At a time when the US economy is totally reliant on the consumer spending of the top 10%, and the fantasy economic predictions of a handful of tech companies, setting fire to the world was unwise.
One thing I think deserves mentioning is that they are have been a more closed society without the immigration from people from many other countries and I don’t know about if they have all the religious permutations stirring up problems here. Also the “white” power b.s. here they are all pretty much the same. Your article is on point that greed and lack of vision is making USA look VERY stupid and our faltering educational system will not help future generations. And then a phony nincompoop gets elected president. I have no faith in the future of America with republicans cheating where ever they can get away with it and a SPINELESS Democratic Party. Thanks for your writing!!!! Tell it like it is!
I have been to China. You see what they want you to see, without you realizing it. They also always have eyes on you, as a foreigner, and though you think you were wandering alone at night, someone was watching. Questions may be asked about it without you realizing that someone had to be watching for someone to ask that certain question. Had an experience in Tiananmen Square. Looked like few people were there. I military guard on a corner, like a policeman. The square is huge. You start thinking people are actually free here. We so happened to be there when some people, maybe three, one driver, two people who unfurled a banner. It was in Chinese. We couldn’t read it. In less time than it took to read my last few sentences, military vehicles appeared, surrounded the van, took them away.
We were quite far from the incident, but then a vehicle roared up to our group. Soldiers got out. One pointed at one in our group. Took his camera. Exposed and kept the film. Fortunately, they gave his camera back. He had taken a picture of the van and banner. Then, poof, they all disappeared. All this said, is to let you know that you always have eyes on you in a dictatorship country.
Thank you Deborah for your valuable contribution to the conversation. I have a number of friends who have worked and lived there. I don’t doubt for one moment what you saw. I’m not sure when the incident you described took place? The conversations I have had are relatively recent, one a couple of weeks ago.
I fully intend to visit myself soon given us Brits now have a visa free travel agreement. I want to get first hand experience of the culture and history of the country.
If I travel to China, I won’t have to unlock my social media feeds and provide which platforms I use. I’m assured by those I know who live there and work as educators, that provided I stay away from military bases or sensitive government facilities, I’ll be free to travel unhindered and be made welcome by the locals in the larger cities where tourism is a big thing.
What I can tell you without fear of contradiction, is that my social media feeds and my criticism of Trump will preclude me from being admitted to the United States, so I suppose my question would be who is watching who if China encourages me to visit and the US government would refuse me entry because I have no time for its president?
It’s all about lived experience and in my piece I acknowledge China has its issues in respect of human rights which are long standing and which I don’t condone. However in 2026, I would certainly not like to be an immigrant in America when it comes to human rights, that’s for sure. And were I a female and an immigrant I would fear for my safety, not at the hands of citizens, but from ICE who like all state sponsored militia can arrest and abuse me at will it seems. Tell me which of the two is the worst authoritarian dictatorship?
I understand. Our country, USA , is being run by a regime that no one wants, but unfortunately, it seems, the majority of Republicans in Congress are compromised. Wish us well. The majority of citizens do not like what is happening.We are in the streets . We protest. We have not stopped. I was in China long ago, and I am sure they have polished their act, but I haven’t read anything about its governance becoming more of a citizen decision making process. My husband used to have some business with the government. Our daughter ran a marathon on the Great Wall of China. I have been to factories, etc. Not recently I admit. It is a beautiful country. I hope that it is shifting to democracy. I, and many others, the majority, do not want this regime like government that T brings. We shall persevere. We still have freedom of speech and won’t give it up.
I have no idea what Russia does. I’ve been to many countries, but never Russia. No desire to go given its track record. Though from pictures there are beautiful buildings to see.
So much information in this article. I will have to study tonight ! Reread ! The Chinese vision for the future is not based on a wartime culture or imperialism but instead on peace building infrastructure investments in in exchange for raw materials. Smart strategy for expanding Chinese influence and good will . And the US now has a Department of War …. …. Are we winning yet ?
I still have a worn copy of Jack Belden’s “China Shakes the World,” the one with a big red star on the cover. It provided a detailed analysis of the Communist Revolution as a deep social transformation driven by the people's needs, not just a political coup. Nixon “opened” China to the U.S. in the early 70s and students and blue collar workers were the first Americans invited in. I felt such hope, reading this book and others like “Barefoot Doctors” about how basic healthcare could be provided to the rural poor. Later, of course, we learned about the re-education camps and the horrors inflicted by Mao. But I never bought into the Red Menace fears and thought it silly that the U.S. tried to prevent China from joining the U.N. in the 1960s, even as a middle schooler. Looks like we still misunderstand this nation. Fear, ignorance, and greed (“the have-nots and have-yachts”) will be our undoing. Thanks for a great read, and more homework too.
