Chinese President Hu Jintao is among the two most powerful men in the world, so his recent visit to the United States should come as no surprise since we are among the biggest consumers of the products his country's exports. The secret has been out for a while: China is on track to rule the world. But is Jintao the man to lead them in to this new globalized society?
China has been investing in the future, no doubt, putting money into oil and mining. In fact, PetroChina is competing with Exxon Mobil as the world's most valuable company. China just announced that it would limit its export of rare earth minerals used in computers, cell phones and televisions. You know why they are doing that? Because they already control about 95 percent of the entire supply of those metals.
The recession in Europe and America has had its effect, though, as China's exports have been slightly weakened. Human capital is being globalized, though, and China will still grow along with other countries.
India may be the fastest-growing democracy and is grabbing its fair share of the service market, but lacks infrastructure. You want a candidate for worst job in the world? Clean the sewer system in New Delhi.
So with China's GDP growing at a rate of more than 9 percent per year over the past 30 years, it is troubling to think of the number of human rights violations the country has been committing over the years. Many people from around the Midwest came to see Hu in Chicago last week, some in support and others in condemnation of many of the human rights abuses China has committed. There were reports that some students were compensated to come to Chicago to support Hu. From the occupation of Tibet to the working conditions in China's factories, there are a lot of reasons to be worried about this country.
According to Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times, many journalists in China are challenging the web of censorship the government is enforcing. As China is growing, there is considerable pressure for a democratic shift.
So, the question is, how long will Hu be in power? He conceded last week, ""a lot still needs to be done"" for human rights, but is that statement alone really enough? China needs new leadership to commit to change, given its long and hard history of detaining dissidents, executions and extreme levels of censorship. Do you use Facebook? Well, if you go to Beijing, you will have about as much luck logging onto Facebook as out-eating B.J. Raji at a buffet. As of now, YouTube, Flickr, Blogspot, Twitter and many other social media websites are also banned in China. So, is Hu really a face for change?
Hu is reported to be leaving the presidency next year, and his successor is presumably vice-president Xi Jingping. Xi is definitely not known for his love of the West, but he has enrolled his daughter at Harvard (albeit under a pseudonym).
I don't believe a global leader has to love the West, but they do have to respect it. Hu has not had a good history of improving human rights, but has a incentive to change. The incentive must be given by other countries to pressure China for a more transparent government to improve human rights. All cynicism aside, a change in leadership couldn't hurt.
Soren Nieminen is a senior majoring in communication arts. We welcome all feedback. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
