thenotsomightyom

Thanks to CNN Staff and CNN World for the Headline.

Zhu Ronguji served as premier of China from 1998 to 2003 has died aged 97 due to a short illness.

As a young man he was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party in the 1950’s for criticising the economic policies of the Mao Zedong era and then again purged during Mao’s Cultural Revolution a decade later.

In other words he was a survivor, many others didn’t make it. However with his degree in Electrical Engineering and a strong work ethic, as well as an extreme focus on his task, he progressed through the ranks and after acting as the Mayor of Shangai he was spotted for his approach and recruited by Deng Xiaoping.

Zhu tackled corruption and lethargy in the unwieldly Chinese Centralised Command Economy and introduced China to Global Markets. Perhaps he is the reason we can now buy Chinese Garlic and also Chinese Tomatoes are now used even by the Italians.

The reforms he introduced led to a better standard of living for many Chinese and the growth of middle class aspirations for much of the labour market. He took a lot of Chinese out of poverty.

Modern China as with any Country who concentrates on growth has hit the “wall” just like an elite Marathon Runner. Growth has expanded the economy and perhaps the people are struggling to adjust to it. Certainly entrepreneurship and China’s workforce perhaps hasn’t grown together, Competitive Advantage leaves some behind and leads to jealousy.

China is adjusting and no longer thinks that external growth is the key, nor do they want galloping inflation or a population that cannot feed itself. It would be nice if China still was outward looking and wants to work with other Countries to promote harmony and health for the whole World.

Given the hardships and the difficulties Zhu had to face I think he put China in a position where it can contribute and also work with the West to ensure that Global Peace and Wealth is maintained.

Namaste and Thankyou for Reading.🙏

Thanks to TOI World Desk for the Headline.

Ah a “good” billionaire story. Ian Wace is a very successful hedge fund manager who bought an 800 acre remote Scottish Island in 2017 called Tanera Mor and has turned it back into the thriving community it once was.

How did he do it and more importantly why did he do it? They why was basically he saw that the Island was dying.

The how is by investing money to restore old buildings, planting trees ,reviving traditional crafts, rebuilding farmland and creating new communal spaces. The project is also designed to support the wider Scottish Highlands Community.4.5 miles of roads along with paths and other infrastructure needed to reconnect different parts of the island and support the growing number of people working and staying there.

Also eight fresh water ponds have been creating with the planting of hundreds of native and aquatic plants creating around 1.5million litres of freshwater pond habitat. Also about 28 acres of historic agricultural land have also been reclaimed with orchards pastures and other areas of the island being restored.

There has also been an attempt to regenerate traditional skills such as boatbuilding (relating to the Island’s History of Herring Fishing), A restored loom is being used to weave Tanera tweed, there are workshops including sailmaking, breadmaking , art , writing , flower arranging and land management.

A former quarry has been transformed into an operational centre containing offices , accomodation and workshops , while other facilities include a pub, chapel, art studio , cinema, gym and sauna. The idea is not separate private residences but shared space.

One particularly innovative idea , is to offer restorative breaks to Public-Sector workers in front-line demanding roles such as the NHS, Police and Army given them time away from their normal working environments. Around 150 people can be working and staying on the island at a given time.

The innovative nature of the project has led to a wider involvement in the “Highlands Community” with 8000 acres of maniland land gifted to the Coigach Community Development Company with a wider programme to restore properties including Achnahaird Farm and the Summer Isles Hotel(planned opening in 2027).

Tanera was transferred into a charitable trust in 2020 to continue it’s objectives of invigorating community life in the Scottish Islands .

I delved into seeing if any of this land would be used for Grouse Shooting and I could see no evidence of it. I suppose there must be good billionaire’s after all.

Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