O. Business Community Changes

There is an air of excitement in the business community. The economic revolution is making a big change in China. The narrator in Frontline reminds us of that when he says:

"For great numbers of Chinese, this is no experiment. The entrepreneurial spirit is everywhere. Private enterprise has taken over the streets and shops. The government speaks of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This is one trait that looks, feels and operates suspiciously like capitalism."

Deng Xiaoping replies,

" It hardly matters whether a cat is black or white. As long as it catches mice, it is a good cat ."

The change in management is very evident in China today. The old unbreakable " iron rice bowl ," where everybody was guaranteed a job and salary, no matter how hard you worked, or if you worked at all, is gone. The new spirit is exemplified by Duan Yongji, First Vice President of the Stone Corporation (a computer manufacturer) who says, "We recruit our own personnel. We manage our own business. We're responsible for our profits and losses. And we raise our own funds. In these matters, the government doesn't interfere." Du Yan of the China Survey Service observes, "Private enterprise obviously is the fastest-growing sector of the Chinese economy." Mrs. Bai, a vendor in private enterprise in a public market, answers critics of the new economic reform with: Just a few years ago, this marketplace was 91% state-owned. Now it is the other way around. Where there's room for competition, the state is losing. The open policy, nobody's going to close it again because people now are already there. Nobody is going to be able to drag the people back.

Liu Wenzhe, a Vice Chairman of the CPC speaks for the Party:

"I believe there's no force that can stop China from opening up to the outside world. We need young people who are both Red and Expert, who uphold the four principles (see next page), who understand technology, who love to work and serve the people. These are the kind of young people we need."