ABC World News Tonight spent several days in China recently. They made a 3-part series on various aspects of China: its economy, of course, education, innovations, etc.
Viewers should feel awed by China’s prowess in so many areas: manufacturing, internet savvy, attentive to educating its youth, diligent work-style, or even business acumen. The interviews of Jack Ma, CEO of Alibaba, and several other global enterprises were impressive. The program showed case the modern China at its best, while giving Americans a polite nod of acknowledgment, “Americans are still the best, but we are the one with the world’s fastest train.”
There was practically no coverage on anything negative. It touched a bit on censorship and pollution. But were no mention of Mr. Liu XiaoBo or any human right matters. It was as if CCTV produced the whole series.
If Americans don’t get concerned after this, they are in serious denial. There are more people learning English than the entire US population in China. The TV program showed elementary kids conversing with Ms. Sawyer in fluent English. The implication is clear: Chinese will be more competitive in the coming decades, since they invest on education, infra-structure, and government efficiency. “We finished the high-speed railroad before you finish your paperwork.”
I did not know that China imports over $6 billions from Washington State, where I live now. In addition to Boeing airplanes, China buys a lot of Washington apples and Almond Roca. This sweet is hugely popular in China and also one of my favorites. Brown & Hailey has been making candies in Tacoma, WA, since 1912. I cannot help remembering recent political campaign that certain candidates are “sending jobs to China.” In fact, China could have helped more Washingtonians keeping their jobs than the US.