The cosmopolitan center of China’s economic revolution rolls out the red carpet
Shanghai, with its history as a major port, is a city whose past is steeped in the exotic. It has seen pirate raids and Wild West–style shoot-outs in the streets, and was the main battleground of the opium wars with Britain. Today the so-called Paris of the East is no less colorful. Shanghai has been enjoying the global spotlight as host (through October) of the 2010 World Expo, but while the towering pavilions representing countries across the globe are breathtaking in their architectural one-upmanship, the Epcot Center–style internationalism and long lines are best left to the native tourists. Thanks to the reported $58.5 billion invested in the expo by the Chinese government—more than what was spent to prepare Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympics—the real attraction is the city itself. Shanghai’s infrastructure is said to have advanced by twenty years; hotels, bars, and restaurants compete to bring the newest, most opulent, or most outlandish attractions to wealthy locals and foreign visitors alike. As the expo departs and world-class tennis arrives—the Shanghai Rolex Masters takes place from October 9–17—there’s no better time than the present to see this city of the future.
It was one time a thought of mine to forge a partnership between African nations and China. This thought was brewed by the the fact that Africa nations did not have the capacity to demand equal status with European countries that were, by any means necessary, undermining the human and democracy development efforts of African countries and their leaders.
That thought was then, my thoughts are different today. China has become a confused state that has refused to acknowledge its own intelligence. Putting aside their traditional principles and accepting western ideals of government. They have pursued a course that has led them straight to capitalism and a privilege state of government. China is neither Communist or Democratic, the same as America..