Hey everybody, some interesting points so far. It's fun to see some conversation going on about the various topics your encountering in your reading. I'm still missing some posts or comments from some of you, though, so try not to get too behind. Happy reading this week!
As Colin and Jacob continue on their journey through China, they come to the "county seat" Jiangping. Where the people are primarily farmers and Catholics. It was interesting to read how, as they were surveying some tombstones in a local cemetery, there was a time gap between 1957 and 1977. Which was when the beginning of the Great Leap Forward and the end of the Cultural Revolution were. "Clearly, the anti religious wave of those times has a great effect even here, over twenty-five hundred miles from Beijing."
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting that the local Catholic church had apparently been functioning without a Priest because their last priest was driven out by Chinese soldiers. Because of the laws imposed by the Chinese government concerning religion were quite strict, the "only window to the Catholic world beyond their own walls" was through a video on how to conduct a Catholic funeral.
This just shows me there are still parts of this world that need to hear about Christ. Whether it be through an Adventist or a Catholic's point of view. God is still God and His gospel is still the same. I've attended both churches for most of my life and I found no difference in God and His word.
It is really sad to hear about how much Christianity was suppressed in communist China in the past. However, it is always inspiring to read about how persecuted Christians stand their ground during hard times. I would recommend "The Man Who Couldn't Be Killed" by Stanley Maxwell if you want to read more about faith under fire during China's Cultural Revolution. It's a great read.
DeleteIn my current chapter readings, I read about how China has changed economically from the 1950s until now. China has an ancient civilization and culture, but due to its 'closed-door policy,' China lost its power and influence in the world. China's leaders, determined to make China great again, took drastic measures in order to achieve its former glory.
ReplyDeleteChina became a classless, totalitarian society under the Great Leap Forward. The Five Year Plan, established in 1953, abolished private property and did not allow citizens the right to their own decisions. Unfortunately the Great Leap Forward backfired since the people lacked initiative to work.
Since the 1950s, China has learned from its mistakes and has worked to improve the economic and social status of its country. Since 1978, the Chinese government made dramatic economic reforms to encourage agriculture, industry, defense, science and technology. China also revised its 'closed door policy,' allowing foreign investments and technology, which has greatly aided its industrial development.
When reading about China's economic history, I have learned that abolishing property rights and maintaining complete government control were disastrous for China. China has grown significantly as a world power with an open world market, yet China's communist government still has a firm presence in its economy.
Sometimes I feel that partial government intervention has been good for China. It has helped steer the economy towards equality and responsible decision making, without stifling private entrepreneurship as it did in the past. I wonder if America's economy would be in better shape if it was more government regulated? That is a totally different topic, but something for me to think about.
My book briefly touches on the Great Leap Year and the Cultural Revolution. Each time the two sojourners in my book travel to a new place, they could definitely see the impact of the government's restrictions on people lifestyle. It kind of sad because China has such a rich and diverse culture that is being suppressed and eradicated.
DeleteThese are some interesting facts about China, I've always known about the oppressive government in China but I've never known that it went this far. While i can clearly see the relaxation on the governments side has made China better and stronger i can't help but wonder; is it because of the struggle they went through with the oppression? or maybe it's because thats just how the Chinese mentality is.
DeleteIn the chapter I am currently reading Bucknall is talking about an American visiting China. He touches on many things that we have already discussed in class such as not drinking the water and money exchanges. Other topics he touches on is speaking and behavior in public. A visitor should be careful as to what they say, assuming that the people around you do not speak English is very naive beings that most Chinese speak great English. Many Chinese, especially the older generations, find public displays of affection offensive.
ReplyDeleteTo the Chinese being boastful, giving orders, and being condescending are all things that are put into a bad light. Loud behavior can be considered bad behavior by the Chinese and posture is important. Chinese automatically read your posture, a good posture means that you are respectful. Do not be afraid if the Chinese stand closer then you are use to, try to accept this and continue on like nothing is wrong. There are many more topics discussed in the chapter about how to approach and apply Chinese culture. The main idea is that you should not be worried even if you do make a mistake, Chinese people know that you are from a different culture and can easily be forgiven for a mistake.
Thats cool, it would be interesting to know more about the culture and how different actions can be looked at by the chinese themselves. I will be interested to see if we notice how prevalent these actions are where we go in china such as the importance of posture and the difference in personal space.
DeleteThis week I read some about how the tragedy of Tiananmen square affected different places in China. Because of the tragedy one of the rich men in China who was supposed to donate the equivalent of 1 million US to the first university in his county, due to the tragedy of Tiananmen square he decided to donate his money to the construction of 2 hospitals instead. Someone stated that the fact that Donyoung county didn't get a college was one of the greatest tragedies that happened as an effect of the massacre.
