From: zhao@schaefer.math.wisc.edu (Kang Zhao)
Subject: Re: China's GNP and why Steven Lin is so biased?
Organization: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 93 16:38:09 GMT

>>In article <1jo4c9INNd9o@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu>  (Guo Wei) writes:
>>
>>>interesting point is that it gives an estimate of China's real GNP per capita
>>>by Korea government, which is very close to my previous posted estimate ($1,0
>>>00 to $2,000)
>>>
>>You need to explain how did you come up that figure. Basaed on what?
>>What formula, factors support your arguement?
>I am not sure if you have read my original posting where I briefly mentioned
>that I use purchasing power (e.g. how much does one pound of pork cause in
>dollar and in RMB). I also mentioned that other researchers(e.g. World Bank,
>Austrailia) also have similar conclusion. I also refered to the recent article
>on Economist (Nov. 28,92).My estimate is a very rough one but other researchers
>have done a lot more work on that.)
>
>>
>>If the CCP gave a number, that should be correct. No single country is
>>forced to come up that number. There are common formula and factors used
>>to compute the GNP. The government gave the number should have details.
>>Counting on no tax policy, indeed the China GNP should be higher than
>>that number. But, there is no way to come up severl times higher, based
>>on the US tax rate 30% higher ma
>
>How do you know the higher number is given by CCP? I begin to doubt that you are
>so biased that you just couldn't accept different opinions. Acutally, CCP and
>mainland government never, ever uses the higher number. Most of these numbers
>are given by Westerners because they are confused about the official GNP and
>the reality. Mainland government always publishes the GNP number either in terms
>of RMB or gives the euivalent USD according to official exchange rate(which is
>about $380).t
>>
>>>     China's official per capita GNP was $380 last year, but the Korean
>>>government estimates it at around $1,100, similar to Korea's level in the late
>>>1970s.(Yonhap)
>>>.
>>The same level was referred to the sistuation of Taiwan in 60s. That is why
>>many people like to say that the mainland is behind Taiwan for 30 years.
>>And it explains everything. The college graduates made NT$1800 in 60s. That
>>was about U$45 (rate 1:40). Today's mainland, the new graduates make less than
>>RMB200, is in the same level. The new graduates in computer eng. make 
>>NTS40,000 today, it is equivalent to U$1600. The new graduate news reporters
>>make more than that number, US2000. 
>>
>>The GNP reflects the purchasing power and living standard of that nation.
>>While Taiwan was at U$400, the foreign investors poured money in. Nowadays,
>>the foreign investors left and Taiwan has become the 3rd investor in mainland.
>>The GNP really reflects a nation economy, and business activities.
>>
>>
>I think mainland lags behind Taiwan on per capita basis about 20 years. There
>are detailed reports on this.(also refer to Economist above) This is reasonable
>because in late 1950s mainland and Taiwan were about at the same level. From
>1958( the year when Great Leap Forward began) to 1978 (the year when Culture
>Revolution was completely over and CCP adopted the reform and open-door policy),
>20 years were wasted. 
>     The reason I am interested in this GNP thing is because sometimes I am
>myself very confused. I am not trying to prove that mainland is having a 
>living standard higher or even close to that of Taiwan. But if you insist that
>mainland GNP is as low as the official figure or even lower that will not bother
>me. I don't care.
>    Mr. Steven Lin, can I ask you a personal question? Do you have any relative
>that was killed by CCP? The reason I ask you this question is that I could not
>figure out any other reason that make your opinion about CCP and mainland so
>basied.  I have read a lot your postings and that's the conclusion I draw. 
>Although there are a lot of guys from Taiwan always arguing with mainlanders
>about this and that but none of them like you, so single-minded and unreasonablethat for a time I doubt you have mental problems.
>
>

Thank you, Mr Wei, for asking Steven this personal question, because his answer
might solve my puzzle. I am really tired of Steven's tone. Steven, please
answer this question.