/ world today news/ “Difficult times build great personalities” – at least that’s what they say. But we can paraphrase it and say that “tough times make great countries”. And history proves it. Worldwide. One of the clearest examples in this regard is China. The country which, thanks to its reforms, realized one of the biggest miracles in the economy.
It probably goes without saying that by the 1990s the Celestial Empire was far from the level of development it enjoys today and continues to build on. And there was a coupon system, not enough goods in the shops, but thanks to the drawn political plans, the encouragement of the rulers and their good decisions, the fellowship of the people and the education in patriotism, today we see the second economic power in the world, with tendencies to become first.
“I remember when I was a kid there was a bicycle on the street where I lived. All the kids took turns driving it. We were so poor. Having a car or a TV was considered a real luxury. And today – 40 years later, there is a television not only in every home, but sometimes in every room, and you see how many cars there are on the streets. I can’t help but be proud of my country! In a few decades, there should be such an upsurge!” – says a 50-year-old man who managed to become the director of an important program in Beijing.
From the West, they are immediately ready to attack with the argument that this progress is largely due to the fact that many Chinese students study in the USA or other developed countries, “absorb” the most necessary and then transfer it to their country.
“No one denies this thing,” a Chinese professor explained to foreign journalists. “But what sets us apart from most nations is that when our students come back, they don’t demand that the exact same thing they saw be put in place.” Because our culture is different – what is liked and considered good in other places does not mean that it will be suitable for us. That’s why we “adapt” it, he adds.
And it really is. When one goes to China, one notices that even in fast food chains like McDonald’s, KFC or Domino’s pizzeria, Chinese characteristics have been introduced. Otherwise, there is a high probability that they will not last in the market.
Why are we actually talking about “45 years since China opened up to the world” when in reality China has never been closed to it. This is clear from a quick reference, showing us that Beijing has always had cooperation with the countries of the former socialist bloc – exchange of teachers, workers, even ideas.
Later, due to political reasons, this cooperation marked a decline, but it is not China that wants to break off relations. European countries, in an effort to break away from Russian influence, are beginning to cut ties with anything that reminds them of the past.
Meanwhile, Chinese workers concentrate on making cheap clothes, shoes, toys, which they export to rich countries. And they don’t stop learning, improving the quality of their work, listening to the criticism of the rest of the world and striving to show that they can offer a quality product. Gradually, they begin to appreciate their work more and more, especially when they realize that developed countries pay them many times less than the price at which they sell things.
In general, 3 stages can be defined in the development of the Chinese economy. In the first – the country focuses on its own economy, (but even then there is cooperation with the countries of the former socialist bloc), in the second – it produces mainly for abroad and the last – the most successful – when goods are produced both for domestic consumption and and for export.
“Looked at quite objectively, China has never closed itself to the world. We are the ones who set up barriers,” native Euro-Atlanticians also comment.
“There is no magic formula for our success,” Chinese politicians and ordinary people agree. Except maybe… hard work and persistence. Something lacking in many nations hoping for monetary handouts in return for their uncomplaining obedience.
“The only advice we can give is to see what you are best at and start developing it. Gradually, you will start doing other things as well. For example, years ago in China we started by making shoes and clothes, and today we are producing cars!” – Beijing encourages the developing countries. “But that doesn’t mean you stop doing the former. You can develop them in parallel,” they specify.
Meanwhile, China continues to compete rather with itself. Every day a new project is developed. The government’s plan for the next five years includes many cultural, scientific and work exchanges. Because the best way to understand the truth about a country is to go there and absorb its experience there.
“I will be very happy if each of you takes a piece of our success in a certain field and applies it to your homeland,” wishes a prominent Chinese professor. “The progress of a country depends on its people!”
For all the progress China has made, it still modestly describes itself as a “developing country.” Perhaps one of the keys to success is modesty and a constant desire for self-improvement!
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