China is luring the best and brightest home

Mike Broderick, Portland OR — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:48:13 GMT

Though this all must seem prety heady stuff to a young person, i.e., the notion of going there and having "servants," such a living situation should shock the sensibilities of people truly rooted in western values. A grain of conscience would cry out against such colonialist exploitation.
It is also naive to think long-term that the completely ruthless "investment strategies" of the central gov't, forcing the overwhelming majority of its capital to investments abroad can continue w/o consequences, rather than being re-invested into infrastructure (as in, the actual construction of one) in mainland China. The fireworks have still yet to go off, and it won't be to welcome in a new year. Frankly, it might be a bad idea to be there and so easily labeled one of the privileged elite. Caveat emptor!

China is luring the best and brightest home

Allen, New Jersey — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:44:55 GMT

Sad reminder of what Africa (the richest continent, resources wise) is expected to accomplish as opposed to China (the richest country, population wise).
Tears in Heaven.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Chad, ND — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:16:25 GMT

I find it almost laughable that people think China is this up and coming superpower when they have such a hugh population compared to other countries. There currency is pegged extremely low, they spend a great deal of money on defense and let the average chinese person suffer under communist rule all while letting the infrastructure fall to pieces. This my friends is no super power. I predict in the next 5-10 yrs that China will lose a lot of its luster. Eyes will be watching on the Olympic games and how the Chinese handle that. I have worked with many chinese people and they are hard working and smart. The one thing I have noticed though is that they are not team players. They will do whatever it takes to make them look good but could care less about the team. At least that is how it seems in the states.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Eric, Dana Point, CA — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:25:25 GMT

This is very serious. Just 10 years ago people won't even think of going back to the previous country. I agree first class scientists are a critical element to a super-power. Every year, China can make and do almost anything without the U.S. - this will continue as China retains top students and gaining ground over the world in almost every area. The U.S. will no longer be a super-power? Does anyone care? Japan became developed about 20 years ago and became a threat "major influece". Ok, but China is 10x bigger in every way. There will be a big shake in the world! The U.S. has a lot of serious work again to have a chance of remaining a superpower - just making and retaining top (foreign and domestic) students is just a start.
This is one of the most serious topics I can think of and very few people are even talking about it.
Just my 2 cents.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Harry, Toronto, Ontario — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:39:38 GMT

Chad, ND.. those chinese ppl that you worked with, did you ask them if they were from Hong Kong or mainland China? There is a difference, especially with respect to the attitude you speak off. I tend to find HK selfish and not team players, the ones from China are a bit more willing though its never good to generalize.
Also I do not think China will slow in 5-10 years.. they are already the financial superpower (what else matters ?), and slowly buying up all the worlds foreign assets. When there's an elephant in the room, its tough to avoid it.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Dave, Jax, Fl — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:05:59 GMT

Amen, Chad! My work experience confirms your comments to the letter. We had a guy turn on his own kind (got him fired) when it was promotion time.

China is luring the best and brightest home

joel gibbons,los angeles CA — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:06:51 GMT

i have just retured from 10 days in China , on vacation. thay have a long way to go!, this will be evident after the olympics. Joel

China is luring the best and brightest home

Richard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:10:48 GMT

In the long run, this is beneficial to us for two reasons. First, the more prosperous and happier they are, the less likely there will be a mutually disastrous East/West confrontation. Second, if we're less able to depend on motivated overseas brainpower, the more effort we'll devote to improving our own educational system.

China is luring the best and brightest home

kenneth ching, hickam afb, hi. — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:21:43 GMT

china's overseas graduates will undoubtedly return with substantial western modernizations, techniques of trade and economics, and hopefully the methods of both invention, innovation and hypothesis testing. and a giant leap ahead in arts, science, technology, agriculture, business can be achieved by infusing china's cities and provinces with international talent; international graduates from international universities and institutions.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Janet Rouse — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:24:10 GMT

It is very disappointing that almost all of these foreigners get a full ride to universities here because of their lower currency rate and take scholarhips away from Americans. Then they go back to their countries and make millions. It is a common fact that many families who make $65k a year even if their child is a well rounded validictorian they will only get a 4k scholarhip to a school that is 50k a year while almost all of the foreigners get full rides. We have to start helping our own people first.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Brian, San Francisco, CA — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:26:13 GMT

The reality is that the United States has the worst health care system and public education of any industrial power. Years of deficit spending have bankrupted the economy and made the currency virtually worthless, a fact that is gaining widespread acceptance among the foreign investors who have propped us up for years. Our days as a superpower are rapidly coming to a close. China, Europe, India, and Russia will all surpass us during the next generation. The question is how long will it take for the U.S. to get its act together again?

