Expert: Tom Carter ~ Travel China Expert - 4/12/2008

Question
I AM CONFUSED. if china is communist, how can we visit? and why are so many products coming out of china? its not a capitalist country...i am just confused.

Answer
Gabriel,
Though I studied and worked in politics before turning to photojournalism, I generally tried to not involve myself in political affairs while I was living and traveling in China. Foreigners in China who discuss politically sensitive issues tend to find themselves being escorted to the nearest PSB office.
As I don't want to give the Beijing Politburo a reason to ban AllExperts like they have Wikipedia, I'll keep my answer short and sweet.
Basically, today's China is socially and politically Communist but economically Capitalist. Mao's failed Socialist programs were testament that China needed a new economic system. Deng Xiaoping is credited with introducing the new free-market economic reforms to China, and once the rest of the good old boys in Beijing got a taste of Capitalism, there was no stopping them. Today, China is revving to compete with Japan and America as THE Capitalist juggernaut.
Tourism in China is purely in line with its new positioning as a global superpower. True, tourists can't go anywhere or do anything in China without the Powers That Be tracking your every movements, but they are more than happy to collect your tourist dollar.
The recent events in Tibet demonstrate that China still has a long way to go - if ever - before they are willing to adopt the social liberties of the West, which may in turn hamper their attempt at becoming a world player. We'll see...
For a taste of unbridled Communism in it's most unadulterated form, visit Cuba as soon as possible. China can't hold a Communist candle to this little island where commerce is strictly forbidden and the only place you can buy dinner is inside someone's home. I was there ten years ago and it remains one of the most interesting countries I have ever visited.
Hope this helps.
Tom Carter
http://www.tomcarter.org
p.s. Thank you in advance for supporting my upcoming book CHINA: Portrait of a People, the most comprehensive book of photography on contemporary China ever published by a single author, coming soon from Blacksmith Books.
http://www.blacksmithbooks.com/9789889979942.htm