From Seattle writer and consultant Matt Rosenberg...

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What Chinese middle class?

January 31, 2004

The expanding Chinese middle-class is a myth, according to a study by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), cited in China Newsweek and the Straits Times. While 1 in 2 Chinese think they're middle-class, less than one in 20 really are, according to the study.

More here from the group blog, Living in China. The blogger, Richard, also posts comments from others who disagree with his supportive take on the study, at his personal site, Peking Duck.

One factor mentioned in various press acounts of the CASS study I've seen is that foreign investors turn tail too quickly to raise the living standard much higher, for more people, in China.

Wonder about the atmo? Read this "01 Seattle Times guest column of mine (if you haven't already, register free at this link for seattletimes.com archives access).

One thing's for sure. The U.S. and other Western nations walk a tightrope on China. We've got to encourage economic development while we also remain vigilant about democratic reforms. The "progressive" communist regime wants to have it both ways, encouraging some private sector growth, yet sharply delimiting individual rights and free expression in China.

Announced reforms to recognize private property rights in China would mean something, if actually enacted.

Nonetheless, Tibet; Taiwan; Hong Kong; Internet censorship; plus persecution of Chinese Falun Gong adherents remain sore points.

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at January 31, 2004 09:23 PM


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Comments:

Can a prosperous China doing business for lots of western companies and open to regular visits from the West remain undemocratic?

The answer to this question would reveal the best strategy.

I'd be interested in seeing a review of the western behaviours that assisted or hindered democratization of undemocratic countries.

I suppose that Cuba, South Africa and the old eastern bloc are the existing test cases.

Posted by: Canadian Headhunter at February 2, 2004 07:01 AM

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