Inside Philippine politics & beyond

US and China: Two contrasting ways of getting rich

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By Raïssa Robles

This week I learned the stark contrast between the US and China – between western style democracy and Chinese style socialism.

The US elected a new state leader in a democratic exercise conducted across the country that was noisy, almost chaotic and messy.

Voting in the US.

China is now being introduced to a new leader in a highly exclusive, closed-door gathering of over 2,000 men and women – in a congress conducted with pomp and solemnity, that is almost robotic and elaborately choreographed.

No voting in China. Instead, a “congress” by the only political party.

Running for re-election after a four-year term, America’s President Barack Obama emphasized the “you” – the individual – as the ingredient that makes democracy work. Listen to the end portion of his final campaign speech below:

In contrast, while stepping down from office after 10 years at the helm, Chinese President Hu Jintao emphasized “the people”, the “party” and “the system”.

I don’t have a copy of his 12,574-word speech (at least according to the BBC or British Broadcasting Company network). But the BBC uploaded a “word cloud” of his speech in Beijing, China, based on an English translation. It shows the most recurring words in his speech. Here is a copy below:

I also listened in fascination to the live BBC coverage of outgoing President Hu Jintao’s speech, while someone gave a near simultaneous translation into English. I noticed that the word “system” kept recurring in his speech. Hu Jintao also repeated several times the phrase “socialism with Chinese characteristics” to describe China’s model of development.

My newspaper, South China Morning Post, had additional interesting details about Hu Jintao’s speech in China. It quoted him as saying the following:

We have held high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and rejected both the old and rigid closed-door policy and any attempt to abandon socialism and take an erroneous path… [or the] evil route of changing its color.

***

As long as we remain true to our ideals and are firm in our conviction, we will surely complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects when the party celebrates its centenary and turn China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious when the People’s Republic marks its centenary [in 2020].

***

On the basis of making China’s development much more balanced, co-ordinated and sustainable, we should double its 2010 GDP and per capita income for both urban and rural residents [by 2020].

While China talks of doubling economic growth for its 1.3 billion population, the US – with 311 million people – is now trying not to fall of a “fiscal cliff”.

In both exercises, both leaders practically gave the same promises: a richer country and a better life to the many.

China vs. the US: Which has the better approach?

Which manner of development will succeed in the long run?

One that emphasizes the individual and the free market like the US? Or one that does the complete opposite like China?

Will China’s 538 million Internet users be able to sway their top leaders to listen more to ordinary voices?  In other words, to be more democratic in their approach to development?

Ironically, Obama is being called “a communist” by some quarters while China is being branded a “capitalist”.

Do labels really matter if the system works to improve people’s lives and they welcome the change?

How about the Philippines?

This brings me to our country. Like China, can the Philippines also evolve its own brand of democracy with “Filipino characteristics”?

It’s doing that, but oh so slowly.

Who can recall the fact that 26 years ago in 1986, a Philippine labor minister named Augusto “Bobbit” Sanchez had to be removed from his post because the military branded him a “communist” for daring to propose that private companies undertake profit-sharing schemes for its workers?

Today, profit-sharing is done by a number of Philippine companies.

Last year, no one called President Benigno Aquino III a “communist” for encouraging more profit-sharing during an employers’ conference. Nor did the employers walk out on his speech but instead had their picture taken with Aquino afterward. Here’s the story about Aquino’s appeal.

What I’m trying to say is, let’s not be afraid to evolve our own brand of democracy. Let’s not crucify future innovators who dare to draw from concepts alien to what we hold dear.

Comments

  2. China, in transition. circa 2012

    Xi Jinping has officially been appointed Secretary -General and successor to Hu Jintao.

    • China’s NEW Politburo Standing Committee (7) Members

      1. Xi Jinping. Secretary General taking over from Hu Jintao.
      2. Li Keqiang. Next Premier taking over from Wen Jiabao.
      3. Zhang Dejiang
      4. Yu Zhengsheng,
      5. Liu Yunshan
      6. Wang Qishan
      7. Zhang Gaoli

      From nine to seven new members. Commencement, March 2013.

      What do I think of the new leaders? Progressive, intellectuals… (opinion only)

      • Will China’s NEW Politburo Standing Committee of 7 Members continue to dump all its remaining US Dollar reserves even after the US Federal Reserve’s private 99 year Charter (lease) that ends this 21st (23) Dec. 2012?