China is luring the best and brightest home

anoymous, — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:27:43 GMT

Most people don't realize this, but the United States peak has already been reached, all that China is doing is stepping in and taking over what the United States has failed to hold onto. The Chinese may seem to be out for only themselves but is that any different then Americans. Most people in the United States are here to earn lots of money, power and prestige. Is it not China's turn to be back on top of the world? Have you ever looked into China's cycle of reigning power? Whether or not China becomes the next super power the United States is already losing that title..

China is luring the best and brightest home

IP, San Jose, CA — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:29:57 GMT

Have you considered that many of the graduate students/post docs from China in US universities have been sent to study with funding from the Chinese governement and maybe required to return?
Also, many of them could be spying for the government taking back or even constantly sending back research data from their labs in the universities in the US. Most of the research in the US is funded by taxpayer money - NIH, USDA, NAS, etc.
We are allowing the latest scientific work be siphoned off before it is published or the intellectual property is patented.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Donald Matthews — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:30:14 GMT

Perhaps all of the US university slots we are giving to Chinese college students should be first offered to the top of the US high school graduating class on the basis of scholastic achievment only. I think that is where the best and the brightest come from. Perhaps with that approach we can stay competetive without worrying about our best a brightest going home to their native countries.

China is luring the best and brightest home

James, Oceanside, CA — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:31:50 GMT

Your right, the USA isn't a Superpower anymore, we're a Hyperpower: hyper-power (HYE.pur.pow.ur) n. A nation that has vastly greater economic, political, or military power than any other nation

This isn’t one nation on earth that can do what we can. We're the only nation on earth that can fight a large scale technology war.

Russia can't. Their military has been in such a state of decay for so long that they are now just starting to purchase new weapons after almost 10 years of doing nothing. Most of their gear is old, and obsolete.

China can't. Yes, they have a large military, but they are poorly trained, and use out dated equipment. They are upgrading, but even their upgraded tanks and planes are already behind the US’s frontline tanks, and planes. Much as been made of their military buildup, but it's still far smaller the USA, and they lack the several key abilities to wage a large scale war, one on the most important being a blue water navy and airlift.

No one else even comes close to the USA in airpower, naval force projection, or combat technology. We have the best trained troops, and most advanced equipment, and the means to use them, and more important, get them to where we need them in a fight. When the rest of the world is just now thinking about stealth, we’re fielding 4th and 5th generation platforms based on that technology.

Will China become a Super-power? Yes, if it isn't already. A title means nothing if you don't have the economic and military means to back it up.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Aliha — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:48:09 GMT

Let a thousand flower bloom! Yes Slavery does make money for a few, but in the end it is still China, no matter how much you pretty up that .0002% of the population with BMW, Rolexes, and Million Dollar Homes. Fact is that most Chinese live a horrible existence in state imposed poverty, slavery and barbarism, a face that the Western press and you forget to report about. As a person, there are no persons, no human rights no justice, no freedom just the endless realization that you are expendable, of no value, a meaningless cog in a Communist State. You cannot trust your food, your water, your doctor, your church; the police not even your children, family or friends. Your home can be taken from you at any moment, you or your child or anyone of your relatives’ could disappear at a blink of an eye, taken to slave factories in the south, or brick factories in the north western coastal cities, or sold as sex salves to KTV in the south eastern provinces. Or perhaps you may have your organs harvested while you are at the hospital compiling with sterilization order issued to you by the State! Or then again maybe you are feeling sick and raise enough money from your village so that you can go to the city hospital, where it is discovered that you have HIV and full blown AIDs, due to having to selling you blood for food, to Communist gangsters that choose not to use clean needles as it affecting their profits. No you stay at the hospital at there request your family goes back home. When they come back after the week end to see you, you are no longer there, gone. Never came in, he was never here, everybody including the staff that you talked to while you where there has the same story. Some months later you learn that it was that Communist Hospital that was running the money for blood program that you husband had been using to raise money to feed you and you child. Just remember that every Chinese product you buy a child in Africa dies. For every Chinese product you buy some one loses their job in South and Central America. Just remember that for every Chinese product you buy, some Tibetan is murdered. And most important for every Chinese student attending a foreign University one of your own children is denied entry. Want to help buy Mexican product instead, demand that Walmart stop purchasing from China and buy from South and Central America instead or India. Stop buy Chinese Made products!

