"One of the many interesting facets of the changing kaleidoscope that is China today is the lack of enmity or even derision towards Chiang Kai-shek, the implacable foe of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China," observes Patrick Lawrence, a seasoned South African independent political analyst and a contributing editor of The Star, in his article entitled 'A surprising turn of history' appeared on the latest issue of The Weekender, June 30 2007.
Mr. Lawrence made a tour to the former home of Chiang Kai-shek in Xikou Town during his recent "Linking Zhejiang" trip to China in late May. He and Daniel Makokera, a SABC (South Africa Broadcasting Corporation) senior producer and presenter were among the more than 50 African and European journalists who were involved in this year's "Linking Zhejiang" activity.
Mr. Makokera was so impressed by the rapid development of China and Zhejiang province in particular that he did a 30-minute talk show during his trip there which was later aired on SABC Africa, unraveling Zhejiang Miracle with Chinese scholars.
The other two articles on China written by Mr. Lawrence shortly after his "Linking Zhejiang" trip were separately published by Sunday Independent (June 3 issue) and The Star (June 12 issue). The articles were respectively entitled "Communism in China has become the controlling hand of a capital economy" and "China goes back to its roots".
"(China) is poised to recover its past greatness, thanks largely to its shift away from its former state-owned and state planned economy, as well as to its willingness to engage the world in a Confucian quest to bestow peace and prosperity on its people," concludes Mr. Lawrence in his writing of "China goes back to its roots".