Welcome the journalist and reporter interview

Revealed a great hidden agenda about China coal mine accidents frequent killed thousands people a year and especially about HeNan Province Dong Xing coal mine killed 25 people as a serious incident

Tuesday, 21 September 2010

I repsond to 2915 here http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?21121989&1


(Keji XU) You should back to China family miss you dearly.

I respond to 2915 here: 
2915: How are you! I am keji XU. why cannot publish your name?
are you really not Chinese authorities? who are you? please remember here
is UK not China, Why someone announced I wrote a problem dissertation
in the University of Warwick? is this true? I do not know how is successful your power far beyond what is possible in China as used both gangsters and
police, but here is UK as a country which has democracy system of
government. I believe where might is master, justice is servant. 
The first step you are fail. you have not arrest me in the London embassy
even so I may dead later.

I knew Madam FU Ying still tried to lobbing in
both UK and China. It intends to catch me back to China and kill me to
cover their corruption. Do not apply UK's law, In Chinese laws you are
illegal as well. I am ready to face everything. I am calling up my last
reserves of strength to fighting with those corrupt senior communist officials. even so I were dead, I would use my wailing of lost souls to claim that those corrupt officials' souls would be condemned to burn in hell for eternity.

Saturday, 18 September 2010

Workplace accidents in China left 33,876 people dead in the first half of the year, an average of about 186 deaths every day,

Workplace accidents in China left 33,876 people dead in the first half of the year, an average of about 186 deaths every day, according to the State Administration of Work Safety because the head of coal mine work safety administrative bureau is corruption.

China's work safety situation had stabilized this year, workplace safety remained very grave with frequent severe accidents that had caused heavy casualties in recent weeks.
According to the State Administration of Work Safety, a major accident is defined as one that involves more than 10 deaths while those with more than 30 deaths are categorized as extremely severe accidents.
An underground blaze left 16 miners dead at a gold mine in Zhaoyuan City, east China's Shandong Province, on Aug. 7 while a gas outburst killed 12 miners at a coal mine in southwest China's Guizhou Province on Aug. 3.
In late July, an explosion caused by the leak of propylene gas killed 13 people near a plant in Nanjing City in east China's Jiangsu Province.
Zhang underscored the urgency and importance of enhanced work safety, more stringent safety inspections, and fully enforcing laws and regulations on work safety to bring down the number of serious accidents.
He urged local governments and all government departments to take more measures to prevent production accidents, improve work safety supervision and management and crackdowns on illegal operations, in an effort to effectively prevent severe accidents.

http://english.cri.cn/6909/2010/08/15/2321s588713.htm

Investigation Group of Pingdingshan mine: mine owners and supervisors may collude---Madam FU Ying is taking an role who tries to lobbying UK politicians in both the UK and China for covering their corruption.

Source: http://www.china-daily.org/China-News/Investigation-Group-of-Pingdingshan-mine-mine-owners-and-supervisors-may-collude/



