Earthquake impact
Am off back down to Sichuan to do a few more stories on the earthquake.
But before I go, I'd like to throw out a few questions I've been thinking about. Would be grateful for your thoughts...
1) How has the earthquake changed China?
2) How has the earthquake changed the way the West sees China?
3) The Chinese government acted with unusual openness during the earthquake - and it has been widely praised for it. Does this openness set a standard that the government will feel obliged to follow in other areas (eg access to Tibet?) Or will the old rules still apply?
Let me know what you think.
I’m 
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Hi James, again I post my response first.
1) Yes, the earthquake has changed China. Not only that, the Tibet turmoil has also changed China. China has never stopped changing for the past few decades, and the change is not likely to stop anytime soon.
That is exactly why, we need tolerance and understanding. The People's Republic of China is so far only 59 years old, comparing to USA and Britain, it is still an infant as a republic nation....therefore, the tolerance and assistance for it to learn is vital.
2) The earthquake (and the Tibet turmoil, and the Olympic torch relay...) has definitely changed the western views on China. Not only that, it has changed many Chinese views on China itself. Chinese as a people, and China as a nation has never been observed as so unified and open before, especially in such a huge scale and positive manner. The collective spirit of the Chinese that was traditional perceived as a "brainwash outcome" or a threat to the world, has now been seen as an unbeatable spirit of humanity, of affection, and of compassion. China is ever more closer to the west, as well as the west is ever more closer to China.
3) The Tibet issue is not new, and China as a country has its policies and principles that need to be consistent and lawfully adhered to. I think it is not only, if at all, about the change of the Chinese government, but more importantly it is about the way the west look at and tackle this issue. I hope when the west is not so biased and arrogant as it has been, the Tibet issue will be much more easier to resolve.
China is a nation rising from the rubbles.
This earthquake is a nirvana of a great people.
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Dear James,
In July 2006, I saw your short presentation from Wuhan, when you were soaked by the swell from the Yangze River. I thought the whole presentation was so appropriate or perhaps "cool" (in US English). At that time I was aprehensive about coming to work in China.
Now I'm here in Shenzhen. I have been so moved and impressed by the way that all the Chinese people around me seemed to be galvanised by this sad event. From the poorest to the richest, they seem to have felt the effect of this disaster so deeply.
The owner of the mid-size college that I teach in donated 100,000 RMB - from his own pocket.
The Chinese head of student affairs displayed very moving photos of the aftermath and the suffering in the lobby. The whole staff, Chinese and foreign donated a suprising amount of money.
I was a liitle annoyed to be awoken on the Saturday morning by "gentle" orchestral music blaring away in my building complex until my Chinese girl friend Veronica explained that they were collecting money for the earthquake victims
In the cental square of our district (Shwei Wei Cun) there was music and an organised group pleading for donations. We went to make one, and suddenly the girl at the desk started to make an announcement. Veronica explained that the whole crowd was applauding because a "Foreigner" was giving 100 RMB to the fund.
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I'm from Britain but friends of mine here in China believe that in the age of modern communication the government was left with little choice but to act openly so they decided to ride the wave of information rather than try to stem the tide. Nevertheless it was a wise choice and one for which they have rightly been praised. As to the future we can only wait and see. Perhaps we should watch and see how the government reports the inquiry into why so many schools collapsed. People I've spoken too here feel very strongly about this.
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There are something missing in these three questions. Maybe it's typical for a westerner who assigned to China for a couple of years only interested in something new. But I think the responsibilities of a journalist in an unfamiliar country is to try to paint a ture picture.
Leafing through Chinese history, not much have been changed in terms of government and military response to natural disaster. The only difference this time is that the westerner can see it themselves up close. So, in fact, what your questions implying here is of the openness of Chinese government, that is what you are really interested in. In this regard, I would say, 'nothing really changed, the new openness you more or less perceived only is the result of a more confident Chinese government reacting in a globalised world'.
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1) How has the earthquake changed China?
This earthquake and the Olympic torch relay united all of the Chinese people. It's very important because our Chinese people paid all our attention in the economy in the past 20 years, maybe something we forgot are important for a nation.
