Washing Dishes or Reading Books?: Reflecting on the Path to National Strength of China and Japan

Author: Zhong Qing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: A landmark work providing a comprehensive comparison of China and Japan's national strength, and the most economic essay of 2005 in China! Amidst heightened sensitivity in China-Japan relations and rising national sentiment, The Plate Wiper or the Student?—Reflecting on the Path to National Strength of China and Japan helps the public approach the different choices made by China and Japan on the modern industrialization path with greater calm and rationality, and reflect on their own gaps. The author, Zhong Qing, who has long resided in Japan, combines his observations, experiences, and insights from his time there with his own experiences in China. From the perspective of natural scientific laws, he rigorously critiques the "Comparative Advantage Theory" advocated by mainstream Chinese economists such as Wu Jinglian, Fan Gang, Zhang Weiying, Lin Yifu, Mao Yushi, and Zhang Shuguang, and their guidance in shaping China's reform practices, arguing that this theory has brought significant harm to China's modern industrial development. The book proposes that a nation's technological strength is its foundation for survival, and the unwavering belief of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in protecting its technological strength throughout history is worth learning from. The book compares the economic paths of China and Japan at key turning points in their nearly century-long history, and through an analysis of the industrialization processes of Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, and France, as well as the Asian miracle, Latin American phenomena, and Russian reforms, reveals the predatory nature of Western developed countries' heavy industry systems in the international community. With bold and unrestrained thinking and sharp, unconventional writing, the author weaves a narrative that ignites fervent patriotic passion amidst deep reflection. This is a panoramic work that comprehensively reflects on China's industrialization path. The author uses the two common behaviors of overseas students—washing plates and studying—to metaphorically represent the two models of a nation's industrialization path: the former refers to a model that sells simple labor and prioritizes GDP growth; the latter refers to a model that sells knowledge and technology and prioritizes the enhancement of technological strength. To achieve national strength, one must abandon immediate gains and focus solely on developing technological strength, rather than blindly pursuing GDP growth. After meticulously analyzing the formation and evolution of the "heart"—the heavy industry system—in advanced industrialized nations, and observing and researching China's economic development history alongside those of other countries, particularly Japan, the author concludes: land resources and wealth are external matters, while knowledge and technology are invaluable treasures, the foundation of a nation's survival, and this is the true path to national strength. The author proposes that scientific spirit, long-term vision, and national spirit are the driving forces behind a nation's rejuvenation. Scientific spirit is about being down-to-earth, identifying problems and discovering laws through practice, and continuously adjusting the course forward; long-term vision is to enable every member of the nation to recognize from the bottom of their hearts that knowledge and technology are the foundation of their survival; and national spirit is to gather the wisdom and strength of the entire nation to strive and fight together.