GOOD MORNING FROM LONDON #186
These are the words of the People’s Daily. For those of us following China over many years, these words contrast enormously with that period of China during the Cultural Revolution when different headlines dominated the political agenda.
Then it was “Power Grows out of the Barrel of a Gun” “The Working Class must Exercise Leadership in Everything” Uphold Marxism-Leninisim Mao-Tsetung Thought”. “Defeat the Liu-Deng Revisionist Line” – a reference to Liu Shaochi + Deng Hsiaoping.
Todays People’s Daily headline focuses on the record fine of $2.8bn levied on the Alibaba Group for the bad commercial practice of “forced exclusivity”. The fine is three times higher than the US$975 million penalties imposed on US chipmaker Qualcomm in 2011.
China has travelled a long path to prosperity + stability. Its ambition is to build a moderately prosperous society to the benefit of all its people. It has jettisoned political extremism + a diet of constant propaganda. Now China uses all the talents, all the classes, all the abilities – provided the Party is in control.
