A Shaky Foundation

Throughout history, China has been very good at building walls. The Great Wall has been built on several different occasions to protect the Northern Boundary from invaders. Built from stones, pressed soil and later bricks it has been estimated that one millions lives were lost in the building of the wall. During the twentieth century, the Bamboo curtain was raised to further isolate China from the rest of the world. Slowly, one brick at a time this wall of isolation is beginning to come down as China is opening its doors to economic development and communication with the rest of the world. However, before China can be afforded status as a World leader they need to not only ‘tear down the wall’ but also repair the foundation.
Like many of her buildings that have been thrown up overnight, China’s entrance into the global economy has evolved at a breakneck speed. The facade of China’s new urban cosmopolitanism is built on a cracking foundation. Two of China’s greatest challenges are corruption and human rights violations.
Corruption is rampant in China. From the highest to the lowest ranks of government, corruption exists. A free market system, even one with Chinese characteristics, cannot continue to grow and expand when hampered by graft. According to the PBS Frontline presentation, China in the Red, Chinese companies receive 12 billion per year from the World Bank. It goes into a bottomless pit, squandered by government officials, managers, and even the banks. Corruption is higher than at any previous time in China’s history.
The second crack in China’s foundation is its continued Human Rights Violations. Even on the eve on the 2008 Beijing Olympics, human rights violations are increasing. China’s human rights record shows little signs of improvement, according to an Amnesty International report. “It was hoped that the Games would act as a catalyst for reform but much of the current wave of repression against activists and journalists is occurring not in spite of, but actually because of the Olympics.”
http://www.amnesty.org/
One case in point is the dissident writer Hu Jia. Hui was arrested in December. His wife and baby have remained under house arrest since December. Hu has been an outspoken critic of human rights violations and China’s handling of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Last week Hu Jia was sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison.
The Beijing Olympics will give China the opportunity to “tear down the wall” throw back the curtain and show the world that they are interested in being a player on the world stage. It will also need to show the world that it has the foundation to support this demanding role. China needs to show the world not only a market system with Chinese characteristics but also a system with moral characteristics.