I was contemplating the other day what "China" meant to most people around the world. I thought that more than likely most people who have never been to China think it is still grass huts along a river bank on a mountain filled with rice paddies.

The truth of the matter is that you would be hard pressed to find such a tranquil setting in today’s modern China. China is all about big business and big manufacturing. There may still be meandering rivers and mountains of rice paddies, however, all of that is in between large complexes of factories and dormitories for the workers.

Yesterday’s China is remembered in all aspects of today’s modern culture. However, it is just that: a memory. I suppose that is like any culture we are all hanging on to our past and we remember ourselves as being part of something that was natural and pure.

China has been part of Big Business for the last several hundred years. Think about all of the silk trading and porcelain trading that happened long ago in China. The truth of the matter is that China has always been a key supplier to the world for items that could not be produced anywhere else. Whether it was from labor or raw goods China has always been the go-to country for traders of the world looking to get a step ahead of their competition. So what is China’s Soul today? Before you can understand the answer to that you must first understand that China is a communist country. However, at the same time, it is one of the most capitalistic countries that I have ever been in. On paper this may not seem like it would work, after all they are polar opposites by the text book definitions. However, they are working very well in my humble opinion. You have the right and the ability to become very wealthy here. Yet, if someone does not have the desire for such treasures, they will also be taken care of to a degree.

As long as a person is working in China and paying taxes, they have access to health care. I can name several first-world countries that do not have this. As long as a person is working they can get government assistance for housing. China has a very adequate welfare system as well. The government seems to believe that as long as people are trying to help themselves and the country, the country will help them make ends meet.

So back to the question: "What is China’s Soul today"? I now can sum this up very easily. China’s soul is a self-procuring, self-driven, take care of your own, keep to your own business, and help your countrymen self governing modern day society of compassionate people. Many people may not agree with my assumption here. However, you have to live here to really understand what I am talking about.