China is luring the best and brightest home

Jim, Guangzhou, China — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:01:40 GMT

I am originally from Seattle. I have lived in China for the last 4 years. It is on fire over here. New construction everywhere. High speed trains going in. Highways being built. The are investing in their country.
The problem is that they have moved to fast towards capitalism. They have grown their economy with no sense for the environment. I have seen so many rivers and lakes that are filled with trash and totally devoid of life. So many that are a gray/green color that is far from natural.
Everyone is too concerned about making money. They will do anything to make a little more money and will lie, cheat and steal if it will make them a little more money. China is way more capitalistic than the US. Everyone here has some kind of company. There are so many stores and shops. It seems like every building has a store located on the ground floor.
While the larger cities on the eastern and southern seaboard are quite nice and modern, the rest of the country is being left behind. It is like China is two countries. One for the prosperous and one for the poor village people. This is an area where I believe they will have problems in the future if they do not find a way to bring the prosperity to the rest of the country.
It is a very competitive environment for a new university graduate to find a job. Nepotism is very much a problem here. If you do not have connections, it can be quite hard for a person to find a job.
I don't think so many people will be coming back. Unless they get a job with a multi national corporation or start their own company, the salaries are pretty low. The best jobs here are in exporting. People become agents between US companies and the Chinese factories, maybe taking a 5-10 commision on everything that the company sells to the customer. They can earn big money doing this. But they always need to find new customers because it is usually not very long before the factory will quit paying the commisions because it is cheaper to not pay the commisions and they will find any way to make more money.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Ahmed, Patterson NJ — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:10:11 GMT

Clintons and Bushes gave our factories away to China. Remember the whole "exporting prosperity" line that we got back then. Now they are rich and getting richer and we are trying to fend off a recession and mounting debt. Maybe if we ask them to please give us back our factories so we can pay our bills they will listen. If only they had idiots running their country like we do.

China is luring the best and brightest home

John, Boston MA — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:10:57 GMT

I agree with Eric, this is a serious problem for the US. Remember that China is a communist country and is not our friend. China presently has forced abortions, imprisons and tortures dissidents and people practicing religions. Our only hope is that this returnees with impact Chinese culture with western ideas of democracy and questioning authority.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Vincent WShumm — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:17:09 GMT

Mr Chad D of ND does really not seem to know ehat he is talking about. Having been in China I can attest that he is mis informed. Perhaps he believes what he reads and sees on Tv. Suffer under Communist rule. You are really out of date. China is one of the safest countries that I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. Chinese are very proud people and exceptionally good workers They have a strong committment to family so you won't see retirement homes because family takes care of family. Children are taught to respect their elders and are taught the common values that life is precious. They are very much team players . Chinas' economy at the present is one of the driving forces behind the world economy. The U.S Grew at 4.9% last year while the Chinese economy grew at almost 14%. Infrastructur you say; they are constantly working on it. Cell phone technology; thay are three generations ahead of us because they do not have the FCC to contend with. Magnetic rail systems. I think that before someone offers an opinion they shoul be there and not rely on what they read or hear.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Keith (NY) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:31:47 GMT

1,321,851,888 people and counting as of 2007.

As an American who lives in a country with "only" about 300 million people I would say to the Chinese, please don't become another bigger America. Americans are falling slowly out of the loop domestically and globally. There is no true success other than fake success now. We are only strong militarily now. Don't waste your cash on becoming the next jerk bully the rest of the world resents. Don't waste your cash on air craft carriers. Embrace green energy technology in a way that forces the world, through sheer inspiration, to do things the way you discovered. Embrace Chinese architecture, old Chinese appreciation of nature, family life. Say no to Disneyland, endless skyscrapers, SUVs, mansions, depressing suburbia, rap music, heavy metal music, American Idol, McDonald's, Starbucks, and avoid "chic" Euro crap (Gucci, Nokia, Mercedes, BMW) that only creates a sense of "I'm better than you because I can buy more things". Invent your own stuff and show the world how to transition through this consumerism melt down. Be a moral compass for the world as our America no longer is since it has been hijacked by robber barons. Save the environment instead of shredding it like America does. Value open space in a way Americans can't even comprehend any more. Don't show us another country filled with insane consumer mentality. Do something different that truly impresses the world not another theme park idea. Don't create a culture where 400 million people have cars, iPods, nice clothes, but 1 billion are poor. Do something different... and share. Do something inspirational not predictable. Be Chinese. Don't be Europeans or Americans. Be unique. Don't focus on the biggest military some day. Focus on the biggest act of kindness the world has ever known. Don't take from Africa its natural resources while neglecting the rights of the people. Don't become rich Chinese who hunt rare animals for fun as Euro/Arab/American wealthy do. Don't brag that you will "blow everyone away economically and militarily some day". Brag that you will inspire the world with new ways to deal with environment, suburban sprawl, wealth obsession, consumer addiction, peace. Blow our minds with things we never thought of. Don't just do Chinese versions of Euro-American things. Don't become the best business people in the world without being the best humanitarians. Don't look to the worst things in our cultures as things you should feel inferior or self-conscious about. Don't make the same mistakes we have made...because you then will have 1 billion angry poor and an elderly population that is neglected and outcast from society. No good can become of "best in the world". My America is proof that when you embrace "number 1" arrogance you only fall into disgrace. China, you should fall into grace.