ReplyDeleteThe current chapter that I am reading also mentioned some of the changes in the culture. Later on in the 1980's coffee shops began to become more prevalent though the author mentioned that the coffe shops were not very good but they were a popular place for the people of china because of the environment that they offered.
Derek,
DeleteYour book is sounding good. The idea about the rich men in china sounds interesting. I didn't know Tiananmen square was that big of a deal. Your story sounds really intense. I wish I was reading your book. Thats pretty funny about the coffee shops because Im from Seattle, Wa and thats where everyone is drinking coffee like crazy. I can't wait to hear more about your book.
This week as I was going through my reading; I noticed a couple points. However the one that seems most relevant to us is the one where Posth talks about the food in China. While he is talking about years past it stands to reason that there are still some similarities to today.
ReplyDeleteHe talks about the food in China being plentiful and everywhere. However he does say the food isn't exactly what we might call food. It was a rare occasion where they could find 1 box of spaghetti in a remote store; if the women heard about some kind of canned peas, beans etc. they would set out in a group each with about 3 shoulder bags just to buy as many as they could carry. Even then the cans they found were only ever the damaged ones, because china exported the good ones.
While there are a lot more fast food restaurants and the like in China now, the change in food and the style of it will be a bit different from that which we are used to now. We should really prepare ourselves to be experiencing some totally new things once we get over there.
I'm excited to try all the different kinds/styles of foods that they offer in China! It's hard to imagine that a 13 hour flight can take us to a place so....unlike our own (well, for me it is).
DeleteI didn't realize this blogging thing was a every week thing. I thought it was every other week but anyways. The chapter I am reading is setting the scene for the life of management in China. The chapter share some interesting facts about China like China is the world's largest producer of antimony. natural graphite, tungsten and zinc. China's water resources include 2711.5 billion cubic metres of runoff in its rivers and 828.8 billion cubic metres pumped annually from shallow aquifers. China's population is about 1.3 billion people for around a fifth of the world's population. The facts go on but its just crazy how big and unique China really is. The chapter ends by explaining the different types of managers China producers.
ReplyDeleteWow, I never knew any of this about China! That is some very interesting information. I knew that the population of China was very large, but 1/5th of the worlds population is incredible. The book you're reading sounds like a fact book about china. I look forward to hearing more about it.
DeleteAs I continue reading my book there is one specific event I would like to share with everyone. It is China's first joint venture with a foreign firm. I am referring to the deal made with the Beijing Jeep corporation. The deal was signed during the 1970's and has continued through modern day. In 2003 the contract was extended for 30 more years. It has been mutual beneficial and generated revenues for both companies.
ReplyDeleteThat's surprising! I didn't know that Jeep was the first firm that China had a joint venture with. And it seems as if it was a good decision too, since they extended the contract.
DeleteThat's interesting that Jeep was their first. I wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that Jeep was originally a military vehicle company. Maybe back in the 70's they saw this as an opportunity to advance their military vehicles.
DeletePart One of my book includes the history and culture of the Chinese people, the economic development, US impediments on trade in China, and the Chinese legal and business environment.
ReplyDeleteThere are eighteen things that are suggested most people need to know about China's past for luck and for knowledge. First are the six key people of China's history: Confucius, Qin Shi Huangdi (the first Emperor), Wang An-shish (the Great Reformer), Genghis Khan (the Mongol Invader), Sun Yat-sen (the Father of the Republic of China), and Zhou Enlai (a Statesman). Second, is the key turning points and key events: Portuguese Ships Reaching China, First Opium War and the Treaty of Njing, Taiping Rebellion, Sino-Japanese War and Treaty of Shimonoseki, the establishment of the People's Republic of China, and the Cultural Revolution. Last discussed are the central themes of China: the language, the idea flow from the south, the Silk Road, invasions, and the weight of the population.
I had always wondered what the legal environment of China was and is today. Does the book say how big of an impact the US impetdiments on trade affected China? The Chinese seem really keen on the idea of remembering events of the past so they can learn from them.
DeleteOne thing that especially stood out in my reading was when the author was describing China's political climate. I really like how the author worded it: "What Americans perceive as RIGHTS, the Chinese see as PRIVILEGES, which makes them more accepting and tolerant of problems." In essence, freedom has a different meaning to the Chinese than it does to Americans. Furthermore, leaders in China have learned that it is in their interest to have a friendly face and give an appearance of freedom.
ReplyDeleteThe western culture is taught to stand up for “rights” the attitude is often one of ownership and not of privilege. Though we are privileged to have certain thing it is not owed to us, and this mentality often get integrated into our view of other cultures as well, believing that it is our right, not our privilege.
DeleteI wonder just how different business in the West would be if we took a little bit more of the Chinese approach to things. It seems like we might have happier people and fewer issues in our businesses.
Deletewhats interesting about privileges is that there given to you by someone. Just like a child that a parent is in charge of, if the child disobeys the privileges are taken away. this is done to insure proper behavior or to show authority.
