Last Day In Beijing

Over the last two days I have visited with officials from the Foreign Ministry, the National Council for Social Security, walked through a rural village, visited the 2008 Summer Olympic site, and met with Li Fan, the nation’s leading democracy activist. He is a very inspiring individual.

Li Fan speaks of his goal to directly elect the President by 2020. His approach is to accelerate a political-reform process that lags behind the economic changes already remaking the country. It’s these economic changes that are evident when you look around – new cars, internet cafes and coffee shops, and many restaurants fueled by increased numbers of middle-class consumers.

Of China’s population of 1.3 billion, 800 million live in the rural area, but many are moving to the cities seeking employment and economic opportunity. There are now boomtown cities that are home to roughly 120 million migrant workers who have moved to cities looking for employment. The cash income for a family moving to the city can be the same in one month, as they would normally earn in a year in the rural areas.

Thus, the economy is leveraging that growth to reduce poverty and improve people’s stand of living.

One thing I’ve learned is that the number of people to people contacts and relationships between the United States and China is exploding in number. And, these activities are not being coordinated at an official level by the national governments, but instead on an individual basis, such as Eden Prairie’s recently established relationship with Loudi, China.

In particular, student exchange programs are very popular and the U.S. is the first destination choice among Chinese students. Ironically, my family is currently hosting two Chinese exchange students in our home from Beijing – Jingbin Yang and Ting Wang. They arrived one week before I left on this trip as part of a two-week program with Eden Prairie Oak Point Intermediate school. My own daughters have greatly enjoyed the experience and the exposure to Mandarin and the Chinese culture.

Other interesting tidbits:
• China’s population is aging: today there are 16 workers for every retiree, but in 15 years there will be 1.5 workers for every retiree. Here is an area where the one child policy has grave conditions for social security, as there aren’t enough workers to support the system.

• I met with Yue Sai Kan, known here as “China’s Oprah.” She is a successful media star, businesswoman and role model to women gaining economic freedom, which hopefully will someday lead women into playing a larger political role in China’s future.

• China’s biggest foreign policy concern is not allowing Taiwan to declare independence, but instead seek reunification to one China.

• All three of Minnesota’s higher education institutions (the University, state college system and Minnesota Private Colleges) have strong relationships and programs with Chinese higher education institutions.

The food is outstanding – in particular I enjoy the spicier dishes, like the Szechwan beef that included special peppers that actually make your tongue tingle like having novocain from the dentist. Dinner last night included Peking Duck and the fish in the photo above.

Preparing to leave for India next!