"4.22" accident have been concealed by a Senior corrupt communist officers group in Center Level.  They owned strong power and influenced worldwide. This case must be investigated fully to punish and crock down this corrupt officers such as ZHAO Tiechui and his supporters. They concealed the Xinmi Jinchang (Mr.CHEN Haichao) and Xinmi Xinxing, Zhaigou coal mines ' illegal operations. They used both gangsters and SWAT to attack and arrest the victims as management team of Zhengzhou Mifeng Paper-making Co. Ltd (MFP). the Madam FU Ying is taking a role who tried to arrest Mr. Keji xu (Chairman of the MFP)  in Chinese Embassy in London in 2009. She still tries to lobbying UK politicians in the UK and China. It is  intend to catch Mr. XU back to China and cover their corruption. 
China news agency, Beijing, June 22 (Reporter Zhou Rui) - State Council Bulletin 22 accident investigation team, Pingdingshan mine owners and mine was an illegal collusion between regulators is likely to result in heavy casualties but a typical case, the nature of the accident and means very poor. Investigation team has been invited to send representatives to attend the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the accident investigation.
Pingdingshan City, Henan Province, the State Council, Weidong Qu Hing Tung 2 Mine, "6.21" particularly important explosives accident investigation group of 22 plenary meeting held in Pingdingshan City. Initial investigation team found that a large number of stored underground mine in the non-formal channels to buy from the black powder, combustion explosion, resulting in a large number of toxic and harmful gases into the face, causing mine casualties poisoning.
investigation team that the accident revealed four aspects.
1, mine ignore government regulations, ignoring the lives and, in illegal coal production organization. Mine mining permit on June 6 this year has expired, but the miners had actually arranged in the underground excavation face 4, a coal face, shift arrangements for 70 people to go down operations; in the relevant departments of the mine off After power, but also secretly connected to the power supply to continue in illegal production. The disregard of law and government regulation and unscrupulous, audacious, to a frenzied level.
2, mine is illegal purchase, possession of explosives. Purchase of explosives by illegal means, miners; serious breaches of explosives used underground storage tunnel, neither the independent ventilation system and monitoring facilities, has not taken the appropriate safety measures, resulting in burning of explosives after the explosion, and produces a large number of toxic and harmful gases, resulting in expansion of the accident.
3, district, township government regulators in mining dereliction of duty, dereliction of duty. Mine by two deputy county's leading cadres led a total of 10 packets mine, in mine supervision, but the mine owner to connect the power supply, plugging false walls, illegal coal mining production, stockpiling and use of explosives and other illegal acts turn a blind eye and allowed the illegal miners serious illegal production.
4, production and operation of local governments in illegal acts against ineffective, related law enforcement measures tantamount to furnishings, even the existence of fraud issues.
Pingdingshan city government responsible person at the meeting reported on the accident and make a deep examination. Currently, Pingdingshan city has control of miners and other relevant personnel, removed to the Divisional Officer responsible for the accident Weidong Qu, who posts the meeting, the accident investigation will be in full swing.
2010 年 6 月 21 日 1 时 40 points, two in Henan Province Pingdingshan Weidong Qu Hing Tung particularly important explosive mine explosion occurred. 75 people on duty to go down operations, with 28 liters of well saved, the accident in which 47 people were killed and 26 wounded, 7 of them seriously.

Sep 8 Pingdingshan city of Henan four mine gas explosion occurred Accidents

source: http://news.frbiz.com/caused_the_fire_again_lingbao-339661.html

Henan, there were two particularly serious on Accidents ! September 8 Pingdingshan Xinhua, Xinhua District, four mine gas explosion occurred Accident And Lingbao Gold Fire Incident once again placed in front of us. Staged a bloody lesson in the end to the number of times, people can respect for life from the bottom of my heart, reverence for life? ! Sun Weiming 8 for the second trial in the commutation of death sentences to life imprisonment and crying, he knew at this time of life. After all, better than the death penalty-free period of at least still alive, he can also rest of my life to redeem his sins committed in this life. However, in this day those who died due to accident people? Their lives in the discussion to who should be?

  8 55 points Pingdingshan Xinhua, Xinhua District, four mine gas explosion accident occurred, by the full search and rescue personnel found the 43 victims, have all rose well, there are 36 miners trapped underground.

  Also on September 8, Lingbao Gold mining companies source the fifth branch Wang Jiayu mine fire, killing 13 people. According to preliminary investigations, the main reason leading to the accident at the mine construction unit is the pit to support 1532, the tunnel took place Collapse , Causing underground cable short-circuit caused the fire wood sticks guarding. After the accident, the construction unit on duty 12 miners were safe in 6 liters of wells, six people were trapped. Construction unit 6 then go down their own rescue organization, Wang Jiayu, deputy director of mines after receiving the report, people go down with an order to stop construction of the blind rescue units, resulting in 14 people trapped underground. Gold mining companies because of the source after the accident, without the required timely reporting and waste the best time to rescue, combined with the construction unit and Wang Jiayu mine rescue blind organizations, resulting in casualties to expand. After The Lingbao Fire Battalion and professional mine rescue team to rescue the trapped 14 people who survived a death 13.