        Will the nations of Russia, Venezuela, Iran and China snub the US Petrodollar and trade (buy, pay) with oil producing nations with their own respective currencies?

        Or would US President B Obama take the shorter route and start afresh by nationalizing the US Central Bank (i.e. Federal Reserve System) and introduce a new US currency?

        The Phils’. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank) should take a cue to stock up on more gold and silver, and belittle it’s US Dollar reserves (surplus) since come 2013, the US Dollar’s value may be cut into half of its current value.

  3. How about Distributism?

    According to distributists, property ownership is a fundamental right and the means of production should be spread as widely as possible among the general populace, rather than being centralized under the control of the state (state socialism) or by accomplished individuals (laissez-faire capitalism). Distributism therefore advocates a society marked by widespread property ownershipand, according to co-operative economist Race Mathews, maintains that such a system is key to bringing about a just social order.

  4. China is just slowly “copying” on capitalism and western democracy but swallowing its pride and doing it “so slowly” for the Party to remain alive!

    While, we in our ‘Pinas Kung Mahal’ we, our leaders are “changing” our “mode” into “little political dynasty kingdoms’ ! A scenario that is in the making now! We will be “copying” the Eurupean style of fiefsdom or serfdoms…where people are “enslaved” for these dynasties.

    A monopoly of public offices, elected and appointed, will be the result of our stupid way of voting and appointing into public offices the TRAPOS! How will we, the poor stupid people, get away with this in the long run? There will be NO WAY. Trapos will be singing MY WAY!

    After PNoy, who? Binay? Senate who? Caeyatano? Enrile Jack? Cities, Provinces and Towns, who? Barangays, who? the TRAPOS!

    When this thing is accomplished, ‘Pinas will be a parliamentary system of government, of European colors en toto.

    We do not like this scenario. So, what do we people and voters should do?

    DROP ALL TRAPOS ON 2013! Regardless of qualifications, education, etc. etc. Do not help them in anyway.

    • USA is just calling itself a Democratic Country but the truth is that it is being controlled by Capitalist and to wit, capitalist works to gain wealth, influence and power. Sans the protection of their interests in perpetuation is the main reason for monopoly and dynasty system. The Philippines is a mini-me of USA, but its main difference to the USA is that our country is without ethics on that matter . A true Democratic Society is not afraid to adopt any system that will put the nation into progressive mode by using all ideal way which may come from Socialist or Communist ideas.

  5. Getting rich everybody wants, nobody wants to be poor. Just for the the starter. We must change from within.
    Before God use Abram totally, He, changed his Name to Abraham, From Jacob to Israel, From Saul to Paul.
    Their is Untied Kingdom – Britain, United States – America.
    Why not United Island of the Philippines. We are 7107 island. There is power in words.

    God bless United Island of the Philippine

    • SHILOH says: “Getting rich everybody wants, nobody wants to be poor. Just for the the starter. We must change from within.”

      I doubt this is true for 40% of Filipinos which are 40 million bodies and poor souls. They just want to live the only way they know: make both ends meet. You might be referring to about 5% of the Filipinos who are about 5 million sick to their black bones and suffering souls. In the history of dynasties and feudal lords they are the causes and wrongly labelled victims of bloody revolutions.

  6. The main difference between the US and China is, not how wealth is made, but how each sees the individual.

    The US values the individual, his rights and freedoms. The State serves the individual, but it also asks that the individual serve the State.

    China sees the individual as the threat to the State. The right of the State is paramount, and the individual must serve the ends of the State, and the individual can be crushed for order’s sake..

    Since March of last year, nearly 70 Tibetan monks have immolated themselves to protest China’s rule.

    In the Philippines, the US view is supposed to have been adopted. But politicians and the clergy would, like China, rather use their power to manipulate individuals for their own purposes. Life is cheap here, and can be lost for a few pesos, or because you slighted someone, or because you sang off-key.

  8. OFF-TOPIC, CPMers pls tell us the other side of this news:

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper hopes Manila visit will drum up

    Harper is on a three-day official visit to the Philippines and is to meet with President Benigno Aquino III at the presidential palace to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries.

    Bruce Campion-Smith
    Ottawa Bureau chief

    MANILA—Canada is hoping to grab the tail of what could be the next Asian Tiger.
    Prime Minister Stephen Harper has landed in the Philippines in a visit aimed at getting Canada’s foot in the door of a country forecast to be a “star” economic performer.
    An aggressive anti-corruption campaign by President Benigno Aquino III is helping restore confidence in this nation and the results are paying off as the Filipino economy chalked up growth second only to China, said Chris Thornley, Canada’s ambassador here.
    “It’s great timing for Canada to be positioned . . . to be in on the ground floor,” Thornley told reporters in a conference call Friday.

