China's greatest challenge- pollution?

Is China taking a great leap backwards- environmental hazards

Walking along the Bund in Shanghai in early December in 2013- the Bund is the beautiful waterfront separating the old city from the new city- one could hardly discern the museum of tall skyscrapers on the other side of the river. The boats on the river were like moving shadows. All this because a mist, a haze, polluted clouds enwrapped this beautiful city. The local authorities banned all out door sport for children because the air quality was toxic. Neighbouring schools were closed and traffic flows limited.

The great challenge facing China and its people is the poisoning of its air and people- all in the name of progress and development! Authorities now admit of cancer villages surrounding many industrial sites in China. Chinese friends speak of the growing levels of cancer amongst their family and neighbours. International students going to Beijing and other large cities and academic institutions are less because of toxic air but also poor water quality and food. Baby food and formula is the most requested gift sought by parents in China from visitors coming from abroad. All travellers from Hong Kong to mainland China get a a warning across the intercom that only 2 packets of baby formula and powdered baby food is allowed. If one is caught taking more one is liable to a fine of 500,000 HK Dollars. This means there is panic amongst parents about the health of their children in mainland China.

Some estimates put the polluted water ways in China as high as 40%. When this water is used for irrigation the food chain is corrupted. Recent research and reports write of over 1 million premature deaths in China per year related to air pollution.
Hong Kong newspapers reported in late November that the relatively new USA Ambassador based in Beijing wanted to give up his post and return to the USA seemingly, for family educational reasons but the real reason suggested was that Beijing was an unhealthy place to live given the level of pollution in the city. Unfortunately, 1.3 billion people cannot move and have to breathe this polluted air. Those who can afford medical masks wear them diligently. One can even buy a can of fresh air in some areas in China!

The controversial Catholic Shanghai Bishop Jin Luxian died in April 2013. In his last interviews he spoke of his heartfelt wishes for his Diocese and people 1. The Shanghai Diocese would become a Diocese that cares for the poor 2. He hoped that Shanghai authoritiesand society would stop and reflect on the development orientations of the city. He believed livelihoods and the quality of life of the people neededspecial attention. He warned against falling into the trap of money worship, and he believed neglect of the quality of life and damage to the environment were key challenges for his people and Government. His words are indeed prophetic given the poor quality of health suffered by many people because of air pollution in many parts of China today.

The Chinese Government and people can learn useful lessons from the West in relation to their struggles over the years in dealing with similar problems and the present economic crisis. However, the most notable lesson it can learn is how unregulated development - doing business without ethics- progress without consideration for the whole person-greed for money can affect the livelihoods of millions and impact negatively generations of peoples

Following the Ricci trail

Following the Ricci trail

Macau has been the gateway of many explorers into China. It was the first port of call for the great ITALIAN JESUIT MISSIONARY Matteo Ricci. He built the bridge of understanding of Chinese culture and relations in China which has remained an example to all missionary endeavour to the present. His set of rules were befriend the people, learn the language, understand the culture, appreciate and appropriate the values of that culture which are consonant with the Gospel and enter into dialogue with the peoples and learn from them. Work on how one can immerse the Gospel into the culture and vice versa and never impose it.
Macau continues to be a bridge into China and amidst the plenitude of casinos and churches and it remains a melting pot of many cultures and a place where West meets East.

The inspiration of Ricci inspired many Jesuits to give their lives to China and in spite of the expulsion of foreigners under the Mao regime Chinese religious leaders and Chinese lay men and women catholics continue through their heroic commitment to give witness to freedom and to the dignity of the human person in spite of Government spying, harassment, intimidation going on in many places within China. One is bemused at times what the Chinese Government and Party organs are afraid of from Catholics and the Catholic Church. One wonders if the party is more afraid of a free internet or the Catholic Church within China? The present accomodation strategy adopted by some Western Governments to appease the Chinese Government is a source of sadness to many ordinary Chinese people who hunger for the freedom to assemble, express themselves, worship freely and have an unblocked internet. The placing of the Shanghai Catholic Bishop under virutal house arrest and the retention of the passsports of a number of religious leaders , thus curbing their feedom to travel abroad is to be abhorred. The international community and its leaders must continue to raise human rights issues with the Chinese Government. Remaining silent does a disservice to those who are voiceless within Chinese borders. International leaders who visit just to do business or just charm the Chinese leaders can never supersede issues of human rights,dignity, respect for cultural identity, freedom to travel and expression and right of assembly within China. The deprivation of such rights affects the lives of millions of Chinese in 2013. Money and good economic relationships with China must not be allowed to take priority over the promotion of human dignity and human rights within this grest country. It must however, be also acknowledged that China has travelled a long way to freedom from the oppressive days of the Mao regime and the outcome of the ‘third plenum’ published in November,2013- this is the Government policy document for the next number of years- indicates that the struggle to give more space to progressive elements within the party,Government and people is bearing results – the abolition of labour camps and re-education internments seems to be strong indicators that China under the present leadership is on the way to join the international in community in acknowledging basic freedoms. One hopes that the blueprint for reform emerging from the present leaders will bloom and grow.