  Here, we briefly only in respect Lingbao Gold Mine accident analysis, the answer is startling: first, the incident exposed the company Safety Weak sense of responsibility, lack of respect and awe for life. After the accident, luck is also attempted to conceal dangerous situation, not required to report in time, attempting to escape on their own punishment, which bungled the best time for rescue.

  Secondly, the construction unit and Wang Jiayu mine ignorance. After the accident, actually blindly self-rescue, resulting in more casualties. It also reflects the company usually neglect the emphasis on personal safety awareness.

  Third, from the accident of view, mainly because of the construction units in the mine pit to support 1532, the tunnel collapse occurs, resulting in short-circuit underground cable caused the fire wood sticks guarding. This exposed the business lax investigation of the potential dangers and the lack of contingency plans.

  Fourth, higher authorities should strengthen supervision. Gold mining companies source is Lingbao municipal state-owned enterprises, private enterprises supposedly should pay more attention than the safety of workers, "Human life is more important than days" here should be well represented, however, is why not so? Supervision department supervisors to be research!

  Read by the BEIJING, released on the 14th on the SAWS 9 Lingbao Gold? 8, fire notification, although the responsible person know that the accident was serious, but on day one of two lifting accidents, why not stop? Insisted the tragedy with the bloody lessons in exchange for it? When are we going from the bottom of my heart to respect life, defend life!

Pingdingshan mining accidents have been concealed by a group of corrupt senior officials and media ----- Madam FU Ying is taking an role who tries to lobbying UK politicians in the UK and China.

 Source:http://qocmao.com/?p=48

"4.22" accident have been concealed by a Senior corrupt communist officers group in Center Level.  They owned strong power and influenced worldwide. This case must be investigated fully to punish and crock down this corrupt officers such as ZHAO Tiechui and his supporters. They concealed the Xinmi Jinchang (Mr.CHEN Haichao) and Xinmi Xinxing, Zhaigou coal mines ' illegal operations. They used both gangsters and SWAT to attack and arrest the victims as management team of Zhengzhou Mifeng Paper-making Co. Ltd (MFP). the Madam FU Ying is taking a role who tried to arrest Mr. Keji xu (Chairman of the MFP)  in Chinese Embassy in London in 2009. She still tries to lobbying UK politicians in the UK and China. It is  intend to catch Mr. XU back to China and cover their corruption. 

