[A-List] Conference in China

["Craven, Jim" <JCraven@xxxxxxxxx>]

Title: Message

I was invited by the Institute of Economics at Tsinghua University to rpesent a paper at their International Symposium on the Reform of Property Rights and Enterprise Development in Transitional Countries in Beijing.

 

The first thing I should note is that I was asked to provide on an abstract of my paper not the whole paper. It was on my own initiative and out of respect for those who had invited me that I sent a copy of the whole paper before leaving for China. This was because I did not want, due to my own ignorance or misinformation, to say things that were incorrect and/or might cause any problems for those who had invited me. My concerns were unfounded as no one tried to censor me in any way and all were prepared for a free full and no-holds-barred discussion of any and all issues related to China (including those issues raised in the Monthly Review issue on China). The economists I met and spent considerable time with in China, not only from Tsinghua University, were extremely bright, capable, gentle, kind, full of life and humor and very informed in core theory as well as new currents in  bourgeois economics as well as Marxist economics.

 

The lines at the Mausoleum of Chairman Mao (where I went twice to pay my respects) were extremely long and most of the people appeared to be very respectful, quiet and honoring as they waited to pay their respects. I was given two translators who sat next to me and gave me real time translations of all papers as they were delivered and there was ample time for feedback or disagreement on the papers presented. All papers were fully reproduced and given in kits to all participants. Of course I met Chinese who appeared intrigued with the theory and promises of neo-liberalism, but they listened patiently and seriously as I launched a full-bore attack (with due consideration to the historical legacies and present-day pressures/realities China faces) against neo-liberalism as nothing more than warmed-up neo-imperialism.

 

One of the professors and a translator took me to Shi Cha Chuang as I had wanted for many years to come to pay my respects at the grave of "fellow Canadian" Pai Chu En (Dr. Norman Bethnune) and at the Memorial park for the Chinese Martyrs. It was a memorable trip and one filled with very frank and open discussions on a variety of issues again, with no-holds-barred. At the memorial park and grave of Pai Chu En, I saw large groups of school children being taken there to be given an appreciation of all that China has gone through and all the sacrifice that was necessary to protect the sovereignty, independence, self-determination (and even recognition as a nation as my own People, Blackfoot, are going through right now). I also lectured on Indigenous issues in the U.S. and Canada at Tsinghua University.

 

I got a cut on my foot and my foot and leg became infected. The last time this happened, when I was in India, I got staph infection throughout my left leg and damn near lost it. This time it was my right foot and leg. I got to experience the Chinese health care system which I would  recommend to anyone; they are far advanced of the U.S. and Canada in many ways; and they are also very aware that health care is not evenly distributed throughout China and are very intent on dealing with it as a priority issue. The first thing that impressed me tremendously, is that I had to wait in line and no effort was given to give me "special treatment" as a visitor; I really appreciated that. Secondly, the doctors were thorough and took the issue of my own immune system not being adapted to China very seriously. Thirdly they did regular follow-up (again, each time I waited my turn in line) and gave me antibiotics simply not available in the West (including a bottle, prescribed for me by the doctor to take home to continue my treatment).

 

As a former taxi driver myself--full-time--I of course knew well the pressures and realities of the taxi drivers all over the world (wait in long lines for a short trip and having to pay the daily lease or "nut" on the vehicle, all sorts of freaks giving you trouble etc) but the taxi drivers in Beijing will not take tips as they believe that this might involve "looking down" on them or pity. Despite their low pay and difficult conditions of work, they had a certain pride and dignity about them that reflected socialist consciousness is alive and well among the taxi drivers in China.

 

I hooked-up with some friends of a friend and they took me to a restaurant called Xiang Yang Tun (Face the Sun) which features artifacts from traditional villages, traditional village recipes, posters and newspapers from the Cultural Revolution,  

large posters of Chairman Mao and acrobat/comedy troupes from northeastern China. That was truly memorable.

 

On CCTV-9 the English channel in Beijing, the programming was very thoughtful and informative, >From discussions of life and history during the Tang Dynasty, to national policies to protect the survival and existence of the 55 non-Han national groups in China (e.g Dai People in Yunnan), to long programs about China's and global energy requirements and trends, to programs on industrial pollution and ecological damage and ongoing demonstrations in the U.S. against Bush. It was such a relief to see programming that did not focus on and celebrate narcissism, competition, social darwinism, humiliation, intrigue, careerism, ultra-individualism,  sexism, racism, national chauvinism, machiavellianism, etc etc. 

 

In Chinese language and culture, there is the concept of  "shen chang bu lu" (keeping ones words and intentions modest and moderate and not letting out all one is thinking). Perhaps that is what I was experiencing while in China, or, perhaps, the same concept should be considered in any possibly precipitous judgments about the extent of restoration of capitalism allegedly going on in China. The Chinese I met did not run from a full debate of the question and were/are prepared to debate the issue in the future of what they are doing in China and why.

 

Jim C

 

 

 

 

James M. Craven

Blackfoot Name: Omahkohkiaayo-i'poyi

Professor/Consultant,Economics;Business Division Chair

Clark College, 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd.

Vancouver, WA. USA 98663

Tel: (360) 992-2283; Fax: (360) 992-2863

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