patriot Posted April 16, 2010 Posted April 16, 2010 The size and scale of China's infrastructural development seems at least 25- 30 years ahead of India. It is truly mind numbing. But there is far more to economic development than endlessly building massive steel and glass skyscrapers ( that have below 50 % occupancy rates ) . I have never been to China, but from what I gather from friends who have been there - forget Shanghai or Beijing even the lesser known cities in China like Shenzhen, Guangzhou among a few others are decades ahead of a Delhi or Mumbai in terms of sheer development that has a capitalist flavor to it. Be it expressways, trains, airports, cleanliness - we are way way behind. Of course, there is far more to this comparison than meets the eye. IN the last 10 years or so, we have grown a couple of % points below China - this despite the fact that we have zilch infrastructure compared to China. How much more foreign investment led growth would we have experienced if we worked on infrastructure ? So there is reason to be very optimistic. China experienced a 1st QTR growth of 11.9 % this year and our Prime Minister must have already mentioned a 100 times about targeting a 9 % growth. Really makes one, envious. I wish we had an apolitical democracy, with each and every minister having accountability like the CEO of a company. Gujarat for the last 10 yrs under Modi has been experiencing a real growth of nearly 11 % - beating China.
Guest Gunner Posted April 16, 2010 Posted April 16, 2010 How about the fact that most chinese rivers have turned to poison and western china sucks worse than some underdeveloped Indian states? Don't keep looking at the eastern seaboard with stars in your eyes, that alone is not china. If your point is wholly with hard infrastructure as its basis I will concede but if you are talking about all aspects of chinese development, then you can't be more wrong.
patriot Posted April 16, 2010 Author Posted April 16, 2010 How about the fact that most chinese rivers have turned to poison and western china sucks worse than some underdeveloped Indian states? Don't keep looking at the eastern seaboard with stars in your eyes, that alone is not china. If your point is wholly with hard infrastructure as its basis I will concede but if you are talking about all aspects of chinese development, then you can't be more wrong. Those poisonous rivers are a function of China being a virtual factory of the world - for over 30 years now. This alone has created hundreds of millions of job in China wiping out unbelievable amount of poverty. There has got to be a trade off somewhere isn't it ? Forget hard infrastructure - China is so far ahead even in social development metrics, literacy levels , sporting achievements etc. There is alot to envy about China's current state and it is frustrating - because we have no where reached closed to our potential compared to China . In fact if you look at any of the miracle economies of the fareast Japan, South Korea -- China has just replicated the same but at a much larger scale because it is a bigger country. Japan starting in the 50's after a WWII disaster became a manufacturing powerhouse - through the 60's and early 70's. Ditto South Korea in the 70's and 80's. China is just following the same. The commonality between all 3 is totally apoliticized governance and a ruthless martinet government at the helm. I wish, we too have the same. I strongly believe in a country with such large amount of illiteracy, poverty and ignorance along with so much diversity - democracy will be the biggest stumbling block to fast paced economic growth. I wish we had a single party " democracy " , with a benevolent but iron handed leader like Narendra Modi whose sole focus is development and national security.
Clarke Posted April 16, 2010 Posted April 16, 2010 I do envy some aspects of their system of governance. Decisions are made in days, not years. If population is a big problem, it is controlled by hard policies. Same goes for poverty. That to me is somewhat more important than skyscrapers and the flashy infrastructure, although development and poverty/population control go hand in hand.
Clarke Posted April 16, 2010 Posted April 16, 2010 How about the fact that most chinese rivers have turned to poison and western china sucks worse than some underdeveloped Indian states? Don't keep looking at the eastern seaboard with stars in your eyes, that alone is not china. If your point is wholly with hard infrastructure as its basis I will concede but if you are talking about all aspects of chinese development, then you can't be more wrong. The thing is they respond to threats like environmental degradation with the same iron fist that had led to it in the first place. The sandstorms that hit Beijing have woken them up and they're working hard to reduce the desert area. The investments in renewable energy are increasing as well. It might sound too little too late but if there's one system that can make things happen at breakneck pace, its the Chinese.
Sir john Posted April 16, 2010 Posted April 16, 2010 China have communist government,but they did't follow there principle.
someone Posted April 17, 2010 Posted April 17, 2010 People talk about how big there is a difference between India and Pakistan but let me tell you, there seems to a bigger difference between India and China
suma25 Posted April 17, 2010 Posted April 17, 2010 China is way ahead in terms of infra development. India might probably reach china's present position in probably 30-40 yrs,if the govt pushes through hard on its infra projects. I have serious concerns abt the railways infra though if you have ministers like mamta banerjee/Laloo prasad at the helm . You need someone like Prafull patel at the helm of infra department.Look at the way he has brought changes in the airports and aviation sector.
jusarrived Posted April 17, 2010 Posted April 17, 2010 Chinas bubble is going to bust in next few years . I dont India to ever follow their growth model .
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