Can you imagine thrusting Imperial / Agrarian China with devastating poverty governed by War Lords and an Emperor into a western democracy.template when Mao took over? Russia was pretty much the same at the end of WW1. How many generations does it take to prepare a society for Democracy as we know it? And we still don't have it right.
Just a little titbit to add to the conversation, it appears as if China is slowly, but surely taking back the land that Czarist Russia took from them back in the early 1900s and Russia no longer has the ability to stop them. They aren’t taking it back through any sort of military conquest. They’re simply moving back on to the land and farming it.
Thanks Alexis. Russia is paying a heavy price for Ukraine and China is more than willing to exploit weakness as we are about to witness on Trumps visit to meet with Xi today. - Martin
Chinese culture, as well as Asian in general, has a totally different philosophy than western ones. The socialism did not destroyed the respect for each other and the fear for their masters or leaders today. While we look like crazy psychopaths to them, we cannot understand what they think most of the time, specially at leadership level. The same happens with the Middle East, lack of knowledge and intelligence in political exchange.
I found a clip in YouTube that tells a lot about what they see in us, and it is true, not at all exaggerated:
I expect Donald, as the well-educated, critical-thinking, and sympathetic leader that he is, will find great joy and much learning from the conversations Martin facilitates. Donald is, after all, a stable genius.
I for one don't believe China will invade Taiwan as long as Xi is alive. China seems to be perfectly in control with the status quo. Flybys and Sailbys seem to be working quite well. The big question is will Trump screw things up?
Technology and population outside of Xinjiang or betterment for who but yes good piece(also this is true of the us as well re prisons and policing so that’s not at all meant to indicate some singularity or anything else in relativity between the us and china if anyone is about to take it thre) (remembering the domestic lines of power and what’s inconvenient to those that hold it as a core issue )
One thing I think deserves mentioning is that they are have been a more closed society without the immigration from people from many other countries and I don’t know about if they have all the religious permutations stirring up problems here. Also the “white” power b.s. here they are all pretty much the same. Your article is on point that greed and lack of vision is making USA look VERY stupid and our faltering educational system will not help future generations. And then a phony nincompoop gets elected president. I have no faith in the future of America with republicans cheating where ever they can get away with it and a SPINELESS Democratic Party. Thanks for your writing!!!! Tell it like it is!
Appreciate your contribution to the conversation, thank you 🙏 Martin
I have been to China. You see what they want you to see, without you realizing it. They also always have eyes on you, as a foreigner, and though you think you were wandering alone at night, someone was watching. Questions may be asked about it without you realizing that someone had to be watching for someone to ask that certain question. Had an experience in Tiananmen Square. Looked like few people were there. I military guard on a corner, like a policeman. The square is huge. You start thinking people are actually free here. We so happened to be there when some people, maybe three, one driver, two people who unfurled a banner. It was in Chinese. We couldn’t read it. In less time than it took to read my last few sentences, military vehicles appeared, surrounded the van, took them away.
We were quite far from the incident, but then a vehicle roared up to our group. Soldiers got out. One pointed at one in our group. Took his camera. Exposed and kept the film. Fortunately, they gave his camera back. He had taken a picture of the van and banner. Then, poof, they all disappeared. All this said, is to let you know that you always have eyes on you in a dictatorship country.
Thank you Deborah for your valuable contribution to the conversation. I have a number of friends who have worked and lived there. I don’t doubt for one moment what you saw. I’m not sure when the incident you described took place? The conversations I have had are relatively recent, one a couple of weeks ago.
I fully intend to visit myself soon given us Brits now have a visa free travel agreement. I want to get first hand experience of the culture and history of the country.
If I travel to China, I won’t have to unlock my social media feeds and provide which platforms I use. I’m assured by those I know who live there and work as educators, that provided I stay away from military bases or sensitive government facilities, I’ll be free to travel unhindered and be made welcome by the locals in the larger cities where tourism is a big thing.
What I can tell you without fear of contradiction, is that my social media feeds and my criticism of Trump will preclude me from being admitted to the United States, so I suppose my question would be who is watching who if China encourages me to visit and the US government would refuse me entry because I have no time for its president?
