What is really going on in China?

Written by Frank Li

I was in China October 20-28, throughout which I experienced and carefully observed China first hand. Here is a summary: China is doing very well, as usual, and the trade war between the U.S. and China has zero effect on average Chinese citizens, so far. Specifically, let me highlight four points:

1. The opening of the HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
2. China’s Import Expo.
3. Japanese PM Abe visited China.
4. China in the large.

1. HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia – HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

The Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macau Bridge (HZMB), officially the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge, is a 55-kilometre (34 mi) bridge – tunnel system consisting of a series of three cable-stayed bridges, viaducts, undersea tunnels and four artificial islands. It is the world’s longest sea crossing,[5][6] spanning the Lingding and Jiuzhou channels and connecting Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai, three major cities on the Pearl River Delta.[7][8]

With this bridge built, China has proven to be most advanced in the world in terms of bridge/tunnel building! For more on this bridge, watch the short video below – getting the real info beyond the propaganda!

2. China’s Import Expo

This is a big effort by China to open itself up for foreign imports. Two informative readings:

1. http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/article/zt_englishimport/.
2. https://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/.

Many countries have responded to this opportunity enthusiastically, especially Japan (Japanese firms seize China’s import expo to market new products), which leads to the next issue …

3. Japanese PM Abe visited China

The Japan-China relationship is back towards normal, thanks, in no small part, to Trump’s trade wars against everybody.

For the significance of this visit, watch the video below.

4. China in the large

Let me highlight the subject from five perspectives:

1. Infrastructure projects.
2. Cashless and beyond.
3. Surveillance in all public places, all the time!
4. Environmental pollution.
5. President Xi Jinping.

4.1 Infrastructure projects

I spent most of my time in my hometown Hangzhou, where the construction work is everywhere for 2022 Asian Games, with many subway lines opening one by one, each being world-class!

With that, imagine the construction work in Beijing for 2022 Winter Olympics!

4.2 Cashless and beyond

China is quickly becoming a cashless society, with e-payment by I-phone everywhere, from super-markets, to street-side mon-&-pap shops, and even to the homeless … Any doubt? Watch the video below!

4.3 Surveillance in all public places, all the time!

Do not commit a crime in any public place in China, because it’s highly unlikely that you will get away with it! For more, watch the video below.

With that, China easily has the world’s best record in public safety. Two facts (or rumors):

1. Robbery is down from low to almost none, as few people carry any money (i.e. cash)!
2. Many criminals at large have been captured at public concerts, where China’s facial recognition software works the best – It quickly scans through all the data captured by the surveillance network before reaching a recommendation of capturing!

Now driving … Driving above the speed limit? You will get an e-ticket, as well as a deduction in your credit score, in no time! Speeding 50% above the limit? It’s a deduction of 12 points, which means the police will be waiting for you in the next toll booth and your driver’s license will be suspended!

4.4 Environmental pollution

In Shanghai and Hangzhou, the air was clearly much better than it was a few years ago. The water in the rivers seems much cleaner too. China has clearly made good strides in this aspect, but still with a long way to go.

4.5 Xi Jinping

He enjoys very high approval ratings among the regular folks, such as cab drivers and massagers.

Many intellectuals are very concerned about the removal of the term limit for the Chinese Presidency. The validity of that concern will be answered over time. Meanwhile, Xi’s profile in public places (e.g. billboards) seems to be downsizing, which is good news for the concerned.

In short, China’s near-future is in the hands of one person: Xi Jinping. I wish China well, and hence I wish President Xi well.

For more, read: What is China, Anyway?

5. Closing

America, reform our failing political system, as I have suggested (American Democracy – Why is it failing & how to fix it?), or become a fiddle, second to China!

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