Past R Michael had no introduction, he stepped up and took the floor.

 

Michael worked and lived in China for a little more than two years. He was working for a Belleville firm EMS Tech who design and build ship loaders and unloaders with a lot of components and building done in China. Audrey was with Michael and taught for the last year. They lived in a luxurious building.

 

Today's presentation was primarily about life in China.

 

China is third largest country in the world with a population of 1.4 billion people. He showed us how China on a map looks like a rooster. China was primarily an agricultural country with many small farms. During the Second World War, Japan was able to walk over the country because they had no defenses. They vow to never let that happen again so a lot of their actions are to prevent an invasion again.

 

China claims sovriegnty over the South China Sea. Many other countries dispute this.

 

China is communist. Cuba the only other communist country now. However, business in China is more free market / capitalist so long as companies follow part line. Big companies have to have party member on their board.

 

Mandarin is the official language but there are 56 cultural areas in the country.

 

Yuan is the currency and the government keeps it pegged to the US dollar so very stable.

 

China is very poor, but very advanced at the same time. They have lots of people to be able to throw at a project and make things happen.

 

China is very polluted. It is like living in garage with car running, the door is down and you can't get out. Most times there is no clear sky, only a question of how bad smog / haze is each day.

 

The people don't know geography of their country very well. They have good highways and elaborate subway system but colour coded and can be followed.

 

They eat everything, every part of an animal and many different animals.

 

You can't go anywhere without a lot of people around. And the government tracks everyone's movements.

 

A lot of canals to transport big loads. All geared to industry in the east. But all waste goes into the water.

 

There are 200 cities the size of Toronto, all with airports. Very organized. You have to show Id to take bus or train. Very tight control of flight paths until over ocean.

 

The people are hard working and artistic. They love English and America at least on individual level. Lots of smokers.

 

Government is afraid of religion and fear they can't control people of faith. Churches exist and meet, but Chinese Nationals cannot meet in Church or even talk to foreigners on street of the same faith.