Dear Chinese friends,
Thanks to Charles for passing on my letter. I promised to post soon so here I am.
In my letter I note that my plan to visit China will be a "business trip", but also one to visit some of my friends made through this forum. To tell you the truth, I am much more excited about the friendship aspects of the trip, but making it a business trip gives me some significant tax advantages!
But I truly would like to do business in the Chinese petroleum business, that is quite true. You all should also be aware that I am cognizant of the ambiguous or "Love/Hate" relationship that Chinese people have with foreign businessmen. I have a pretty good awareness of the terrible history of colonialism and imperialism in China and I in no way wish to participate in any form of neo-colonialism. I also have a great concern for the increasingly uneven distribution of income that is occurring with development, and that remains as probably the biggest single political problem associated with China's miraculous growth in recent years.
My belief is that, to the extent possible, investments in China should benefit those living in the region where the investment occurs. I think it is highly irresponsible for oil companies to invest in countries like Nigeria where the oil is extracted from the countryside and all of the capital is diverted to corrupt political leaders and the people living in the region receive only oil spills and pollution. I would never have anything to do with that sort of situation and simply would not participate in a venture that did not consider the welfare of the people living in the region where the particular project was implemented.
I am also very concerned about the environment and I am working hard on new methods whereby petroleum and coal can continue to be utilized as fuels while greatly reducing the emissions of "greenhouse gases" that are responsible for global warming. This new technology is critical for China if economic development is to continue without massively increasing ecological damage as the great Chinese population demands their fair share of the world's energy resources.
Of course, ethical considerations go both ways. I have heard of terrible stories of a Chinese/American businessman being jailed on false charges in China after refusing to pay bribes to local officials. I am very much uncertain about my ability to avoid such problems and this makes me quite apprehensive about a business venture in China. I would be interested in the experiences or impressions of some of my friends concerning economic corruption in China.
In general, I will, if successful in establishing a business in China, seek to keep capital obtained in China, invested in China. And I will seek to conduct business that is maximally beneficial to the masses in the countryside and minimally harmful to the environment. I think that the Chinese people and all people of the world have the right to demand that global business ventures conduct their affairs in ways that are responsible in terms of the people affected by the business and the environment.
What are your thoughts about this important ethical, economic and political topic?
Tim
