Transcript: China Chat
Komesaroff: Still, the decision-making process in China to make offshore investments is complicated. They don't have the benefit of the kereitsu system of the Japanese where they could make quick decisions. And one of the things that's locking China out is some of these offshore investments is the processes it needs to go through internally to get everyone to sign off to make acquisitions.
Utley: In the few minutes we have remaining I thought that what we might do is turn this discussion around 180 degrees. We've been talking about perceptions of China, what is happening in China. But how do the Chinese look at the rest of the world? Is the rest of the world maybe not addressed? But we have two experts here who can view, tell us about their views of the United States, of President Bush, of the European Union, of the reaction to the Chinese textile exports, etc. The talk of greater protectionist barriers in these industrialized parts of the world.
Xue: In general, the Chinese people are very interested in world affairs. If you look at Chinese news, the national news dominates. And recent events on textiles and so on have some of the Chinese public concerned about the so-called "China Threat." They feel that China is moving forward in integrating the world economy but at the same time they feelt that, we're being treated otherwise.
Lu: Looking from China out, from inside out, there is this growing self confidence among the Chinese, especially the young generation, who haven't really seen difficulties in life before. There is this sense that it's our time. Chinese read a lot more about world affairs and they see that in the world, that looking around, they see America talking to the Israels, trying to stop arms sales, talking to the European Union, trying to stop the embargo lifting, and talking to Japan about Taiwan and so on. They see America just looking after America. At an emotional level, there's a kind of uneasiness, maybe kind of a "victim" syndrome if you will, that it's time to grow and it's our time and then the West doesn't allow us. That is very dangerous and that's something we really have to think about.
Utley: Final thoughts?
Sigurdson: I would like to point out that perception in Europe is very different from here in the United States. Last month I participated in China/Europe high level science and technology forum and it was a kind of embrace that we want to celebrate. And I don't see that you have the sense of you want to collaborate with China in the United States. I think this is the missing point. Western thought actually points out that there's a great possibility to find a means of cooperation and I think that's damaging for United States.
Komesaroff: One idea we touched on earlier is whether communism is dead in China. There is a Communist Party but it's not a communist party as we in the West would normally understand it, or as the Chinese traditionally understand it. But the demise of the Party and the opening of the country to greater ideas has created an element of nationalism in China. One of the things that needs to be watched is nationalism as it replaces Communism, particularly as people need something to believe in.
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