2) How has the earthquake changed the way the West sees China?
a. Chinese sodiers love their people more than themselves, so, how can you believe they will kill our fellow Chinese(Tibetan are also Chinese, that's the genuine thoughts of everyone in China! )
b. Chinese gov. cares their people much more than western countries(compared with how Buch acted in Katrina Hurricane.....), so, the Chinese people are not headwashed, most of Chinese trust gov. Only this gov. can try their best to save to rescue to help our people.
c. The Chinese are friendly to foreigners, and hostitable.
d. If you western people want to know China more clear, pls come to China. I admit that there are many flaws in China, but there are more merits you can find in China.
3) The Chinese government acted with unusual openness during the earthquake - and it has been widely praised for it. Does this openness set a standard that the government will feel obliged to follow in other areas (eg access to Tibet?) Or will the old rules still apply?
Before you access to Tibet, learn some histories first.......
And before the riot in Tibet, there are a lot of chances you can interview Tibetan. Pls tell me what did they say? Who support independence?
But, Dalai Lama took advantage of this Olympic year, instigate some mobs to commit a crime. You western media ignored the vedio, but only believe what Dalai said.... How our Chinese can trust you? Why we open Tibet to you who come here to "make" evidences that Chinese gov. crack down the "peaceful protest"!
The situation in Tibet is totally different, because all you know that the western countries support the Tibet independence secretly or publicly.
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1) How has the earthquake changed China?
I think the main change is that all the Chinese people are more united than ever before and they have a strong determination that they can conquer the earthquake together. And people in China give a higher reputation to the Chinese government for their quick respond and effective rescue. Chinese people can recieve all kinds of help from all over the world.
2) How has the earthquake changed the way the West sees China?
I think that most of the West press praised the Chinese government's rescue and they think that democracy situaion is better because every suvivors can have enough food and water, the head of the government also have visited Sichuan for times.
3) The Chinese government acted with unusual openness during the earthquake - and it has been widely praised for it. Does this openness set a standard that the government will feel obliged to follow in other areas (eg access to Tibet?) Or will the old rules still apply?
I think that the Chinese government will show more truth to the world especially the Tibet issue. This earthquake is not a political issue , it is a natural disaster. So it is nature for the government to show the truth. On the other hand, people can know more about the situation in Sichuan , and prepare more things that are in badly need in there.
In the future, the government will show more truth about some political issues ,like the situation in Tibet. More and more western people will know the real changes in Tibet.
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Well, my answers are:
1. It made Chinese more aware of their surroundings and made them realized that Chinese can unite and mobilize too.
2. Well, I think it proves to the west, especially to Jack Cafferty, that Chinese government is not goons and thugs. Don't know though if Mr. Cafferty can accept the reality.
3. Social stability and unified nation is still above everything. I bet that the citizens think the same too. Of course the Chinese want their government be more transparent and more accountable. But actually since Deng Xiaoping reform, especially after 1989, the Chinese government has changed their stance and give more freedom to their people. The Tibetan crack down recently wouldn't have happened, if the demonstration stayed peacefully.
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I think one thing that certainly shows China and the Chinese Government in a positive light is the sharp contrast between the aftermath of the earthquake there and the situation in Burma.
On the one hand we have seen the Chinese troops quickly mobilised into action, the people rallying together to help, and the government allowing complete transparancy over the situation and openly welcoming aid and help from every corner of the globe. While on the other, we see Burma completely closed to the world, reports of vast areas of the affected areas still without aid or any sign of help with just the locals doing whatever they can for each other, and huge amounts of international aid blocked from the country, with what can get through repackaged into government boxes first so the people can't see where it's come from.
Certainly there is still a long way to go for China to be seen in a positive light, the earthquake hasn't changed the very real concerns over human rights and political violence and imprisonment, but it has at least shown that things are moving in the right direction and the situation could be a lot worse.
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1) How has the earthquake changed China?
People are more warm-hearted and more united. The society now cherish indivual lives to a greater extent. The government is more confident to allow press freedom. More people, like myself, now believe the government, although not democratically elected, is acting on its people's interest and is at least learning and improving.
2) How has the earthquake changed the way the West sees China?
May balance off some negative views and convince some people that China is improving and is not as bad as some people would think or describe. But during the long term, this single event has only little effect.
3) The Chinese government acted with unusual openness during the earthquake - and it has been widely praised for it. Does this openness set a standard that the government will feel obliged to follow in other areas (eg access to Tibet?) Or will the old rules still apply?
