Holding hands with China

THE successful mission of the Shenzhou 5 capsule, orbiting the earth 14 times, makes China the world’s third spacefaring nation, behind the former Soviet Union and the United States. More significantly, however, it provides further dramatic evidence of China’s on going development from a stagnating, inward looking Communist country into the globe’s fastest growing economy. Indeed, the signs are all there that within the next decade or two China seems destined to become the world’s next superpower, rivalling the United States in economic strength if not in military power. It is good then that our country has long established and friendly ties with the People’s Republic of China and there is a healthy cultural exchange between Beijing and Port-of-Spain. For our mutual benefit, this newspaper would like to see an active interest or programme in strengthening our relationship with the eastern giant.

At present, we have the pleasure of being entertained by China’s famous Hebei Acrobatic Troupe which will be performing in Trinidad until October 19. We extend to them our warmest welcome. At their opening show at Queen’s Hall on Wednesday night, members of the touring troupe enchanted the audience with a dazzling display of their acrobatic and martial arts skills. Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador Xu Yunan said it was fortuitous that one of her country’s most renowned acrobatic troupes was performing in TT on the day of the Shenzhou 5 Space Mission. The visit, she said, was certain to maintain the good momentum for cultural ties between the two countries. Serving also to enhance these relations was last month’s visit by China’s Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing  the result of which was Prime Minister Manning’s announcement of plans for establishing a Chinese military hospital in TT and the possibility of a visit to China by a steelband from our country. All this is welcome since, in our view, TT can only benefit from a close relationship with this huge and rapidly growing Third World country. In an amazing sense, China’s emergence presents a unique paradox to the world, defying the conventional wisdom of the West which holds that capitalistic activity and free enterprise can only flourish under a democratic system of government. The freedom of one, it is argued, requires the freedom of the other. Yet, while China continues to be governed by the aging leadership of the Communist Party, it has managed to release the entrepreneurial energies of its people in a fascinating duality, a mixture of totalitarian control and capitalistic zeal and expansion. The latest official indicators show that the Chinese economy is growing by an unbelievable 10 percent, and it is the view of some experts that even that figure is an under-estimation.

Another significant indication of China’s emergence on the world scene is the expanding role the country has begun to play in international matters. This may be seen in the decisive part which China played in brokering a compromise among members of the UN Security Council to achieve a unanimous vote on the US resolution dealing with the reconstruction of Iraq. As our report said yesterday: “Normally reticent on issues that do not directly affect its own interest, China quickly adopted a middle stance between the calcified European and stubborn US positions after the draft resolution was presented last week, urging both sides to compromise for the sake of presenting a united front on Iraq.” Rejoicing over its successful manned space flight, China said it would push forward with its programme, with plans for another Shenzhou capsule flight in two years and the eventual construction of a permanent space station. The once sleeping giant of the east has been fully awakened and we should be keen to enhance our good relationship with this coming superpower.