Roland Boer's Blog, page 20

The resilience of a socialist market economy

In the article copied below are some useful insights into the current ‘trade war’ that the USA has launched against China (among many other countries). I am not sure the article – by John Ross – fully understands the socialist market economy of China, but the reality is that this economy is far more integrated, … Continue reading The resilience of a socialist market economy

China is a great country, with a great culture, rich in history and wisdom: Pope Francis

I realise this is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I have an abiding interest in these fascinating developments. Perhaps the most significant observation is as follows: ‘He [Pope Francis] sees China not only as a great country but also as a great culture, rich in history and wisdom. Today China has come to arouse … Continue reading China is a great country, with a great culture, rich in history and wisdom: Pope Francis

Book outline: Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

This book arises from a contradiction in our time: Chinese scholars and indeed most people in China are well aware of the key arguments and developments that form the basis of socialism with Chinese characteristics (zhongguo tese shehuizhuyi); non-Chinese scholars are largely ignorant, even though I find that more and more want to know at … Continue reading Book outline: Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

Is it time to adopt China’s internet model? More and more countries are doing so

As someone who spends a good deal of time in China, I find that I can access all I want on the internet here. The search engines are generally better, the scholarly resources superior to elsewhere, and the news services reliable and well-informed. At the same time, China has developed a sophisticated approach to internet … Continue reading Is it time to adopt China’s internet model? More and more countries are doing so

China’s poverty alleviation: One of the greatest human rights achievements

One of the greatest human rights achievements in human history is China’s forty years of poverty alleviation – given the fundamental right to socio-economic wellbeing. The World Bank estimates that 850 million people have been lifted out of poverty, but still some remain in poverty. Given that one of the three great challenges for a … Continue reading China’s poverty alleviation: One of the greatest human rights achievements

A photo for the ages: Xi Jinping on Chongqing poverty alleviation tour

China has set 2020 as the year for total alleviation of basic poverty, a key plank in the target to achieve a ‘xiaokang society’ – moderately well-off, healthy and secure for everyone. This was first proposed by Deng Xiaoping, who picked up an old Confucian term and reinterpreted it in light of Marxism, but it … Continue reading A photo for the ages: Xi Jinping on Chongqing poverty alleviation tour

Without the Communist Party of China there would be no new China

This slogan appears at key locations and moments: Without the Communist Party of China there would be no new China. For me, this is obvious. But let me copy an article from the People’s Daily that explains to some extent why this is the case: Hu Xijin, editor of the Global Times, recently published an … Continue reading Without the Communist Party of China there would be no new China

Xi Jinping at work: Two photographs, 30 years apart

This photograph was taken in 1989 when Xi Jinping was working as local CPC party head in Ningde, Fujian Province. And this one is from 8 April, 2019, 30 years later. Here, Xi Jinping is heading out to celebrate China’s tree-planting day. As an aside, it is worth noting that China leads the world in … Continue reading Xi Jinping at work: Two photographs, 30 years apart

Down to the countryside: 21st century version

Some years ago now, there was a slogan in China, ‘Up the mountains and down to the countryside [shangshan xiaxiang]‘, which came to be known as the ‘down to the countryside movement’. Back then, socialism meant that everyone was equal because everyone was poor, and the trauma of that period’s disruption still runs deep in … Continue reading Down to the countryside: 21st century version

The Silk Road is active again: Thousands of trains now run the route

Many centuries ago, the routes of the ‘Silk Road’ used camels and whatnot for covering the thousands of kilometres between east and west on the Eurasian landmass. In more recent times, when Chinese planners were thinking about the reincarnation of the Silk Road – what is now known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) … Continue reading The Silk Road is active again: Thousands of trains now run the route