What’s Alaska’s Long-Term Plan?
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China HAS a Plan
Long-Term Thinking: One who fails to plan for 10 generations cannot plan for one time.
Reflecting views of previous Chinese thinkers and dynasty rulers, current president, Xi Zinping has maneuvered China away from failed dogmatic Chinese Communist Party (CCP) short-term thinking toward Enlightened National Interests in context with China’s long past, as USA fiddles with policies steeped in Socialist/Communist dogma.
Coming from national economic desperation, China has over less than a century become the largest manufacturer of just about everything used by mankind.
One writer has dubbed it The Greatest Show on Earth.
We should take the long-term view, Zinping has written. The long-term is the starting point of policy thinking, the only practical way to approach successful change. Then work backwards, filling in with ever-increasing detail. Focusing principally on immediate problems may only create more and much larger problems later, as China’s scale overwhelms policy lacking long-term thinking, according to Hugh Peyman, author of China’s Change; The Greatest Show on Earth.”
[1] China’s Change; The Greatest Show on Earth, P 57
US Leaders have known this since at least the time when President Richard Nixon opened the door to China (February 1972) but appear to have failed to engage LONG-TERM PLANNING for best interests of USA. High-minded thinking about the future is left to non-profit (NGOs) as part of the Bread and Circuses spectacle of Western policy-making, stoked by political charged often self-serving implementation.
As a 60-year Alaskan my own experience has been from a time of new state idealism and determination (1962) in this place where East meets West, to now feeling total dismay at what Alaska has become as a failing state. Flying from Washington DC to Asia, any airplane must refuel in Alaska, making this military outpost of USA the middleman in any coming geopolitical dispute between East and West.
Alaskan State institutions face great challenge in the case of East-West conflict. After the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake the federal government declared Martial Law to assure a competent response.
[2] Nike Site Reflections from the Cold War DONN LISTON 07/27/2017
Peyman continues: Think big: China has long had the “vision thing”, as US President George HW Bush called it pejoratively. Vision in China is a tool for rulers, firms, or families to transmit messages clearly. This is particularly important in a multicultural continent with different regions, religions, traditions, and education levels. Vision is the key to communication. Details can wait but communication of vision must first get everyone “on board.”
[3] China’s Change; The Greatest Show on Earth, P 58
Chinese education has always drummed into students the need for study and continuous learning (as a part of the cultural imperative). Faced with a new task or problem, studying the issue in-depth through research and field work, yanjiu, comes as second nature. China’s history may hold some clues, but lessons from abroad may be even more relevant, especially in technical matters. Chinese have been great absorbers of foreign experience.
USA sometimes calls what China does with this regard Intellectual theft, but that has no resonance with a society recently steeped in Socialism/Communism belief that everything belongs to the government. In fact, the world’s oldest civilization has been studying USA since it was formed. After a few decades of failed dalliance with Communism, China is back to long-term plans while the West’s sniveling diplomacy gives hope to our adversaries.
USA Blusters While Multiple Enemies Sharpen Knives
[5] Is China Bluffing? DONN LISTON 11/24/2023
USA public education does not generally consider the dimension of Asia’s most populated country. This writer aspires herein to provide an instructional overview of China, considering ramifications for ALASKA as Topcover for America in the most strategic location on the planet.
Alaska is the most strategic place on earth, stated Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell in testimony before Congress in 1935
[6] Bonding through Struggle, Alaska (><) Philippines Connections 4, DONN LISTON, 03/21/23
Toe-to-Toe, USA vs China
- Land Mass Comparisons:
The United States occupies a total area of about 3.8 million square miles while China has an area of approximately 3.7million square miles.
China is an East Asian state. With over 1.404 billion people China is the most populous country on earth. China has jurisdiction over four direct-controlled municipalities (Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Beijing), 4 autonomous regions, and 22 provinces. It is from one of the earliest civilizations on earth, which emerged in the fertile basin of Huang He (the sixth longest river on earth) in the North Plain of China. The region’s political structure was based on dynasties or monarchies for centuries.
[7] Is China Bigger than the United States? World Atlas
Today China has about the same amount of real estate as USA. But over the millennia of Chinese existence, it hasn’t always been this size.
Today Some in China want to Expand China’s Borders
[8] Economic Reality for Alaska’s Asian Neighbors, DONN LISTON July 17, 2023
- Population Comparisons:
In 2024 China is home to about 1.43 billion people. United States has 342 million people. Anyone who has traveled much in USA, visited our national parks and open spaces, can only Imagine what 1 Billion more people living here would look like.