This openness is unusual to some extent but not that unusual as some people think and suggest. If you look at the government's behavious during the last 10 years or so, you would probably know this openness is something that suddenly blows out.
The Tibet issue is far more political. Free access to Tibet may 1) improve the understanding by foreigners to the government's policies in Tibet 2) may incourage the government to improve its policies in Tibet and 3) may expose some Dalai Lama's lies. But it may also harm the stability and economic development of Tibet, which the government regards as the top priority. There is no trust between China and the west over the Tibet issue, so I don't think the same extent of openness can be expected.
Unfortunately, Dalai Lama has become a puppet for the West leaders to manipulate as a way to increasing their political popularity. It is just an area where they can have an excuse to accuse China rather than proposing or suggesting a better and realistic solution to China.
There are 2 questions I want ask those "Free Tibet" compaigners:
How would Dalai Larma bring democracy to Tibet when or if every Tibetan thinks he is a god?
How would Dalai Larma bring economic development to Tibet when people ruled by its government in exile are much poorer than those in China. And in fact many of them are dependant on western aid?
How would Dalai Larma bring religion freedom to Tibet when Dorje Shugden is harshly banned by him?
For those who think China's investment in Tibet only benefits Han Chinese and Chinese are doing culture genocide, who did the investment from the west to China benefit druing the last 25 years? Was our Chinese culture influenced or genocided by the West?
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1) No, i do not believe the earthquake has changed China. Of course, the disaster has brought the chinese people together to help a fellow chinese in a time of great need, but they were prompted to do so by the chinese government with documentaries and shows designed to pull the heart strings of the chinese people; just like when the US filmed documentaries of fallen war heroes to stir up nationalism and gain public support. If the chinese government really wanted to help the people, they should've focused their attention on the growing population of the poor while helping the ones struck by disaster, when i was back in China, beggars with broken legs were forced to sit beside a garbage can and beg for money while some of them were spat on or abused. In the end its all about publicity and not sincereity.
2) Over the years, the west have mostly viewed China as a developing country, but unlike Burma, China has shown the fruits in their double digit economic strength by their recent dealings with the crisis. Even as a developing country, China has dealt with the earthquake quickly and effectively relying on very little on foreign aid.
3)Don't be fooled by the government's willingness to open up. Like I said in question one, its all publicity to gain support for the government only on the international level. By opening up the disaster to the world, the west will see how truly compassionate the government is towards its people and can in turn be used as leverage to justify the state's control over the people; and no, i really don't think the government open Tibet at a time like this. With the olympics coming, its not good public image to show soldiers of the state guarding a bunch of rioters. It would far more rational for Hu Jing Tao to show soldiers running around with shovels rather than AK-47s.
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James: A response to your questions.
1) How has the earthquake changed China?
I believe the earthquake has changed how the West subjectively views China far more than it has objectively changed China as a factual matter. China's long and rich history and tradition is filled with tales of disaster and woe. As a people, the Chinese have always "eaten the bitterness" and continued forward. It is this very fact and longevity that allows the Chinese to be considered one of the world's greatest civilizations.
With regard to objective changes, both the Tibet issue and the earthquake have unified the Chinese people and solidified their support behind the CPC's adept governance. As observed, the Chinese are historically not the best at closing ranks with unity. The CPC was the first to truly unify China and it is this unity's potential which threatens those external to China. Yet what the West fails to realize is that the unity itself is fragile, because it is not inherently natural for the Chinese culture. The CPC's less than lassiez-faire attitude toward governance is therefore in part necessary, and yet subject to deep scrutiny by the Chinese people who naturally resist such a scheme, historically.
In recent years, however, China's economic growth began to show the Chinese people the need for unity and central control in order to be competitive in a globalized world dominated by the West. The misgivings of wrongful applications of this power by the CPC (Cultural Revolution, etc.) peaked in 1989's Tiananmen Square and was then replaced by renewed faith as gained by rightful applications via economic progessivity and growth, taking us to today's modern and strong China.
Unity has since been further strengthened in the past 4 months in light of the PR/media ambush of the Pro-Tibet movement in undermining the Beijing Games and the CPC's response in light of this earthquake. In hind-sight, perhaps the protesters and the biased media have done China a great favor. Without the pre-galvanization and unification of the Chinese people world-wide, who's to say that the CPC would have handled the disaster quite as effectively as they have, with as much public support and with as little internal criticism?
