China! Now a surging power, most likely the next super power (along with India). Unfortunately, it's record isn't so clean. They are notably responsible for several human rights violations. Their tolerance for minority groups is greatly minimal, and instead they have been systematically persecuting any who oppose the government. For example, this summer I was handed a pamphlet when I was walking on the national mall about Falun Gong, an ancient practice for self-improvement that was banned in China under the communist leaders. There have been over 1,000 confirmed deaths due to torture as of July 20, 2004 and over 200,000 people have been detained without a trial. Several labor camps have been set up, many have been killed for their organs and others have been forced into mental hospitals.*Secondly, China has not been scoring points in the realm of ethics regarding its treatment of business matters, as well as how their actions in business effect the environment. Although I can't say the United States is the best example, I am willing to say that at least many recognize this and efforts are being made to counter it. With China, however, not much is being done primarily because people fear to speak out against the order. One has to consider that it is not yet a super power and that the population of the nation counts for about one fifth of the world's population- so you can imagine by how much environmental damages can increase! That is, if nothing is done to start off on the right foot.
Several months ago I watched a report on the French news (France 2) speaking of the developments the country has made in order to prepare for their turn hosting the summer Olympics. Because they don't have enough room in the crammed city to build the arenas etc they offered people a minimal payment to relocate out of their houses. Some accepted, but most refused and asked to at least have a larger compensation (the one that was offered was barely enough to get a house elsewhere). So instead of trying to work things out, the government demolished the houses anyway while the tenants were away from home. To me, that's reason enough to ban them from hosting the Olympics. Or at least this should've been taken into consideration before they were selected.
So how might the dragon be tamed before it becomes too threatening to the world? I suppose this will come with time. First of all, more people are turning their heads toward the far east looking for opportunities. This is especailly true with business, where ethics may start to be pushed upon them more by Western nations hoping to keep the competition fair. Now with the rising concern of global warming, environmental issues will most likely be a heavy weight that China will have to carry along with them to the top as well. As for our part? We should maybe consider learning more about its history and culture (not forgetting the great spiritual culture that has sprung from this region of the world) and to open our eyes more frequently to its current manners.
*Here are a few websites to find out more about the practice and this particular case: www.falundafa.org, www.faluninfo.net, and www.flgjustice.org
