A New Nation Chinese Style?

Not since the Munic games of 1936 has such bewildering mystery surrounded the Olympic games. The 2008 Olympics is not Munic, but it is Beijing: the New and improved China.


The 3rd world China has slogged its way into the modernized, industrialized, technologically advanced, and civilized era of modernity. The country that bears 34 children every new minute, has its government officials pouring close to 100 billion dollars to erect 1st rate facilities while overhauling entire cities. In addition, the Communist political elites have promised to divert all rain with missile technology, eliminate polution for the games, and create a 1st world city for athletes and spectators alike.


The entire makeover is rather remarkable on the surface. It's the new promise of China. The old is gone; the new has arrived. Modern day history has little to say in flattering the Chinese. Maybe thats why many Chinese citizens would buy Thomas Jefferson's adage:


"I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past".


Jefferson's momento is exactly how the Chinese feel. Euphoria surround the country as the world gathers to to see the new and improved China. National pride swells in the streets. And the Olympics is the reflection of Chinese satisfaction. Satisfaction of what?


The great revolution of the 21st century is China's.


11% annual growth rates
millions of savers, investors, and capitalists going to work
large military buildup of naval vessels and army technology
space walks and moon landings in sight
2nd largest world economy


Such progress despite how little kindness modern history has been to the Chinese people. The subjugation of China by western imperial powers beginning with England that led to the humiliating Opium Wars of 1840 and 1856. These are not soon to be forgotten. Shoving opium down the throats of Chinese citizens only to have one-quarter of the male population addicted by 1905. The Quing Dynasty sought relief and signed the one-sided treaties including the Treaty of Nanking and Tianjin.


The net effect? Provisions included according to Wikkipedia "for the opening of additional ports to foreign trade, for fixed tariffs, the recognition of both countries as equal in correspondence, and the giving of Hong Kong to Britain. The British also gained extraterritorial rights."


Of course, Germany, Portugal, France, and the United States would have their turns opening up the land of China to western trade with additional ports. As India was the crown jewel of England, China became the harlot of Europe and the west. Humiliated, the Quing Dynasty signed agreements bringing about the Taiping Rebellion, Boxer Rebellion, and the downfall of the Quing Dynasty in 1912.


The 20th century brought bloodshed, chaos, and furthe pain to China. Japan's invasion and rape of Nanking in 1937, China's Civil War between Chang Kai Chek and Mao Tse Tung in the 1940's, and the economic disaster of collective communes in the 1950's, left China a nuclear power and a 3rd world nation.


The communists have ruled into the 21st century. But it was Mao Tse Tung who capitulated in the early 1970's seeing the disaster of collectivism. Thus, it was Chairman Mao who asserted, "what does it matter whether the mouse trap is blac or white as long as trap catches mice."


Politically silenced, but economically encouraged, the people were incentivized to create, develop, and earn money as the western capitalists did.


Entering the 21st century, the nation with a million man army that spends nearly 12% on its military budget, has an exploding economy that is the 2nd largest in the world.


Spain had its 16th century. France had its 18th century. England's empire where the sun did not set had its 19th century. America had its rule in the 20th century. Will the Asian Tiger rise to its place in our century, the 21st century?


Beijing's coming out party is but the beginning. And Jefferson's addage...."I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past" describes the mindset of 1.3 billion Chinese today.