 August 22, pingdingshan city henan province ShaoShangKe hospital wards, PLA 152 WeiGongLiang 36 in bed, he is infusion xingdong two ore “4 · 22″ ore difficult one of the survivors.
Previously, the gas explosion was the local government in media rumours twice. On July 27, the supervision and administration of production safety administration issued the first 20 announcement, confirm xingdong two ore, 22 “, “four tram gas explosion killed 12 people are regulated.
June 24, “Chinese” publish “rumor or lie?” “4 · 22″ accident investigation, confirmed rumours five miners were killed after the name and id number, the report was ZhangXiangDong tip-offs, express to be aquire council panel.
June 31, WeiGongLiang investigation by the state council in hospital, 152 further investigation.
“Quick, even if there was more to compensate some money.”
“When I was in Menorca explosion, I was dead to the west and east is living.” After several months, has not had WeiGongLiang recall the tension.
It’s April 22 afternoon 4, WeiGongLiang and nearly 200 workers in the well. The crash was well. First, more than 100 meters deep underground, the shaft, then three consecutive about 15 degrees slope, the slope length direction respectively XiangDongXi end from the ground level, the vertical distance excavating tunnels about 300 meters, can compromise the height of ordinary people walk. Bend height
That night, WeiGongLiang is east, west of roadway and the roadway SanChaKou “link”, is a small harvesters will be connected together. He east 100 meters deep roadway, the more than 10 workers about east, west excavation, about 200 meters of more than 60 workers. He is the right to a vertical underground mine roadway and also the wind path.
When the accident happened, WeiGongLiang didn’t hear noises, just feel a great power pushed him up after mercilessly fell on the ground. He realized that he had an accident, feels to climb, but soon inhaled poisonous gases into a coma, wait him awake finds himself already in the ground.
After that, WeiGongLiang coolie lane is the brothers escape when he found him, and drag it out. In his defused the position of more than 100 meters, where the workers the lane. Fortunately among five corners weakened explosion produces shock, and he just at the beginning of the explosion Menorca, so he almost invisibles was not hurt, but his two metres HanJinGuo badly burned, five or six metres a call “bosom” workers (underground workers belong to different bidding, often with each other, but unknow others shouted in day rescued died.
That night, 5 patients were sent to an individual ShaoShangKe hospital. Three days later, as they are to WeiGongLiang XinHuaOu local hospital. Workers say, hear explosions 2 hours, there was more than 30 organizations under the rescue, captain WangHaiShui Wells in the stands to 700 yuan each, a man named “cash” miners relief when explored the death.
The boss HuangYongGui daughter-in-law of “sex” contact, every three wounded hundred dollars to the living expenses. At first, she agreed to pay $80 WeiGongLiang wife every day, and employ over the account, absolutely cannot tell others about the gas explosion.
But twenty days, “colourful” everyday go home treatment, urged the wounded captain WangHaiShui also often go to lobby, “hospital, even more money.” let field loss
On May 25, injured miners JiaHu, ShangShuiLing mine owners and agreement, if be discharged at the amount of compensation, the accident is confidential.
Spend millions of dredging officials and media?
There is not leak wall. “4 · 22″ gas explosion accidents occur after a month, ore difficult news finally puts the local media.
On May 26, henan TV channel broadcast reports of city of coal “4 xingdong, 22″ ore difficult survey. The reporters after four days, visited the 12 victims of seven families, basic confirmed the existence of mine. This is the “4 · 22″ for the first time since the media exposure.
Oddly, this program is scheduled for the cancellation of the replay is vague.
Actually, May 27 gold in the morning, and suddenly came to the hospital WeiGongLiang urged long hospital, saying the boss and municipal leaders have settled, and specially stressed on the platform, the province ore difficult show off immediately. According to WeiGongLiang, later, as long as an example gold couple, WeiGongLiang bluffing said the boss has everything suborn, suborn officials and media spent millions.
One local journalist confirmed that had been “, “call to bring red acquaintances, hair money.” some 10,000 or 20,000 sealing.” The most incredible speculation is a camp “, “ZhangXing media reporters away from pingdingshan million” purchase “after it was quiet.
After the mine disaster, a reporter to interview, but by pingdingshan survey on June 24, “Chinese” publish “rumor or lies, henan TV channel is reported.
“Three people,” as managers, familiar with two mining xingdong, he told reporters: “Chinese pingdingshan mine such as xingdong two dozens of coal is not large, if the accident, take a year, investment after the net profit is 10 million yuan per month. So the accident can cozen will spend millions, but a month or two will also earn back.”
