In other news, the United States just announced it's continuation of "One Policy Left Behind" as millions continue to lose health insurance. Obama, in the rose garden, spluttered and coughed when asked about this continued policy before finally releasing gas.

With the United States still holding countless prisoners on Guantanamo with no prospects of a better future and China abolishing its labor camps, things get really interesting on the world stage; moral values in international relationships still mean something to a lot of countries, will this mean countries that are currently ambiguous to aligning with the US or China will start aligning with China more? African nations, for example? Pakistan?

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Your use of the phrase 'Western Nations' raises a lot of questions - what do you mean exactly? Because the strict answer is: by definition, no! :-)

A lot of Chinese nationals have bought in to the condo complex I live in since the housing market tanked. When I ask, they often say that China has more freedom than the US - but they moved here (in part) so they could have multiple children. I figure these people are mostly upper or upper-middle class back in China (which might color their perspective), but the answer quite surprised me the first time I heard it.

I never considered China's one child policy to be a yard stick with which to measure its Western-ness. Indeed, I thought it a rather noble attempt at curbing dangerous levels of population growth.

China will be able to join the Western nation club when it achieves 2 things. Firstly removing its poorest citizens from crushing poverty, and secondly establishing a decent attempt at democracy. Whether China ever wishes to join is another matter.

the article also talks of abolishing labor camps..

I reckon the criminal justice system of many a Weston nation would be improved by the addition of a labour camp or two ;)

I think the US in particular has bigger prison problems than a lack of labor camps.

I would agree that the Chinese are more free than Americans. I remember some Chinese friends refused to talk about certain issues over the internet. They knew their government was listening in 2005. An American may have felt bad for the poor trapped Chinese soul. Unbeknownst to the American, her own government was secretly spying and it wouldn't be until 2013 when we finally found out.

China and America are mirror images of each other, it's just that America wants everyone to believe its a functioning democracy which serves its people. it's just a corporatocracy that serves its own interests. Iraq was a Halliburton interest. "The Affordable Care Act" is an interest of insurance companies - now Americans must pay them or be heavily fined. Taxing the sweat off a Serf's back. At least China tells you upfront not to have a second child or to not talk about certain issues.

Hyperbolic thread title much? This is a great step, but China's a ways away from being the kind of functioning, free democracy that people think of when they talk of "Western Nations." jmo

The question deliberately contained an exaggeration to get the conversation going and now becomes somewhat of a subject. My question is basically how to characterize these recent decisions by China's political leadership.

Mostly harmless

When wasn't China a member of Atlantic alliance (at least informally)? For maybe 15 years in the 50s/60s. China has otherwise always been western/Atlantic in orientation. It was saved from being carved up by the Anglo-American Open Door Policy, it served Anglo-American interests during WWII, and it became the 'China Card' during the 70s & 80s.

"Pakistan?"

Redhouse you need to get out more. Pakistan has been China's best friend for 5 decades now.

You asking me out on a date?

redhouse I have a website you may be interested in if you're looking for a date.

I've never discussed Pakistani-Chinese friendship on a date before, but I'm not against it per se.

Really, that's usually my go-to icebreaker.

Probably what YJ led off with.

^That's why he was back so fast to tell us all about it :D

Wait no we're not derailing an interesting thread because of my rather perturbed sense of humor. Putin33, you were saying? I'm sure you have ideas about this communist decision making thing, you know more about it than I do.

Seems a rather easy way for the new 'reformers' in power to build credibility without ruffling any feathers. The policy is unpopular and China needs to find new ways to grow the economy. With China's very diminished population growth rates and an increasingly top-heavy age distribution, now seems like a good time to change it.

BTW, thought this was interesting in lieu of our recent discussion about the prospects for renewed rivalry between China & Russia.

http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1354235/putin-vows-boost-russian-military-supplies-vietnam-amid-south-china-sea

I think this is actually also interesting in lieu of the present discussion..!

Actual signs that the authority of the CCP is eroding, however, include the formation of a new legal political party of Bo Xilai supporters.

What do you think of China's paltry donation to the Philippines relief effort? Is China's 2 million contribution (smaller than Ikea's) compared to America's 20 million + aircraft carrier and troops a sign that China is going to eclipse America in soft power?