It’s all about lived experience and in my piece I acknowledge China has its issues in respect of human rights which are long standing and which I don’t condone. However in 2026, I would certainly not like to be an immigrant in America when it comes to human rights, that’s for sure. And were I a female and an immigrant I would fear for my safety, not at the hands of citizens, but from ICE who like all state sponsored militia can arrest and abuse me at will it seems. Tell me which of the two is the worst authoritarian dictatorship?
I hope this all makes sense - Martin
I understand. Our country, USA , is being run by a regime that no one wants, but unfortunately, it seems, the majority of Republicans in Congress are compromised. Wish us well. The majority of citizens do not like what is happening.We are in the streets . We protest. We have not stopped. I was in China long ago, and I am sure they have polished their act, but I haven’t read anything about its governance becoming more of a citizen decision making process. My husband used to have some business with the government. Our daughter ran a marathon on the Great Wall of China. I have been to factories, etc. Not recently I admit. It is a beautiful country. I hope that it is shifting to democracy. I, and many others, the majority, do not want this regime like government that T brings. We shall persevere. We still have freedom of speech and won’t give it up.
The seem much more adept at surveillance than the Russians.
I have no idea what Russia does. I’ve been to many countries, but never Russia. No desire to go given its track record. Though from pictures there are beautiful buildings to see.
So much information in this article. I will have to study tonight ! Reread ! The Chinese vision for the future is not based on a wartime culture or imperialism but instead on peace building infrastructure investments in in exchange for raw materials. Smart strategy for expanding Chinese influence and good will . And the US now has a Department of War …. …. Are we winning yet ?
I still have a worn copy of Jack Belden’s “China Shakes the World,” the one with a big red star on the cover. It provided a detailed analysis of the Communist Revolution as a deep social transformation driven by the people's needs, not just a political coup. Nixon “opened” China to the U.S. in the early 70s and students and blue collar workers were the first Americans invited in. I felt such hope, reading this book and others like “Barefoot Doctors” about how basic healthcare could be provided to the rural poor. Later, of course, we learned about the re-education camps and the horrors inflicted by Mao. But I never bought into the Red Menace fears and thought it silly that the U.S. tried to prevent China from joining the U.N. in the 1960s, even as a middle schooler. Looks like we still misunderstand this nation. Fear, ignorance, and greed (“the have-nots and have-yachts”) will be our undoing. Thanks for a great read, and more homework too.
You are very welcome Lee and thank you for the support, your insight is most helpful - Martin
Can you imagine thrusting Imperial / Agrarian China with devastating poverty governed by War Lords and an Emperor into a western democracy.template when Mao took over? Russia was pretty much the same at the end of WW1. How many generations does it take to prepare a society for Democracy as we know it? And we still don't have it right.
Just a little titbit to add to the conversation, it appears as if China is slowly, but surely taking back the land that Czarist Russia took from them back in the early 1900s and Russia no longer has the ability to stop them. They aren’t taking it back through any sort of military conquest. They’re simply moving back on to the land and farming it.
Thanks Alexis. Russia is paying a heavy price for Ukraine and China is more than willing to exploit weakness as we are about to witness on Trumps visit to meet with Xi today. - Martin
Excellent read.
Chinese culture, as well as Asian in general, has a totally different philosophy than western ones. The socialism did not destroyed the respect for each other and the fear for their masters or leaders today. While we look like crazy psychopaths to them, we cannot understand what they think most of the time, specially at leadership level. The same happens with the Middle East, lack of knowledge and intelligence in political exchange.
I found a clip in YouTube that tells a lot about what they see in us, and it is true, not at all exaggerated:
https://youtu.be/FA-oXBkR6Q8?si=CfqseFRptXvu5OOe
I can only imagine what the Chinese government thinks about Trump …
I expect Donald, as the well-educated, critical-thinking, and sympathetic leader that he is, will find great joy and much learning from the conversations Martin facilitates. Donald is, after all, a stable genius.
Both Deborah Bundy and Pa Sa’s comments give much food for thought. Love the conversations that Martin promotes. 🙏
Than you I appreciate it Michael - Martin
Donnie the dunce all day!
Great article.....great comments.
I for one don't believe China will invade Taiwan as long as Xi is alive. China seems to be perfectly in control with the status quo. Flybys and Sailbys seem to be working quite well. The big question is will Trump screw things up?
Technology and population outside of Xinjiang or betterment for who but yes good piece(also this is true of the us as well re prisons and policing so that’s not at all meant to indicate some singularity or anything else in relativity between the us and china if anyone is about to take it thre) (remembering the domestic lines of power and what’s inconvenient to those that hold it as a core issue )