This leads to a fundamental conclusion that escapes most Westerners. If one is to be anti-CPC, the best weapon is to leave China alone. The CPC has enough trouble with the natural Chinese procivility for internal squabbling and traditional and logistical problems with moving a nation of 1.3 Billion people forward in one direction with any amount of speed or haste. When racked with self-doubt as caused by internal unrest, the CPC makes errors, especially in handling disaster situations or PR/media crisis.
However, the people's response to 3.14 have galvanized the government. And that newly galvanized government have, in turn, galvanized a subsequently stricken people with swift action and relief. With the economy still churning in the background, even in the wake of tragedy, the big winners today are the Chinese people, the CPC, and the unity of all China. The Chinese, of course via the support of modern day communications, have finally learned to close ranks and unify as one in the face of external threats. China has finally learned that priorty placed on internal dispute is incompatible with the needs of China on a modern world stage.
2) How has the earthquake changed the way the West sees China?
This has been a big change. The West, when looking at China, has always approached with the mode of critcism first and foremost in the mind, followed by other thoughts such as understanding, compassion, and communication.
The earthquake has taken the criticism card out of the deck as the first card to always be played in Sino-West relations for a limited time, with the result that the West is finally about to see and understand China and the Chinese people BEFORE resorting to criticisms and fault-finding.
Even then, those like Sharon Stone or the slashes as China's one-child policy in the wake of the quake show that the critism card is surely to return to become the top card in the deck once again. But in the meantime, this glimpse of China that the west sees through a media more focused on compassion than condemnation is important to the public understanding of China as a complex and great culture and people.
The economic growth and China's awakening and emerging presence has already fueled more interaction. More and more Westerners are beginning to take Chinese as a language and visiting and living in China. These are the in-roads to a view of China as a nation and a people, as opposed to deeply ingrained McCarthy-istic conceptions of China as a horde of Red.
It's too easy to blame and criticize China. It's far more important and productive to understand China, communicate with China, and listen to China's voice. Only via this can Chinese defense-ism be alleviated, and both sides can stop being "afraid" of the other side's "intentions," and realize that the Chinese are just people too, do what they can, the best that they can.
When the media does nothing but criticize, it helps the politicians and the racists prey on xenophobia, sinophobia, and blame-shifting. When the media reports evenly and humanizes, we make progress. Sadly, it took an earthquake for some progress to be made here; let's hope we do not revert back to our old ways again.
3) The Chinese government acted with unusual openness during the earthquake - and it has been widely praised for it. Does this openness set a standard that the government will feel obliged to follow in other areas (eg access to Tibet?) Or will the old rules still apply?
Tibet is still a Chinese internal matter, a relationship and history that the West fails to understand beyond the surface. It is correct to respond to the needs of the people in the face of disaster. But it is still also correct to protect the nation's sovereignity. Hu Jin Tao does not meet with IRA/Sinn Fein leaders about the Irish independence movemnt, he does not meet with representatives from the Sioux Nation deprived of the Black Hills in SD or the Hawaiians deposed of their monarch and annexed without plebscite. So long as the DL continues to cater to a willing West bent on imposing a self-granted moral superior authority over China, China-Tibet policy cannot and should not change.
This, make no mistake, has the support of the entire Chinese people. There is a baseline of lack of respect here. The self-given right to such interference is what makes Chinese defensive-ism bloom. China has never interfered in the affairs of the outside world, whether or not they were sinful/immoral actions or not. To criticize China's handling of Tibet is both procedurally incorrect as a matter of sovereignty, but also objectively incorrect as a matter of fact. The progressivity of movement away from a theocratic authoritarian regime based in nepotism, full integration of church and state, superstition and classism toward high life-expectancies, education, health-care, and standard of living should and would be applauded anywhere else in the world ... but not in China.
There is no human right to a racist state, there is no human right to cultural purity ... Englishmen can move to and live in Wales and Scotland just as much as New Englanders can move to Hawaii. The Tibetans have their culture and steps have been taken for its preservation. But to say that Han are to be prevented from moving and settling in Tibet as a matter of race? Germany for Germans is Nazism, America for Americans is KKK nativism, Tibet for Tibetans, however, is a rally cry of freedom? You tell me when that begins to make any sense.