China is luring the best and brightest home

B Emison Mpls. Mn. — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:31:59 GMT

Kind of interesting that China rewards the successful to draw them home. Our politicians on the other hand work the politics of envy and talk about how much to tax the successful and which industries to tax more. It's pretty obvious which culture will be wealthier and more successful in 20 years. My question is if we believe this behavior will criple us why do we continue or reward the politicians that are myopic enough to punish business and success?

China is luring the best and brightest home

George, St. Louis, MO — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:32:46 GMT

Only 70% of the Chinese students stayed in the west? I'd say the figure is more like 90%. It's somewhat pathetic that people are making a big deal just because slightly more Chinese talents are returning to China. What the author failed to highlight is the fact that virtuallly none of those western students he saw in China will end up staying. I don't know when, or if ever, there will be a day that people from the rest of the world would want to move to China like they do in the US (not that China needs more people). As for the seemingly surprise over the availability of BMW's and Mercedes in China, and the platitudinal comments of communism, they just show how little still the world knows about China.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Spruce — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:32:48 GMT

Chad at ND. Your comments about China spending too much on defense while letting some of its citizens suffer financially reminded me of how the US spends more than double the amount of money on defense than all countries around the world combined. You do know that there are a few million people in this country are living below the poverty line. RIGHT??? You do know there are millions of people in this country living without health insurance.right??? Does this mean the US is doomed to fail? The answer is NO. Because the US has been doing for the last 50 years and our country is getting stronger in every respect. The chinese government is simply following the example set by the US.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Greg Hanson — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:38:42 GMT

Most immigrants come here with a strong work ethic, as a means to individual accomplishment and instill that into their kids. By the third or fourth generation they become just as lazy as the rest of us Americans.

Japan used to have a stable "job for life" situation as their economy was building, profits and paychecks soared but they priced themselves out of many markets, now they have unemployment, poverty and huge class dictinction.

Most capitalist countries have been forced to add some level of socialism, even the USA has an amazing degree of socialism and most citizens are in some form of denial about that. Some socialism seems like a pressure release valve, preventing the evils of pure capitalism from causing it's complete downfall. People working in the socialistic parts of US and state government have become a powerful LOBBY in the USA, using
arguments about starving children, etc. to justify a massive (and burdensome on taxpayers) bureaucracy.

China before capitalism did not value individual accomplishment, but had class distinction for the Communist party elite, which of course was contradictory to the socialist/communist ideals.

Apparently they cannot deny the productive side of capitalism, individuality, etc which contradicts their Communist ideology, but it's not far-fetched to believe that the elites in China intend to HARNESS capitalism but maintain their iron grip on everything for quite some time.

Isn't capitalism in China a concession they make to appease people, bring prosperity and don't the elites there intend to HARNESS the productivity of capitalism?

Will capitalism be infectious enough in China to seriously challenge the elite's heavy handed attempts to harness it?

China is luring the best and brightest home

Sai, Columbia, MD — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:54:20 GMT

This article is quite interesting. I am
happy that China is opening its country to
foreign investments and helping their citizens
to prosper in the process. I would like to
know from these columns how China treats foreign workers from other Asian and western countries if they choose to work in China in this fast changing
world scenario.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Steve, CA — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:00:17 GMT

Anyone commenting on how China has no infrastructure should go visit the country sometime. In any of the major cities, it's modern and clean (except for pollution). You feel like you're in any Western city around the world.

I just visited India, and I was surprised at how underdeveloped the country was in comparison, considering the number of tech jobs going there.

China is luring the best and brightest home

anonymous — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:23:12 GMT

China did it with economic war. They have been waging and economic war with the US for so long, and now they are benefiting the outcome of it. They will take what ever it takes to succeed, even at the expense of other people. God know what will happen it they will become supper power. Hope not!

