Pasadena Chamber of Commerce

On the evening of Nov. 15, President Barack Obama, the youthful leader of one of the world’s youngest countries, begins his first visit to China, among the world’s most ancient societies. Obama and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, have much to discuss. Nukes in Iran and North Korea. China’s surging military spending. Trade imbalances. Climate change.

But the visit comes at an awkward moment for the U.S. China, despite its 5,000-year burden of history, has emerged as a dynamo of optimism, experimentation and growth. It has defied the global economic slump, and the sense that it’s the world’s ascendant power has never been stronger. The U.S., by contrast, seems suddenly older and frailer. America’s national mood is still in a funk, its economy foundering, its red-vs.-blue politics as rancorous as ever. The U.S. may be one of the world’s oldest capitalist countries and China one of the youngest, but you couldn’t blame Obama if he leaned over to Hu at some point and asked, “What are you guys doing right?”

So what are they doing right?

Not being restricted by the practical: China is building huge projects along the way creating jobs and providing the foundation for a prosperous future.  China is ambitious.

Educating kids: Chinese kids are in school six days each week studying math, reading, English and more. Every kid, everywhere.

Looking after the elderly: Generations support each other. Parents raise children who in turn care for elderly parents who care for grandchildren. The system builds strong families.

Save more: Current recession… enough said.

Look over the horizon: Build for the future. China is upwardly mobile, and the Chinese people know it and take advantage. Chinese people work hard to get ahead and educate their children so they can build on the current successes.

Something to think about, or perhaps remember as we struggle to right ourselves.

Paul