According to the “three” speak, xingdong two ore legal representative is LiuJianGuo, 4 years ago after the fire was in trouble, a year ago HuangYongGui LiTianZhen, etc, is actually shareholder has bought a period of drilling, began in the east and west from the production respectively.
After a month, coal production promotion, “4″ before the March 22 to record highs, western 20,000 tons of coal, the monthly output is 14 million yuan in 1000 yuan, and profit. Well, the 3 out of 150-180 tons of coal, the month is about 15000 tons of coal for profit.
“Three”, said the money in the local outdueled accident, small coal mine demise. A life of “elder brother” morale million bid, early a few years ago some market.
Official twice. Rumor
Whatever million “fire” rumour is true, but local governments twice for xingdong two iron ore rumor is that, but quite intriguing.
On May 18, a report on the verification WeiDongOu “xingdong coal gas explosion” show “in pingdingshan news online. Release for WeiDongOu investigation and verification report “xingdong 2 mine, inscribe time is working in 2010″ on May 6. “Explain” say, the district committee and the district government attaches great importance to JiJianWei zone was established, immediately, safety supervision bureau, departmental components, such as public security bureau, the verification working group, “after the verification, the survey xingdong, well, two mine shaft and wind Wells, derrick intact, no explosion impact phenomenon, downhole found casualties.
Ten days later on May 28, pingdingshan television news, a city leaders in coal mine xingdong ask whether the accident happened, net preaching to confidently denial of the mine.
For the government, pingdingshan a rumor twice the back burner officials is not mature, “political consideration not comprehensive. The anonymous, says veteran cadre district and district secretary office soon, “just is egg big child”, no guts wu so big of accidents.
According to the official analysis, March 15 and 31, henan province has ensued XinMiShi large coal Co., LTD “, “3 · 15 fire accident and cable YiChuanXian national coal Co., LTD” 3 · 31 “outburst incidents, killing at least 45. April 21, henan provincial government office issued the notice of the general office of emergency and crackdown on illegal coal mine requirements. But in the next two mining xingdong, 12 deaths occurred in downtown, make great accidents can mainly leadership “job”.
The official told reporters describes a officialdom of unspoken rules: general ore difficult, “processing several department-level or county cadre is very easy, but the officials involved in high level, as normal. Cadres, removal, suspended in the strict sense, but may not be a kind of protection, 21 June. ‘ ‘ore difficult that afternoon, several deputy county, secco post, was immediately faster than quick-strike. If no accident, these people will soon be restored, but from WeiDongOu to another area of the past who carry. Will be promoted.
He said one example, four years ago, henan WuGang deputy secretary of municipal party committee, the mayor in the transfer of YuLing QianPi agree without jobs in 31 institutions assault in 105, by party a serious warning sanction, and was ousted from just the newly, vice secretary of the committee, pingdingshan city district positions. But two years later, YuLing was appointed pingdingshan bureau secretary of the party committee and director. “Inter-district different, certainly not district leadership can control. Like the henan TV replays, definitely not can be cancelled by the power of pingdingshan.”
The officials believe behind more attacks with such mining under the state council, he hopes to aquire can be clearly, “the council panel, GaoJian style of work, and JiJianWei iron-solid city hosted and do not contact with the basic principals, direct talks departments.”
Village, sign surety for confidentiality agreement
“4 · 22″ is the east mine accident, western continues to produce, until June 21 “, “. During this period, xingdong two ore not idle, the village, the family members of the deceased and guarantee the confidentiality agreement between the boss has signed.
ShangShuiLing co-workers lee, “4 roots killed 22″ ore difficult, because its single, parents, children, no claims for the mine owners finally at 60 million yuan; putting LiuMeng leaves and roots dying, lee not married, and adopted daughter has high LiuMeng leaves, the elder sister-in-law shun killed by 60 million to 70 million reparations, ChenShaoHui is “4″ the smallest incident, 22, said on the original he will leave home, mother stop. When TV reporter ask Chen, get money when the mother said son to guangdong. “ChenShaoHui ore bodies, the boss didn’t find out to dry, equivalent to a 120 million life.” WeiGongLiang said.
WeiGongLiang with fellow soup, hair after family obtain compensate of 500,000 yuan, is “4 · 22″ accident compensation at least. WeiGongLiang said, are honest, soup primarily to be 30 yuan ore in the village, bargaining, to obtain compensate of 500,000 yuan.

