It is not an exaggeration to say that both US (美国，meiguo) and Chinese governments (中国政府，zhongguo zhengfu) are at a critical moment for its future. While the US government is busy dealing the financial crisis (财政危机, caizheng weiji) that has shaken world financial markets and has left people in desperate economic situation, the presidential election and debates leave its citizens equal anxious and hopeful about the country’s future. On the other side of world, the Chinese government is celebrating its accomplished space mission, but meanwhile it is facing great challenge to ease the anger of its people over the process of the government food safety inspection triggered by the poisoned milk which killed four children and left thousands sick.
Launched Thursday night from the Jinquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft carried three taikonauts to the space. On China’s third manned space mission, Zhai Zhigang
became the first Chinese person to take a space walk. The state-owned CCTV broadcaster streamed live images of Zhai Zhigang as he floated out of the orbiter module’s hatch, which lasted less than 20 minutes. He remarked: “Greetings to all the people of the nation and all the people of world.” China will soon select a second round of astronauts to accomplish more demanding space missions. The Chinese people shared the same proud feelings towards its space accomplishment that the Americans did when the first American walked on the moon. However, considering the competition between the US, Russia, and China over the space technology development through the last few decades, such accomplishments may be viewed as a threat, as was mentioned by the US presidential candidate during the debate.
Of course, the poison milk incident brought embarrassment to the Chinese government since it involves a major Chinese food company. It also reflects poorly on the company’s reputation for safety and quality during a time when the Chinese government is trying to restore consumer confidence after a series of recalls and warnings abroad over its products.
Unlike in the US where most food and product safety inspections occur regularly, like financial regulations that are made by professional associations, in China government bureaus undertake the responsibilities of regulation and making inspections of all Chinese professions and industries.
This week, I would like you explore the Chinese laws and regulation systems and compare them with those of the US and answer the following questions. Keep in mind that that China has more law schools and law students than at any time in its history.
Do you think that the government should get involved in regulating all the professions and industries? If so, why is the state inspection system in China seemingly failing?
What is the significance or influence of the breakthrough of Chinese space technology advancement to the US and the world? As you know, China is in the process of industrialization that focuses on economic development and technology advancement. Is it normal for a government in this stage of development to ignore its people’s welfare or is the Chinese case special? Either way, how can the government do better? Find examples of other countries who have gone through industrialization to support your argument.
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6 responses so far ↓
1
Jake Berman
// Oct 2, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Jake Berman
Culture Blog 3
5/24/08
Chinese Laws and Regulations
There is no doubt that during the last decade China’s economy has expanded exponentially. With the rapidly growing economy came increased productivity, creating more jobs and professions, and led to greater industrialization; however, with all growth going unchecked, the Chinese government would find itself in chaos. It is my belief that the Chinese government should take steps to regulate industry, yet still maintain free markets and a capitalist economic system. I believe the Chinese government should have all companies submit reports of their financial status. I believe they should do this because this would inhibit bribery and corruption that may cost many cost China many jobs and respect from the international community.
Recently, the Chinese sent their first Taikonaut into space. This is an astronomical step in Chinese space exploration and sadly is seen as a threat by the rest of the world. The significance is as great to China as the significance to Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. The speech given by Neil Armstrong saying “That’s one small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind” echoes the speech given by China’s Taikonaut saying “Greetings to all the people of the nation and all the people of the world” which is very similar to Armstrong’s speech almost forty years ago. The significance of the Chinese space walk to the world is that it shows that the US and Russia no longer dominate space’s infinite realm. A third power has stepped in and begun to explore it for themselves and that is why the world sees it as a threat which is really too bad because like the US and Russia, China seems to want to explore and nothing should be able to prevent them from doing that. Chinese space technology is still behind that of Russia and the US, but with China’s booming economy and rapid industrialization, it will certainly catch up fast.