China is luring the best and brightest home

othmar brunner — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:28:06 GMT

i read the article and i wish to comment as follows:if china is so great why does it take them 20years to overcome the USA especially when they have four times the population.
firstly the driving ecomocic force in china are the bid multi national american companies; if they would close down and move to another country nobody would even talk about china as an economy.
secondly asian countries do not conduct fair trade, they do not have an open market i.e cina has restrictions in many segments of the economy such as finance, banks drugs etc. japan and korea do not allow foreign car factories in their contries however the west has no restrictions. it is easy to become number 1 TOYOTA when you screw your competitor in such a way.
thirdly asian countries are being educated on a collective school model the usa is based on individualism which creates economic geniuses such as bill gates, steve jobs etx i.e.; IBM alone registered more patents than whole china did in 2006.
the next president in the USA must change the policies i.e. imports must equal exports per capita with any country they trade with, the USA must stop protecting other countries with its military might, everybody to be on their own, the USA must go after counterfit abusers seriously and violently, that would mean 50% of china 's income would diapear

China is luring the best and brightest home

Kevin Redder, Alexandria VA — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:41:59 GMT

Half the people throwing the term communist around don't even know what it means. It's a form of government, not a policy that promotes human rights violations, torture, foreign invasion, oppression of civil liberties, etc. The U.S. makes the same policy errors under a so-called "superior" form of government, which isn't even a true democracy. We are a republic. Read up on what a real democracy is, people.

Meanwhile, economically, we are heading towards socialism while China becomes more capitalist. All those complaints about selfishness? Sounds very socialist/communist to me. Selfishness is what capitalism is all about, people: Maximizing your expected return and working out of self-interest. If you perceive a co-worker to be self-serving, you are either naive, racist (because you don't perceive those of your same race doing the same thing), or the person in question just sucks at being self-serving while maintaining a facade of being a "team player". The multi-billion dollar corporations of America are what makes it great. What do you think our economy runs on?

Government run healthcare? Government mandated district lines for schools? Welfare? We're more socialist/communist than China is on a lot of issues.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Lee Sherman, Beaverton, Oregon — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:44:11 GMT

James, your comments about OUR military advantages versus China's and Russia's is correct and very perceptive. However, that's not the real problem for the United States. The REAL problem is that we're rapidly becoming an empty hollow shell that's bristling with advanced weaponry. At the rate we're going, in another generation, how much wealth will we have left to protect?? And how many financial resources will we have left to pay for this state of the art military??

China is luring the best and brightest home

Anthony Joseph Dicandia Saint Louis Missouri — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:08:41 GMT

Dear Mr Mullen,
I amnot sure my question has anything to do with the article about Chinese students returning to China. I have always been facinated with Eastern culture from my days in the Marine Corps,and serving in Asia.
I am especially interested in China. My question is this. Do many westerners live in China,and if so are many of them Americans? I would also like to know if China would be a good option for a place to retire,if one had a limited income of approximately two thousand dollars a month?

China is luring the best and brightest home

DEBBIE FROM CAMAIRLLO — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:20:22 GMT

AS LONG AS CHINA CONTINUES TO THROW GIRL BABIES AWAY AND SHOWER ALL THEIR RESOURCES TO THE BOY'S, THEY WILL NEVER BE ANY SUPERPOWER. SQUANDERING THEIR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCES, THEIR PEOPLE, ALL PEOPLE, NOT JUST MALES, WILL ULTIMATELY BE THEIR DOWNFALL AS WESTERN CULTURES CONTINUE TO LEAK THROUGH TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN CHINA. FURTHERMORE, MAYBE IT'S NOT JUST THE MONEY THEY NEED TO LURE THEIR PEOPLE BACK WITH, BUT RATHER FREEDOM....SOMETHING CHINA DOESN'T HAVE. WHY WOULDN'T STUDENTS FROM CHINA WANT TO STAY IN AMERICA? IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY PEOPLE, IT'S ABOUT ALL THE OTHER ASPECTS OF LIFE, FREEDOM, LOVE, CREATIVITY, SPIRITUALITY AND SO ON. WE ARE SO SHALLOW TO CARE ONLY ABOUT MONEY ALL THE TIME. GO AHEAD CHINA, LURE THEM BACK WITH MONEY.....

China is luring the best and brightest home

anon — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:21:20 GMT

US universities are training the Chinese students in technical/life sciences; some go back, apply these new skills with no regard for international law.
We in the US, then buy the cheap stuff produced by chinese workers on slave wages.
Indeed, we are headed for an economic disaster.

