More on China's climate change position

Here's a link to an article from The Economist that covered the fallout from Copenhagen. I don't think it would be a stretch to say that the Chinese government doesn't want to be pinned because their top priority is job creation through economic growth and development. Focusing on preventing climate change would place additional costs on Chinese businesses through regulations, which would result in businesses having less cash to expand their operations (including hiring more people).

The PRC's perspective isn't without merit. The Bush administration during its 8 years in office constantly put economic growth ahead of the environment, citing it as a reason not to sign the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, it seems a little hypocritical of the developed countries telling a developing country that it has be more concerned about climate change when those same nations have been adding to the rising CO2 emissions since the early 20th century.

What's in a name?

Juliet said something to the effect when she found out that Romeo was the son of her father's enemy, inferring that names don't matter. However, she couldn't be further from the truth. For names DO matter, and it's important to understand why.

Take "China" for example. Now most people use it to refer to the People's Republic of China. However, one could also be referring to the Republic of China depending on when they grew up, because "China" was known to be short for the ROC. Moreover, the term itself infers a stable, unchanging country that simply isn't the case. Lastly, the term denotes a homogeneous state, which is not the case when referring to "China." You only need to look at the Uighurs, Tibetans, and Mongols to realize that "China" more or less is a story of the Han people.

The establishment of the People's Republic of China was a huge event for the world. The Chinese Communist Party founded a modern state with a large amount of emotional baggage. They saw "China's" past as one of humiliation under the Qing dynasty, giving into the demands of Western powers and Japan, and as such sought to lead a different "China," one that was strong and capable of being independent. Calling the PRC "China" glosses over the monumental shift that occurred when the CCP established the state.

Lately I've been in the habit of making the mental distinction between "China" and the PRC. I asked one of my professors why this is happening, and he said it's because I'm making the key distinction that exists between China and the PRC. The question is, how many other people recognize the difference?

On a personal note, sorry for absence in entries. I came down with a severe cold last Tuesday and am just now starting to feel like my normal self. You can rest assured the entries will continue on a more regular basis.

Reading list

I've read a lot of books on China (more than 25 and counting). As such I think it would be worthwhile to provide a reading list of sorts for those of you who would like to learn more about it and its relationship with the U.S. I've put them in descending order, from easy reading at the top down to the hardcore at the bottom. Feel free to throw out your recommendations.

Understanding China by John Bryan Starr
China: A New History by John Fairbanks (THE book on Chinese history)
Integrating China Into the Global Economy by Nicholas Lardy
The Great Wall and the Empty Fortress by Andrew Nathan & Robert Ross
The Search for Modern China by Jonathan D. Spence
America's Response to China by Warren Cohen
Mao's China and the Cold War by Chen Jian
Ten Episodes in China's Diplomacy by Qian Qichen (Qian is a former Chinese foreign minister. This book is useful in that it provides insight into the official Chinese government's line of thinking on foreign policy.)
China's Unfinished Economic Revolution by Nicholas Lardy (dated info but a good read)
Governing China: From Revolution to Reform by Kenneth Lieberthal (a textbook really, but good for understanding China's governmental organization)