    The economic turnaround comes after years of challenges for this diverse nation, marked by corruption, notably, and a decades-long rebel insurgency.

    Thornley said that corruption has been a “tremendous hindrance” but praised reforms imposed by Aquino, who is seen as the “first honest president for a long time.”
    “People are being held accountable and consequences are being demonstrated for bad behaviour and this is paying off well for them in terms of economic development,” Thornley said.

    But he conceded too that it will likely take a generation to purge corruption from society and advised Canadians companies to come here with “their eyes wide open and understand that there are challenges.”

      • THINK ABOUT THIS: it’s insane until it happens. More than 30 Philippines can still be contained in Canada’s land and water (snow) mass. Say 40 million Pinoy productive emigrants ADDED to Canada’s 30 million. Philippines as Canada’s military and trade beach head in Asia. Philippines as Canadian province. Just think of MUTUAL advantages to both peoples; IT WILL NEVER happen: US and China, Philippines’ ruling CRABS won’t allow it. Canada’s judicious politics won’t allow it also. But Alizarin said and wrote it first in CPlaza Miranda.

      • I disagree. Why should America care what happens between Canada and the Philippines? America is FOR both countries. Whatever they work out is peachy keen, hunky gory, mighty fine good.

    • We could also learn from Canada.

      It has elements that Americans would consider “communist” such as its extensive health care system.

      • Yeah, those commie Canadians. Actually, most Americans find Canadians to be outrageously rational and fine people. We don’t want to pay their tax rates, however, to pay for that commie health care.

        • Actually Joe, just a point, Canadians ARE Americans, Americans are NOT only from the USA. I always find it offensive that the US has ripped off the meaning of America, it is very ignorant, egotistical and honestly hostile to try and assume a title of a whole nation when you are just one of many countries inhabiting the continent. Then again, that’s the way the USA (mainly) does business.

  10. @raissa
    I believe we can also evolve into our brand of democracy. For a start congress should enact the anti-dynasty law. If our lawmakers will not do it let us support the people’s initiative being undertaken by the Social Justice Society.

    • Anti -dynasty bill will never come iinto a law as long as we are practicing the wrong usage/application/interpretation of our. ” STRONG FAMILY TIES “.

    • You ALREADY have your own brand of “democracy”…only it AINT democracy! First time I
      landed on Phili soil I was appalled at how backwards the international airport was, then stepping out I experienced Phili democracy in action when I needed assistance from a Phili security guard – he looked at me and said, how much for me……….now THAT is
      democracy – Philippines style – and THAT is the trouble with HOME grown democracy, you actually NEED a template to COPY and improve on.

  11. “word cloud” speech of Jintao summed up in two words:
    Capitalism and socialism.

    Economic development by “rejecting both the old and rigid closed door policy” .

    Chinese are visionaries and realist. They know Protectionism impedes economic progress.

    Here is what is wrong with the Philippines:

    Over Protectionism!
    Labor Sec Sanchez was prime example.

    Here are the great problems:

    1. Open sky restrictive policy- foreign airlines refused to fly more flights to the Philippines. because of over protectionism of Philippine carriers. Yet we want our tourism to progress like Singapore.

    2.constitutionally mandated foreigners limited land ownership-
    recently SC ruled on strict implementation of this restriction under the constitution. The justices have no choice. They were performing their duties. Economic cha- cha is needed and must be given priority by Congress and Executive branch.

    3. MVP and his companies threaten to leave Philippines because of restrictive mining policy. Safety, increase job opportunities, competitive mineral exports could be achieved, proven by other countries like Australia.

    4. Foreign companies leaving Philippines as manufacturing or distribution center due to cumbersome requirements setting up or maintaining existing businesses. Fed Ex, Ford, Eli Lilly few examples.

    5. NTC unable to control local communication systems resulting to high tariff of foreign carriers. Only in the Philippines that different Telcos are not interconnected with each other resulting to high consumer local connection expenses and international call fees by consumers here and abroad. Telecommunications abroad advertise their international calls to many countries as dirt cheap except the Philippines.

    Less politics, more sensible economic policies and development are what the Philippines must strive to do.

