Okay, China is no democracy. Political committees determine everything from size of business to size of family. (Clue: Small is better.) Yet the population ranks as the happiest among major nations.
A recent Pew Research poll shows the Chinese nearly 90 percent “satisfied” with their country’s direction and government’s ability to handle national affairs. By contrast Americans grumped in at less than 40 percent, just above the ever-suffering Russians. Certainly a smile factor is the booming Chinese economy. The nation’s GDP growth and private vacations are surging, making camera-bearing Chinese the new Japanese in many tourist destinations. Revving car sales validate the ancient Chinese truth that the longest journey begins with a small step — on the accelerator.
