What is Digg?166 Comments
- AdamTReineke, on 10/10/2007, -6/+45China is a big deal. They have roughly 1,320,000,000 citizens. Thats roughly 5 of them for every one of us (Americans).
FTA: "As Republican Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, said: "If I'm lucky enough to be president, making China a partner for stability in the world will be one of my highest priorities. China is really key, in many respects, as they become a very large economy.""
We need to keep them as friends. - mac26, on 10/10/2007, -2/+32Ron Paul will also cure Aids, ends world hunger, and get geeks diggers laid.
- doctorfungi, on 10/10/2007, -0/+19The world will befit much more from friendly US/Chinese relations than hostile relations. Conventional war with China guarantees mutual assured economic destruction for both countries, and a nuclear war ensures total destruction for both countries.
Both governments know this, and although tensions may increase, war is pretty much ruled out. - chubbybubba, on 10/10/2007, -4/+20First of all China wouldn't be powerful without Americans buying their products. Does anyone really think the average Chinese worker can afford an ipod. America's continued survival/success is of great consequence to China. We are China's biggest consumers, they need us for their own survival. Second of all, after the creation of the first atom bomb, human population has little to do with military might. More people just equal more casualties. Thirdly, I can appreciate Obamas stance that China is not a friend. The Chinese Government is dangerous, but, it is more dangerous to themselves than to us. A revolution in China would be welcome, but the casualties would be immense.
- neocr0n, on 10/10/2007, -0/+14If the world didn't use China as its factory, China would be less of a "problem"
- akexakex, on 10/10/2007, -3/+14WTF is wrong with all americans. As soon as china is mentioned you keep saying "we need them as friends". Why shouldn't you? Are you automatically set to enemy-mode and need some sort of switched turned to enter human-mode? You sacred... that all the ***** you've done to the world will come back at you!
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -2/+12You'd rather us not compete with China. And you call yourself a Ronbot?
- cyberdork, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11The USA is the destination of 21% of China's exports. And until now exports are the main source of China's GDP.
The US has to start worrying as soon as the Chinese internal market gets more important than their exports. And with a population of 1.3 billion the chance of that happening is very high. At that point the Chinese economy is much less dependent on th US, while the US economy becomes increasingly dependent on the Chinese.
I believe the Chinese government is preparing for those times, and by then an invasion of Taiwan is quite possible. An active involvement by the US in that conflict is very unlikely, because the Chinese could finally threaten the US with liquidating their dollar assets without severely hurting their own economy. A full blown military exchange would be devastating to both sides.
The only way the US can counteract this development is by significantly reducing their current account deficit, and therefore reducing their need for constant massive foreign capital inflow. Most Americans don't realize that to sustain their exuberant lifestyle every single day $2 billion worth of their economy is being sold off into foreign control.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2187rank.html - Comatose51, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10I came back from China after visiting my grandparents not too long ago. China is seriously plunging head first into updating their infrastructure. My family originally came from a province that's out on the fringes but they're still building highways and airports there anyways. The highways are empty and the airport was service only 1 plane at a time. Nonetheless you can tell that China is gearing itself up to compete economically. I think this is to be expected from a country that's run entirely by engineers at the top level. The Chinese leadership has been composed mostly of engineers since they started to modernize. They've really embraced science.
On the other hand, as an American, I perceive them as a serious threat to us because while they've embraced Western science and technology, their progress on human rights and democracy have been terrible. So much power in the hands of a totalitarian government and a culture that doesn't value individual human beings is frightening. - Comatose51, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9Well let's be fair. The toxic in their exports is true. There's little doubt about that because the same thing happens in China. While I was there visiting my grandparents, they had an outbreak of poisonous eggs so people stop eating eggs for a while and only bought local farm raised eggs. My point is that China has done less than they could have in ensuring the safety of their products but it is definitely not targeted at foreigners because the Chinese suffer from the exact same problem themselves. It's worse for them because their FDA is corrupt and don't look out for them.
