e ruling class made up of theCommunist oligarchy still retains preferential treatment in China today.Once again, the stability and growth of the Chinese economy is vital to theenvironment. “When countries reach per capita income of about $10,000 a year, theybegin to take a more active role in environmental improvement-- because they believe theycan afford to do so. A curtailment of China’s growth rate would delay the achievement ofthat happy condition. (Its per capita income now is less than $5000.)” (Weidenbaum 227).Any slowdown in the economy could generate further problems. China is slowly advancing towards a more respectable and internationalstatus. It is slowly emerging from its isolationist position and opening up its wings to theinfluences of Western culture and business practices. Its officials hope to enlarge China’sparticipation in the world economy. However, China is unable to make such strides aslong as it is banned from key international bodies such as the World Trade Organization orbe included in economic summits such as the G8 (Weidenbaum 227) The vitality and ingenuity of US businesses are greatly admired by theChinese. Whereas, Americans eye Chinese market potential with glee. “The temporaryproblems of East Asia notwithstanding, the United States is China’s leading export marketas well the most logical partner to help upgrade its technology through investment, jointventures, and provision of advanced software and financial services. China, in turn, is themost promising new market for American business and agriculture” (Weidenbaum 228). Two great powers, China and the US, are actually locked in a multi-layered symbioticrelationship. Engaging in free trade with China sets a framework for greater profits forcorporate US. China is not only the most populous nation in the world giving it greatpurchasing power, but its economy now is more than half as large as that of the ...
