China's older generation leaves many problems

China's younger generation has begun to criticize the process and result of development in that populous country. Criticisms were heard loudly at the 11-day People's National Congress of China, which opened on March 5.

The older generation is considered to have bequeathed more problems than achievements to the younger generation. Openly made criticisms indicate that the situation in China has changed considerably thanks to demands for transparency and the reform movement. Criticism had hitherto been taboo under China's communist system.

Undeniably, many people have been stunned by the fantastic progress of development in China. The rapid progress of China's economy is phenomenal.

Without intending to ignore the services of Rongji, Zemin and Li Peng, there is a question: What is the special inheritance left by these three leaders? They are even considered to have left more problems than achievements.

Progress made in the past 20 years has had its gloomy side. Many problems, such as unemployment, the tax burden on farmers, bank insolvencies and the badly run pension system are threatening. It has been predicted that China's agricultural sector will be severely hit if agricultural products from other nations flow into China as a result of trade liberalization underlined by the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Unemployment is the most serious and sensitive issue among those potential problems. Under the communist system of economic totality and centralization, the state guarantees the right to a job, so there is no unemployment. Job losses amid economic and trade liberalization could be really harmful and troublesome.

-- Kompas, Jakarta