- captainchris, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9i like how americans call it 'communist cuba' and 'communist china' to remind everyone that they are communist
- benjpw, on 10/10/2007, -2/+11First off Chinese is no longer communist. They are a ultra-capitalist dictatorship. Suggested reading on this that is easily accesible would be John Pomfrets "Chinese Lessons" available on Amazon.
Second China is inherently linked with America and they know it - but the ignorance of Americans is incredibly large in this regard. How many people still take French, German, and Italian versus those taking Chinese.
Things are changing fast and I'd suggest people research Chinese history if they want to be able to withstand the change. China is a nation that has been raped and pillaged by America, Britian, smaller European powers, and Japan in the last 100 years and they are pissed and hungry - and I don't mean that in an alarmist sense but I do think it would be wise for Americans to be more well versed on Chinese history and politics - especially the "wait isn't China communist" comments. - javabeta, on 10/10/2007, -1/+10I'm Chinese.As I know,most of Chinese people are very friendly to Americans,especially youngsters.Because of your advanced democracy,your high technology,your amazing movies and so on.For me,the most important your open-mind for everything,and I think that's the key for things I mentioned above.
Frankly,there are many problems with Chinese government.But I think whatever they do can not block the communication of us.So I don't think China is your enemy. - inactive, on 10/10/2007, -3/+11I'm a huge Ron Paul supporter, and I really want to punch you in the face for saying "China will get embarrased and just magically vanish," even if you were kidding.
- Snaieke, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7The enemy outnumber us a paltry 5 to 1, a match for any Geek. This day we rescue a world from mysticism and tyranny and usher in a world brighter than anything we can imagine, Give thanks, men, to Nixon! TO VICTORY!
- stklaw, on 10/10/2007, -2/+8Hostile relations with any country is just as bad.
- AlphaEta, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7It's interesting to see how big an effect the Olympics have had on China's political decisions. Host countries always seem to be scurrying to improve their infrastructure in the run up to the games, but China seems even more responsive to potential PR problems than the US, Australia or Greece were.
- cyberdork, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5It was China's entry into the WTO which lead to the current boom, not pure US policies. Don't forget that almost 80% of China's exports don't go to the US.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -3/+8Of course China is a big issue. You can witness this thru the controlled media, who keep putting out stories to lower public opinion of China thru stories about antifreeze in toothpaste and toxic chemicals in the toys they produce.
Somebody wants us to hate China, and that somebody is probably not anybody we'd consider our friend.
Think before you believe what you read. - Frnnkdlxx, on 10/10/2007, -2/+7Actually, the world is majority poor specifically because of China. No one addresses the fact that they have the largest and most non and underpaid underclass in the world. Compound the fact that they're receiving the greatest amount of not only trade options, but aid to any country while the rest of the world starves, and that that new wealth transfers directly to their neo-communist hands, I see that what is happening is no better than us funding Mugabe.
- Xanadude, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6"The Chinese Government is dangerous, but, it is more dangerous to themselves than to us." Sounds like you've been there - most people I talk to who have traveled there say that you can feel the tension in China, and that the government makes many of its decisions based on staying in power (and saving their own necks). I've heard that there are daily riots in the countryside and even in some cities, but of course this isn't reported in the US because the CCP controls the local reporting, and because apparently news about Lindsay Lohan is a bigger priority for some people here.
- sirlancelot88, on 10/10/2007, -3/+8The Chinese don't sound like that. Don't turn Digg into Fark with its tired cliches.
- douggmc, on 10/10/2007, -3/+8Why do we as a country have no problem trading and dealing with Communist China, but not Communist Cuba (or in the past Communist Soviet Union)?
Something is wrong ... and I say it is out of control big business running our country. - shig, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5When they sit on $1trillion dollars worth of US bonds they have more control over our interest rates than the Federal Reserve. Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredeson takes his marching orders directly from Madam Wu. That's why there's a half-billion dollar Tennessee cotton shipment on it's way to China's textile mills. That's why theres a Tennessee trade office being opened in Beijing in October, which Bredeson is attending at the personal request of his Chinese masters. I want Communist scum dictators to keep my politicians out of their pockets. It's not an irrational fear of the "yellow man" which motivates economic panic, but the American way of life being stolen from our children.
