Not just infrastructure, payments are also convenient with Ali pay/WeChat pay. Everyone pays everything by phone, most haven't used cash or card in years, although you can if you want. Apps are also ridiculously well designed and integrated, less visible as a foreigner, as much if it is obviously in Chinese and you have a language barrier. But you can really do anything you can imagine in WeChat. Alipay can also translate in miniapps. Say you are in a restaurant, you will scan a qr code on the table, can have a menu that you can automatically translate if you so chose. You also can order and pay through that menu on your phone.
Bureaucracy exists like everywhere else, but tends to be faster and more efficient in my experience. It's not perfect, but the country does feel very different.
Also, it doesn't depend that much on the city. I have been to most large cities in China, many small and medium sized ones too. I have also been to the countryside. The latter is more relaxed, but everywhere has technology and infrastructure. Basically all cities are serviced by train. Towns will all have bus systems that mean you can get anywhere in the country with public transportation.
cross-posted from: https://lemmygrad.ml/post/4045522
(Never cross posted before, if this is incorrect/wrong/breaks any rules mods please delete or let me know and I'll delete, I just thought this might be interesting and wanted some discussion)
> Some thoughts and points I've noticed in/about China: > > 1. Everything you hear from Global North media is wrong or misleading. Perhaps there are a few exceptions, but if you ever come to China you will find all the media narratives are false or misleading. > 2. You should always try to keep in mind the diversity, size, and expansive history of China when trying to analyze or understand it. China has 56 officially recognized ethnic groups, the land mass is slightly larger than all the US (any articles that say China is smaller are using the CIA world factbook which counts certain maritime zones for the US but not China), and China/Chinese culture has a history of some 5,000 years. (Liberal analysis is already unreliable, but also ignores just about all of this) > 3. On the topic of ehthic minorities, they enjoy quite a bit of support for their culture and socioeconomic status. Minorities with significant presence in provinces (e.g.: Xinjiang) and smaller administrative divisions will have special “autonomous” statuts. They have special provisions, for example ID cards will be written in Simplified Chinese and the language of the ethnic group. Minorities also have preferential treatment (similar to affirmative action) for university entrance. Moreover there are special universities for “nationalities” (ethnic minorities) such as the well reputed Minzu University in Beijing. > 4. Global North economic indicators like GDP per capita don’t measure the level of development well. While people work hard throughout the country, they also have a good quality of life and opportunities. This includes smaller cities which according to Global North statistics would be much poorer, and should have access to less services. (Also everywhere is extremely safe, both from petty and violent crime) > 5. Political sentiment is complicated, it’s not overwhelmingly negative, but there is differently a divergence and a plurality of opinions. In the countryside you will find many homes, including new ones, with large portraits of Mao. Shanghai on the other hand is very liberal. However the party has generally good support and no real political opposition internally. > 6. The party is ingrained into society. Many young people aspire to join the party, which is a competitive process. Institutions such as universities have official party committees, which jolw much of the power. Likewise, most companies also have a party presence and oversight. > 7. Despite developing rapidly, China is very large and still has some regions and areas in need of development. The party is aware of this and has is doing and exemplary job. Young people are encouraged to go to the countryside to volunteer and work. Many young officials are sent to work in such areas. There is a reason why a majority of the reduction in poverty globally is thanks to China. > 8. Global North, particularly American cultural hegemony has influence still. It’s is waning, but is certainly a challenge and is one of the key issues to address. While the youth has political education, it seems to not be particularly effective. The party should probably try it’s best to present attractive and engaging counter narratives. This has had success on geopolitical issues, such as Russia/Ukraine where most people have an ML or ML adjacent position. However, it remains to be developed for economic and social issues. “Western” economics is taught uncritically in many institutions. > 9. Relatedly, many people are pessimistic at times about China’s future economic trajectory and growth. This may be because of the Western influence in economic understanding. I believe China’s economy has good potential, as long as the party keeps steering the market and SOE well, as they have done. Also, China is fundamentally restructuring it’s economy to become green, which is at the expense of some areas/cities, e.g.: those that produce coal. That being said it is for the overall good of the economy and society. Moreover, the greening of China was pioneered by comrade Xi, which is a position he has held long before it was mainstream or popular in China or the West. > > Sorry for any typos. I'd welcome discussion and to hear others thoughts.
