Hometownlife.com article "China trips opens eyes, doors to new opportunities"; by Tom Watkins on a visit by 18 Michigan educators and business people to China:
...Ask yourself why, if China has the fastest growing economy and is likely to surpass the U.S. as the largest economy in the world over the next two decades, it's language, culture, history and language are not taught in more of our schools today?...
...Perhaps former state school board member and current Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Michael David Warren Jr. sums it up best when he says: "China is clearly undergoing a fundamental economic and related cultural transformation. They undoubtedly are attempting to become a new superpower. Unlike the other threats we currently face, we can confront this one best by engagement and building bridges. They appear to be anxious to learn from and about Americans, and to become cooperative partners. By such engagement, we can foster in China the way of life we cherish here - freedom, representative democracy, and justice. The opposite approach - building walls - will only exacerbate our differences and degrade our influence."
Certainly, there are naysayers that fear the rise of China. I believe it is important that we engage China and the rest of Asia on a economic, cultural, scientific and educational level in ways that will benefit Michigan and America.
The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the persons doing it.
— Chinese proverb....
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