    • Totally agrees with your views, but our political leaders are puppets of local x-polies who controlled the local market for their own greedy needs at expense of locals when structures are toletated by our over protectionist laws.

      • I beg to (in caps) differ SOMEWHAT with Mr Johnny Lin
        Here are the great problems: I say EFFECTS more than causes

        1. Open sky restrictive policy- foreign airlines refused to fly more flights to the Philippines. because of over protectionism of Philippine carriers. Yet we want our tourism to progress like Singapore. ANY WHICH WAY NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST THESE WERE BARGAINED FOR A SONG to local and foreign airlines?

        2.constitutionally mandated foreigners limited land ownership- recently SC ruled on strict implementation of this restriction under the constitution. The justices have no choice. They were performing their duties. Economic cha- cha is needed and must be given priority by Congress and Executive branch. FOLLOWED MORE IN THE BREACH for moolah?

        3. MVP and his companies threaten to leave Philippines because of restrictive mining policy. Safety, increase job opportunities, competitive mineral exports could be achieved, proven by other countries like Australia.
        MINING POLICY MORE RESTRICTIVE NOW TO SAFEGUARD ABUSE of natural Resources?

        4. Foreign companies leaving Philippines as manufacturing or distribution center due to cumbersome requirements setting up or maintaining existing businesses. Fed Ex, Ford, Eli Lilly few examples. OUR TAIPANS ARE INTO
        MANUFACTURING ? MAKING THEIR PILES FROM parking fees and underpayment of employees? They will be shot in China?

        5. NTC unable to control local communication systems resulting to high tariff of foreign carriers. Only in the Philippines that different Telcos are not interconnected with each other resulting to high consumer local connection expenses and international call fees by consumers here and abroad. Telecommunications abroad advertise their international calls to many countries as dirt cheap except the Philippines. CARTEL OR CONGLOMERATE GREED?

        Less politics, more sensible economic policies and development are what the Philippines must strive to do. A CULTURAL REVOLUTION OF THE 1968 CHINESE MODEL MIGHT HASTEN THE DESIRED politico-socio-economic change for the Philippines and end once and for all times centuries of mental subjugation.

        • Contrary opinions on Effects:
          1. Open sky – cheaper travel, more choices to flyers. More tourists, more economic benefits to outlying tourist spots in provinces. More income by locals, better income opportunities in every business sector

          2. Land ownership- more interest from big companies to invest, retaining their assets stimulate more incentives to expand providing more job opportunities and increase tax income for govt. Current law promotes illegality by using Filipino dummies as principal owners of landholdings, thereby increasing corrupt opportunities for govt officials.

          3. Safeguarding natural resources by being open minded is better than close restriction. Implementation of existing laws along with eliminating temptations to corruption is the key. Again more job creations and increase govt income from taxes generated from production and exports provide greater opportunities to the rest of the nation.

          4. Employers leaving the country is bad to national economy. Labor laws are for implementation. Business is established to make reasonable profit and provide jobs following laws of the land. Incomprehensible to suggest that manufacturing businesses intend to make a killing on parking fees in place of employment. The law provides that reasonable accommodation to employees needs and parking is one aspect. Surrounding parking lots not owned by manufacturers is a different story, which is entrepreneurship by other owners. More foreign businesses in the country create more job opportunities increasing govt income and satellite income opportunities of other business sectors.

          5. precisely, greed and cartel aided by corrupt govt officials are the causes, not the effects of NTC inability to control Telecoms. Consumer gouging is the effect. Less communication expenses of public more money to spend to other needs creating more income of other businesses locally and nationally.

          Presented initially were the restrictive govt problems. Effects on employment should have been natural conclusion from the problems.

          Increase employment and spread of extra money spent by employed citizens in other business sectors are the backbones of national economic development.

          Jobs, jobs, jobs. Its the economy !

        • I actually agree totally with you! Did you know that 25% of the GDP of the Philippines is produced by prostitution and another 25% from overseas remittances? I can’t see that these two methods of injection of money in to the Philippines economy actually does a lot for the country’s future well being.

        • @who cares,
          “25% of the GDP of the Philippines is produced by prostitution”
          really? you have proof?

