Is China taking over the world?
To the editor:
As we head into the future, we face the uncertainty of knowing what lies ahead. Is the world as we know it going to change on December 21, as the Mayan calendar predicts? Will we all be speaking Chinese by the next decade?
In North America, our culture has the unfounded perception that China is slowly preparing to take over the world. They have now bumped all countries and could be considered the world’s leading nation, a Superpower in their own way. Does this mean that they are taking over the world? Does it mean that soon the Chinese will be in control of everything?
China has a population of just over a billion people. They have a strong economy and are led by the Communist Party of China; also known as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). With a population as large as China’s, it is very difficult to keep the country peaceful.
In China, the middle class does not exist. You are either very wealthy or very poor. The average monthly wage in China is below $300. The average person is grossly underpaid. However, Chinese citizens make do with what they have and they do not complain about it. Anything edible is used in China and people will not waste a source of food. In a sense they are a very non-wasteful people because they eat almost everything. At the same time, custom dictates that they will leave a portion of food on their plate at the end of the meal, to tell the chef that the meal was sufficient.
The Chinese are not taking over the world. The more likely scenario is that the Chinese people will eventually take over their own country; however, even that seems like a very unrealistic possibility. Too much civil uncertainty lies ahead for this country to ever have plans for taking over the world.
How does one even take over the world? The last jerk that tried to take over the world ruined the toothbrush moustache and the name Adolf for the foreseeable future.
While technologically this country is advanced, they are far behind in terms of civil liberties and human rights. In a way it feels like the early 1960s in America. You hear whispers of political unhappiness and you can feel that the people will not remain silent forever. The “sixties” can also be felt anytime you walk into a restaurant, business or office building and are greeted with a cloud of cigarette smoke. Up until a few years ago, the people were told that smoking was good for you — sound familiar baby-boomers?
The Chinese are very respectful, well-mannered and family-oriented people. The Western media portrays China in such a way that instills fear in some. Do not allow them to corrupt your opinion of an entire people because of it. China is a country with a rich cultural history. The Chinese are wonderful and giving people. Living here in China as a North American is a unique and life-changing learning experience. Do not form your opinion based upon second-hand news; form your own opinions by experiencing it first-hand. Fear is the food of monsters. What do you like to eat?
Christopher Anthony
Beijing, China
Editor’s note; The author is a teacher and journalist currently teaching in Beijing at an International School. A recent UMPI graduate and Presque Isle resident, he recently read Orpheus Allison’s article “Dried fish and chicken feet” and it inspired him to write something light as well. Anthony is currently working on his first novel.
