Economy

Opinion 2010-06-02 18:22
By LIM SUE GOAN
Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE

Mao Zedong’s revolutionary theory of "surrounding cities with villages" propagated by the late Chinese Communist leader in September 1927 is no longer applicable in contemporary China.

Today, big cities in China are leading their villages in the development thrusts. Resources, including human skills and money, from the prosperous cities are mobilized to initiate and implement development in rural areas.

Deng Xiaoping's socio-economic reforms and liberal opening-up policy introduced 31 years ago included the establishment of four special economic zones to develop the country's coastal areas.

Today, there are 49 mega cities and 661 other cities in China. The urban areas are the engines of economic development and expansion in China as they are the source for wealth creation and growth.

The major development of western China was meant to mobilize and organize the rural people to provide them with better education, medical facilities, infrastructure and higher income.

Hence, it is understandable that the policy is to build more cities. Cities represent progress, openness and democracy. The urban life and lifestye will certainly contribute to improve and upgrade the people's quality of life.

The theme Better City, Better Life adopted for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 obviously has a profound meaning, and that is, to create a better urban living environment, there must be a people-oriented focus.

The admirable urban planning and development of Shanghai is perhaps a useful reference and guide for the cities in Malaysia.

In addition to being economically vibrant, a city must also have an aesthetic sense in its planning and development that will include concern with the appreciation of beauty of nature and pleasing appearance of the environment. It should also promote cultural, literary and artistic development, including the music and performing arts, the craft and fashion. Such a city will be a place where dreams are created and quality lifestyle is the norm.

If such is the character of our cities, the momentum of our country to march forward to an advanced developed nation status will certainly gather strength.

I was mesmerized by the beautiful marvelous night scene in Shanghai Pujiang when I toured the place in a boat. What a contrast to our disgustingly stinking, filthy and dirty Klang River! Such an unkempt state is simply a disgrace to our nation’s capital city.

Shanghai has a first-class public transport system with 11 subway lines, 266 stations and a 400km railway network. It has a really excellent and efficient transport network system.

In contrast, the poor and erratic transport network system in our national capital city Kuala Lumpur is giving its residents, especially those who depend on public transport to move around, a miserable life.

Shanghai will have its own Disneyland in the near future, and that will be another plus for this prosperous city of delight.

Beijing, Singapore, Hong Kong and other Asian cities have technologies and environmental-friendly features while democracy and pluralism are thriving in the western cities.

What about Kuala Lumpur?

In Malaysia, a city is simply a label without much acknowledge and respect.

Urban people are not much wiser than the rural folks, but they are exposed to information and opportunities which the rural people lack.

I believe the urban people want the New Economic Model (NEM) instead of the outdated New Economic Policy (NEP). But our politicians are more concerned with gaining electoral support than the real essential development values, in line with the globalization trend. Would the government go backward if the rural folks do not feel the need for change and transformation?

The authorities should take full advantage of the progressive force in urban areas to encourage changes in rural areas.

Today, Malaysians are still disputing over racial privileges as they dare not go beyond their comfort zone to dream, to imagine and to venture bravely and boldly into the new world of new opportunities.

The people of China have changed their mindset and have moved away from their old ways of thinking and doing things. Hence, the country is progressing dramatically.

What about Malaysia?

Sin Chew Daily