Wrong perspective on China

In response to Jacob Levin’s column “Rethinking China” from Sept. 25: While I find Mr. Levin’s optimism rather heartwarming, I urge him to look a bit deeper into the nature of the relationship between the Chinese government and its citizens.

Mr. Levin is certainly correct that CNN.com is accessible, but has he ever tried accessing the Web sites of Human Rights Watch or Voice of America? When he talks to professors about their relationship with the government, is he aware of who writes those professors’ paychecks? Has he ever asked students about their understanding of the events that took place in Tiananmen Square 20 years ago?  

During the two years I lived in China, I also heard about how the government’s liberal economic policies have resulted in tremendous economic growth and an improved standard of living.

That liberal economic policy, coupled with rampant corruption and government cover-ups, has also resulted in babies sickened by formula thickened with fertilizer and children left brain-damaged by tainted medicine. Equally troubling is the mind-boggling gap between rich and poor that veritably guarantees that only poor babies and children will suffer the effects of tainted products.

I encourage Mr. Levin to take a trip outside of Beijing, perhaps to Gansu or Qinghai, and marvel anew at the reach of China’s growth.

Ellen Prusinski
IU graduate student