China is currently in a stage of rapid industrialization coupled with a booming economy. This does not mean that they should ignore its people’s welfare. The government should use its newfound resources and technology to make the country a better place to live for its people, not shut them out and put them down. Some examples of other countries that have used their economic surpluses to help out the people include the US during the 1950’s. The US coming out of World War Two had a booming economy and used it to build cheap, affordable housing for its people along with introducing the GI Bill to help veterans who fought in the war. After Canada’s industrialization the Canadian government provided free healthcare and subsidized government industries so the people could have access to free healthcare and low gas and energy prices. Swedish industrialization has led to the government setting up a 401k style fund for all its citizens who work and also provides free healthcare to its people. These examples all show countries that had booming industrialization and an expanding economy that did great things for their people and I believe China should be held accountable to provide the same, if not better actions.
2
Christina Schueth
// Oct 2, 2008 at 7:24 pm
As China makes it way to number one it’s clear that it’s saying look out world but at what cost? Because of the lack of control within it’s food and drug businesses sickness has spread but this will lead to more control in an already strong goverment control nation. The government for years has controlled the lives of the Chinese and as it aims to create a free market it’s trying to let up a little control. However, it is important for them to remember some business organizations need regulation, specifically the food and drug business world. Regulations and inspections must be enforced by their growing legal field and there is no excuse for them to be laxed any longer. Hopefully however, this scare won’t lead them back to their past ways, they simply need to find a balance that other economically successful nations have found which truly is difficult to find.
In addition, the recent space exploration that China has experienced truly reveals the potential and threat the country has for the rest of the world. When the U.S. had their first space exploration they were in their prime number one in the world and as the gap closes between China and the U.S., China’s advancement in economics and technology makes it seem like they will soon be the number one world power if the U.S. doesn’t doing anything about it.
So as China strives to be number one they must remember that balance is key and that their quest to industrialization is close to coming to an end. They are truly a force to be reckoned with.
3
Drew Marcy
// Oct 6, 2008 at 8:34 am
I think that China with its rapid growth due to industrialization must not move forward at the cost of the lives and welfare of its people. They should have more checks against corruption and give people in all industries less reason to give less than their best quality product. The United States system is not perfect by any means however the Chinese could adapt their inspections after the United States which would be much more effective than the current Chinese system. The only other option open to the Chinese if they don’t adopt a new plan and yet be more successful at preventing sub-quality products from the markets is employing more people in the inspection of businesses. The Chinese government needs to have more involvement in the market to insure their products are quality and the rest of the world will be willing to trade with them for these products.
China’s recent foray however brief into space could be seen as a threat because the United States likes it position at number one and doesn’t wish to be usurped by China. This action will be seen as a step to catch the United States and we will likely see an increase in our own space program as a result. We have seen a steady decline of missions into space with several recent ones being cancelled or delayed. The United States will be more likely to revamp and revive its space program now that China has jumped into the final frontier. The United States when we first stepped into space was a very big deal for us just as it is for china.
China’s industrialization is common in that people’s welfare is forgotten as the country drives forward to an ever expanding economy. The difference is that we now have television and other media sources that are able to show these human rights violations to the world and also the world has come to see human rights as more important than in past eras. Britain and United States both went through industrialization. Britain went through industrialization and functioned by controlling more areas with resources and using those resources to their benefit. The human rights were not really there except to white men. The times were different the crimes the same. The United States had child labor the same as China but the difference was the mindset of the people during the time United States industrialized. China is industrializing in much the same way as the United States and Great Britain with the only difference being how people of the world view human rights. That is human rights are now universal. China’s only major difference is that they are not providing basics of life such as drinkable water with only a small percentage of their water being drinkable. The government can use cleaner energy sources and put in places to clean up damage to water supplies by industrialization.
4
Ike
// Oct 7, 2008 at 8:28 pm
It is definitely possible to maintain/create a successful free market while having strict regulations. In the United States we have inspections in almost everything, even highschool cafeteria food! In a country like China, strict checkups should be a given. There are just way too many farms, plants, machines to be so careless. Because of the recent carelessness, children are dying. It won’t but easy, but it is necessary and I think very possible. Goodluck!
