Why China

In the past 25 years, China has transformed from a poor and inward focused communist country, to one of the world’s most important economies- a force to be reckoned with on the world scene. Its diplomatic activities have expanded regionally as well as globally. It’s dramatic economic growth, driven and sustained in large part by foreign investment and trade, has boosted China’s impact on the global economy. In 2007, China registered a gross domestic income of 24.6619 trillion Yuan (3.43 trillion U.S. dollars), and real GDP growth is forecasted to grow 9.6% in 2008, vaulting over the United Kingdom as the world’s fourth largest economy after the United States, Japan and Germany. With $1.3 trillion on foreign trade, China is the world’s third largest exporting and importing country.

For the first time in modern history, China’s development has an impact on people all around the world. It is finally in a position to exert its influence in the global arena.

Now Chinese companies are starting to buy up famous companies overseas as they enter the global market. There is a proliferation of joint ventures and the economy and is rife with possibility, potential and opportunity. Interning in China will grant us much exposure to this global powerhouse.

Furthermore, China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations, and it’s culture dates back more than six thousand years. We are eager to visit many of the historical sights such as the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square and the Heaven Temple among many others. We aren’t going there just to work- more than anything; we view our two-month stint in Beijing as a cultural exchange, a chance for us to see our heritage. As Singaporean Chinese, many Chinese traditions and principals are very much embedded in our value system- and our ethnicity is an irrevocable part of our identity.

Beijing is often more recognised as the political, educational, and cultural center of the People’s Republic of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields. The city will host the 2008 Summer Olympics and China is hoping to showcase itself to the world through this event. However, China is worried that its international image may be damaged following the recent outbreaks of violence and unrest in Tibet. It is unfortunate that many in the world feel the need to boycott the Beijing Olympic. The efforts of every Chinese citizen and every athlete have been severely undermined. For many months now, the Chinese have been working tirelessly to brush up on their English language; all in hopes of presenting the best side of China and providing a satisfactory stay for the visitors. Athletes from all over the world have been training relentlessly to be at their peak come the Summer Olympics. The stakeholders of the Olympic Games should not have to be the scapegoat of political issues. The Olympic flame stands for more than the situation in Tibet (which effectively, no one has sufficient information on it to judge). The Olympic Games are an occasion for people from all over the world to unite peacefully; to appreciate and respect the dedication and commitment of every sportsman and woman.

So this is what we at HochoyBeijing have to say to those detractors- those obtuse individuals who wrinkle their noses when they find out about our summer plans or say they would rather die than tour a third world country (We do not consider China Third World, its rapid industrialization, possession nuclear weapons, and urban centres of intense development make us believe that those who consider China third world are incredibly myopic, and we find this sort of ignorance laughably contemptible): China is our past, and our future. It is no longer the sleeping giant of the last century- the country has awakened. We for one do not intend to be left behind.

Sources Referenced:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing
2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4315109.stm
3. http://www.economist.com/countries/china/profile.cfm?folder=Profile
4. Sodaro, Michael J., Comparative Politics: A global introduction

(Photo taken from National Geographic, retrievable at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/)