International Law

Year of the Rat Spirit Prevails As China Overcomes Its Weather

By Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Old Communist ideals triumph over freezing adversity

By Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Feb 8th - China’s long ten days of extreme snowy conditions finally relented as a massive coordinated effort by the national and regional Governments together with the military enabled the nation to enjoy a peaceful new year. Snow was cleared, trains although delayed, arrived, and fuel got through to power stations to permit Chinese nationals the luxury of a few days holiday. But for sure, the Spring Festival for the New Year of the Rat in 2008 will go down in legend as one where the nation had to pull together to make it happen. Hence the headline “Communist ideals triumph”. Now that may sound Communist, and it is, however let’s not forget that the basic intellectual values of communism - sharing values, struggles and successes together - can be mighty indeed when implemented. So just to put aside ideological differences, and some of the rampant cronyism that the same system can breed - this Spring Festival was a shining example of what China can really be all about when the nation is faced with a crisis. “Capitalism with Chinese characteristics” has rarely made so much sense.

What other government, one has to ask, would commandeer commercial trains and vehicles, to divert them to where power was needed - for the good of the whole, rather than pander to the continuing profits of energy and transportation companies ? Who else would step in and cap the prices of basic foodstuffs, when rampant profiteering had threatened to drive them out of the hands of many of Chinas poorer people ? “Its not market-driven!” scream the detractors. Definately not, but its a good deal more civilised. Capitalism with Chinese characteristics, right there, instead of the starving masses without food. And during Chinese New Year? (more…)

Full post as published by China Briefing Blog on February 07, 2008 (boomark / email).