The ChiCom take over of the economy is happening right now. Just look at our pathetic middle class. If I even made $60k a year right now I'd still be only making $30k in 1999 dollars. I'm slaving for what a minimum wage McDonald's worker earned when Clinton was getting his pipes cleaned, and it's directly related to our beloved multinational corporations moving it's manufacturing base to China's slave-pens. You don't think this has an affect on the dollar?
I do agree with you, though, China won't be a powerhouse in the future, but that's only because the American people are waking up en masse to the deceptions of our age. - dtschwe, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6and no mention of the billions we borrow from them everyday.
- soccerbud, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6to add to benjpw's point
Chin has been under constant turmoil and strife over the past 200 years or so (as oppose to the suggested 100 years)
Here's a list of wars, rebellions, etc. off the top of my head ...
First Opium War
Taiping Rebellion
Second Opium War
Sino-French War
First Sino-Japanese War
Rebellion and overthrowing the Qing Dynasty
Warlords Era
Northern Expedition by Chiang Kai-shek to Pacify the warlords
Second Sino-Japanes War (basically WWII for the Chinese)
Chinese Civil War (beween the KMT and the communists)
Great Leap Forward
Cultural Revolution ...
compound that with 200 years of inept officials, government policies, record level natural disasters, and imperialism (hence the great Chinese diaspora)
so basically, the past 30 years has been the first stable period for the past 200 year. And look at what China (as a nation) has been able to accomplish. - inactive, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6The rest of us laugh at their orange jumpsuits.
- orangester, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6We must remain friends with the Chinese at all costs. What will I do for my lunch hour if they take Chinese food away?
- benjpw, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5China feels like it has to prove itself on the international stage.
China was raped and pillaged by Japan during the war, America went to war with China and forced some semi-imperialists practices on it, Britian outright colonized China along with Russia and other European powers. China since 1912 has had intense intellectual and cultural discussions on what its future should be (Confucian, progressive modernity, etc.)
Now that China has achieved "success" by Western standards (although many older Chinese miss the commune dirt poor days of Mao when everyone was equally poor) it is ready to be recognized as the super power it feels it is. It did open up Darfur to the UN afterall. - inactive, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Beef and brocorri.
- h4mx0r, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Except that China doesn't.
- ShrimpCrackers, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6Is it? Then we need to tell them to start acting like friends. Last Novembers' submarine incident in which they demonstrated that they could sink one of our carriers by surfacing a submarine well within torpedo range of the USS Kitty Hawk was one of many provocative incidents started by China. Then there was the 2001 incident in which they downed one of our reconnaissance planes and returned part of our aircraft in pieces. In between China has repeatedly lambasted the US in its state-owned paper People's Daily and Xinhua.
China also has 1000 ballistic missiles aimed at its democratic neighbor, Taiwan (a US ally) and regularly broadcasts threats of invasion. It is also the only nation to have a general whom has ever threatened to nuke the USA (whom is now their chief defense minister) and yes, Soviet and Russian generals never made such threats. China is also one of the #1 vetoers of any US backed policy or action in the United Nations. Not to mention China has the worlds highest number of major and minor land disputes and has had battles with most of its neighbors. Russia, Vietnam, even India.
In the end, if we're not directly dealing with Iran, Cuba, or North Korea, why are we dealing with China that has worse human rights, civil liberties, and press freedom than most of its aforementioned allies? We shouldn't be trading with them, we should stand our ground and work on our own problems within.
I mean sure, we want to be friends. But with such an aggressive nation, that is going to be difficult. - jerryparid, on 10/10/2007, -3/+6You seem to have forgotten that the US grows at a rate of less than 2% each year, while China coasts along with a rate of 11 to 12% each. In the near future; economist are even predicting a secession for the US economy. Additionally, with time, conditions would improve, China is the US of early 1920s. Lets talk about working conditions and human rights back then.
