Unit 2: Lesson 1

Being "Green" is and issue near and dear to me, therefore it was hard to only choose one article for this assignment. The first article I chose was due to the picture near Dameisha Beach. A friend took this picture at the first of the year. Note the hazy in the air.

In addition to the poor air quality, this beach suffers from poor water conditions. But it is not from industrial pollution. It is from simply bad hygiene. This beach is open to the public, whereas other beaches charge for access.

When it comes to pollution of water at the hands of industry, China is attempting to take a stronger stance, as found in the article "China plans to raise fine on water polluters". The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) planned to "significant raise fines" on such pollution. But on the flipside they lifted maximum fines for "accidents".

In the article "China's energy policies 'do not tackle climate change'" the Chinese government has "set an ambitious target to reduce energy". Yet, China recently surpassed the US in the emissions of carbon dioxide. It houses sixteen of the twenty most polluted cities in the world.

China has formed the National Coordination Committtee on Climate Change. Unfortunately it appears, as does the (SEPA), to be agencies with no real clout.

Bogged down in Beijing politics, there is no real substance behind the initiatives taken. The government has pledged to reduce emissions, but instead they have steadily increased in double digits over recent years. Minimal fines are easier to pay than addressing the issue at hand.

It comes to an issue of environment over economy, a comprise China does not seem to want to take. "Climate change is a cross-secctoral issue, but China considers it mainly as an economic issue."

Although recognizing a problem is the first step to addressing it, it appears to me that China is all talk and no real action.

The Irony of China and the Environment

Turning our attention to the environmental issues of China this week, it struck me as odd that country where Feng Shui originated has let the environment fall into such polluted conditions. The core of Feng Shui is based harmony found in nature.

Feng Shui originated approximately 3000 years ago in China. Its original focus was on the placement of graves. Proper placement would bring relatives prosperity.

Its use has now transcended to even the decor of a McDonald's in California.

The flow of "chi" is the driving force of Feng Shui. As long as the "chi" is allowed to flow and in the proper direction, things are good.

It appears in the environmental struggles of China they have lost site of the basic principles of Feng Shui.

A Global Invite

The top ten reasons to visit Hong Kong were listed in the recent AAA Go Magazine.



They include ferries, shopping, scenic views, spas, a floating village, hiking, dining, temples, beaches and celebrations. It is hard to refuse the suggestion of such a well recognized organization as AAA. I say a field trip is in order for MLS 610!

Good for the Goose, Not for the Gander

China accused the US of not 'practicing what they preach'. This came in repsonse to today's shooting down of a spy satetllite that was no longer functioning by the US.

But just a year ago, when China shot down one of their own weather satellites, the US codemned it saying "China's testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area," per White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

The US justified their actions in stating the satellite posed a hazard to the earth's atmosphere and potentially people. In contrast, the destruction of the Chinese satellite resulted in a cloud of "space junk", which could have damaged other orbiting satellites.

Is this a matter of double standards or a justifiable excuse on behalf of the environment? (For more information on this topic see, "China accuses US of double standards over satellite strike")

Global Examples

The following images were taken by 40West, an American photography studio owned by Bill Thomas, with branch locations in China and Vietnam. These images were taken in the Dongguan studio in China.



(See earlier blog entry "Emails from the East" for more details on 40West)

Unit 1: Lesson 6

The globalization of China, as we have read in the works of Gittings and Shirk, has been a long and arduous process. But once the economic 'doors were opened' through Deng's economic reform, the Chinese economy has boomed, "having set a world record of 10% annual growth for more than two decades". (Shirk p 131)

But too much growth too quickly in a global market doesn't come without a price for someone as found in the article "China's Inflation Hits American Price Tags".

As the article states, "China latest export is inflation". Of the major Chinese imports to America (80% of toys, 85% of footwear, and 40% of clothing) cost have risen over the past eight months. Ironically this coincides closely to discovery of tainted dog food, toys, and other items. Could this be the price of quality control?

Americans could experience as much as a 10% increase on popular imports. "In the long term, higher costs in China could spell the end of an ear of ultra-cheap goods, as well as the beginning of China's rise from the lowest rungs of global manufacturing", the article states.

The question China faces is whether foreign consumers will pay the higher prices or look to other markets. Chinese factory owner are even looking to relocate to other areas to help reduce cost.

My husband's company imports office furniture from China. Due to increases in prices, quality issues, and the working conditions of the factories, they have already begun to look to Thailand as an alternative resource. There they have found improved working conditions over the Chinese factories.

Beijing still controls the future of China. In recent months they have changed tax rebates, imposed new labor laws and enforced environmental regulations. Could this be in response to the fact they are hosting the Olympics this year and feel a need to put on a "good face" for the world?

Again it appears that China is walking a fine line between success and failure on the global stage.