Beijing must realise need for transparency
The space programme in China has been a big success so far, not just because those involved with it realised strict observance of standards was essential, but because they also knew that if anything happened they would have hell to pay.
On the other hand, in the tainted milk scandal, people knew they could act with impunity, because every point of the milk chain was corrupt.
From the dairy farmers who raised their cattle no differently from pigs, to the dilution of the milk produced, to the addition of industrial chemicals, the entire production chain was poisoned.
There was no enforcement of standards, or even an attempt at enforcement at any point of the milk chain. This is where the big difference is between successful space walks and life on everyday terra firma on the mainland - enforcement.
One of these days, and I hope in my lifetime, the leaders in Beijing will realise that it is just as important to have enforcement of standards and laws in everyday life as it is for major events that demonstrate China's powers, like the Olympics and spacewalks.
This can only happen if you have an independent judiciary and law enforcement and complete transparency in government.