- timusca, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Do you know how long the article would be if it included ALL of the candidates opinions? Besides, notice all the candidates mentioned actually have a chance at the White House. Ron Paul will not win the primary, so his opinion is just as important as Joe Bob's down the street.
- stklaw, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Never mind. Double post.
- bitterscream, on 10/10/2007, -3/+6Friends? That doesn't sound like the fear machine at work
- venom8599, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4China has farther to go and more to do than the US, Australia, and Greece.
- steveiskfc, on 10/10/2007, -4/+7Some of my best friends are immigrants students from China. They are much more focused and competitive than us. Might as well just befriend them before we are all working for them.
- sirlancelot88, on 10/10/2007, -7/+10This thread will soon be filled with racism, xenophobia, misguided popular "economics" and stupidity. Prove me wrong Digg.
- tim04, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4I'd like to see you try to speak Chinese
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3We would have a hell of a time invading and supressing china. But they wouldnt have a chance in hell fighting us outside of their own borders.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Good luck collecting on that if we decide we dont want to pay.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3They didnt mention my opinion either, and me and old Paul have about the same chance of being the next president.
- Xanadude, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4"Economist are even predicting a *secession* for the US economy."
Er... this isn't 1855, you know. Maybe you mean "recession."
Second of all, you have your growth rates wrong, and China cannot sustain its current rate for much longer due to diminishing returns on increased productivity. (Yes, I am an economist.) - yellowsnowcone, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5the bad loan problem is far far worse than anything you could imagine in the US ... you have these state-run banks that have lent to state-run companies that can't make any money ... these state-run companies owe billions in pensions to their workers and they can't pay ... but the state-run banks have to keep lending to these state-run companies, otherwise there will be widespread social chaos ... this is what happens when you have the government running your banks and companies ... and least the markets forces in the US can work through the sub-prime mess ... in China, you don't have that
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3you're so fat --- you have more Chins than a Chinese phonebook!
- tim04, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3yo, if they don't pay us back...there's really nothing we can do except start talking sh*t
- thecoolestguy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I recommend you read this: http://bhday.wordpress.com/2007/08/12/the-china-conundrum/
The Chinese state is keeping its people poor on purpose by, in effect, forcing the people to lend the state money, in order to keep wages low, so that foreign corporations continue investing in China and setting up factories, transferring technology, etc. The State meanwhile accumulates massive reserves because it is issueing bonds and selling them to banks for yuan and exchanging all USD that Chinese exporters receive from US importers for that newly acquired yuan, and uses these reserves as leverage to pressure the US to continue allowing Chinese imports which spurs further industrialization. The long term results will be that China will develop very quickly and attain US manufacturing capabilities and technology. I think you can't blame them for trying to develop their nation, but the US must do everything it can right now to turn its economy around and keep its competitive global advantage. - yellowsnowcone, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Ok, so we agree that China's economy is not a miracle. It's got a lot of problems and is in no way superior to the US economy.
As for China buying US cotton, this is bad because??? China is doing the US a favor by buying US cotton. The cheapest place to get cotton in the world is in the C4 African producing nations ... not the US. The US can't make cheap cotton without heavy subsidies, which you and I pay for ... take away those subsidies and C4 African cotton is more competitive ... ask yourself this: why is the US attempting to compete with poor countries in Africa on cotton exports? If you want to know what's wrong with the US economy, well there is your answer right there ... we spend too much effort trying to prop up industries we should have given up a long time ago to places like Africa ...
And China holding US$1 trillion is not a bad thing ... it holds that money because it is impossible to take it out of the US economy ... it can't covert to yuan, because the US doesn't hold enough yuan ... so it has to buy something with that money ... for the most part, its US Treasuries, although it could be US stocks in the future ... China has just announced a stock fund so it can get a better return on its US dollar holdings ... again, this is not bad for the US when you have China investing in your economy ... -
Show 51 - 100 of 152 discussions
Digg is coming to a city (and computer) near you! Check out all the details on our 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is