The Dragon Rises

Make no mistake. China is indeed rising to be the next superpower.

With their huge cash reserves and ambitions to match, China has been steadily building its nation towards progress. (Literally too, with dozens of construction projects ongoing all over the country.)

Furthermore, China has revealed plans to have their own space station orbiting the Earth by 2022, with the first module of their “heavenly palace” ready for launch in a couple of days. (Video)

It seems that not only are they bent on taking over the planet, but the universe as well.

However, despite the grand scheme of things, I continue to ponder over a question close to my heart.

What morals will this rising dragon bring along with its ascend and how will we be affected?

If China is to progress as a nation, it should not only build up its façade but also concentrate in churning out new policies that embrace first world, first class thinking. Policies that are not self-absorbed. Policies that are thoroughly thought through. Policies that will harm neither the environment, you nor me.

And ensure these policies are successfully implemented.

The Three Gorges Dam is an example of such a failing.

For years environmentalists have warned of the dam’s consequences but the Chinese government stubbornly forged ahead with its construction. Today, more than a million citizens have relocated due to massive the flooding of the Yangtze River, destroying homes and businesses in the process. (Watch BBC video report here.)

Other environmental-related problems include massive air and water pollution, staggering amounts of green-house gas emission, and resource depletion. (Check out the 2010/2011 stats here for the shockers.)

Thankfully, the Chinese government has acknowledged the environmental problems and is moving to reduce their environmental impact. But can they move fast enough?

China has a lot on its plate to wolf down.

Besides solely dishing out policies, the Chinese government needs to educate her citizens. This will play a huge part in solving the dilemma and speeding things up.

Habits need to be changed. Dumping, wasting, contaminating, must be eliminated. Conservation, the respect for nature, and the repercussions of not doing so taught to them – that ignorance is truly not bliss but in fact, lethal.

At the end of the day, China will rise, whether we like it or not. But will it be able to rise multiple times from its stumbles like the Phoenix of Chinese lore depends on how the Chinese government solves these issues.

Like any great country, it should have sound policies and sound governing principles. Most importantly however, a worthy country should be filled with worthy citizens.

Don’t you think?

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Thanks for reading!

Be awesome! And Stay green!

Cheers,
~Kerry