China is luring the best and brightest home

MIS, VF, SLU — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:25:37 GMT

Janet, maybe you do not realise the foreign students pay top dollar to study in the US. They take nothing away from American students and they also pay much, much more . I know because Both my children studied in the US. Oh! they returned home after college.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Janice , Massachusetts — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:44:59 GMT

To Sai from Columbia,
Foreign workers are usually white collar. The problem is other Chinese workers who have come from rural areas to earn money in the big cities. Many of them are optimistic and happy because of their improved conditions, but there are some real horror stories: all the worst abuses of migrant workers in the US have occurred in China as well, and there hasn't been enough government protections.

As for those who took Chad of ND to task, good for you. Too many people continue to think of China as a backward country.

China is luring the best and brightest home

G. Ford — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:49:29 GMT

Would we find the kind of critical comments we find here in China's media and internet. No one will bite you for it here.

China is luring the best and brightest home

G. Ford — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:49:29 GMT

Would we find the kind of critical comments we find here in China's media and internet. No one will bite you for it here.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Sandose — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:54:45 GMT

That's what is called 'SMART'.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Moe, Ohio — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:58:46 GMT

To MIS, VF, SLU...Your kids may be the exception!

ALL International Students, from INDIA and CHINA, come to the USA, learn and get higher Degrees on the EXPENSE of the AMERICAN Students Money, our States Funds and taxes, then they go back and become a BIG SHOT there! in the USA, they act so poor, and so friendly! when they go back to their own nation, the True color comes out! I wish our Higher Education Collegs starts investing the Money with the American People, so we can build enough sources for the future of the USA!

China is luring the best and brightest home

John Pennsylvania — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:04:07 GMT

It's Red China. So they loosen up on manufacturing and allow small freedoms. They are already cracking down on internet intersts, and never for get who sold them the software to do so. Tianamen Square was not so long ago. They still hold swords towards Taiwan. The Red Army IS the government. Your job is next. When do we learn?

China is luring the best and brightest home

DJS — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:13:16 GMT

Keith,
Lighten up. Have a few Tsing Tao's.

China is luring the best and brightest home

adamj spath — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:20:22 GMT

we cant be top dog forever.. but i think we can,and should delay the inevitable.move more of our imports to other devoping countries..but what do i know?

China is luring the best and brightest home

Joe NJ — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:20:59 GMT

Please read the words of Aliha above,some people see the stars and still not see the light,Aliha truely sees the light concerning China. Greg hanson sees the light concerning the USA and its corrupt socialist state and fed bureaucracy.The light that will be seen very soon will be from the thermonuclear ICBMs from Russia after Israel responds to Iran tit for tat. the enemies of the US are prepared for nuclear response from US.Very few in US other than your corrupt politicos for life and the ruling elite.You can survive if you prepare now,time is short and the clock is ticking.

China is luring the best and brightest home

shannon Li, NYC — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:25:39 GMT

would you go back if all you would get is money and prestige, but be locked up in an iron house where all information is filtered and all entertainment is propoganda? I won't.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Michael, Idaho — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:04:23 GMT

I can't believe the crap I'm reading here. God created all of us. Do you think he has a preference for the US or China or anywhere else. Why can't we have respect for other countries, civilizations, governments... I'm tired of all this bickering, grow up.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Joe — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:06:50 GMT

Janet, you should have schooled your children in China. China has fine universities and can train thier own.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Jay — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:11:03 GMT

Othmar, you are correct, Bill Gates is an economic force. He is also a thief. Just ask Apple.

China is luring the best and brightest home

JimmysCrackhorn — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:28:08 GMT

I can hardly afford a szecretary much less a maid servant, sans benefits. The USA is going to the dogs and one day hopefully soon people will wake up and smell the Chow Mein....this is not the "Greatest Country on Earth".....we're going down like a balloon running out of hot air...and we're borrowing 150 Billion from China to "stimulate" ourselves....hey can I have mine intererst free?

China is luring the best and brightest home

dan , IL — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:30:16 GMT

I like reading this stuff. The military parts are important because we have too many fat young people in the U.S. that think that freedom is free. If you think our freedom will continue to be free your a fool. We need to be more flexable, and realize that there are other countries that can match or surpass us in military ways or other ways. You know how our jobs went to Mexico because they said we did'nt want them? Well there are always other people and countries willing to do it for less. Also corporate big boys ready to sell out your secure job. Have an open mind when it comes to other types of people and countries. Remember that we took this country by force and if you are a true red white and blue american, you are of a mixed race. Try to love thy neighbor. Also alot of those chinese babes are hot!!

China is luring the best and brightest home

Westerner at home in China, Colorado otherwise — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:07:57 GMT

To Anthony Joseph Dicandia Saint Louis Missouri,

China is dichotomy....it is hard to be accurate when describing this wonderful yet still very 3rd world country.