Wednesday, 15 September 2010

What a ashamed for me. This is my hometwon. Xinmi city is very special in China, it is 4.3 % in China Totally. The State Council announcement to the 47 serious accidents

What is a ashamed for me!Grave accidents in Henan is 8.5% of total in China.
Grave accidents in Zhengzhou is 6.4% total in China
Grave accidents in Xinmi is 4.3% total in China



十二、河南省(4起)4 grave work safety accidents in Henan

19. "2.28" grave road traffic accident in Xinmi City, Zhengzhou of Henan

20. "3.15 "Xinmi city Dongxing coal mine fire accident in Zhengzhou of Henan

21. "4.22" Gas explosion coal mine accident of Xingdong No.2 coal mine of Weidong district of Pingdingshan city of Henan [Where is corrupt senior communist official: Mr.Tuiechui ZHAO's (head of coal mine work safety administration Bureau)hometown].I hold evidence about his corruption.

22. "8.2" grave accident about gas explosion of SanYuanDong coal mine of Dengfeng of Zheng Coal Group Co. Ltd of Henan


19.河南省郑州市新密市“2・28”重大道路交通事故。
  20.河南省郑州市新密市东兴煤业有限公司“3・15”重大火灾事故。
  21.河南省平顶山市卫东区兴东二矿“4・22”重大瓦斯爆炸事故。
  22.河南省郑州煤业集团公司登封公司三元东煤矿“8・2”重大煤与瓦斯突出事故。


Xinhua Beijing on September 8 (Xinhua Zhu Liyi) SAWS spokesman Huang Yi, 8, said the safety committee by the State Council formulated and promulgated the "Measures supervise the handling of major incidents," has been recently implemented. According to this approach, the State Council Office of the first announcement to the public safety committee this year, 47 serious accidents since the list.
Huang Yi, said, "The State Council on Further Strengthening the Work of Safety in Production," clearly states that "the implementation of the State Department major accident investigation committee supervise the handling of production safety." To this end, the State Council formulated and promulgated a safety committee "means supervise the handling of major incidents", and supervise the handling of the process, matter, content, publicity and accountability and so explicitly.
Under this approach, the State Council's security committee on the investigation and handling of major incidents, supervise the handling of the implementation of the State Council, the Office of Safety Authority undertake supervise the handling of specific matters. The provincial government is responsible for implementing supervise the handling of the matter, the provincial government offices to take specific charge of the security committee of major accidents supervise the handling of administrative matters within the comprehensive work.
provincial government received supervise the handling of the notification, should be based on relevant regulations, organizations and urge the relevant functional departments in accordance with the supervision of the notice requirement for the following: do the accident aftermath; finding out the causes, identify the nature of the accident ; distinguish responsible for the accident, put forward the views of persons responsible for handling; economic punishment according to law; the formation of accident investigation reports; monitoring the implementation of accident prevention and corrective measures. Provincial People's Government shall supervise the handling of receiving the notice within 60 days from the date of completion of supervision issues.
this approach provides a major accident investigation closed the case, the provincial People's Government Security Committee Security Committee and the State Department's Office shall supervise the handling of cases of major accidents and accident investigation cases closed in the central mainstream media and the central site China Work Safety News, Safety Supervision Administration Web site to be announced, to accept social supervision.
based on this approach, the State Council Office of the first announcement to the public safety committee this year has been 47 serious accidents related to the list, the distribution of these major accidents in the country's 23 provinces.
State Administration of Safety Supervision, Ministry of Supervision Central Discipline Inspection Commission also announced the same day, Xinhua District 4 Pingdingshan mine, "9.8" particularly serious gas explosion in Henan mine Pingdingshan Weidong Qu Hing Tung 2 "6.21" incident particularly important Explosives, Xiangtan City, Hunan Province, Xiangtan County wins mine "1.5" major fire accidents in particular three special results of the investigation and handling of major incidents, three incidents were a total of 176 persons responsible for handling .
SAWS spokesman Huang Yi, said it three after the accident, the accident investigation team composed of the State Council promptly investigated. The investigation, three accidents are accidents, leaving a total of 159 miners died in the direct economic loss more than 8750 million. State Department Accident Investigation Unit report has been submitted by the State Council approved, SAWS has been the province where the accident occurred were

Zhang Wen: “China is Sick”

Zhang Wen: “China is Sick" especially for coal mine industry and Zhengzhou city

Zhang Wen: “China is Sick”

April 28, 2010
By Chris Hearne

The following is a translation of this piece by Zhang Wen:

Translation

In recent times, catastrophes of both the natural world and the human world have been piling up. For me this is rather perplexing.

Rain water has always been plentiful in Southeast China, so this once in a lifetime drought in and of itself is a little bit unthinkable. In the face of this great drought, what’s even more bizarre is the indifference in the government and in popular opinion. Government emphasis and rescue efforts didn’t start until the middle of this month, and those outside of the southeast have expressed “none of my concern” attitude. My own media outlet didn’t begin full-length pieces on the situation until recently.