DeleteIn my reading this week I came across how important networking is to the Chinese. Edward Zeng of Sparkice, China's largest Internet-access provider said that the Chinese have 3 business environments: Business networks, family networks, and government networks. He concluded by saying that "To be truly successful in China you must be able to work in all three network environments". I am continue to be impressed by how much they incorporate business and family values to make a firm successful.
ReplyDeleteThat's very interesting to see that your book is highlighting the same thing we saw in the video last night. The gwanshi really does prevail between all networks and success is constituted by succeeding in all three.
DeleteMy reading this week shows the lay out of the international dimensions of China’s growth, looking at the capacity and structure of trading and it overseas investments. China’s has no key to unlock its door; they have an open door policy, which has produced a large amount of international ties, which links between the domestic economy as well as the global market. The section of the book also emphasizes that while other Asian countries have been wavering back and forth, China’s GDP has been on a steady incline, with very little interference from the global economy. Chain’s GDP takes into account it import as well as its export.
ReplyDeleteThat is really interesting to learn that China has an open door policy. I can see how this philosophy alone has allowed them to separate themselves from the rest of the international market.
DeleteThe author of my book talked about the extensive interviewing process that he completed prior to writing this book. One thing he mentioned that I found to be interesting was the Chinese executives' belief that each situation was unique. Interestingly enough, the author found most of their situations to be very similar. It seems that the Chinese put great value on the individuality of each situation, worker, and manager.
ReplyDeleteI greatly agree that each situation is unique. I think that you cannot go into a situation or even relationship with another individual in the same manner for everyone. Each conversation or interaction must be curtailed.
DeleteOne thing that stood out in my reading is the rapid rate at which China's economy is growing. It is kind of a scary thought, actually. They have been closing the gap with America when it comes to GDP. Not only that, but PricewaterhouseCoopers (forecasting company) believes it is only a matter of time before China overtakes America.
ReplyDeleteI agree that China's economy has been growing at a fast rate. It will be interesting to see what really happens in the next few years.
DeleteChina is already a huge power player but I am hesitant to believe China will overtake America. I think without America China wouldn't be able to sustain their own economy. I'm not saying America is doing everything right by any means, but it's just my impression that because of all the jobs we outsource to China and all the trading we do with them that we are somewhat intertwined and rely on each other too much to destroy one another.
DeleteRural China Takes Off
ReplyDeleteThe author is contemplating why china rural area has experienced suck rapid growth. There are several theories that the author puts forth.
1 That china's government was able to get ride of the "dead wood" that would resist economic change.
2 That social influence from the masses over local officials, has helped in the collectivism. officials have started thing about the good of the masses instead of lining there pockets.
3 That there was a political mobilization that has the thinking of the local rural leaders.
what is left out of these theories is why would the bureaucracy of a socialist party be motivated to achieve economic growth. an entity that made any profess had to turn over all revenue over to the government. the money was than siphoned in to the leading elite and eventually landed in to there pockets. as long as they were fat and happy why would there be a need to change? instead of just living with the status quo?
As I continued reading “Dragons At Your Door,” I learned of how many companies have tried to deal with the cost innovation of China by shifting their focus to high-end segments of the market. This strategy however, has failed many companies because Chinese companies have used their capital gains from their low-end products in order to improve their R&D for high-end products. An example of this occurred in 1999 when a South African company started producing tank containers instead of the normal freight containers for shipping. The small margins that they gained from these high-end containers led to their eventual bankruptcy. Although many Chinese companies do not have the technology to advance as quickly as other companies, it is important for these other companies to recognize that the idea of moving upmarket is not the sole answer in responding to the competitive advantage of these Chinese companies.
ReplyDeleteMy second chapter was the myth that China's growth will continue forever. It discussed how good the growth has been for China. It states all the great facts about how the growth has been exponential. But the author is wary about it continuing. The author is mentions deforestation, poor water, income disparity as reasons why this growth will be curbed. They also mention that China has not been using the capital as well as a reason for a decline. It will be interesting to see how long China can continue this exponential growth
ReplyDeleteLike any rapidly growing economy, The People's Republic of China is subject to much change in the realm of what is a business culture/environment. The book speaks about how China has to re-evaluate all of its original or traditional conceptions as to what is the "business culture". I find it interesting how the author is about to paint a clear image about what their new idea of business culture is.
ReplyDeleteMy book has been discussing the major issues of the different stages of economic reform in China. The main issue they've faced, which is a crucial aspect to the reform policy, is opening up the economy for marketing competition and encouraging enterprises and workers to achieve a higher level of efficiency and productivity. In reading this I can't help but think about how great America's outline for the economy is, and how it's a shame that we can't find a way to better implement our own plans.
ReplyDeleteSorry my posts were late!
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