[Marxism] Conference in China

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

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
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~blkfoot5
Employer has no association with private/protected opinion
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present
controls the past." (George Orwell)
"...every anticipation of results which are first to be proved seems
disturbing to me...(Karl Marx, "Grundrisse")
FREE LEONARD PELTIER!!
 
 
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