All The Things China Gets Right | Journalist Ben Norton

Ben Norton, the host of @GeopoliticalEconomyReport , who has been relocating to Beijing recently speaks about his experiences in China, deconstructing some of the common stereotypes that the West and especially the US are trying to conjure up. When it comes to poverty, economic growth, health care, and so many other social issues, the West has a lot to learn from China. It's time to get off the high horse and engage in some real dialogue if the Collective West doesn't want to fall behind. Then again, social prosperity for the masses hasn't been a goal of the West since the 1960's. Will they change?

[stwadoo]

Personal circumstances saw me move from UK to China more than 10 years ago. Within about 6 weeks I pretty much had to accept than 95% of what I thought I knew about China was based on western lies and grotesque misrepresentations. My income has about 5 times it's UK buying power here, my wife and I feel and are much safer here and our life style is superior in just about every way. The only problem I have is the embarrassment of living in a place where the state gets big things done well, when you come from a place where the state doesn't seem to be able to stop any significant endeavour from turning into a fiasco. Hi-speed rail being the perfect comparison.

[zeissiez]

As a foreigner myself living in China, I think everyone in the West should visit China, even if he/she has no interest whatsoever in China. Because by going to China (or another similar non-Western country), they could learn about themselves.

[MM-srfw]

The West sees the humbleness and “quite” characteristics in Chinese kids as a sign of low self confidence but what they don’t understand is being humble is a wisdom unlike being loud is an over sell of oneself. Being “quite” is being respectful, learning what there is to learn and thinking about what you have learned.

[normanmoffatt]

I live in China (11 years to date) and there are too many upsides to list here. Above all else, the one thing that really stands out, is, when my wife leaves the house alone, and it doesn't matter the time of day or night, I know her safety won't be an issue.

[truthbeyondthemind]

I respect Ben Norton and his intelligence and subscribe to his exceptional Geopolitical Economy Report.

[iagle]

My wife is Chinese and I've visited China many times I would love to live there eventually we plan to retire there. Technology and culture is how I would describe China and the hospital show the price of treatment and medication streets are safe many beautiful places to visit western propaganda is out of hand.

[yonight]

I've visited China four times and saw different regions. Every time I've visited... I've seen big improvements.The China described by the Western media is completely different from the real China I see.China is NOT like we've been told back home. People really need to visit China to see the true China. I was pleasantly surprise at how advanced and futuristic China is.All cities are modern.clean and very safety.This the true.Whether you call China a communist or socialist state it is undeniably a country putting the common good of a community first. Thus the Central and regional governments will planned, invested and installed whatever facility to improve the lives of the citizens in the community.Our media in the West always tells us China is collapsing.

[jon_nomad]

I agree that everyone should at least visit China. China is exceptionally safe, clean, people, modern and people are very friendly. You'll be super pleasantly surprised.

[cccpredarmy]

Visiting Shanghai in 2013 was so eye opening. You could literally see and sense the fast development. And the most mind-blowing thing for me was that the city and life there on average was ALREADY at a pretty high, European/Western/developed country level. But it continued growing day by day... Now we are 11 years later and I cannot even imagine how it looks like there

[chinathesideyoudontsee]

I been living here for the past 17 years, in that time I have been home 3 times ( I'm from Australia ) I am often ask when will I relocate back to Australia ? My answer is short and simple, never !

[MetaView]

Many of the so-called "poor" people in the rural area are NOT actually poor; they make little money and that is true, but they live a very high quality of life in the villages. A few years ago the government made a decree that all villages must be connected by a paved road and all villages must have electricity. These two initiatives have relieved a lot of the hardships associated with remote villages.

[thebuzzard]

I visited China for the first time on commercial business earlier this year. I agree with Ben that China is has many issues better sorted than the West. It felt a very controlled society to me but that had advantages in terms of super efficient and organised, clean, safe and hard work ethic.

If anyone has the opportunity to go there I would recommend it as an eye opening cultural experience that allows you to draw your own conclusions about the country independent of Western media.

[bananaana]

As a chinese person I completely agree with Ben. Chinese people argue ALOT amongst each other. From the pre-Qin dynasty until now, the debates on philosophy and politics have never decreased from being "silenced". There are a lot of pre-western people in China and a lot of people promoting independence of western cultural influence. The average Chinese person who is non-political, believes what they see from western movies and shows. They believe in a glorified western dream. Quite a lot of Chinese people equate their negative experiences in China (due to social and societal pressures) as a uniquely Chinese experience. There's TONS of Chinese women promoting the idea that if you move abroad you will no longer suffer from body dysmorphia. I agree that the Chinese clothing industry is not size inclusive, but they praise western countries as if eating disorders or being ashamed of your body does not exist. Or that leaving china magically cures your body image issues. I am fully aware of the flaws in Chinese society as well as lived experience with the flaws of North American society. I just find some Chinese frequently comparing the worst of china to the best of the western world. I believe in criticism for the goal of improving a society, not abandoning your country in belief another country is the magic pill to all your problems. I have seen more objective comparisons from western YouTubers living in china than Chinese living in western countries. Also the western idea that chinese people are all obedient sheep that listens to the central government is complete BS.

[xlwrwmf]

Every individual must visit China to see, feel, hear, touch and experience firsthand. China has a unique culture, growth & development. It is so safe and clean too.
No other country in the world has so much distinctive art, architecture, technology and infrastructure. If you passionate about these, then you will be inspired.

[yingxu]

Ben is the best journalist in the present time

[Juan-udif]

SALUTE BEN NORTON, GREAT TRUTH TELLER. 🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋

[IEtoileFilanteI]

Chinese people are bringing back high culture now that they've brought back confidence and achievement through their hard work and resilience. 🙌

[xrc]

Nice to hear from Ben, a consistent thinking voice in the western wilderness.

[dyrectory_com]

It was Ben's dsstiny to make his journey to China. We anticipate the chapters of each of your journeys and the wisdom you gain and share with your audience. Continue to keep the language you use understandable to the everyday individual. Blessings to you from Canada.

[bidyum]

Best wishes for your PhD research, Ben. It is always enriching to listen to you both.