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Hi,
James,
I've been reading your blog since the earthquake has happened.
I became interested in what western people really think of Chinese and China.
While some of your comments i found it hard to agree with, i do appreciate your efforts in writing what you see and what you think in China. And i know it must have been not easy.
I also find your questions very interesting, so are all the comments posted by other readers. am willing to share mine too.
1) How has the earthquake changed China?
Earthquake certainly has influenced China in many aspects (emotionally, economically...) Every Chinese does his best to help the people affected by earthquake, especially our government is really doing its job. However, i wouldn't say that is a change as China/Chinese has been this kind of country/people for very long time. The only matter is that many western people never try to understand it.
2) How has the earthquake changed the way the West sees China?
I think what Chinese government/PLA/even ordinary people has been doing in relief efforts to the disaster must have amazed many western people/media. They should realize that there are so many things they don't know about China, and what they have said about China was so biased. I hope western country/people should put down their 'high gesture' and really understand that if they want to criticize something they should know it first.
3) The Chinese government acted with unusual openness during the earthquake - and it has been widely praised for it. Does this openness set a standard that the government will feel obliged to follow in other areas (eg access to Tibet?) Or will the old rules still apply?
what's the old rule? if you mean 'Tibet was,is and always the part of China', then yes, i believe, it will still apply. Tibet matter is an internal affair, we don't need outsider's opinions on that. And we certainly don't allow anyone/any excuse to separate Tibet from China. We also have our rights on deciding how we deal with it. We really hope western countries stop interfering in any way.
It will be hard for Chinese government to be that open on Tibet matter, because we simply don't trust western media when it matters the territorial integrity. Western country has the habit to tear other country apart. We learned that lesson 100 years ago. We will show our true openness when western countries learn how to respect other country's territorial integrity and how to respect different culture.
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I carefully follow what happens in China, I have lived there alone and with a Chinese family, I have a decent command of the language (about 4,000 words) and have studied China's history from 2000 bc to this date (I could study it for ten more years and still be scratching the surface).
I have had great experiences as well as difficult ones, I have seen the newly prosperous and the oppressed. To me China is not better or worse than any country in the world (or more unique or any of the other common adjectives). We should replace nationalism or ethnocentrism or racism, xenophobia or whichever of this feelings is stronger in your country and instead think in terms of human kind not countries and political parties.
When people comment or attack a certain policy of my government (Mexico) or a political leader, I don't take it either as an attack on my country or on myself. Sometimes this doesn't seem to be the standard in China though....
I wish there was more thoughtfull discussion on this blog, mistakes and criticism generate change. For example bush disastrous policies have made him the least popular president, open criticism (has anyone seen the little bush show?) has also helped the democrats win the majority in the house of representatives and the senate. This open discussion of the ERRORS will probably cost the Republicans the elections too.
This is not about whether China is good or bad (even less so it's inhabitants) It is about helping the country evolve by recognizing it's achievements and bluntly calling in it's abuses and mistakes.
Too often I see people justifying actions taken by their government with the US invation of Irak, Hitler or other western tyrants (Mexico has certainly had its share). To me one tyrant does not justify another all should be equally condemned whether they come from my own country or the other side of the world.
I look forward to the day when we can stop blindly defending a concept or a person and really extend ourselves to each other.
As Ziggy Marley says:
Love is my religion...
I don't condem I don't convert this is the calling have you heard...
Keep up the good work James!
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Hi James, The sense of Chinese unity has never been stronger. 'One China' - 'our China' students say. Can you imagine anyone in Britain saying 'Our Britain?'
I'm working south of Xi'an in Shaanxi, where the earthquake and aftershocks have been felt quite strongly
In the face of Tibetan protests, there are a few who are realists, but some men especially vigorously resist any criticism of China whatsoever. That will not change, and such closed attitiudes preclude discussion.
Two things that will not change in the foreseeable future:
1. The reluctance to challenge, question or be seen to question authority. One student, preparing for a practice lesson, had only been given a student's book. No teacher's book. I said he should ask for one. Reaction: I can't- my culture won't let me.
2. Acceptance of things as they are. This goes along with (1). It sounds strange as China is changing and has changed so fast. I visited one small town- single storey wooden houses next to a river 18 years ago, now all concrete buildings. But Chinese in general live with what they have around. So they accept faulty wiring, dangerous situations as normal. Recently because of this I came 2mm from being electrocuted. Comments: That's normal.
