Lessons from the Past 143: Lessons from China 20 Years Ago
On my return from a trip to China in 2000, the Rotary Club of Bombay North asked me to prepare a brief note for the Rotary magazine, INSPIRATION. I was very happy to do this, especially since there was a lot on this visit that had impressed me.
 
Some of the notes I made at that time—24 years ago—are still relevant, so I am listing them below.
 
China was a part of the world I had never visited, and therefore I looked forward to this opportunity to visit six cities, starting with Guangzhou, then Xian, Guilin, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. And, as I travelled, my mind went back to the oft-repeated story of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was right when he twirled a model of the globe and stopped at China, commenting: “There lies a tiger. Let it lie, for when it wakes, it will shake the world.”
 
What struck me about China?
 
No beggars on the streets. No targeting of foreign tourists for alms and pestering them with a visual display of disabilities, or starving babes in arms. 
 
The streets are clean with no potholes. And green on both sides and at the divider.
 
People seem to be diligently working all the time. There are people sweeping the streets most times of the day, and people working in their shops till late evening -  cobblers, tailors, et al.   
 
No one was found spitting or using public places as public toilets. 
 
The railway station in Huanzhou was better than any airport in India. I am not comparing airports in the two countries (this was in 2001 - and this has changed since).
 
The cost of travel was much lower than in India.
 
I stayed at a classy five-star hotel for US$70 per diem.
 
The heritage sites are maintained in ‘fine fettle’ - clean and well organised, with canteen and toilet facilities (all maintained very clean) 
 
When I was there, I read about a member of the Politburo who was caught for corruption. He was removed from his post. He knew he would be executed, so he committed suicide. 
There were also two other executions reported of minor functionaries in different parts of the country. 
 
English was known only to a few but they were remedying this. They have made it compulsory to study English from lower school now. A decision in reverse of what most states in India are doing.
 
I read the editorial of The Economic Times of 17 November 2000 of the Indian government’s attempt to put Chinese lower-priced goods at a disadvantage by insisting on routing them through inaccessible ports in West India; and insisting on BIS certification. This is probably being done at the behest of inept Indian manufacturers who cannot compete on quality or price, or both. They may win these battles, but it’s unlikely they will win the war.
 
It was a great pity that when we were checking out of the hotel to leave for the airport to leave for India, one of the members of our tourist group was caught by the hotel security having hotel bath towels in the luggage. That was a shame. I was greatly impressed, though, by the way the hotel staff handled the situation – quietly, firmly and fast. Many of us became aware of this only because the bus to the airport was delayed because of the incident. I returned, somewhat depressed for our country and for ourselves. India, wake up. Or we will sink in the storm of global competition.
 
India has so many advantages and so much talent that we cannot afford to be left behind - when we should be at the forefront!
 
You may also want to read other articles written by the author. Here is the link
 
(Walter Vieira is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of India - FIMC. He was a successful corporate executive for 14 years, capping his career as Head of marketing for a Pharma multinational, for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka- and then pioneered marketing consulting in India in 1975. As a consultant, he has worked across four continents. He was the first Asian elected Chairman of ICMCI, the world apex body of consultants in 45 countries, in 1997. He is the author of 16 books, a business columnist, international conference speaker and has been visiting professor in Marketing in the US, Europe, and Asia for over 40 years. He was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award for Consulting in 2005, and for Marketing in 2009. He now spends much of his time in NGO work - Consumer Education and Research Centre, IDOBRO, and some others.)
Comments
rohansoares
2 months ago
There seems to be a resigned feeling that there is no public consensus for strict enforcement of laws in India, but this is not true. Alas, until such time as we have a large criminal contingent in Parliament it simply won't be allowed to happen.
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