Chinese food for thought

An ever-growing China continues to offer a plateful of concern as well as curiosity to the world outside. Concerned, as this reformed communist country shows no respect for human rights, and its socialist market economy is ominously aggressive. Curious, as the strange Chinese system shows no signs of failing. For its part, China thinks the West is just propaganda-happy. Nothing is wrong with the Chinese system, and it is doing exactly what every other nation should have been doing, that is, developing the country and bettering people's lives. Political scientists can go on debating over which political system-- democracy, autocracy or communism-- is good for the people. But eventually, what it all boils down to is the welfare of the people or the lack of it. "They (critics) don't understand China," Li Jun, the Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, tells The Daily Star. "But we know their countries better than them." Truly, a look inside China can offer some food for serious thought for all, especially for Bangladeshis. China and Bangladesh indeed have two different government systems. Yet, once in China, one cannot help but go for a reality check on people's status in politics and the state of affairs back home. The legendary American president Abraham Lincoln possibly set the tone for the government of every political system with his immortal quote: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people." The ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), which is the head and heart of the Chinese government, is also tuned to it, maybe in a different way. Talking with top leaders, people and foreigners, it appeared that the CPC has its government system cut out for the people. Food prices continue to go up globally, with China being the only exception. When asked, commoners struggled to name a single food item that was spiked in recent years. Prices of basic food items remain the same, if not reduced. Very recently, the Chinese government halved bus and metro rail fares, and telephone tariff to facilitate people's mobility and national cell phone obsession. In Bangladesh, prices that go up never come down. Prices of essentials keep on soaring at every excuse available. If there is no reason, then it is left to market manipulators with the government being a spectator. People are left to reel from over 11pc food inflation. Utility bills and transport costs are being hiked intermittently. Now, the finance minister wants 25pc tariff from mobile calls. Of course, all these Chinese price comforts are heavily subsidised. But the CPC has a good justification too: a chunk of people's money should be spent on people's comfort. And who cares to know about the state of government coffers when the economy is booming? Critics may argue it is a usual trick of all authoritarian governments that try beyond their ability to make people happy and keep regimes away from danger. In reality, the CPC cares least about popular stunts. China precisely knows what it needs to do in the next five years and who are to implement it. It always comes through a process, and China's priorities are always fixed. Behind the scenes, the CPC bigwigs dedicate their time to researching strategies of the world and the needs of China before drawing up an action plan for the future. They spend years to find out loopholes in the plan and plug them. At the same time, through a proven electoral process emerge the leaders who will carry out the CPC strategy over the next five years. Leaders of the next government demonstrate their ability and vision at the grassroots level and then proceed to win the vote of confidence of central leaders. In the shadow of the president, his successor spends months in examining the jobs in hand and prepares himself for a smooth and swift execution. Just the way Vice President Xi Jinping is now waiting in the wings of President Hu Jintao, who will retire later in the year after completing the maximum two 5-year terms in office. Hu has been extremely successful, and the Chinese people know for sure his successor will be even more dynamic and conquering. They are waiting eagerly for a faster ride to development. The outcome of the Chinese system is all too evident. The statistics are enough to silence even the harshest of its critics. Led by the CPC, China has become the world's second largest economy, largest product exporter, largest industrial manufacturer, second largest importer and owner of largest foreign exchange reserves. Interestingly, China is not resting on its laurels. "China is not perfect," Luan Jianzhang, a top CPC leader, admits flatly. The country is continuously identifying its mistakes and correcting them in a systemic way, through which China embraced reforms in 1978 and moved on. In contrast, Bangladesh continues to date a heartbreaking reality for ages. Like it or not, it is either Khaleda Zia or Sheikh Hasina. People dare not dream of all-conquering leaders. Neither do they expect politicians to work for the people and their right to economic development and welfare. They only cast their votes and hope that things will not get any worse with the change of government. China deals with law-breakers ruthlessly. Lethal melamine was found in Chinese powdered milk, and the scam sparked a global outcry a couple of years back. Quick deaths, penalties and a shutdown of factories cleaned up the industry in weeks. The culprits or the accused did not have a chance to manipulate the judiciary and obtain an 'injunction' or 'stay order' on justice literally like our toxic paracetamol syrup manufacturers, who are accused of killing over 2,700 children between 1972 and 1992. Chinese law enforcement may be accused of human rights violations. But, at least, China is not allowing its law to be abused by snatchers, grabbers of rivers and properties, corrupt people, killers and drug traders. The CPC identified corruption as the biggest threat to its development and declared total war against the menace 10 years back. According to statistics, it saved so far about Tk 92,000cr in a province of Guangdong alone through anti-corruption initiatives. Our governments too declared zero tolerance against corruption. Yet, corruption rules supreme. No wonder why Chinese companies that are clean at home get questioned about their affairs in Bangladesh. China is a follower of different schools of human rights, and fails to understand the West's concern for its actions. To it, human rights are all about people's rights to economy, religion, development and security. The country is a home to one fifths of the world population, with 130cr of 134cr population living in the rural and urban areas. Understandably, development programmes are directed towards rural and urban population. The village development programme of the CPC can be an eye-opener to the developing world. Farmers get modern city amenities and farming facilities inside a developed village. No middleman is raking money as easy road communications allows farmers to sell their produce at market prices. Statistics show China's per capita income crossed $5,000 last year, and about 50 million people came out of poverty in last 5 years. And, unlike Bangladesh, Chinese cities never get crowded with rural people. The Han people constitute 92 percent of the Chinese population. But the Muslim population of about 5 crore is enjoying preferential treatment. All currencies carry Arabic words along with the Chinese. 'One family, one child' population policy strictly enforced on Hans since 1970s. But the CPC, in a show of respect for religion, has never imposed this restriction on Muslims. Bangladesh is still known for its traditional secular nature and religious tolerance. But this Muslim-majority nation is getting insensitive too towards minority communities. Secularism could not be brought back into the constitution yet, and state-run TV and radio stopped citation of Gita and Tripitaka long ago. The CPC is accused of being least tolerant of opposing views, and freedom of press and politics. The Chinese leadership argues, saying that its political system is open only to co-operation and consultation, not confrontation. Strange na it may sound, but China has eight minor parties, 'co-operating' with the CPC and contributing to the 'peaceful' development of the country. Peaceful development is what suits China. And this system of control is serving China, so much so that the CPC cares least about the concerns of the world outside.