Katie’s Beer

• In graduate school, I attempted a yearlong independent study of Chinese history. I learned that independent study is not for me - I apparently need the structure of a table, chair and professor- but I really enjoyed the readings. For the first time in my life as a student, I learned that China isn’t the poor country I thought it was. For most of human history, it has been a learned, albeit tumultous powerhouse. That was the beginning of my interest in China.

• A few years back, my parents traveled to China on a tour. My parents, very low-key and friendly, were shocked at the rude reception by the Chinese in major cities. Even their tour guide was rude to the group…to a bunch of Lutheran retirees from Minnesota (not exactly rude or boisterous by nature or culture). My dad postulated that China had opened their arms to tourists for one reason: to get their dollars.

• Fast forward to now. My son is taking Modern U.S. History from a teacher who isn’t exactly a right-wing, flag-waving Patriot, from what I have gathered. I do think that his teacher is teaching the course well and is trying to present a “balanced” view of our great land. He also has told my son and his classmates that he believes that the next great battle, of sorts, WILL be in China. My son informs me that the U.S. has troops positioned around China (I don’t know where to confirm or refute that claim). I do believe, though, that a powerful China is in my children’s children’s future.

Dr. Ed Veith posted a short comment on his Cranach blog on a London Daily Mail piece called, Why China is the REAL master of the universe. Anthony Browne writes,

Just as the 19th century was the British century, and the 20th century was the American century, the 21st century is the Asian century.

But the handover of global power from the UK to the U.S. was trivial compared to what is happening now.

The U.S. was Britain’s offspring, based on the same values and the same language.

t, too, was an Anglo-Saxon country, and passing the baton across the Atlantic ensured the continuation of the Anglo-Saxon world order, based on democracy, free trade and a belief in human rights, upheld through international institutions that both powers supported.

But the world order we have grown used to - and comfortable with - over the last century is coming to an end.

Napoleon III compared China to a sleeping giant and warned: “When China awakes, she will shake the world.”

After a long hibernation, China, and her 1.3 billion people - twice the population of the U.S. and EU combined - is awaking almost overnight.

And not just China. The world’s second most populous country, India, is industrialising at a historically unprecedented pace.

Tags: China //