China 2016: It's Not a Socialist Country

Chinese-born intellectual elite Min Luo has lived in the U.S. for the past 29 years. However, he travels back to China almost once a month. More importantly, he sees himself as having a foot in both countries: “I’m Chinese AND I’m American," said Min. "I spent half of my life in America and half in China. I’m both. No doubt.” (See Interview Part One)
As Min has a unique viewpoint, I asked what he saw as China’s five biggest challenges.

“Number one,” he ticked off on the fingers of his right hand. “Rich too rich, poor still poor. But the good news is--I just read the news recently—they put a lot of emphasis to help the poor. They’re working hard to make the poor people better.
“Number two:  pollution. I think the pollution is a big issue."

(I've also seen this....)

On a visit outside of Shanghai 2012

 "But," said Min. "I think developing country has to go through that time. I remember end of 1989, I drove to Detroit. I went there for a conference. Before like 50 miles away from Detroit I see this big cloud--pollution. It was bad. "

Detroit, Michigan 1990--photo courtesy of dailykos.com

“So, I can completely understand twenty years ago even in the U.S. pollution was very bad in the industrial city. And now I see China--Beijing and Shanghai--they have the pollution, too. China has now started to understand and to change this. I’m hoping ten years later China can be—not as good as the U.S.—but maybe much better than today.

“Everybody is aware right now of PM 2.5 (the measurement for particles in the air that are toxic and carcinogenic). There’s a lot of technology—air cleaners, masks. They’re trying to figure it out. The fundamental key is getting people educated, getting people aware.
“Number three: education system needs to be changed. Study is important, but it’s not the only thing. Because of the one-child policy, there’s a lot more pressure for a child to succeed, and people have a mindset about what is good and what is not. In China, students don’t ask questions and are fearful.
“Number four: it used to be 95% of Chinese were farmers. Now it is 60% or less. Urbanization is a challenge—housing is so expensive, it’s difficult for people to move around.”
Min paused, as if he’d run out of things. But perhaps he was merely fearful of pointing out the elephant in the room. Then he made a decision. He nodded his head, blew out a breath and said,
“Number five: political reform. Corruption in China needs to be addressed. There is no comparison to corruption in U.S. While we are aware of outside world, we are not as aware of what’s going on inside the country. We used to be truly socialist. Now we are not. We are more, ‘Socialist with special characteristics.’”
(…to be continued. Next: America, You Can Keep Your Democracy.)