The Justice Department, joined by 16 other state and district attorneys general, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple for monopolization or attempted monopolization of smartphone markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
Archive link: https://archive.ph/19l1e
Archived link/paywall bypass: https://archive.is/VbSPI
Also, you would think a region once plagued by unrest and terrorism (fomented by our favorite imperialist power of course), now stable and prospering would be cause for celebration? No? Also about NEV subsidies, isn't this what all countries should be doing? Besides, the Global North has long subsidized industries when they chose to.
Related, China has become the number one scientific destination with the largest inflow of researchers outstripping the US, according to OECD data as reported (archive) by Science Business. I can't cite the OECD data since it seems to be behind a paywall, but I believe you can find it here.
China also leads the world with nearly half of all applications for international patents (46.8%), trademarks (48.3%), and industrial designs (53.8%).
Japan's science and technology ministry also conducted a study, as reported (archive) by Nikkei Asia, and found China leads the world in research papers. Both in quantity and quality.
A report by Clarivate substantiates this. This report also describes how China is not reliant with collaboration with the Global North for research, and that China is expanding research with Global South countries.
Despite all this, in the imperial core they still believe China can't innovate. All while China is out-innovating the Global North.
Interesting to see how this will go. Often the US visits China. Also, note how, despite everything, China keeps trying diplomacy and peace. Meanwhile the US is fixated on war. War in Ukrane, Palestine, and eventually China; if the US has its way that is.
What is the general area/field your diploma is in? I dont think thr Chinese government will let arbitrary people into China to set up a commune... However, you could consider continuing your education in China (presumably a master if you have a bachelor?). China has scholarship schemes that you can look into. Many have full tuition plus living stipend. Then, you will improve your skills and enable yourself to stay more easily subsequent to your studies, if you so chose.
Well, to be fair I didn't add the link to the article by accident, so it is a bit confusing...
https://www.salon.com/2017/10/08/womens-labor-sex-work-and-u-s-military-bases-abroad/
Sorry, I forgot to add the link to the article hahaha
https://www.salon.com/2017/10/08/womens-labor-sex-work-and-u-s-military-bases-abroad/
Economic growth itself is just a number, development is what matters. In addition and as a part of development I also specifically mentioned education and improvement of quality of life. You could add literacy, housing, levels of nourishment, and much, much more.
I won't argue about history or its interpretations with you now. Just consider the path to development wealthy capitalist countries took, which involved slavery, colonialism, genocide, brutal worker suppression, and perhaps the worse working conditions in history during industrialisation.
You may attribute many horible things to communist countries. I might argue much of this is exaggerated by the media of the anti-comunist country you live in. Even if it is all true, developed capitalist countries did the same to themselves, and other peoples around the globe.
Then consider the development communist countries have had compared to undeveloped capitalist countries. People can have better lives, that is what matters.
A humble leader.
Anecdotaly, I can confirm through an acquaintance who met him, Xi is very humble and friendly. He was described as much taller and thin than he appears in photos. When talking to him, my acquaintance said Xi conversed like one might with an old friend.
Some good Xi quotes from the article:
> "You have read a lot of books, but there is much 'water' in the knowledge you learned. You need to squeeze out the 'water' by testing the knowledge in practice and in interaction with the masses."
> "[A]im high while keeping your feet firmly on the ground"
This is likely insignificant, yet gives some hope. Japan may yet refrain from becoming a pawn, as it would surely be obliterated in a conflict with China. Unfortunately, this is probably but a squabble over blame for imperial incompetence.
Cup half full: either Japan is incompetent or ths US was and is trying to pin the blame on Japan, which will push them away. It could also be a pretext to warn Japan it can be dropped military in an attempt to draw them in, a sort of threat or loyalty test. Either way, imperial disunity favors multipolarity and AES.
Individuals in struggling societies don't always atomize, many revolutions occurred due to degradation in conditions. When the cost of fighting for change is less than doing nothing you will fight, and you will fight with others, or else you will quickly fail and be forgotten.
Curious what your definition of facism is. With a few exceptions, communist inclined states have always lead to unprecedented economic development, education, improvement of quality of life, etc. If you take all cold war propaganda at face value, you can not deny the development seen in such states; when balanced by alleged atrocities, you see a stark contrast to colnialist nations that too committed atrocities but with little to show for it.
I find the surface level historical criticisms of communist states, even if applied at an equaly superficial level, is applied to capitalist states, you would find a staggering contradiction. Maybe you should read more. Add to your socioeconomic calculus the fact that no communist state benefited from the same starting point as colonizer countries, and try to be critical of this. Consider that none of these communist states had the benifits of colonization, and when compared to other developing countries did remarkably better.
