The really big place

If you want a realistic view of how Australia stands by way of size and population, then have a look at www.chinaview.cn
Monday’s page on this official China Government reports that floods at one end of the country have just killed 66 people. Just a bit further down we read that drought has lowered China’ grain output by 30 million tonnes, this year. They have 100 million broadband users, they’ve produced the world’s first solar powered mobile ‘phone, and China’s Christian Council has conducted a Bible exhibition which has drawn high praise in Germany.
There’s a section devoted to the forthcoming Olympics, and that shows, very effectively how they plan to impress the world generally. Those who organised the first “Olympics” would be amazed!
For most of us, China has long been a sort of vague threatening place – a sort of mass of people whose leaders don’t like us very much. It’s high time, though, that we knew more about this country that buys so much of our coal, gas and minerals and sells us back so many of the items we use every day.
The Chinaview website, available in six languages, paints an impressive picture of modern China. Regardless of potential propaganda “adjustments” it indicates that the Chinese have a fair few of the same domestic, business and administration problems that plague us in “the West”.