Confucius say, this is good

Half a millennium before the birth of Christ, a Chinese philosopher shared his reflections and insights with those who would listen. Now, 2,500 years later, many still hear the wisdom of Confucius.

Confucius say:

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of 10 years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.

And so it is with a hundred-year goal in mind that the University of Idaho and the Chinese government, via a university in south China, have joined hands in launching a Confucius Institute in Moscow. The curriculum is not a study of the man, but rather, a laboratory for learning Chinese language and culture - and for the long run, developing cooperative muscles so two superpowers can expand common ground.

The institute, one of hundreds around the world, is Idaho's first. It is being forged with both universities providing equal levels of resource. Representatives from Idaho and from China attending a brunch in Coeur d'Alene last Sunday found many areas of common interest, with the potential of greater cooperation across several sectors atop the list.

As the Chinese Ph.D.s and Idaho ambassadors were enjoying a meal together, on the other side of the world, Chinese and American officials were also talking - about an opportunity within a threat. The threat is North Korea, of course, and the opportunity is for China and the U.S. to form an alliance intended to defuse the North Korean powderkeg.

That kind of cooperation is nothing new to Idaho. Under Gov. Butch Otter's leadership, Idaho has for the past decade developed strong trade relationships with China. According to the most recent data available, the Gem State exports more than $600 million in goods to China annually, making it Idaho's third largest export destination. Economists credit trade with China as one factor in helping a number of Idaho businesses survive the Great Recession.

The long-standing perception of a threatening China is shifting as the nation with 1.6 billion citizens realizes the benefits of a free-market economy - an important step on the path toward democracy. No longer is China merely one of the world's biggest producers; as its citizens prosper, it becomes one of the planet's greatest consumers. Talk about purchase power: China's rapidly expanding middle class of 280 million people has $3 trillion in savings. China will indeed make a much better friend than enemy.

That's why cooperative ventures like a Confucius Institute in Idaho make so much sense. We applaud UI officials for embracing the new China, rather than running away from the old.