China celebrated its six decades of communist rule and declared for the rise of a big country. It is not its economic power, but the 1.3 billion people, that is, the quality of the Chinese people, that allows China to remain strong.

China will soon overtake Japan to become the world's second-largest economy. But economic power is not eternal. Take the United States as an example, the financial tsunami has collapsed its economy and it has to depend on the "soft power" propped up by its people in order to promote national progress. The 1.3 billion people are an advantage for China. However, if they are low in quality, it will turn out as a burden for the country.

Some Malaysians have prejudice against Chinese people. They believe Chinese people are "liars, prostitutes and money-oriented". Therefore, they resist to allow Chinese women to work as maids here. The black sheep that have crowded into Malaysia do not represent all Chinese people. A large number of educated talents have emerged in China since its economic reform 30 years ago.

Among the Chinese people I have met, many possess professional capabilities. For example, we could tell that Chinese reporters have mastered professional knowledge through the questions they asked. It is a result of its high population and fierce competition. Chinese people must first surpass their own countrymen and foreigners before they can advance towards the world. It is going to be a powerful force as long as 0.1% of its 1.3 billion people are professionals in various fields.

The younger generation has got rid from the communist and rigid style of the older generation. Just like young people in other countries, they are vigorous and pursue the trend. It depends on this generation born after the economic reform whether China will be heading towards democracy and freedom in the future.

However, Chinese young people must first overcome two thoughts and values:

• The position in the rapidly growing economy. Many developed countries were "drowned" by the financial tsunami, but China was able to maintain high economic growth. However, the four trillion yuan allocated to expand domestic demand and create economic bubbles have led its people to once again, fell into the game of chasing quick money.

  The rapid economic expansion has caused the total number of billionaires in China to rise to the fourth place in the world. The billionaire rankings keep changing but over the past 10 years, among the 1330 billionaires in the Hurun Rich List, 49 of them are facing with "unexpected happenings" with 19 of them have been jailed or awaiting for sentencing.

  Chinese people must re-construct its moral system in order to control their wealth and use it to solve the country's inland poverty and education problems. China's real economy will face a threat if too many people get lost in the economic bubbles.

• Stop fanatic nationalism. The anti-China movement from the West has trigger Chinese young people's national sentiment. Appropriate nationalism and indignation may drive self-improvement but fanatic nationalism may lead to the loss of rationality. The Cultural Revolution is the best lesson to be learned. China needs peace and space to develop, fanatic nationalism may be an obstacle to it.

• In order to become a great country, China should not rely only on its economic power. Instead, it should also carry out political and institutional reforms. The younger generation will determine whether China will become a great country. (By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)