“China’s first ‘secret,’ he wrote, is that the Chinese government views infrastructure as the “bedrock” needed to sustain the country and make it powerful, ‘as well as an essential step to break the bottleneck of development, improve social well-being, promote interconnectivity and achieve sustainable development.’ The government therefore draws up national medium- and long-term infrastructure development plans. And because infrastructure uses money quickly, but only yields profits later, ‘it is necessary for the government to play a guiding role and offer incentives for the participation of the market.’ In 2018, he noted, China invested $2.44 trillion in infrastructure; in 2019, it surpassed $2.4 trillion in investment between January and July alone!”
Beijing Offers ‘The Secrets of China’s Infrastructure Success’ to Mexico
October 1 was the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. While huge and spectacular events were held in China, and the occasion was barely mentioned in the U.S. media, the Feature in our report this week provides a focused look at the incredible development of China’s infrastructure over the past few decades. It shall be a limited look, highlighting the development of a 600 km per hour maglev system.
Our quote above shows that China’s focus on infrastructure is also very deliberately being promoted to other countries all over the world. The article from which that quote originates will be found in the Feature, below.
China has done over the past few decades what the U.S. used to do– and to understand. We used to know that building dams, railroads, roads, power systems, and much more, provided the foundation for an economy that would constantly uplift our entire population. Well, it appears we will have to relearn what we have forgotten– and we will relearn it from China.
One more word on China, which underlines what I just wrote about how infrastructure uplifts entire populations. Here are a few changes in China over these past 70 years:
Life expectancy in China in 1949, when the People’s Republic of China was founded, was only 35 years; by 2018, it had risen to 77 years.
Infant mortality, at 250 per 1,000 in 1949–that is, one quarter of all babies born died within their first year– has been cut to 6 per 1,000 in 2018.
In 1949, 80% of the population was illiterate–could not read and write. By 2010, less than 1% of the young and middle-aged were illiterate.
The rest of this week’s report
We begin with the U.S. Drought Monitor for California, which shows really no change from the past two weeks. That is followed by a report on California’s water year that ended on September 30. The reservoirs are full summarizes things.
Last week we reported that Governor Newsom had said he would veto SB 1. Well he did do that, and of course pissed-off the environmentalists in the state and those suffering from TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome). The content of the bill is covered in last week’s report: http://www.californiadroughtupdate.org/20190926-California-Water-and-Infrastructure-Report.pdf?_t=1569601305
There have been interesting developments in desalination research and technologies in recent months and we report on those next. In that context the devastating drought in Australia has prompted the restarting of a desalination plant near Sydney and its expansion. Several articles are referenced in the coverage.
A short report on economic statistics newly released show the economy is shaky, to say the least. The continued bailout of the Fed of the REPO market will total several trillions of dollars before it is scheduled to end on October 10. Though, of course, the bailout of the speculative banks does nothing for the economy. A short item on that topic follows the first.
Next is the Feature for this week, discussed above.
This week’s report concludes with the report on more than 500 prominent scientists, professionals, and researchers from around the world who have signed the European Climsate Declaration to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Sept. 23, and are forming a “Global Climate Intelligence Group,” in order to coordinate an aggressive international campaign around the truth that “there is no climate emergency”
We shall let President Vladimir Putin of Russia have the final word on Greta Thunberg: "Sure, Greta is kind, but emotions should not control this issue. Go and explain to developing countries why they should continue living in poverty and not be like Sweden." Putin added that it was deplorable how some groups are using Thunberg to achieve their own goals.
Notice: Publication of this report shall be suspended for two weeks beginning next week.