You can definitely retire in China on $2k USD per month. I have spent many months every year in China for the last 10 years. They respect older people but petty crime is rampant and they will steal from whites because whites are easily identified as foreigners at the end of the day. My wife is Chinese and we travel extensively throughout the country with no issues because of this. Everybody always tries to overcharge me if I try to buy things. I have my wife buy everything and get the "Chinese" price while I am off to the side acting like we are not together. I really would recommend marrying a Chinese girl or having a close friend who is Chinese to always help you out if you are white or black. They tend not to mess with the blacks as much because they perceive most blacks as coming from African states that do not have as much money as Westerners. (Go figure)

They are not racist. They will overcharge anyone if they can get away with it. It is just that they want to make more money and easy money is the best. They are capitalists to the hilt.

The country is very polluted in most of the big cities. My wife was once poisoned from drinking a beverage that was fake but looked so real there was no way to tell. Even for a native born Chinese who has lived the vast majority of her life there.

She was in the hospital for 3 days recovering. Later 50% of her hair fell out. After the blood tests came back we found out that somebody "accidentally" put mercury tainted liquid in the beverage.

There is no FDA control and things that are take for granted here are not even close to what they seem in China. Fake everything exists there. I saw on CCTV where somebody was making soy sauce out of human hair. How? I have no clue. But real...yes. This was reported by the official Chinese news agency. Pretty crazy....

There are good people there are bad people. But mostly there are poor tired people working hard everyday for very little.

The last time I was there. It was officially reported that several hundred communist officials last year alone STOLE $300 Million USD and left the country for other countries. It is estimated that up to $300 billion USD has been stolen over the last 5-10 years alone. It is now being covered up by the Chinese government but it is real. They have executed dozens for stealing but it is out of control since the communist officials can do almost anything they like to do.

It is not paradise...it is not perfect. But I do like it there and usually someone from the US does not have to much trouble having a good time. But it is definitely not the USA. Bathrooms are substandard in most of China.... ALWAYS carry napkins with you. Most bathrooms are just the old hole in the ground type. Many are just troughs....about like pig troughs...except worse.

Great national treasures. But every park and museum costs money.....lots of money....many times more expensive then our National Parks. Hard to believe really. You can't walk on the grass in the parks. To many people walk on it and so it dies.

I could go on....but don't wear rose colored glasses but don't be to critical either. It is what is...there are great things to be seen in China and there are great tragedies there as well.

It is China....after all.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Lee Shreve, Greenwell Springs, Louisiana — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:10:51 GMT

To all the Chicken Littles who think the sky is falling on the U.S. just remember that Russia said they would "bury" us. Japan said they would be the "largest banker" in the world. Never happened. Now the Chinese are suppose to overtake us in productivity. If we are so "dumb" in education like one blogger said then why are the Chinese sending them here for higher learning? The US is the greatest and freest country in the world. Dreams happen here. Never doubt it.

China is luring the best and brightest home

John Doe, San Diego, CA — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:36:42 GMT

Here's one observation I've made about Chinese studying in the US that others will immediately recognize: The don't hang out in social settings w/ non-Chinese. They only hang out w/ other Chinese.

I've noticed this at UCSD(UC San Diego), & others I've talked to in acedemia notice it in their universities as well.
It's a bit odd.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Art Hagar, Glen Rose, Texas — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:56:24 GMT

To Keith in NY. I bet you will be voting for Hillary.

China is luring the best and brightest home

RDS Nebraska,China — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:57:55 GMT

I read many posts here with interest,many of you are far off the mark.I have been to many citys in China.I have traveled many of their 4 lane high ways.The signs are all marked Chinese,Enlish.Other then the toll boths every so often its the USA interstate only better and smoother.Most of the citys are very modern with wide 6 and 8 lane traffic.The most popular car is a Buick.
Yes there are some very poor in China.Yes labor is cheap.Skilled labor not so cheap.
Many in the citys have more then 4 years of college.many in the country have not more then middle school.
Yes many from the USA have gone there to retire.It is easy to buy a house,condo,or penthouse.Most westerners rent already finished new construction.
To buy you need to have a Chinese name,you go to a Chinese government office to get your name in Chinese.If you or your spouse is a Chinese citizen
it is a much faster process.
The house tax is paid one time when you buy.Much less then I pay for one years tax here in the USA.
The cost to live well their is 800 US dollar.each month.Food ,water,gas,electric,TV,Telephone,and the
upkeep fees for security and the grounds.
We have a swimming pool,tennis courts,racket ball,weight rooms,sauna,small park with running paths all paved with tile.Kids playgrounds.Also a 5 star coffee food rest.
Only the top students can get into a government high school,Others go to a training school.Same with college,the top ones get the top Universitys and colleges,the rest if they pass get lower ranking colleges and trade schools.The best who graduate from college can get graduate degrees in many of the top schools.
The young start to learn English in grade school.
and they are happy to try what they learn on any american.I have visited some high school classes and the students all want to prctice talking enlish,many want email address for american students.
The employement is very high,much higher then is reported.It is illegal to employe children in China.
The companys with the worse record of slave employement are either French or Germen owned.
Chines things are well made and well worth the cost you pay for them.
I own nothing made in south america or mexico,nor do I wish to purchace any.
Nafta and the liberal teachers and schools is what will sink the USA,NOT the Chinese.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Benjamin — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:28:52 GMT

