A friend of mine, a man of incredible common sense and experience in dealing with cross cultural issues, sent me a couple of articles published by the Lohengrin Group, a Louisiana based consulting firm. When the copies of the articles were sent to me, it was with the hope that I might reply. I am doing so, on this blog, rather than a personal reply to the original sender as many of the issues raised are those of a concern to a wider audience.

Issue Number One: Will unreported social unrest derail China’s economic growth?

The issue is one that does need to be addressed for there is a degree of social unrest in China caused by a rising tide of expectations. However, the issue must be placed within a broader context. Lest we forget, and I do believe we need constant reminding, the economic growth of China is something which has never been seen, or even attempted, at any time in world history. What is being attempted, and rather successfully thus far, is to take almost 25% of the world’s population from a level of almost abject poverty following Chairman Mao’s disastrous economic and social policies, and move into the modern world of a post industrial society. And, it is doing so in a world that has changed so rapidly that we fail to appreciate the changed parameters under which China is now operating. Read the rest of this entry »