Similar to this phenomenon is the indifference to the life of the murdered children in Nanping [a city in northern Fujian province -Ed]. Judging from the current reports, the murderer Zheng Minsheng [who allegedly murdered eight school children] was a failure at life without stable work, and a failure in love as well. He therefore went out to take vengeance on the evils of society. What is impossible to understand, as well as impossible to forgive, is that he chose people weaker still than himself – elementary school victims. These innocent, immature human beings were completed unrelated and harmless to Zheng Minsheng.

There is only one thing to say: China is sick!

The rhythm of life is getting faster, stress and pressure are building up, and the future is unclear. This has caused more or less everyone in society to become infected with a psychological disorder. People are worried about themselves and their own families, all the while gradually losing compassion towards others. When you can’t even take care of yourself, how can you have excess emotional energy to attend to others?

For years, a one-sided emphasis on economic development has led millions on a single-minded quest for wealth and caused the nation the soar, but it has also buried a terrible sickness: the law of the jungle has entered into people’s hearts. The weak are food for the strong, and

fairness and justice are in short supply.

Social classes are dividing and dissolving into opposition. People’s relationships are mostly based on acquiring [personal] benefits and people no longer believe in traditions of mutual help and friendship. In fact, laughing at the poor while hating the rich has become the tone of mainstream society.

The economic successes of the last 30 years are hard to deny, but that people’s moral quality has degenerated is equally hard to deny. The ideas of Confucius, Mencius and Zhuangzi have been damaged almost beyond repair. Slogans like “Putting people first” and “a harmonious society” need to become reality, but the coming is slow.

To destroy is easy, to build is difficult. China is currently in a void. Popular expectations are outpacing changes in [society’s] system, and in their confusion people have no faith to comfort them.

Those foreigners that are unfamiliar with China exclaim, “China is rising!” China’s government is immensely smug as well, ambitiously carving up the world and expanding its own influence. Disobedient foreign companies are kicked out of the country before the government can be happy.

But clear-headed Chinese can only sigh helplessly [at the current situation]: what kind of monstrosity is this [China]! That China is “rising” is a fact, but it isn’t healthy, with ailments both numerous and gravely serious. The people’s lives are currently so-so: not happy, to say nothing of dignified. (Wen Jiabao’s words are genuine and heartfelt, but an old ailment is not easy to cure).

China is sick. Where is the deft hand, where is the magic wand that can stir life in dead wood?

Discussion

Amidst his admittedly cynical take on things, Zhang Wen brings up an interesting but (sometimes) overlooked point. China is developing, but towards what? The idea of a “rising China” is familiar to anyone reading this and it has even entered into popular media discourse in Western countries, but it is interesting to see how often the words “development” or “modern” (发展 and 现代) get thrown around both in the media, academia and in casual conversation without any clear concensus of what that precisely means beyond a rising per capita income. Development apparently just means “this road that we’re on.”

Even 50 years ago, Mao’s wish for China was to “surpass Britain and catch up to America.” In the context of a “rising China”, comparisons and contrasts between China and the United States are common. Calculating if, when and how China’s GDP will overtake that of the United States has almost become a parlor game among economists and commentators. But is the United States “developed” because it has a high GDP, or does it have a high GDP because it is developed? Another view might hold that the United States (and other developed countries) are developed because they have rule of law, transparent government and clean environments. Zhang Wen might argue that the populace needs a certain minimum moral fiber before a country can be considered developed. (Of course, you could also argue that the United States is not developed because it lacks these very things in the desired quantities).

What does it mean for China to “develop”? What could, or should, it mean? Is GDP or PPP the best tool for measuring China’s progress? Are alternative measures of development like the Human Development Index useful for China (or any country for that matter), or are these not “hard” enough? Supposing we had a magic wand to dispense gifts to various places in the world, what combination of traits might we bestow on China before it went from “developing” to “developed”?