Far East trip

Visiting Hong Kong is always a fascinating experience-7 million crowded into an island of half the area of county Limerick in Ireland with skycrapers reachig 50-70 storeys high. You build up rather than out because out is the sea!

It is is both a huge residentail/commercial centre and a container yard for the East. The people seem to live in many locations in shoe boxes in the more crowded areas while others live in luxurious apartments. The people look serious and focussed and work really hard. Employment is easy to find especially, in the construction industry at present and unlike the recession ridden west Hong Kong is seeking urgently 2,000 workers for the building of a railway.

Relations with mainland China seem to be harmonous at present although current debate concerns how they will elect the next Head of the island through democratic means or through committees designated -'fixed" by China.

Being in Church here on the Feast of Christ the King is a wonderful experience of life, singing and whole families together celebrating their faith. Almost 6,000 young adults were baptised last yesr in Hong Kong- many young adults- and this matches numbers in the mainland who turn to God as they see through the illusions of both liberal capitalism and oppressive communism- a real lesson for humanity.

The Taiwan experience

The  immigration counter is usually the first experience of a country by a visitor.  The lady at the Taipei airport immigration smiled and wished you an enjoyable stay in Taiwan. The person who showed me how to get a bus ticket to the city centre and the bus driver were equally helpful and friendly.  Taiwan is a friendly country and the people appear relaxed and content. It is where one experiences a certain harmony in the rhythm of life of the population. This seems to be absent in parts of  mainland China where people appear rushed and somewhat traumatised  and where officials seem to be trained not to smile and be suspicious of foreigners.


Every morning in Duan park in Taipei various groups gather to meditate, dance to music or just walk and exercise.  One is free to join any particular group  and will be helped by one of the participants to  learn the moves of Tai Chai or rock and roll.  It is an excellent way to start the day from 6am onwards.


The other great place to visit is the national palace museum of Taipei which  contains almost 700,000 pieces of Chinese artifacts and paintings which came to Taiwan from mainland China before the invasion of China by the Japanese and again before the cultural revolution.  It contains over 8,000 years of Chinese history and the collections and treasures of Chinese emperors are on display there. If one was to delve into Chinese culture and history this museum is a must see.

What is obvious in Taipei is the number of visitors from the mainland who come in their thousands to visit.  More flexible travel restrictions to and from from mainland China is a boom for the tourist industry and is  also a great outlet  for the people from the mainland who are free to experience another world in Taiwan.  An ex -labour camp intern from mainland China who now lives in Taiwan expresses it this way '' in Taiwan one can say or do what one wants ''.  Perhaps this freer movement of peoples from inside China to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan may  lead o an unfreezing of the strict controls the Party has on the people in the mainland.  It will sure raise awareness amongst the visitors that life can be lived and organized otherwise, free from suspicion and fear of speaking and meeting as one pleases.

It is important is to visit the mountains south of  Taipei. They are beautiful but it is more important to  meet and greet the indigenous people.  Some of them  suffer as much as the immigrants in terms of labour opportunities, social conditions  and low standards of living.  A number of NGOs and Church groups including the Jesuits and the Jesuit inspired sociall centre Rerum Novarum, work to advocate to bring about better conditions of these marginalized groups. The beauty of the mountains can hide the struggles of those who live there and the freedom given to many different groups to work amongst them to improve their lot is both inspiring and encouraging.

Perhaps of all the Chinas, mainland China, Macau and Hong Hong,  Taiwan  seems to be more at ease with themselves and with one another as a people in spite of the future political uncertaninty.









