Over the past month in China I’ve been collecting a few blog topics to post outside the country.  They’re quick and general, but here goes…

Freedom of ___?

Despite increasingly opening itself to other countries whether through trade or tourism, the government wields much control over its people.

The majority of Chinese are atheist, though religious groups must be registered with the government and any materials, like sermons or religious texts, must be pre-approved and may be edited.  For Chinese Nationals, there are two types Christian churches in practice. One is registered (legal) and the other is a “family church” where people practice “underground” in homes (illegal).  Foreigners can legally attend a church outside the system

The internet is censored which means no facebook, youtube or blog sites.  You can get around the blocks by using a foreign-based VPN, but most Chinese don’t go to the trouble or don’t own a computer. You must register with the government if you frequent an internet café and they can monitor the sites that you visit.

One child rule

China has had a rule in place for a while now that says each married couple can have only one child.  Couples can pay a “fine” (read: tax) if they have a second child.  The goal is not to maintain the 1.4 billion population, it’s to reduce it.  The country supposedly hit its peak population in 2008 and, as residents over the age of 65 reach enlightenment, it is still declining.  There is an exception.  Minority groups can breakeven with two kids.

The rule has had significant cultural effects. Imagine a whole nation of children with no brothers or sisters, where older populations were once raised in extended families. In middle/upper class families, the only-child, Type A personalities are muted by parental control.  Parents are very protective of their one child to the extent that they make the decisions — where to go to college, what to major in, etc. — and the children are left with no responsibilities.  When the parents have the money to spend, the child gets whatever he or she wants.

This has created a generation of new materialism and the changes have had an effect on the Chinese economy.  Before, families saved whatever they could.  Now, the children spend the money and China’s domestic economy is booming.  Its ability to export competitively is still important, but now the country has new market for its goods — China.

Because the parents put so much effort into raising their child, they expect the same treatment from the child when they reach retirement. We read about one case where the parents sued their child for not caring for them properly in old age. Among the middle class, the parents have a good life.  They often live with or near the child’s family.  During the day when the child is at work, they exercise in the park, play Chinese chess, meet with friends, etc.

“New Communism”

China is communist (or “new communist”) at the national level, but at the local level it is more like a democracy where citizens elect representatives.  They don’t use the term democracy, of course.

You can see aspects of capitalism in China.  Private individuals own businesses, businesses are publicly traded on the stock market, etc.  It may be confusing to hear about capitalism in a communist country.  The government says that it’s a “new form of communism” that it invented.  That’s the line whenever something is successful that falls outside the strict tenets of communism.  It does make it easy for them.

The farmers

…are the poorest group, especially in rural parts of China where access to healthcare, etc. is limited if at all existent.  The farmers receive limited government services.  For example, they do not receive the equivalent of Social Security when they reach a certain age.

The government says that it is looking for ways to aid the farmers.  Southwest China didn’t receive snowfall this past winter.  Now there is a severe drought and the farmers cannot grow any crops.  The government is sending water to remote villages.

Working in China

We met a few foreigners who work here in China and I think cultural differences would make it a tough environment.  Questioning your boss is disrespectful, especially implying that your boss may not know everything in front of others.  Foreigners get reprimanded.  Chinese can lose their jobs if their boss loses face.

Chinese bosses tend to micromanage.  Your highest ranking executive may stand every morning by the entrance and personally take down the names of workers who are running late.  He may patrol the office to make sure shirts are properly ironed and that workers are at their desks.  Appearances are very important.

Careers progress through a system of favors. Once a businessman assists enough or the right people, he will call on those contacts to help in a career move or with a sale.  In China, you never get something for nothing.  The same is true for family and friends.  If you accept a favor, gift, etc., then you are expected to aid the person later on.  Sometimes a friend may help you a few times in small ways, only to ask for one large favor later on.  (Foreigners may be exempted.)

A few other random thoughts –

–Alcohol imports are heavily taxed — 48 or 49%…

–Individuals cannot ship electronics outside China.  Same goes for newspapers, even to pack a box…

–Doctors who practice western medicine do not integrate eastern medicine and vice versa.

…All said though, we really enjoyed China.  The people were nice, the scenery in the South and at the Great Wall was beautiful, we loved the time at the monastery, and the food was good too…

Ok, more soon on Mongolia!

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