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despite what is being taught in the schools of America and other western countries that communism = failure. China has refuted that belief and is now one of the world super powers both economically and in military.

Yes they have a liberal free market, but the communist government controls and put down the rules and regulations of their country's free market. China's 1.3 billion people has an emerging middle class as their Govt has been able to bring millions more out of poverty into this middle class over the years. So more and more companies from these same democratic countries want to invest and do business in China.

Furthermore, China's economic influence around the world continue to spread like wildfire as a lot of developing nations in Africa, Caribbean and Latin America owe a lot of their infrastructure development to China's financial investment.

In reply to problemjay

All good points..China is not hamstrung by religious zealots and extremists. The cynicism about China is overstated and obviously driven by agenda.

In reply to problemjay

Dude, China is communist in name only, capitalism is what is driving the economy.

In reply to black

They are not hung up on ideology..they have a system that works for their people.

In reply to black

China communist Govt set the rules and regulations. What ever is in place is because they allow it. There is no democracy in China. Other communist countries showuld follow China's success story. America is suppose to be the flag bearer for democratic countries and yet you still have the 1% with their unfair advantage that controls the power structure in America. So think before you type

In reply to problemjay

Unless one is well read about China, its will be difficult
for the Western Culture to understand what Mao Zedong, commonly
known as Chairman Mao achievements were .The Chinese communist revolutionary who became the founding father of the People's Republic of China

He created his version of a China he wanted,various leaders since
his death have allowed China to evolve within defined rules. Western
cultures will not understand such.


The President of the People's Republic of China is the head of state of the People's Republic of China. Under the country's constitution, the presidency is a largely ceremonial office with limited powers, such has been changed. However, since 1993, as a matter of convention, the presidency has been held simultaneously by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, the top leader in the one party system.
We saw recently where the President Xi Jinping was given a vote of confidence to lead China for life.

Westerners often refer to China as partial democracy under define rules and regulations. Reason, is because of Hong Kong.Should Taiwan ever fall under its umbrella,more changes are expected.

China is a complex story.

In reply to problemjay

I like how you quickly switched the conversation from communism vs capitalism to democracy.

Time to send Problemjay to live in China, He could do with the re-education.

I wonder how many of you claiming how great the Chinese are actually been to China or have experienced life of an average Chinese person.

As usual just looking from a distance and romanticizing.

In reply to problemjay

China's outstanding economic success is an undeniable fact, but it may not necessarily be the result of traditional Marxist socialism only. Marxist socialism requires workers to own and operate factories and other "means of production", which is not true in the entire Chinese economy today.

What seems true is that China has moved from a purely socialist economy to a hybrid of socialist and capitalist economics. Socialist economic practices remain strong in rural China, where much of the food and raw materials are produced.

Is wealth distributed in China the Marxist way? Again, that seems to be a hybrid. Health care, for example, is very affordable for all Chinese (and visitors), while there is more than adequate housing, food, transportation, education, etc, even in the remote rural areas.

What about democracy? The Communist Party is the only one allowed, but there are elections, in which candidates may be Communist or independent. Elections are held for both national and local governments, but the Central Committee of the Communist Party may overrule government decisions. Nevertheless, local governments enjoy considerable power and are playing a big part in the current economic boom.

Political freedoms? The internet continues to be censored - by the Communist Party. The population is being constantly monitored for anti-Communist and anti-nationalist activity. Otherwise, the Chinese are free to voice their concerns about any issue they may care about, including crime, the environment, etc.

Are the Chinese better off than Americans? It is now just a matter of perspective.

To illustrate the relative merits of socialist economics, one should look at North Korea or Cuba instead. Despite huge propaganda efforts, the North Koreans and Cubans have adequate housing, food, education, general infrastructure, etc, especially when compared to their neighbors.

Like it or not, China's economic success is a big plus for socialist economics, and seriously questions the purely capitalist practices of some its major economic rivals.

In reply to Norm

In reply to Norm

China's continued plan to take millions out of poverty. Every year the Chinese communist Govt pull millions and millions out of poverty. Link Text
Keep in mind their population is 1.3 billion. "After bringing 800 million out of poverty, China plans to eradicate it by 2020"

As for their elections, the country is one party system. So you highlighting elections of candidates from one party contesting each other does not give credit to any ounce of democracy. China only allow one political party.

In reply to problemjay

Democracy does not require multiple political parties. It only requires government by the entire population. So, a system of local governments that allows anyone to participate in government is a democracy.

In reply to Norm

The essence of democracy is "the rule of the majority". If there is one choice (in this case one party system), then the idea of majority does not exist. You have one party putting forth one general system of ideas and one united vision to the populace to choose from come time for election.

In reply to problemjay

So, if you have 2 competing socialist parties, would that be a democracy, or is democracy synonymous with capitalism?