Comments on China-I: Inspired by Mr. Huchton's Lectures

I've recently enrolled in Mr. Huchton's class "China: Past and Current" at OLLI-UTEP.  In addition to having been in China some 20 years ago, I've had Chinese friends over the years and feel I know the national government well.  I was hoping that Mr. Huchton's class would help to keep me abreast of developments in China and though there's been only one class session I've attended, I think he's doing just that!
 
I'll try to keep the topics numbered in each blog item on China the same; but there'll be several comment items as the semester proceeds. So, on to my comments on China inspired by Mr. Huchton's lecture this past week.

1.  Orientation to Modern China
There is some preliminary understanding about the direction that its government and people is headed.  The Chinese are jingoistic:  they believe their way has always been the best way.  And China has lasted for countless centuries.  Their way is highlighted in its art and literature and religion.  Confucianism is built right into the Chinese way of modern life.

I like to posit their philosophy as a way of thinking:  what I call the Asian Mind.  I believe their aim is to unite Asia through the philosophy of the Asian Mind, which they contend is very different from the Western logical pattern dating back to Aristotle.

But as a major power of tomorrow, if not today, it realizes it must also take on the form of a major power.  This means that just as Germany, France and England colonized in the previous centuries, so too must China. Moreover, it viewed how Russia attempted colonization in Africa, specifically, Ghana; and it has been spurred on to accomplish what Russia failed to achieve on that Continent. Its trading partners circle the globe--Australia especially benefiting.

It is impelled by a vision to unify Asia, I am convinced of it.  Its current attempt is to claim the waters of the south seas as its rightful sphere of influence.  It is protectionist of Asia as a mother protects her offspring to inculcate its vision of the Asian mind and to create its own cultural meccas among the other Asian countries.

It pirates the copyrights and patents from Western nations, just as the US in its early days copied from England how to manufacture and do commerce in international trade.

It is resource hungry.  I believe the US has cooperated with China by opening up western Afghanistan for mineral exploration and development.  The US certainly cannot develop the rich Afghanistan land, lest it (i.e., the US) be accused of going to war in Afghanistan to exploit that land for its own purpose, after Russia had pulled out. Certainly, China is developing the infrastructures in African countries for both depopulating its own native land by enabling emigration of its people to these countries and providing a steady flow of natural resources China so disparately needs at home.

Since it seems clear that China is embarked on a program of uniting Asia under its umbrella, the US has not invited China to join the TPP, I understand.

2.  The African Colonization
It's my understanding that China is not colonizing Kenya, a pet country of the US State Department; nor of course, it isn't in South Africa, I don't think.  It goes into countries whether or not they are democracies and it sets up its own communities, which do a lot of good in building up the local infrastructures, including hospitals, roads, bridges and buildings--apartment complexes, corporate edifices, and so forth.  Huchton emphasized that not all these enterprises are appreciated by the native inhabitants, since by and large, the Chinese treat the locals as second-class citizens in the effort to modernize their lands!

Of course, China mines the riches of the lands on which their colonizes exist.  Interestingly, natives in many countries must learn Mandarin in their schooling.

Do I think that China is endeavoring to take over Africa?  I doubt it.  For one thing, China is far away from what's happening day-to-day in the African countries.  For another, Africa at this time knows nothing of the Asian Mind cause.  Nor is its military sufficiently capable of extending Chinese control to African shores.

In my opinion, China is doing yeoman service to the world in its African projects.  And, note that China is extending credit or other benefits to the countries who participate as joint partners in its endeavors in the several African countries.
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Overall comment:  China is experiencing growing pains!