured. Is there something to this? Let’s see.
Continue reading »
May 11
minipost-How To Survive in China as a Foreigner
Written by: Steve | Filed under:-mini-posts, culture, education | Tags:blog, China, culture, education
51 Comments » newest 2010-09-01 19:39:28
51 Comments » newest 2010-09-01 19:39:28
I ran across this recent blog entry posted by Chris Biddle, an American student living in China. It’s short, sweet and to the point.
Bring your own deodorant. Bring your own coffee. Get used to the smell of urine. Smile, a lot. Learn how to say where your from. Understand that it’s not rude if someone asks how much money you make. Listen to music. Read. Be patient. Don’t drink tap water. Try everything at least once, especially the stuff that grosses you out, it will make for a better story. Get out there and do stuff, try not to use the train of thought “Well, I deserve this,” too often. If you’re a man, carry a pack of cigarettes with you and offer them to any man you meet. They will most likely not take one, even if they do smoke, but they will appreciate the sentiment.
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