The allure of a country on wheels
- Source: Global Times
- [00:43 October 22 2009]
- Comments
Nothing better reflects the wealth and vitality of a country than automobiles.
Chinese media cheered at the news Tuesday that China has become the third country in the world to have an annual vehicle output of over 10 million units, following the US and Japan.
But meanwhile, nothing brings more anxiety than automobiles in this country, illustrating the sharp division between the powerful and the underprivileged, the conflict between regulators and individuals, and the tension between the desire for growth and the inherent limits of China's conditions.
In less than two decades, China has transformed itself from a nation of bicycles to an automobile giant, with 55 million vehicles nationwide, a number that is growing at a yearly rate of 10 percent.
It took only five years for annual production to double from 5 million to 10 million units.
The average ownership of vehicles is still low in China. That, together with the country's strong economic growth, suggests promising market demand for automakers. Nearly all of the world's major auto brands are pinning their hopes on the Chinese market to boost profits.
Owning a car is the dream of almost every family. A strong automobile industry is the symbol of an industrialized country.
The vision of a nation on wheels is certainly alluring, both for the government and individuals, but is China really ready for that?
While making it easy to move around, driving sometimes produces more pain than pleasure. The anger toward motor vehicles seems omnipresent. Whether you are a pedestrian waiting to cross the street, behind the wheel eager to get home or simply a rider heading to an appointment, chances are you will be offended easily by tailgating, brain-numbing traffic signs or road detours.
Bad driving habits and poor traffic regulations have made China one of the most dangerous places to drive on earth. It has the highest traffic accident death toll in the world, claiming more than 100,000 lives every year. Without a significant improvement in driving safety, more vehicles on the road will only result in more traffic tragedies.
China has the second-largest highway network in the world, and is also the world's second-largest consumer of oil.
When the annual production of cars reaches the next mark of 20 million units, it will put more pressure on energy supplies and the environment, already the two biggest choking points for China's economic growth.
The auto industry well reflects the predicament China faces during its drive toward modernization: a strong desire to grow bounded by natural conditions, with public ethics and government regulation slow to catch up.
With a giant population dreaming of being behind the wheel, China is driving past a significant milestone on its way to becoming an auto nation. At this moment, we also need to ask what kind of auto dream are we chasing and how should we realize that dream?
Answers to those questions will bring us to a safe future.