  12. Raissa, CPMers, et al…….This month is the 25th anniversary of James Fallows critical essay referring to the Philippines as “a damaged culture.”…….I recall the ferocious snit and umbrage that our varied array of “nationalists” and “patriots” were spewing at the time. Perhaps, rereading that article (and discussing it , perhaps) with some sobriety earned through the passage of time might yet reveal that in fact it was a mirror James Fallows was holding up before us. (Was it the Atlantic Monthly????….I will check. In the meantime, good night, folks. Daylight Saving Time has ended last Sunday……Manila is now ahead of Texas & Central Time states by 14 hours until the first Sunday of March.)

    • Hey Buddy,

      You’re based in San Antonio, TX, right? Would love to hear from you about how Texans took the Republican defeat….

      • @andrew…..in a word—-“shell shocked” ….. The republicans, especially the “teapartiers” just could not believe what hit them. Some “Birthers” have even made claims that the almost defunct “Black Panthers” engaged in voter fraud and intimidation and stole the election for Barack!!! Attacks against Obama were vicious, very unchristian. Unbelievable how the Republican wingnuts could stoop to such deception and dishonesty.

        San Antonio Democratic Mayor Julian Castro’s twin brother, Joaquin won a US congressional seat……….also in San Antonio (including republican-gerrymandered areas stretching all the way to el paso) Congressional seat incumbent Republican Francisco Canseco lost to a Democrat, Pete Gallego. In the forthcoming election cycles, with
        heavier Hispanic voter registration, Texas is expected to start turning blue! My family voted Democrat. I do not vote here. I am still a registered voter in Calbayog City.

  14. The only reason the Philippines can never get out of its slump is because OF it’s political system. We had a chance to change it after EDSA, but, since there were snakes in the grass that remained, mainly because the grass was cut too high, those snakes prospered under a new house owner, and even let the old snakes back on the backyard.

    Ninoy’s sacrifice amounted to nothing after that, especially now that the anaconda’s son is being groomed by “forces unknown” into “taking back what they never really lost” in the first place.

    • Yes our Political System slowed down our growth as compared to other ASEAN countries but on my own opinion it’s the way we are USING/APPLYING our ” STRONG FAMILY TIES ” In everything. Nobody talks if a relative was in hot issues . ECONOMICS, POLITICS , CRIME’s committed , even in everyday life’s , RICH and the POOR were on the same footings ” TAKIPAN KAHIT MALI ANG GINAGAWA ” .

      Socialism CHINA’s style will fit our characteristics and will gradually solved our socio-economic problems in the Philippines.

    • Enrile! right? The snake in the grass growing into Anaconda. Sobra believe sa sarile. He thinks he is able to introduce change in his lifetime but sorry manong ang pocket mo lang ang daming chanege.
      US/CHINA is all the same deceitful and manipulative. The former even using all forms of media to condition peoples mind. America is now on a trance, soon she will wake up that the president the have elected the second time is out to declare global martial law. Watch when Obama will make peace in the middle East ?

  15. Interesting perspectives, for sure. Governments emerge from the sociological, cultural and historical foundations of the time, and the personalities. The great battle between capitalism and socialism is over, and capitalism won. China’s wealth-building is done on a capitalistic framework. That is the economic system. The political systems of democracy vs. communist, elected vs. committee, can both be good, depending on the frame of mind of the power players. If they are creepy, we get North Korea and Iran. If they are forthright, we get Singapore, the U.S., the states of the British commonwealth and most European states. The format differs everywhere.

    Too many people, including Americans, are too patriotically devoted to their own form of government and therefore unable to adapt to correct weaknesses. I’d much prefer a corporate “Board of Directors” approach for the U.S. because the partisan acrimony is working against the best interest of the nation.

    The Philippines needs its own vision rather than a sottocopy of the US. But no one has articulated a clear vision unique to the island structure and family allegiances that are distinctive to the nation. Edgar Lores did a parsing on my blog of President Aquino’s SONA vs. President Obama’s victory speech. Dramatically different fundamentals, with Obama focused on liberty and hope – a softer almost spiritual orientation – while Aquino centered on achievements, corruption and practical matters. One was a dream, the other a check list.

    What does the Philippines want to be when it grows up? I have no idea.

    • Ah, more thought-provoking ideas from you, Joe.

      I like it.

      One thing different between the Philippines and the US, while you do have corruption it’s not pervasive like here.

      What does the Philippines want to be? We may yet witness it in the next 10 years. Hopefully.

      • Yes, and the family/clan structure is so very different in the Philippines. Writing the response to you made me think that the Philippines should stop denying that it is a clan society, and structure its government to recognize it and leverage it as strength, rather than try to fit clans into a US style democracy. Far out thinking, I know. See what you start ?. . . I probably won’t sleep much tonight trying to figure THAT out . . . your fault . . .. :)

        • Oh, get some sleep and wake up refreshed tomorrow and think about it the whole day.

