This edition of the Journal covers a variety of topics, several of which are current hot issues and several of which are introductory efforts that we will continue to cover in subsequent issues. The first article tackles an issue of growing importance; the relationships between China and Africa; particularly trade that is developing between China and the 53 individual African countries. As a demonstration of our continuing interest in this issue we plan to conduct a one day seminar on this topic in the spring 2008 in Washington DC at one of the local universities. We follow this up with an article on US – India relations which considers the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) as a third party in these matters. The third article is an impressionistic piece regarding public administration scholarship in Northwestern China, an area not often visited by American scholars. This article is noteworthy because it is written by David Rosenbloom America’s foremost public administration scholar.
The fourth article conducts empirical tests of exchange rates in China. The current political attempts to have China raise its exchange rates is an attempt to “solve” the trade imbalance between the US and PRC. The empirical calculation, while difficult to follow because of their complex nature, demonstrates a somewhat different picture. The fifth article applies studies of Leadership theories in an attempt to develop theories that can assist Chinese managers and executives. The next article deals with highway development and road systems in China. What China is doing to bring its road system into the 21st century is a critical issue given China’s increase in motor vehicles throughout the country. Can China build roads as fast as it builds cars and trucks? Should it?
A topic we have covered in the past raises a serious question about China’s economic growth and whether it can continue indefinitely. The issue is referred to as “sustainable development”. The author provides some general thoughts on the issue with more to follow on this topic in subsequent issues.
Another key issue raised is whether the current young generation in China will force the Communist Party of China to resolve the issues of environmental degradation, the social security costs for the graying of the enormous population and increasing problems of corruption or will the Party buy off another generation through economic growth as it has for the last 30 years. The next article similarly raises the question of whether China will use the proceeds of economic growth to improve health and environmental conditions or will other areas have a higher claim on taxes in the budget.
The edition ends with some brief tips on investing in the stock market; a topic we plan to make a regular feature of our Journal.
Again, we encourage authors to submit manuscripts to us in order to help us produce a high quality publication that is informative and contributes to further understanding between our two countries.
Bernard T. Pitsvada, Editor
