The rise of a great power: starting with military industry

Chapter 569 A golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as your own doghouse

During the subsequent exchange session, another interesting topic came up.

That is, now that the country focuses on economic development, how should we correctly view national defense construction.

“War is the highest form of struggle between nations, classes, and countries.”

"In international relations, strength is always the basis for upholding justice, national defense is always the true backing of diplomacy, dignity lies only on the edge of the sword, and truth lies only within the range of the cannon."

Liu Tao gave the answer, "The Chinese nation is a peace-loving nation. Our love of peace does not mean that we do not want national defense construction. On the contrary, only when our national defense is strengthened can we have the ability to make jackals, wolves, tigers and leopards sit down and talk with us calmly."

"National defense construction is like a sharp sword. Having a sword is one thing, but whether or not to use the sword is another."

In recent years, although China's defense budget is not large and has grown very slowly, its annual military expenditure is only about 20 billion yuan.

However, China's national defense construction is very fast. The army, navy and air force are all developing rapidly, especially the army. With the continuous replacement of equipment, its strength is increasing year by year.

In this process, Panshan Group made huge sacrifices and delivered weapons, equipment and ammunition to the troops at almost cost price.

If the American arms dealers followed their practice, the price would be much higher.

Even Panshan Group supports national defense construction by accepting installment payments, tax withholding and even interest-free loans.

This is because Liu Tao is very clear about the importance of national defense construction.

Of course, Liu Tao would not go too deep into the details on such an occasion, because that would involve military secrets.

Liu Tao has always done a good job in keeping things confidential and has never leaked any information.

Not to mention other people, even with his closest people, he always keeps things confidential.

"What do you think about studying abroad for further studies?" Someone talked about the topic of studying abroad for further studies.

It has been 9 years since China started offering government-funded study abroad.

On December 1978, 12, the first batch of 26 Chinese students set off for the United States, opening a new chapter in the history of Chinese students studying abroad.

As the country gradually has no shortage of foreign exchange, the number of scholars and students sent abroad to study has increased rapidly each year.

This year, for example, the number of scholars and students sent abroad by the state increased by 10,000.

Liu Tao did not answer this question directly, but talked about the American education system.

"Has anyone here read my book The Future Belongs to China?" Liu Tao asked, "Please raise your hands if you have read it."

As soon as Liu Tao finished speaking, everyone raised their hands.

"Please put it down!" Liu Tao said with a smile on his face, "It seems that everyone has read this book. I think they have some understanding of the American education system."

"In this case, I will not elaborate on this. I will just give you some data. In 1980, the average annual tuition fee for American universities was $4885. Now, the average tuition fee has risen to $8423. In 1980, about 40% of American families had an annual income of less than $10000, and tuition fees accounted for nearly half of the family income. As for now, tuition fees have exceeded half of the family income!" Liu Tao said. "The current undergraduate tuition fee in American universities is $8423, which is 31351 RMB according to the current bank exchange rate. Which student here can afford 31351 RMB? If you can, please raise your hand!" Liu Tao said.

At this time, only a few people raised their hands, less than ten people.

"I counted, there are nine people in total! What does this mean? It means that all the students here cannot afford to go to American universities." Liu Tao said, "Students here, please remember that you can come to Southwest Associated University to study, and the school did not charge you a penny. It is the country that pays for you. You can even enjoy the state living allowance. If you work hard and get a full scholarship, then your full scholarship will exceed 9% of the people in the country."

"The average tuition for graduate students in the United States is now $3.2, which is 11.91 RMB according to the exchange rate."

As soon as Liu Tao said this number, the whole audience exclaimed.

You know, although there are many more people with an annual income of 10,000 yuan now than before, they are still relatively rare in rural areas.

As for the city, there are not many households with an annual income of 100,000 yuan.

However, the average annual tuition for graduate students in the United States is 11.91 RMB.

With such high tuition fees, who can afford to go to the United States to study?

"For each student sent abroad by the government, the state has to pay 3.2 US dollars. Assuming that it takes an average of six years for a student to complete a master's and doctoral degree, the state will spend 6 US dollars on sending a student abroad for further study." Liu Tao said: "20 US dollars is nearly 20 RMB."

Suddenly, exclamations rang out in the auditorium.

They had never done the math before, but now they know that it costs so much for the country to send a college student abroad for further studies.

"I am in favor of studying abroad or going abroad to have a look. No matter what, it is better to go and see for yourself and understand the outside world. We have been saying it for a hundred years, and it is no exception now." Liu Tao said, "But what I want to say is that a golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as your own doghouse. I hope that students who study abroad will return to serve the motherland and participate in the construction of the motherland after they have achieved success in their studies."

Liu Tao never opposed studying abroad, because China's education is indeed far inferior to that of developed countries such as Europe and the United States.

Liu Tao agreed with studying abroad, whether in Europe, America, Japan or the Soviet Union.

But he was disgusted by those who were gone forever, and was directly obsessed with the affluent life in Europe and the United States, and even evolved into Gao Hua.

That's really disgusting.

He knew why someone would raise this question, because in recent years, some people who were sent abroad to study had regretted their decision and were unwilling to return to China, but instead stayed in Europe, the United States, and Japan.

Panshan Group itself actually has businesses in Europe, America and Japan. For example, Jinlong Computer Technology Group has exclusive stores and after-sales repair points in Europe, America and Japan. These companies all recruit international students, but many people still choose to go to other foreign companies.

Liu Tao was indeed heartbroken when this happened, but he also knew that this was human nature. Only a small number of people were able to remain unblinded by material things and stick to their original intentions.

And those who have achieved academic success and have a comfortable life, but are able to give up their comfortable life overseas and resolutely return to the impoverished China to participate in China's construction, are definitely noble people, so they are very great.

What Liu Tao admires most are those overseas students and scientists who gave up their comfortable lives abroad and chose to return to China. He has personally been to Qian Xuesen's home and knows how poor the living conditions were. The gap in material life was more than a thousand or even ten thousand times!
You have to know that when Qian Xuesen was in the United States, he lived in a big villa, had a car, and had a top-notch salary.

After returning to China, the bonus he received for the "Two Bombs and One Satellite" was 10 RMB, and he took the bonus so that others could feel at ease. Otherwise, he probably would not even have taken the 10 RMB bonus.

(End of this chapter)