          The Philippines can still get out of a clan society. Think of Europe.

        • I wake up, make myself coffee and toast with peanut butter and marmalade, and open ‘inside Philippine politics and beyond’ and sure enough gets myself another pleasant surprise (and lots of education) – a really, really interesting discussion about a profoundly important topic. You guys are awesome indeed.

        • peanut butter and marmalade?

          mmm. must try that combination.

          Thanks for joining in, @parengtony :)

          Try blueberry jam with cottage cheese.

      • WHAT DOES THE PHILIPPINES WANT TO BE???? We already got long time ago when MLQ said “I would rather have country run like hell by Filipinos than a country run like heaven by the Americans”. Country like hell is the vision of MLQ to be so clearly we got it.

        Here’s what Manolo Quezon said about the quotation of his late relative; “I prefer a government run like hell by Filipinos to a government run like heaven by Americans….Because, however bad a Filipino government might be, we can always change it.” [President Manuel Luis Quezon].

        Yes! we did change our government from BAD to WORSE. You be the judge.

        Hopefully you said? Isn’t it we’ve been hoping since the Americans gave back our independence? Anyway, hoping is really eternal so we can keep hoping.

      • Yes, Raissa the corruption in America is Mega but it is done professionally. They are well organized and are able to hide truths and live with the lie as if it were the truth.

        Cheney once told Bush, “We are so good in lying I almost believed them good lies”.

        • Yes, we call corruption “making bold market moves” and we call lies “spin”. It is indeed handled professionally, which is where the term “spin doctor” cam from. The educational requirement to “spin like Rove” (sung a lot like the tune “Move Like Jagger”) is best fulfilled at places like Harvard and Yale.

        • US nomenclatures:

          Bribery = Lobby. Practitioners are lobbyists.

          Lies = spin. Practitioners are spin doctors

          Corruption = campaign funds. Practitioners are politicians

        • What about corruption in China? Below is the article of Marites Vitug in Rappler.

          Vitug Vlogs: Corruption in China
          BY RAPPLER.COM Posted on 11/07/2012 9:38 PM | Updated 11/08/2012 12:14 PM

          MANILA, Philippines – Rappler’s editor at large Marites Vitug talks about the wealth enjoyed by families of China’s political elite as the country prepares for a leadership change.

          Questions haunt China’s Communist Party as it meets to decide a once-in-a-decade transition of power on November 8.

          Did two of their leaders – incoming president Xi Jinping and the current premier Wen Jiabao – know that members of their families accumulated tremendous wealth as they rose to power?

          Did they have a part in this? Did they intervene, facilitate or simply close their eyes to their families’ business dealings?

          A Chinese proverb says: When a man gets power, even his chickens and dogs rise to heaven.

          In June this year, Bloomberg reported that Xi’s extended family members expanded their business interests to include stakes in mining, rare metals, real estate and mobile-phone equipment. Total investments amount to at least a billion dollars.

          This was followed by a New York Times report last month. It detailed Wen’s relatives’ incredibly huge wealth reaching billions of dollars. For example:

          – Wen’s son co-founded a major private equity firm.
          – His daughter holds shares of a Chinese diamond company.
          – His wife is a major player in China’s gem and jewelry trade.

          China blocked access to Bloomberg and the New York Times websites when these investigations were published. But could these have escaped China’s 300 million micro-bloggers?

          Surely, there must be anger. But change does not come fast and easy in this opaque country. – Rappler.com

    • I wonder when the US will grow up? Ideology versus pragmatic logic seems as if ideology wins every time in the US. I would SAY take the gun debate – but that is just a stupid analogy and not worthy of discussion, only a moron would champion guns in general society but then the gun lobby in the US is worth a lot of votes so NO action is taken and the gun lobby i actually FETED! The battle of capitalism verses socialism has NOT even been fought yet, but it will in the next 50 years with more robotic technology, corporations becoming more and more based across country boundaries with their only goals monetary milestones of more and more wealth and governments of nations trying to remain in control. NO JOE the battle has yet to be fought and it wont ultimately be about either issue in the end but mainly as we are seeing now in the middle east, about what the people want. The people are NOT getting what they want ANYWHERE…Philippines, Egypt, Syria OR the USA ( America to the ill educated!)