I refer to the Malaysiakini report Hu explores China's centuries-old links in Malacca .

Given our foreign debt of RM306 billion at the end of 2008 (ie, 41% of our 2008 GDP of RM754 billion), the drop in our foreign exchange reserves from RM126 billion in 2008 to RM91 billion in March 2009, a 39% decline in the value of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 2008, dwindling foreign direct investment and a host of other reasons, our economy may not be that well after all, contrary to exterior appearances and feel-good economic statements in the media.

Chinese president Hu Jintao's visit has resulted in the signing of a number of MoUs (‘memoranda of understanding’).

Questions come to mind.

Are we giving away too much to foreign nations with enormous cash surpluses like China to prop up the economy?

Already in Africa, China has been buying up productive farmland to feed its people at the possible expense of the African country's long-term food security.

Will more of our forests be sacrificed to feed China's rapacious appetite for timber and palm oil? Will more hills be sliced and lands be submerged and resources squandered for infrastructural mega-projects?

How much exactly does the ordinary citizen gain from these deals? How do the social benefits and social costs compare? Has a thorough and open economic analysis been done?

How well are the public's interests looked after? Is the public being shortchanged? Can the public be allowed to evaluate the decision-making process and have a say in the decision?

What's in it for the Chinese companies involved? Who has stakes in the participating Malaysian companies and what do they stand to gain?

Have other sensible development options been explored that can maximise the welfare of society in a more equitable, sustainable way?

What is exactly contained in these MoU agreements that the government strikes with China (and other countries)?

Why doesn't the public have the right to be informed and get full disclosure about the details of such bilateral deals?

Before we parade around glorifying just anything that smacks of 'economic growth', it is imperative that the rakyat ask questions such as those posed above and demand that their questions be answered by the relevant parties satisfactorily.