By Dr Rajan KC
Former American president Richard Nixon had said, “The Chinese look at history and the future in terms of centuries, not decades, the way we do because they’re so much older as a culture”. China civilization is at least 5000 years old and is very important in the history of world civilization. The Chinese culture has profoundly influenced the history of its civilization and has developed into a cultural unity that held together by political, economic, social, geographical and cultural ties. Chinese civilization is the only one in the world which has rich history and culture that has lived many ups and downs with the remarkable achievements and contribution and has led to the development of modern civilization and socialism with Chinese characteristics. And this is why today culture of Chinese civilization makes us believe that she is stronger and prosperous and will play a significant role in the civilization of mankind.
China is not like the Soviet Union and has learned the big lessons from the fall of the Soviet Union. She is very much economically stronger than the Soviet Union ever was. In the Soviet Union Gorbachev’s reforms policy was a failure while in China Deng Xiaoping’s reforms policy proved to be a success. The opening up and reform policy resulting in China’s rapid economic growth has given rise to the second-largest economy in the world, the largest trader in goods, and the second largest place for overseas investment. As Amitai Etzioni, Professor of The George Washington University, also explained that “USSR openly sought to dominate the world but China has not invaded nor occupied any nation”. Like in the 15th-century China had the largest and most powerful navy in the world; they went around the world but didn’t conquer any countries. So, the astonishing thing about China is that they think very much different from the westerners where westerners go around the world and interfere in other country internal affairs, declare war, seized territories and so on. Looking back at the Chinese history, Century of humiliation stating from opium war of 1840, Japanese war and up to the end of the civil war of 1949, China has experienced unforgettable events that stood her to guide the world into a peaceful, the stable, secure, strong, unified and wealthy nation today.
Keeping 1.4 billion population together, providing adequate food, housing and clothing etc. is a massive challenge. So, if we go back and see Chinese history, most of history has been divided than united. In the last 30-40 years period,
Chinese people are experiencing better improvements in the living standard of their life, access to education, health service, social security, housing etc. than ever before under the Chinese Communist Party. Similarly, she has lifted up 850 million people out of poverty. The average life expectancy of people has risen; people are happier and secure than ever before.
At first, China faced the effects of COVID-19 pandemic. The Chinese government used draconian measures to control the outbreak. The way China has handled the pandemic crisis was far better than any countries of the world. Western countries especially the United States, at the government level, acted very badly in response to the pandemic. During this crisis, the United States and European countries have failed to provide support to the COVID-19 affected countries. Instead, China responded so quickly and has helped the COVID-19 affected countries by providing medical supplies and sending medical teams. Despite being the beginner of the pandemic outbreak, China accelerated its response to control the spread faster than the rest of the world. Additionally, she has also managed to be responsible enough to assist many countries in the pandemic response.
The author is doing a graduation course in the Jinzhou Medical University in China. Email: dr.rajankc@hotmail.com
People’s Review Print Edition
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