The point is not about impact but intention. Evidently liberalism, for all its flaws, certainly has had a significant impact. The progressive forces 250 years ago where for the most part already proto socialists. Fundamentally liberalism has been reactionary, even in the case of feudalism and monarchy, liberalism has tended to air for maintaining monarchy; such as constitutional monarchies where one can find leberals having preference for this rather than republics. This can be observed in historical cases such as France where many liberals wished to maintain the monarchy, but the contradictions and progressive forces where too great. Rather than a progressive force, I would contend that liberalism tends to be reactionary to development and progressive forces. Today this can be seen in the liberal leaders of developing countries handicapping themselves and their sovereignty by maintaining economic relations to the benefit of the imperial core. See ECOWAS and 'preserving democracy' as of late.
Curious if you could elaborate. Authority is complicated. Perhaps you should read this relatively short text by Engels.
The point is that liberalism and facism are intrinsically linked. Liberalism does not seek to change the world and stems from philosophies instead seeking to explain it. Accordingly, liberalism is a philosophical justification for the capitalist status quo. As such, when contradictions in capitalism accentuate with time, such as those between classes, liberalism turns to fascism. Scratch a liberal and a fascist bleeds, because the liberal is a closet fascist when times are good; when class struggle poses a threat, it clamps down. You can see this throughout history.
That a poor, simplified explanation, but I hope it helps.
Wholesome solidarity; hope this improves your day.
Huge implications for urban planning, also these sorts of developments in tech and adoption/application nageate declining populations. In fact, this sort of automation will probably be the core of the 4th industrial revolution.
Hoping more support form local states and the greater presence of China in the region will help.
Even more amusing when you consider that DPRK has nukes, whereas Ukraine has only survived as a NATO proxy.
They are paleo conservatives.
They dislike the traditional right and liberals, and oppose interventionism. Simultaneously, they hold reactionary social views. On economics I haven’t heard them say much. Often times, they will mostly avoid social issues in their programs, and focus on mostly factual news—diplomatic, military, and economic.
I think the appeal for leftists is that they are ostensibly anti-imperialist, however they are still reactionary. In this regard though, they are still perhaps closer to criticizing capitalism accurately than some of the American “left”, since one of the most important elements of capitalism is imperialism.
In effect, it’s a bit like how a liberal might claim progressiveness on social issues, but be blind to imperialism. At the same time their social critique will be lacking and to various degrees superficial. Their critique of what we call imperialism is what might be called a critique of interventionism.
Accordingly, the Duran presents a view indirectly and sometimes directly critical of imperialism, which stems at least in part from the international relations theory that great powers weaken themselves when too interventionist. While they may not have a critique of capitalism in their analysis, they do cover both some of the internal rot in the imperial core, and present most of the critical developments of multi-polarization.
Since these developments are crucial, the Duran can be a decent source of news for some topics, on the condition that your familiar with their position. Perhaps since they have become increasingly resigned in support for the imperial core, and more supportive of anti-imperialist states for reasons other than ours, their content is more approachable for leftists.
Nonetheless, they are reactionary.
Also: language barriers and travel. Barley any non-Chinese sleek Chinese, sure it’s a difficult language to learn, but Chinese kids all study English from very early in their education. In China you can easily find foreign media with Chinese subtitles. How much Chinese media (including social media) do westerners consume?
If a Chinese person wants, they know how to, and can see western media. Many foreign movies are popular in China. Inversely, westerners have no idea about Chinese media, let alone Chinese culture, society, history, politics, etc.
A westerner would struggle to name a Chinese politician besides Xi; yet there are many who are influential. You can’t understand any countries politics by only knowing of their leader. Chinese history is many thousands of years old, yet Chinese kids also study western history and art, among other things.
I visited one of the most famous western (historical) art museums with a Chinese person, from the mainland, and they recognized as many prices of art as a person from that country would. This was in Europe (most Americans study art much less in their education).
Chinese people learn western languages, see western media, can travel to the west, and can study in their universities. Westerners largely do none of this when it comes to China. Even so, Chinese is a wonderful language, and China has incredible media, attractions, universities, etc.
In essentially all respects, westerners think they have a more accurate view of China because of their “democracy” and “free press”. Yet they are in reality so ignorant about China, that they are blind to the reality: westerners live in a box with one way mirrors looking back at them, they see their own atrocities in the reflection and project their crimes into others, yet those others can see the west clearly.