[9] United States vs China by Population, Statistics Times, Retrieved 04/02/24
With Current USA Immigration Policy the Barbarian Hoards have Arrived
The difference is staggering. Recorded history in China began in 2100 BCE (Formerly BC=Before Christ but secularized to BCE=Before Common Era).
[10] What is the Common Era?
Xia (Hsia) Dynasty Early Chinese dynasty mentioned in legends. The founder was Yu, who was credited with having engineered the draining of the waters of a great flood (and who was later identified as a deified lord of the harvest). Yu allegedly made the rulership hereditary in his family, thereby founding the first imperial dynasty in China. 500 yrs
Shang Dynasty is considered the beginning of Chinese civilization, characterized by a writing system, seeking of knowledge of the future or the unknown, walled cities, bronze technology and use of horse-drawn chariots. 550 yrs
Zhou Dynasty established hierarchical political and social system with power bestowed upon aristocratic families from the Royal House. sometimes compared to European feudal system. That system broke down into a competition for power between rival semi—autonomous states in what became known as the Spring and Autumn Waring Period. Confucius lived (551-497 BCE). 790 yrs
In the West the Roman Empire, centered on the city of Rome, Italy, was established in 27 BCE. Rome was sacked by the Visigoths, a wandering nation of Germanic peoples from the northeast. The fall of Rome was completed in 476, when the German chieftain Odoacer deposed the last Roman emperor of the West, Romulus Augustulus. The Eastern half of the Roman Empire, always richer and stronger, continued as the Byzantine Empire through the European Middle Ages.
Qin Dynasty created a unitary state by imposing a centralized administration and standardizing writing script, weights and measures. Known for its harsh methods of rule, including suppression of dissenting thought. 15 yrs
Six Dynasties Period was a time of fragmentation of China. The North was dominated by invaders from the borderland and the steppes. The South was ruled by successive Chinese dynasties. Buddhism spread. 369 yrs
Sui Dynasty Moved capital of China and brought unity back to China. 37 yrs
Tang Dynasty A time of cosmopolitanism; cultural flowering occurred. This period was the height of Buddhist influence in China until its repression around 845. Active territorial expansion until defeated by the Arabs at Talas in 751. 288 yrs
Five Dynasties From the time of the Tang dynasty until the Qing dynasty, which arose in the 17th century, China consisted of two parts: the militarily strong north and the economically and culturally wealthy south. Between 907 and 960, 10 independent kingdoms emerged in China, mainly in the south: the Wu (902–937), the Nan (Southern) Tang (937–975/976), the Nan Ping (924–963), the Chu (927–951), the Qian (Former) Shu (907–925), the Hou (Later) Shu (934–965), the Min (909–945), the Bei (Northern) Han (951–979), the Nan Han (917–971), and the Wu-Yue (907–978), the last located in China’s most rapidly advancing area—in and near the lower Yangtze delta. 53 yrs
[11] The Five Dynasties and the Ten Kingdoms, Encyclopedia Britannica
Song (Sung) Dynasty: Northern Song (960-1127) and Southern Song (1127-1279) An era of significant economic and social changes: the monetization of the economy; growth in commerce and maritime trade; urban expansion and technological innovations. The examination system for bureaucratic recruitment of neo-Confucianism was to provide the intellectual underpinning for the political and social order of the late imperial period. 319 yrs
Yuan Dynasty Founded by the Mongols as part of their conquest of much of the world. Moved capital, called “Dadu” (present-day Beijing), to the north. Dramas, such as the famous Story of the Western Wing, flourished. 89 yrs
Ming Dynasty The first Ming emperor, Hongwu, laid the basis of an authoritarian political culture. Despite early expansion, it was an inward-looking state with an emphasis on its agrarian base. Gradual burgeoning of the commercial sector; important changes in the economy and social relations in the latter part of the dynasty with also a vibrant literary scene as represented by publication of the novel Journey to the West. 276 yrs
Qing (Ch’ing) Dynasty A Manchu dynasty. Continued the economic developments of the late Ming, leading to prosperity but also complacency and a dramatic increase in population. The acclaimed novel Dream of the Red Chamber was written in this period. Strains on the polity were intensified by a rapid incorporation of substantial new territories. Its authoritarian structure was subsequently unable to meet the military and cultural challenge of an expansive West. 268 yrs
Republic Period Weak central government following the collapse of the dynastic system in 1911-12; Western influence was shown by the promotion of science and Democracy during the New Culture Movement. The attempt of the Nationalist government (est. 1928) to bring the entire country under its control was thwarted by both domestic revolts and the Japanese occupation (1937-45). The Nationalists fled to Taiwan after being defeated by the Communists.
