China is a threat we cannot ignore any longer
The three commentaries I submitted to the Herald-Standard some time ago were histories of my experiences with the Chinese on the mainland in the late 1940s and in Taiwan in the first half of the 1980s. Living among the general population then was very different from what it is now. I still have contacts with Chinese friends who keep me updated. Today China has undergone an enormous change. They were forced to compete with the U.S., Japan, and the Western countries that historically abused them. Consequently, being a very intelligent race and quick learners, they adopted the tactics and morals of the West in business practices, manufacturing, economics, and gaining international status. This letter is intended to compare the conditions between the U.S. and the European countries with those now in China and predict the futures of both entities.
The U.S. and the European countries are in a serious recession. Our greedy banks from Wall Street and the secret banks in Switzerland and offshore ones almost wrecked our economy. The E.U. is struggling with their economies and some of their members who are bankrupt. This affects the U.S. and lowers the value of the Euro. The deceitful practices of some of our large corporations have cost our working class their homes and increased their debts. Many have lost their jobs because of the hiring of illegal immigrants and the sending of jobs overseas.
For eight long years, we have been engaged in two questionable wars costing $7 billion a month. More importantly, over 4,000 of our young soldiers have died and over 38,000 have been wounded. The military/industrial complex continues to add to our increasing deficit. Other serious problems include Muslim terrorists, cyber terrorism, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israeli-Arab conflicts, energy problems (oil, gas wells, green), and the scandalous politics impacting our ability to govern.
In contrast, China is now the world’s manufacturing workshop. Their cities rival most Western ones. Their construction projects such as the Yangtze Dam, infrastructure, research and development, skyscrapers, and high-speed rail transportation are examples of their progress. They are the leading investor across the globe from Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. They are making friends and economic relations with lesser countries who have no respect for the U.S., including Russia.
Following World War II, we saved Taiwan from a mainland invasion, and we have protected them since. We helped Taiwan build industries and a major economy. We are partners with Taiwan, but now they are moving back toward the mainland.
China’s economy is growing about 10 percent per year and passing Japan for the second largest in the world. They hold about $900 billion of our debt and cause serious problems between the yuan and the dollar. They have been reducing their U.S. holdings and may start cashing some in. This could force the U.S. Treasury to start raising interest rates which would stall our recovery from our present recession.
Thousands of wealthy and educated Chinese are moving into France and other countries in Europe, buying up businesses and real estate. They are quietly moving into the U.S. They are well educated, speak English, and are scattered throughout the country. They infiltrate big companies and send corporate research and important discoveries back home. They have spies working in our military operations and in our intelligence-forces. They are a leader in electronics and are hacking into a myriad of industries, banking deposits, electricity grids and other sensitive operations.
Many Americans are now investing in Chinese stocks and bonds. This is reducing investments in our own stock market. As our market stagnates, this affects people whose life savings and pensions are dependant on the value of the market.
The Chinese are infinitely patient and ingenious in their diplomatic relations. They push their objectives until there is resistance and then they hold up until things cool off. Then they start another drive the same way to reach world domination.
They have risen above all the strife in the West and appear relatively calm. They are not fighting with anyone. They are well organized politically and have a modern military, including nuclear weapons that protect them from anyone who would threaten them. They still remember their early years and want to get even.
One final subject that bears watching in Afghanistan and the surrounding mountainous countries is that these countries have huge deposits of minerals and oil. China is the world’s largest importer of ores. They have already moved into Afghanistan and created the largest copper mine in the world. They have been accepted by the populations and are building roads and infrastructure without any apparent problems. It was a major reason why the Russians fought and lost a 10-year war there. I hope this isn’t a factor besides the terrorism for our presence there.
China is moving ahead rapidly and is a major threat we can’t ignore.
Mr. Griglak, a resident of Connellsville, received a commendation from the Minister of the Interior of Taiwan for his work with its KMT agency.