This is in reply to Mr. Dicandia concerning living in China on his military pension. I just came back from working in Shanghai for two years and studying engineering management at Nanjing University in China. You can go far on two thousand dollars per month, but you won't live like a king, especially if you live in Shanghai or Beijing or any other huge metropolis. I spent 750 dollars a month on rent - for a spacious four bedroom apartment 15 minutes out of the city center, but you'll be stretched with 2000 dollars. I would personally go to Taiwan or Thailand - you can find nice places to live for cheap and the weather and people are fantastic in both places.

As for the earlier comments about China being a superpower or overtaking the US in twenty years are not realistic. China's economy relies heavily on foreign investment and foreign companies are in China to maximize the cheap labor and maybe gain some market share while in China. It is therefore in China's best interest to overexaggerate economic growth figures so as to continue receiving foreign investment. Inflation essentially keeps pace with GDP growth anyways. China is essentially a huge assembly plant - unlike the US, R&D, inventing new products or creative thinking is quite rare.

China is luring the best and brightest home

treyrg, Phil — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:45:20 GMT

It took 2 centuries, yes 2 centuries for U.S and Europe to become industrialized/rich nations but it took only 30 years for China to be what they are today and still going stronger. It's so stupid for anyone to think that 1.3 billion people would become millionaires in 30 years.
If you think U.S has the most advance military mights anyone can imagine, why CAN'T U.S win Iraq and Afghan war? Use you military tech to win the war to get it over with so no more and women would die.Take the case of Vietman, a very poor country during that war. Am I missing something?????

China is luring the best and brightest home

Clinton, LA, CA — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:45:41 GMT

Having lived and worked in Mainland China for 14 years this month, people have no idea how quick China will become the leading Super Power of the world. Sadly, the leaders of our country, (USA) namely the present administration, have done nothing but further China's rise by their arrogance, ignorance and selfish pandering to their self interest groups. While we have squandered our great nation's good will around the world, China has quietly moved in to fill the gap around the world. My advice: learn Mandarian Chinese and how to work with and do business with the Chinese people. Prepare for the future!

China is luring the best and brightest home

Clinton, LA, CA — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:51:46 GMT

Noted about posting my last comments...but facts are facts...and we have to engage China as an equal or we will become the one wishing we did when China is the leading Super Power. Case in point: Are you aware that the European Union is now the biggest buyer of China products exceeding the USA? Again, China has been ahead of the curve and has been quietly moving away from their huge dependence on the USA market.

China is luring the best and brightest home

pue, St Louis, Mo — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:03:30 GMT

Steve, your comments are absolutely correct. I don't blame these people for having negative notion about China because they get their information solely from the US media which is always bias towards China. The chinese people has suffered a lot in their life for many hundred years. Even now, they are still many poor people in the countryside in China. Historically, China had been invaded by foreign countries for many years. We, Americans, are so lucky and have a strong country and the people are enjoying a better life. So please let the chinese people have the same opportunity to better their life.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Jerry, Los Angeles, California — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 07:42:49 GMT

Most Americans living in America are quite naive about the current quality of life in China.
This is drawing many high quality talents from every corners of the World to China. Having say that, the present system is not perfect and needs improvements. A country with 13 billion needs a balanced development programme to maintian social stability.
We need to give China a lot of credits for the developments after the cultural revolution which pretty much isolate it from the rest of the industrial world.

China is luring the best and brightest home

Nanson Hwa — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:06:16 GMT

Chinese students who are from China studying at American universities and subsequently graduate should return to their country of origin. The whole purpose of the overseas study program is intended for cross cultural business,scientific and technological education. The program was not intended to serve as a work or permenent resident visa.

What China is doing today is exactly what the late Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles said over thirty years ago: "if we can't control a country militarily, we will control it economically."