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0 pointsWiSaGaN2y ago0 comments

Safety: "(2022) No major accidents occurred in the field of highway and water transport engineering construction throughout the year. There were 47 safety production accidents, causing 61 deaths. This represents a decrease of 26.6% and 32.2% respectively compared to the previous year." [1] Based on the context, this includes all infrastructure construction such as roads and rails. There were 61 fatalities in 2022, which was lower than previous years. There have been increasingly stringent regulations on workplace safety in recent years, which have resulted in a significant reduction in deaths and accidents. However, there is still room for improvement. For comparison (though the definitions may not be identical) in US, "From 2003-2020, 2,222 workers lost their lives at road construction sites—an average of 123 per year." [2]

Social: There was no "coercion" by the government to help build the hospital. The workers who built the hospital were paid over 10,000 CNY for 8 days of work [3]. Despite the need to work extended hours to expedite the process, possibly from 8 am to 12 am, it should be noted that the market rate for a month's work for typical construction workers under normal working hours is approximately 8,000 CNY.

Environmental: The most recent 16kMGW hydrodam at Baihetan received approval from the National Bureau of Environmental Protection despite potential negative impacts on the ecosystem. Various ecological and environmental measures were implemented to mitigate these impacts [4]. This approach contrasts markedly with that of the West or areas heavily influenced by the West like Hong Kong, where a small environmental group can obstruct major projects. China adopts a holistic approach, balancing economic needs with environmental concerns through different stages of development. China believes that as it develops, it can impose higher standards. For instance, until 2018, China imported plastic waste from the West, but halted this practice to the dismay of many Westerners [5].

[1]: https://www.mot.gov.cn/jiaotonggaikuang/201804/t20180404_300...

[2]: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/highwayworkzones/default.ht...

[3]: https://china.caixin.com/2020-02-15/101515765.html

[4]: https://www.mee.gov.cn/gkml/sthjbgw/spwj1/201511/t20151125_3...

[5]: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/03/13/7025017...

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dash22y ago

I too admire how the PRC gets things done, but how is this different from “trust the government, we know best”?

> This approach contrasts markedly with that of the West or areas heavily influenced by the West like Hong Kong, where a small environmental group can obstruct major projects. China adopts a holistic approach, balancing economic needs with environmental concerns through different stages of development.

WiSaGaNOP2y ago

This is a vast topic. In brief, the relationship between the Chinese people and their government is markedly different from that in the US due to their distinct histories and cultures. The Chinese exert much more informal influence on government officials through culture and traditional norms than in the individualistic US, where influence is typically exerted through law or voting. Chinese government officials are often likened to the common people's parents - a concept that may be difficult for many Americans to comprehend, especially if they've been educated on theories like The Social Contract. This notion harkens back to Confucius's Book of Rites, which states, "When a ruler loves what the people love, and hates what the people hate, then he is what is called ‘The Parent of the People.’" [1] This quote encapsulates the ideal level of trust that the Chinese population holds for its government. However, this trust (alongside the respect and authority granted to officials) only persists when the government can deliver results for the people. The saying "当官不为民做主，不如回家卖红薯" or "If one is an official and does not serve the people, it is better to go home and sell sweet potatoes," may sound silly, but it encapsulates the values ingrained in Chinese government officials from a young age. This is not merely a concept that everyone knows, but it is also common knowledge, forming a significant part of the culture. Is this system perfect? No. Can it be applied universally, for example, to the US? Definitely not. However, throughout thousands of years of Chinese history, this system has generally aligned the government with the people's interests from a Chinese value system perspective.

[1]: http://bs.dayabook.com/five-classics/THE-BOOK-OF-RITES/42-ta...

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