Prior to taking this course, I was under the impression that China was in the midst of an economic miracle. However, the more and more I read about China in the news and the more 'behind the scenes' information I learn about China from this course, I realize that this economic miracle may not be with out some serious costs! And unfortunately, the people expected to the foot the bill for this so-called 'miracle' are the lowest on the socio-economic totem pole...the farmers.
In an attempt to build more highways, more strip malls, more high end apartments, the government is literally taking the land out from under the peasants. When the government takes the land away from the farmers, they not only take their homes and property, but as one of the reporters mentioned in the NYT segment, since there is no social security or pension for old age, the government has deprived them of their ability to feed themselves.
As I read this article China Looks Set for Telecom Restructuring Industry, I couldn't help but wonder who was going to really benefit from this? Should the world be rejoicing? Should the people of China be rejoicing that China is almost ready to launch one of the biggest mobile mergers in China's history? Granted, it would provide great telecommunications for an already expanding group of costumers...but, come on now.
How about investing all of that time, energy, and brain power...and lets fix some really serious problems. Lets fix the sewage leaking into the rivers that are running through the provinces and irrigating the fields and causing high percentages of men and women to die of cancer! I feel was China begins to tackle those issues...environmental, social, political...then China would truly be in the midst of an 'economic miracle.'
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