[12] Government of Taiwan Portal is in References
People’s Republic of China Communist victory in 1949 resulted in adoption of Marxist Ideology after a long civil war in which rural dwellers triumphed over urban dwellers, destroying the old ruling classes, and aligning with the Soviet Union. USA and Soviet Union had been established as great powers after WWII. End of the Cold War occurred upon dissolution of the Soviet Union December 31, 1991 and China saw Socialism as counter-productive to its interests. Today we can see the results of this realignment as China exerts its dominance in Asia and dares an over-extended USA to do anything about it.
[13] Timeline of China, Asia for Educators Retrieved 04/01/24
What Can We Expect to Happen Next?
Alaska has long existed as a military outpost of USA and was specifically built up strategically during the Cold War against USSR. Today, while China is also Alaska’s biggest trading partner, China has formed a strategic alliance with Russia, North Korea and Iran against USA and our allies. Alaska is home to a nuclear arsenal pointed at Asia.
[14] AK Joins Philippines-China Love/Hate Relationship DONN LISTON 08/21/2023
The United States appears vulnerable regarding military readiness amid domestic chaos, while allowing millions of aliens to invade unvetted through our southern border. Every Alaskan should be concerned. While the State is in denial about decline suffered since statehood, it lacks the strong political and social fabric of early statehood years when Anchorage and Fairbanks were bedroom communities to substantial military installations.
Nothing demonstrates the dimension of this decline like public education outcomes and Public Safety.
[15] ALASKA: Crime Capital of USA DONN LISTON 11/24/2023
With 4,000 years of experience in war and peace, China and Russia are in Alaska’s back yard, planning the long game.
References:
[1] China’s Change; The Greatest Show on Earth, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte Ltd, USA Office: 27 Warren St., Suite 401-402 Hackensack, NJ 07601, 2018, P 57
[2] Nike Site Reflections from the Cold War DONN LISTON 07/27/2017
https://donnliston.co/2017/07/nike-site-reflections/(AK History)
[3] China’s Change; The Greatest Show on Earth, P 58
[4] Ibid P62
[5] Is China Bluffing? DONN LISTON 11/24/2023
https://donnliston.co/2023/11/is-china-bluffing/
[6] Bonding through Struggle, Alaska (><) Philippines Connections 4, DONN LISTON, 03/21/23
https://donnliston907.substack.com/p/alaska-philippines-connection-4?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
[7] Is China Bigger than the United States?
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/is-china-bigger-than-the-united-states.html#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20occupies%20a,(3.5%20million%20square%20miles)
[8] Economic Reality for Alaska’s Asian Neighbors, DONN LISTON July 17, 2023https://donnliston907.substack.com/p/economic-reality-for-alaskas-asian?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
[9] United States vs China by Population, Statistics Times, Retrieved 04/02/24
]https://statisticstimes.com/demographics/china-vs-us-population.php#:~:text=China%20population%20is%204.17%20times,to%20342%20million%20in%202024
[10] What is the Common Era?
https://earthsky.org/human-world/definition-common-era-bce-ce-bc-ad/
Like all things human, calendars evolve. We in the western world trace our calendrical roots to the old Roman calendar and the newer Julian calendar, proposed by Julius Caesar, a ruler of ancient Rome. We today use what is called the Gregorian calendar, named after Pope Gregory XIII, who introduced it in 1582. Nowadays, you sometimes encounter a date in the CE (Common Era) or BCE (Before Common Era) format. They’re just another example of the evolution of human time-tracking and mean exactly the same thing as AD (anno Domini) and BC (before Christ).
Simply put, BCE (Before Common Era) is a secular version of BC (before Christ).
CE (Common Era) is the secular equivalent of AD (anno Domini), which means “in the year of the Lord” in Latin.
According to TimeandDate, either designation is acceptable by the international standard for calendar dates, although scientific circles are more prone to using the BCE/CE format.
[11] The Five Dynasties and the Ten Kingdoms, Encyclopedia Britanica
https://www.britannica.com/place/China/The-Five-Dynasties-and-the-Ten-Kingdoms
[12] Government of Taiwan Portal
https://www.taiwan.gov.tw/content_3.php#:~:text=The%20ROC%20government%20relocated%20to,rule%20of%20a%20different%20government.
[13] Timeline of China, Asia for Educators Retrieved 04/01/24
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/timelines/china_timeline.htm
[14] AK Joins Philippines-China Love/Hate Relationship DONN LISTON 08/21/2023
http://donnliston.co/2023/08/alaska-joins-philippines-china-love-haterelationship/
[15] ALASKA: Crime Capital of USA 11/24/2023
https://donnliston.co/2023/11/alaska-crime-capital-of-usa/
