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This article is part of a worrying acceptance in the popular media of xenophoboia and hatred of the wealthy. > China’s rapid economic rise has turned peasants

by bko 11y ago

This article is part of a worrying acceptance in the popular media of xenophoboia and hatred of the wealthy. > China’s rapid economic rise has turned peasants into billionaires. Many wealthy Chinese are increasingly eager to stow their families, and their riches, in the West, where rule of law, clean air and good schools offer peace of mind, especially for those looking to escape scrutiny from the Communist Party and an anti-corruption campaign that has sent hundreds of the rich and powerful to jail. This whole article breeds condescension. Peasants? "Stow away their families"? Not to mention the the fact that Canada is one of the least corrupt countries in the world. Perhaps they are fortunate enough to seek a better life for themselves and their families free of political oppression.

seanmcdirmid 11y ago
There are two kinds of chinese immigrants these days. The ones looking for a better life in a more fair setting (they are going to work). The other ones have been incredibly successful in China, but much of their money is grey, and it is only a matter of time until they are made an example of by some anti corruption crackdown. The latter ones are China's one percent, they got rich by playing the system and going abroad is their escape/retirement plan. Not only that, but they aren't going to be paying income taxes (they have plenty of money already) and are just going to keep pumping money into housing, exporting China's insane property bubble. No one here I think has a problem with working immigrants. In fact, it kind of sucks more for them because this is some of the fu'er'dai/red family unfairness that they were trying to get away from in the first place.
- bko 11y ago
  Denizens provide more to a country than just paying income taxes. I believe in immigration not as an attempt to maximize tax revenue and minimize by tax burden. But because an open accepting society and mobility is in the best interest of all humans.
  - seanmcdirmid 11y ago
    These people have a massive amount of money that they basically stole from the rest of the country (and its environment) and now are trying to get it out while they can. China's GDP growth looks great until you realize how unevenly that growth occurred, and what the real cost was. And now they will basically use the west to protect those gains from being reclaimed when everyone realizes how bad the damage is. That sucks. I have no problem with immigration. I'm almost an immigrant (ironically enough, in China). But I see the things that make life here so hard (unfairness, corruption) exported back to my home, you are damn right I'm not going to be happy about it.
    - bko 11y ago
      China's poverty has fallen rather drastically over time, as it has throughout the rest of the world[0]. The ill begotten gains of the ultra wealthy are only so because of the state control. Perhaps you're getting upset at the symptoms rather than the cause. [0] http://povertydata.worldbank.org/poverty/country/CHN http://povertydata.worldbank.org/poverty/country/CHN
      - seanmcdirmid 11y ago
        China's poverty has fallen, but there are still plenty of people living in dirt filled basements (there is an ant tribe even in my apartment building). The red families control around 40%+ of the economy, the air is unbreathable, the water is toxic, a crappy 90sqm apartment goes for $1 million. China has a lot of wealth, if it was evenly divided, if more attention was paid to the environment, if laws were actually enforced consistently....it would already be a first world country. That it isn't is basically because of these people.

by bko 11y ago

seanmcdirmid 11y ago

There are two kinds of chinese immigrants these days. The ones looking for a better life in a more fair setting (they are going to work). The other ones have been incredibly successful in China, but much of their money is grey, and it is only a matter of time until they are made an example of by some anti corruption crackdown. The latter ones are China's one percent, they got rich by playing the system and going abroad is their escape/retirement plan. Not only that, but they aren't going to be paying income taxes (they have plenty of money already) and are just going to keep pumping money into housing, exporting China's insane property bubble. No one here I think has a problem with working immigrants. In fact, it kind of sucks more for them because this is some of the fu'er'dai/red family unfairness that they were trying to get away from in the first place.

bko 11y ago
Denizens provide more to a country than just paying income taxes. I believe in immigration not as an attempt to maximize tax revenue and minimize by tax burden. But because an open accepting society and mobility is in the best interest of all humans.
- seanmcdirmid 11y ago
  These people have a massive amount of money that they basically stole from the rest of the country (and its environment) and now are trying to get it out while they can. China's GDP growth looks great until you realize how unevenly that growth occurred, and what the real cost was. And now they will basically use the west to protect those gains from being reclaimed when everyone realizes how bad the damage is. That sucks. I have no problem with immigration. I'm almost an immigrant (ironically enough, in China). But I see the things that make life here so hard (unfairness, corruption) exported back to my home, you are damn right I'm not going to be happy about it.
  - bko 11y ago
    China's poverty has fallen rather drastically over time, as it has throughout the rest of the world[0]. The ill begotten gains of the ultra wealthy are only so because of the state control. Perhaps you're getting upset at the symptoms rather than the cause. [0] http://povertydata.worldbank.org/poverty/country/CHN http://povertydata.worldbank.org/poverty/country/CHN
    - seanmcdirmid 11y ago
      China's poverty has fallen, but there are still plenty of people living in dirt filled basements (there is an ant tribe even in my apartment building). The red families control around 40%+ of the economy, the air is unbreathable, the water is toxic, a crappy 90sqm apartment goes for $1 million. China has a lot of wealth, if it was evenly divided, if more attention was paid to the environment, if laws were actually enforced consistently....it would already be a first world country. That it isn't is basically because of these people.