Developing China's Inner Provinces

The topic of this week's discussion will be "Developing China's Inner Provinces." This week, we will look inwards into China and then follow it next week with another more outward-oriented topic. ALL are welcome to attend (not only JiaoTong University students). We certainly hope to have more Chinese students in attendance this week.

When: Tuesday, December 16th at 7:30pm
Where: Seating area, City Shop Panyu Lu (click for directions). The expectation, in turn, is that everyone purchases a small drink or snack. They have teas for 6 kuai, so hopefully that's not prohibitively expensive for anyone.

Readings:

1. "The Great Western Development Strategy," The China Business Review NOTE: The municipality profiles at the end of this article are optional.
   
2. "China's 'New Socialist Countryside,'" Business Week
3. "Chinese Grads 'Go West' to Serve in Provinces," The Washington Post
4. "India Debating Implications of China's Western Development," The Hindu
   

Optional:

1. "China's "Go West" Policy has Mixed Result," China Supply Chain Council
2. "Your Guide to the 'New Socialist Countryside,'" The China Daily
3. "New Socialist Countryside - What Does It Mean? Views on implementing the government's plan," The Beijing Review

Discussion Questions:

1. The Go West policy allocates funds to five areas (infrastructure, environment, local industry, science & technology & education, and investment environment). Which is most important?
   
2. How do incentives for multi-nationals and large domestic firms differ, if at all, to “go west”?
   
3. Is China’s “Go West” policy primarily a political and military strategy rather than an economic one?
4. For Chinese students: Would you apply for the “Grads Go West” scheme? Why or why not?
5. Are local governments a hindrance to China's westward development?
6. Will the financial stimulus package announced in September support the expansion of China’s “Go West” project?