From a China Traveler, By David Rockefeller - New York Times, August 10, 1973

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From a China Traveler
By David Rockefeller
New York Times
August 10, 1973

Given China's vastness, it was only
due to the remarkable thoughtf... (More) From a China Traveler
By David Rockefeller
New York Times
August 10, 1973

Given China's vastness, it was only
due to the remarkable thoughtfulness
of our hosts that the six members of
our Chase group were able to see and
experience so much during just ten
days in Peking, Sian, Shanghai and
Canton. In terms of simple geographic
expanse a week and a half visit to
China is something equivalent to trying
to see New York City in less than
one and a half minutes.
One is impressed immediately by the
sense of national harmony. From the
loud patriotic music at the border onward,
there is very real and pervasive
dedication to Chairman Mao and
Maoist principles. Whatever the price
of the Chinese Revolution, it has obviously
succeeded not only in producing
more efficient and. dedicated
administration, but also 10 fostering
high morale and community of pur·
pose.
General economic and social progress
is no less impressive. Only 25
years ago, starvation and abject poverty
are said to have been more the
rule than the exception In China. Today,
almost everyone seems to enjoy
adequate, if Spartan, food, clothing and
housing. Streets and homes are spotlessly
clean, and medical care greatly
improved. Crime, drug addiction, prostitution
and venereal disease have
been virtually eliminated. Doors are
routinely left unlocked. Rapid strides
are being made in agriculture, reforestation,
Industry and education. Eighty
per cent of school-age children now
attend primary school, compared with
20 per cent just twenty years ago.
Each step of the trip was choreographed
precisely by our hosts and,
though virtually all our requests were
granted, we clearly saw what they
wanted us to. Still, there was little
sense of the constant security found
in some other Communist countries.
Issues such as Taiwan and Cambodia
evoke strong positions, but conversation
does not founder on ideological
shoals.·· The Chinese seem so totally
convinced of the correctness of their
own world view that they do not feel
they have to push it aggressively.
Despite the constant Impressions of .
progress, however, some gray lireas
and basic contradictions also emerged.
Three major questions remain in my
own mind.
First, can Individuality and creativity
continue to be contained to the
degree they are now In a nation with
such a rich cultural heritage?
The enormous social advances of
China have benefited greatly from the
singleness of Ideology and purpose.
But a stiff price has been paid In terms
of cultural and intellectual constraint.
There are only eight different theatrical
productions in the entire country.
The universities are rigorously politicized,
with little room for inquiry
unrelated to Chairman Mao's thought.
Freedom to travel or change jobs is
restricted. When asked about personal
creativity, one ceramics craftsman .an·
swered only that there was not time
for individual art if the masses were
to be served.
Second. will the highly decentral·
ized Chinese economy be able to adapt
successfully to expanded foreign trade
and technological improvements?
Considering the problems to be overcome,
economic growth in China over
the last 25 years has been quite re·
markable, with an annual average rise
in gross national product of 4 to 5 per
cent. For the 1971·75 period, this
growth should range between 5.5 and
7.5 per cent a year. These results have
depended largely on a wise emphasis
on agriculture and a nationwide policy
of decentralized, balanced Industrial
development. The industrial spread
reflects strategic factors, the labor abundant
nature of the country and
inadequate transportation. There are,
for instance, now only a handful of
commercial jet airplanes in China, and
flights are entirely dependent on
weather conditions owing to limited
guidance facilities common in most
parts of the world.
Third, are we and the Chinese prepared
to accept our very real dif (Less)