 

The Hong Kong experience

A visitor from Mars may ask how can 7 million people live is an area which is half the size of County Limerick in Ireland- just 400 hundred  square miles. Hong Kong has a very high density of population - 6,300 people per square kilometre and walking around Nathan Rd or any street one can feel dwarfed by the height of the buildings which can be  50-60 floors.  Hong Kong builds up and not out because it has no space.  It has an aging population, in 2033 they forecast that 37% of the population.will be 65 years and over.  It has one of the lowest birth rates in the world.

While 95% of the population is Chinese it has  had an amazing  miixture of races living there. In St. Michael's cemetery in Happy Valley, which is opposite  the Jockey Club one views the headstones and wall plaques of people from many nations who are buried.  Over 30 Irish Jesuits are laid to rest  there as well as numerous other Irish missionaries.

 The first Irish Jesuits  arrived on December 3rd, 1926.  107 Irish Jesuits worked for some time in Hong Kong.  Some others  went to Malaysia, Signapore, Japan and Cambodia- an amazing contribtion to the Far East mission  from a small island on the western shores of the Atlantic.

The Jesuits in Hong Kong are often known as the Wah Yan Jesuits because of the enormous educational impact of two secondary/high schools, Wah Yan Hong Kong and Wah Yan Kowloon.  The graduates of these two schools are dispersed all over the world and their allegiance to the past pupils union and affection for their Jesuit teachers lives on.  The 9 Irish Jesuits who remain in Hong Kong continue to work in diverse works in spite of their advancing years.  They work in the spiritual ministry, education, publications, chaplaincy and assisting the local Church in diverse ways.  Their impact is enormous and the challenge remains  how Ireland and the the Irish Province can remain connected with the Far East when these men have passed away.

Visit China

It is really important  to visit a country, meet the people and hear their story. One sees and judge things from where one stands  but when one can walk in the shoes of someone  shoes even for a short time one can see their life differently.  Media has the power to fashion attitudes towards others and towards whole nations, and so it makes it all the more important to immerse oneself in a culture, even for a short time, before one makes ones' mind up.  China is one most ancient civilizations, contains 1.37 billion people which is one fifth of the world's population.  it  is forecast to be the worlds leading economies within the next 30 years.  The impact it is having on all the people on the planet is increasing and not decreasing. . It is a complex nation full of contradictions and growing rapidly on all fronts and its future will affect the future of the whole world.

China- religion and the Churches

Some commentators on religion in China call it a ''religous state''. China they say is a space and all space in China is seen as sacred, that is, it is inhabited by divine energies which,  because they sustain us , must receive in return our sacrificial recognition.

This view needeless to say, is not the view of the communist party in China today. Religion is viewed by the Party manifesto as a sign of underdevelopment  and when people reach a more advanced stage of development religion will disappear.  Meanwhile, a certain accommodation with religious practice with severe restrictions takes place.  It is estimated there are over 30 million Christians in China and 10 million are Catholic.  The evangelical Christians are increasing while the Catholics remain relative stable in number. House Churches are growing and very difficult to enumerate.

The Catholic tradition in China is a complex one.  There are two Catholic organizations- the underground Church which is not approved by the Government and the Patriotic Church which is approved  and subsidized by the Governemt.  The underground Church has been and is a persecuted Church with many members harassed or in prision.

Rome says there is only one Church but Bishops need to be approved by the Holy See as well as the State. There are over 120 dioceses in China and 80% of the Bishops who hold office at present are recognized by Rome.  In recent weeks the Government has approved Bishops which have not been approved by Rome and this new tension between the State and Rome causes great confusion to the people of God. It is as if, Catholics are caught between two feuding parents- Rome and the State.  While Rome is far away, the State is close  and choosing loyalty either between the State or Rome is a terrible dilemma for good Church leaders.  Local Church leaders have to deal with the intricacies of local bureaucracy whose goalposts keep changing and the State is fearful of meetings between Bishops and all assemblies.  They keep strict surveillance on all their activities. Control is the name of the game and outside interference is seen as an affront to the power and authority of the State. However, people continue to seek the sacraments, spiritual food for their lives and  Biblical knowledge. The outsider is often left baffled,confused, sad at time, yet amazed and joyous on how the spirit of God is working among the people of China.