Letters: Feb. 5, 2007

Rise of a New Superpower

Our inaugural section on China examined how that country is directing its commercial growth outward, building foreign economies and its political muscle along the way. Readers grappled with how the world has yet to change China--and how China has yet to change the world

RE "The Chinese Century" [Jan. 22]: I am from China, and I'm studying in a medical school in the U.S. Like many young people in China, I have a lot of worries about the country's uncertain future. Chinese society has extremely good aspects, such as a booming economy and increased opportunities for young people, but also bad sides, like Internet censorship and peasants' and laborers' poorly protected rights. China's leaders must be made to understand that democratic reforms are urgently needed. Not only is China's peaceful rise an aspiration of 1.3 billion Chinese, but it will be good for the rest of the world too.

KOU QIN Augusta, Ga.

TIME reported on China's business activity in Africa but was silent on the continent's economic strategy. It involves the New Partnerships for Africa's Development (NEPAD). Far from being a begging bowl, as many have misunderstood them to be, the partnerships are aimed at achieving political reform, sustainable economic growth and social justice. The China-Africa Summit that was held in China last year emphasized NEPAD as a long-term framework within which China should engage Africa. China is a critical player that Africa will work with strategically to establish fair procedures for international trade. As for colonization, the African people will ensure that it never happens again.

TSHILIDZI MARWALA Cambridge, Mass.

Your article overemphasized the lack of democracy in China, leading to speculation about possible global catastrophe and war. Democracy can't be imposed on a nation, however; it must evolve to take root and endure. China has come a long way from the feudal regime it was only 100 years ago, and it will reach democracy on its own terms. China's strategy to meet its demand for natural resources is entirely peaceful. Fierce competition for natural resources does not preclude international cooperation. Maybe China will align its strategies with the U.S.'s if the U.S. stops interfering in China's internal affairs and starts looking for common goals such as world peace and prosperity.

CHRISTINA FENG Malvern, Pa.

I am a 16-year-old high school student and despite spending most of my life in the U.S., my patriotic sentiments for my homeland, China, have never faded. I used to attribute criticism of China to envy of its burgeoning geopolitical influence, but having discovered that patriotism and rational thinking are not incompatible, I am now open to reasonable criticisms of that country. Most people don't realize that China has 55 ethnic minorities. An abrupt switch to a democratic system would probably prove disastrous. A strong central government exercising a bit of authoritarianism is probably not the worst evil for China at this point in time. China has made substantial progress in integrating capitalist reforms, which have brought immeasurable economic benefits. As the century moves along, the government will gradually relax its policies and adopt concepts like intellectual-property rights and maybe even human rights. I look forward to TIME's regular section on China.