Forget da Vinci, Botticelli, and Titian. The new Chinese President Xi Jinping (replacing Hu Jintao) and premier Li Keqiang (replacing Wen Jibao) vow to end corruption and extravagance with their new leadership. Read more details here.
Comments, questions and responses below!
I think it's great that Xi Jinping is trying to spread the idea of fighting corruption around China and allowing more economic freedom.This can be a huge leap for China because it provides many more opportunities for work as well as improves connections with other countries. This could be extremely beneficial, seeing as how China is the suspect in the recent Hacks in the US. However as stated by the article, there is already suspicion that the new leaders will simply follow in their predecessor's footsteps. I guess we will have to just wait and see.
ReplyDelete"He addressed the growing inequality gap and public anger at corruption, promising to reform the central government, cut "extravagance" and shake-up "vested interests"."
ReplyDeleteIt really seems like the new president, Xi Jinping was a goal for the future of China, which is refreshingly like the US, as both are super powers. Also China trying to maintain and strengthen a good relationship with the US is good as if the two did not get along the rest of the world could and possibly would experience turmoil. I like the new president (:
Despite the change in leader and his talk of reducing "extravagance" to eliminate corruption, I feel that this speech does little but foreshadow a continuation of Hu Jintao's rule. Since it is a one party state, in all likelihood this will just be the same presidency with a different face, bolstered by big talk but little change in action (as demonstrated by the continued denial of government sponsored cyber-attacks).
ReplyDeleteSeems like standard fare to me. New leader steps in, says that things will be much better than before, but in actuality he's just another cog in China's political machine, and nothing will actually change.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know that China hopes to form a rich economy and achieve "China's dream," however we all know that in the end China will do whatever it takes to reach their best interest, just like any other nation. Without a doubt, this will lead them to have conflicts with other countries, especially with other super powers. Li Keqiang has already addressed the American cyber-attack issue, proving that they are already in the mindset to achieve and in no position to take criticism from western nations.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder how a system like China's, in which so much power is given to the individuals at the very top, could ever completely eliminate corruption, or even come close. I will be interested to see what moves Xi Jinping actually takes to curb corruption, and who they will effect. It's great that he is also moving towards giving Chinese citizens more economic freedoms and trying to increase China's prominence on the world's stage; yet, I wonder how long reforms like this will realistically continue until the Chinese government faces some sort of rebellion and is forced to clamp down again.
ReplyDeleteI think the new president will have less of an impact than is expected, primarily due to the governmental structure in China. If there was to be an impact I think it would not be in favor of the United States. The new president claims that he wants a more assertive foreign policy, this could be damaging to US interests in Korea and Japan. Regardless, the new president's statements about reducing corruption are welcome as China is one of our major trading partners and there have been issues regarding Chinese goods related to corruption.
ReplyDeleteI think this could be a chance for real change to occur. I am skeptical, because mr. Li still went through the corrupting party system to become second in command, but even so his simple background inspires hope that he will actually put action to his words.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-19870221
This article has more info on him.
It just seems that a new ruler has taken power but I don't think that much will change. The economy in China will still keep growing but I believe that the inequality will keep growing as well. Even though the new president came from a humbler background he has worked hard to go through the communist party and will not risk it all by making many changes.
ReplyDeleteI feel optimistic about the new president hopefully just as he showed I. His speech he focuses and actually taking action. I found this cool article. I wonder how soon this issue will be dealt with..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21822684
@Imani That is a very interesting article about the "re-education" camps. Everyone should go read it. It is surprising to me that so much access was allowed into the camps and that the Communist party not only recognizes them, but claims they need to be "reformed." Reformed? Shut down is more like it! Sometimes you really have to appreciate the country we live in and the fact that we are all innocent until proven guilty. Our legal system might have flaws, but at least it is a legal system.
ReplyDeleteThere was a thing on them I watched from dateline two weeks ago. I wonder if Nick would like the band name. He is is always thinking of a band name...
ReplyDeletehttp://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-930702
Anyways the situation illustrate Putin's power over self expression and having more influence than any president should have.