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Inside the curtain

China may be “communist”, but you’d never know it. Consumerism is rampant, private property is respected (though I doubt it’s protected very well by law) and there’s quite a bit of career / life mobility for those in the cities.

Whatever their trajectory, they definitely have their roots in communism. Beijing’s Tienanmin Square is Chairman Mao’s resting place. His mausoleum was not open when I was there, but apparently he’s on display inside.

Keeping a close watch on the populace is also important. These towers were in Tienanmin Square, but are also elsewhere in central Beijing. Cameras at the bottom, speakers galore to spread the message.

My final stop in China was the city of Changchun. It’s the hub of China’s automotive industry, and is a very clean, modern city. It’s in China’s extreme northeast, very close to China’s ideological cousin, North Korea.

Since I was so close to North Korea, I decided to read up on its history, looking for reasons why China and North Korea have taken such different paths after such similar beginnings. Well, that’s difficult to do while in China. My normal resource, wikipedia, is blocked. As are many of the links Google presents you with when you search “north korea history”. Evidently a sensitive topic.

I did find a few links accessible from China, and found the contrast between the two countries fascinating. Here’s one link full of photos from North Korea, and an LA times story about a group of Americans that visited in 2005.
Here’s the wikipedia entry for North Korea. So nice to have it back 🙂

As a footnote, I’ll comment on the a) cleanliness of the cities in China, and b) wanton littering observed by all those around me. People would unwrap their popsickle and just drop the wrapper wherever they were. Drop their newspapers when finished with it. And yet the cities remain clean. There must be people that just pick up after others …

December 12, 2006 - 4:02 pm

forgetful.ca » Cracked pots. - […] Kim Jong-il, leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, commonly referred to as North Korea. Kim’s father Kim Il-sung holds the title of “Eternal President of the Republic,” but he’s had troubles providing effective leadership ever since his death in 1997.  I was close to North Korea (north east China) this past summer and blogged some thoughts.  It’s a fascinating place due to the Kim’s megalomanic rule. […]

December 12, 2006 - 4:02 pm

forgetful.ca » Cracked pots. - […] Kim Jong-il, leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, commonly referred to as North Korea. Kim’s father Kim Il-sung holds the title of “Eternal President of the Republic,” but he’s had troubles providing effective leadership ever since his death in 1997.  I was close to North Korea (north east China) this past summer and blogged some thoughts.  It’s a fascinating place due to the Kim’s megalomanic rule. […]

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