Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
Mike, China has a burgeoning economy, one that allows it to play an increasingly important role in international relations. During your trip to China, what opportunities did you have to look into China’s economic development?

Michael Farris:
Mike, we looked very intently at the rapid development in Shanghai, particularly in the Pudong business area of Shanghai, and met with their business leaders there. We also went to the city of Tianjin that most Americans have never heard of, including me before I went to China—15 million population in that city and also tremendous economic development.

The thing that impressed me is that many, many people in China are being pulled up out of poverty that was the result of the oppressive Communist system that they used to follow. They still are Communists, but it’s not your grandfather’s Communism—Jaguar dealerships, and I saw Maserati on the street, and Cadillac ads all over the place. It is a very different situation in China. And I think that America is going to need to deal with China on a very intimate basis—as President Bush has said, as “economic competitors”—friendly competitors hopefully, but it really is going to be an important nation.

Mike Smith:
Well, thanks for sharing that perspective, Mike. Tomorrow, we’ll talk about China’s educational policies. And until then, I’m Mike Smith.