Congratulations to the Chinese astronauts. I can imagine how proud the country is. First a booming economy, second a successful olympic games, then a trip to space! 2008 has been a great year for China. The US-China relationship is a complicated one. The US strives and feeds on competition, but now that other countries are getting closer we are not seeing it as competition, but rather a threat. As long as we keep healthy communications, I believe that there is nothing to worry about.
5
Alex
// Oct 14, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I think that the Chinese government, like any responsible government should take a certain level of responsibility for the quality of the products its companies produce. The government should have a branch set up so that it can control the safety of products. The Chinese government already has this agency, The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ), but this organization must deal with an enormous amount of rules regulations and companies all operating with different goals. The AQSIQ is essentially every US regulatory agency rolled into one giant one. It encompasses anything from food safety to law enforcement, and regulates both entry and exits rules.
Because of the sheer amount of companies and potential violators that AQSIQ has to deal with it is understandable, though not excusable that there are often slip ups. The result of this is that we as consumers see things like tainted toothpaste, lead painted toys, and contaminated milk. The Chinese have certainly not ignored this mistakes.
There have been huge numbers of students applying to and graduating from Chinese Law Schools. Their goal in doing this is to help promote the rule of law. China has always strived to be a harmonious and legal country, and with more people, corporations and scrutiny than ever, more legal professionals are needed than ever.
I applaud the Chinese government in their advancement, and I certainly hope that the break out of China into the group of space-faring nations will have no negative effect, but I don’t think this is realistic. I do think that at some point in the near future, the US, Russia, and China will have to make some sort of lasting agreement with regards to space exploration and colonization. I can’t imagine that the Chinese goal of a lunar colony will go past US officials without a reaction.
There certainly seems to be a trade-off in communist countries between rapid technological advancement and social welfare advancement. It seems that the artificial advancement of technology precludes or lessens the advancement of the people. This has happened before in China with the Great Leap Forward. I must say though that this is not a uniquely Chinese or communist problem. Lop-sided development is also present in the United States. As some are quick to point out, we have explored the moon, but can not ensure universal health care for our citizens. In researching the question I came across the example of the United Arab Emirates. They have recently experienced a developmental boon similar to that of China. They have also been funneling some of the money from this boon into housing and such for the lower classes. This main difference is that of scale. There are just over 5 million Emirati, while there are over 1 billion Chinese. So it is easier for a small rich country to take care of its lower classes than for a large country to do the same.
To improve the best way would be to commit to elevating the poor. I feel that China would be able to do this very easily, given the structure of its government, but at the same time, there are lots of poor to elevate.
6
Brooke Campbell
// Nov 18, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I don’t know if I agree that the government should get involved with every industry or profession, but I do feel like government regulations and standards in the food industry is a must. Part of why such inspections may be failing in China is because they are not on as regular a basis. Some of it also may be because there are more things to go through, and therefore a wider sample needs to be done. In the United States, there was a point where food inspection became a huge focal point due to the book “The Jungle” (granted the book was trying to convert people to Socialism). Instances like these in China will undoubtedly raise concerns over the matter of food quality, which may help the government in setting more stringent and more frequent food and product inspections.
The breakthrough in the space technology is a rather fantastic thing to hear about, and very exciting. I agree with a number of the above posters in that so long as communications stay open, it won’t be overly threatening. The problem may come from the US or another country viewing it as a threat instead of seeing it as an opportunity to try and better our own understanding and lend a helping hand.
Throughout various stages of industrialization, there seems to have been a lot of trade out of advancement over citizen health. In both Great Britain and the US, when they were at such a stage, worker health suffered, and it creates it’s own particular set of health issues that end up interacting with economic, social, political, and cultural factors that it might not normally deal with. Alex and Christina both mentioned other countries which have managed to avoid (or at least stymie) some of the arising poverty that comes with industrialization–I think that, while it may take more work due to China’s huge population, it is entirely possible for them to be able to do the same.
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