Observations

China’s emergence as an economic superpower has garnered much attention for the country of 1.3 billion. From the 2008 Beijing Olympics to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, such highly anticipated events highlight China’s swift progress and lead many to view China as a fully developed country similar to the U.S. or France. However, those who hold his image are gravely mistaken. Out of 1.3 billion, perhaps only a billion of them possess living standards comparable to those living in the west. Besides cosmopolitan metropolises such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, much of China consists of rural areas where farmers continue to live in horrible conditions and lead backwards lifestyles. Furthermore, cities such as Shanghai have annual influxes of rural laborers looking for high-paying jobs in the city. It is this side, a much darker side, that many fail to understand.

Although I grew up in Shanghai, my years spent in the U.S. seem to have thoroughly “Americanized” me. I grew complacent and took my comfortable lifestyle for granted. I forgot much of the hardships that accompany the average Chinese lifestyle, and I veered off the path of working hard for every penny and saving for the future when there is no need to. All this I realized during my short time here. Beyond the modern work facilities and aid conditioned dorm rooms, the ventures to Sanlitun road and Wudaokou, the average Chinese lifestyle is not so extravagant. Just take a walk outside the International Cultural Plaza’s walls and you will be confronted by signs of poverty, industry, and dogged determination to make a few RMB wherever possible.

There is a street vendor right outside the gates that sells fried chicken sandwiches. I see him there every day, rain or shine, from 10 am or so until 10 pm at night. Once I spoke with him, asking him why he worked so hard and how he could tolerate such a difficult lifestyle. His answer was simple. If he stopped, he would have no other way of providing for his family. His only other options included working as a manual laborer, which he was too old for, catering to people as a waiter, or recycling bottles found on the street. Our short conversation held great meaning to me; I can only feel fortunate about having such advantages and hope to make the best out of my situation