This lack of questioning is deeply and historically rooted. Respect of elders, driven out of most people through the education system, leaves few willing or able to think critically.
On the other hand the spirit of warmth, community, helpfulness, even- yes- creativity given the chance (not commonly thought a strength) and sheer fun that I've seen- and especially hospitality are something one doesn't perhaps think of first when one reads all the reports about China, which like most news, focus on the negative. Those qualities, thankfully, are not under threat.
I sometimes think of China as a contrast between the soft and the hard. The harsh aspects- authoritarian, pollution, very basic living conditions for many- and these relationship issues.
Indeed, after the Sunday aftershock, here in Ankang it felt more like an outdoor party. Strange, given what had happened.
Chinese have a remarkable ability to get on with what they have, and not complain. That's a lesson we should learn from.
In the face of this tragedy, that will be a strength.
James, I feel reports are too much an onlookers perspective. There's lots of detail, but where are the interviews? Where is the Chinese perspective? It's good this site includes Chinese reactions, but live news coverage (TV) and general reports could benefit from including more real quotes, dialog. Maybe that would be appreciated by Chinese readers who sometimes criticise a Western perspective.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
To answer your questions:
1. I don’t know how the earthquake has changed China. But I do know that I am changed by this Wenchuan earthquake. I started to read more about Chinese history and geology. I think more about other Chinese now and have determined to do something helpful to the people who are still suffering from natural disasters.
2. First of all, I appreciate very much the real help from all over the world (including the West) during our earthquake. However, I don’t think the earthquake will change the way the West sees China. Jack Cafferty does not merely stand for small amount of west people who honestly showed his arrogant and ignorant towards China and Chinese. I don’t think that he will change his rooted view toward China (and Chinese) in a month because of earthquake IN CHINA! I would be very surprised if he does.
3. If you say “the Chinese government acted with unusual openness during the earthquake”, I bet you stay in China no longer than four months (since you missed the snowstorm news this winter) or your Chinese is not good enough to let you understand the Chinese news. Once you improve your Chinese, (if you like) You can simply use google to dig out the old news to see whether the Chinese government and medias acted with reticence during the snow storm this winter and earlier in 2003 about the controlling of SARS and earlier in 1998 about nationwide flooding.
I do agree that we should open towards Tibet and am glad to see the fulfillment of the world highest altitude 1956 km long Qing-Zang railway. Do you think the old rules still apply under this great change?
Thanks for giving me this chance to express myself in your blog.
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KrSund,
Do you love your country? And how much do you know about China?
As everyone knows, there are 56 notions in China. But there is no racialism, which is different from the West. You Westerners have no rights to talk about China's human right.
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Here are the answers for you, James.
1) How has the earthquake changed China?
The earthquake has not changed China. The majority of Chinese people are always patriotic, compassionate.
2) How has the earthquake changed the way the West sees China?
The west has been trying very hard every minute to divide and conquer China. The earthquake did not change that.
3) The Chinese government acted with unusual openness during the earthquake -
and it has been widely praised for it. Does this openness set a standard that the
government will feel obliged to follow in other areas (eg access to Tibet?) Or will the old rules still apply?
If those thugs who fled to India love being the tool of wetern powers to undermine Chinese sovereignty, the old rules
should still apply. If the communist government gave in to that, it will be overturned and replaced soon.
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Hopefully some Western fear mongers will realize that much of China is still quite poor, and underdeveloped, and this is why the death toll and building collapses were so pervasive and devastating. California would not have this kind of death toll from an earthquake because it can afford very strict standards. Therefore, it is not necessary for Western leaders to go on and on about how China is about ready to crush 'us', stoke up fear, etc.
I'm not sure about the leadership of China, but there does seem to be a genuine fear of, or reaction to peasant concerns. China's history is hardly that of a docile people meekly following the edicts of a king.
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Big things has big impact.
It changes China, It changes the West.
If we care, we feel something, we change.
If the west was shown, if the west feel it, the west change.
It certaintly will fall back a little, but overall the whole world should improve.
The US will ask, can US do it, afterall they have failed in New Orleans, Can UK do it, if the North Sea swallowed Netherland....
The whole world can learn something, would the good side of human nature beat the dark side?
Not long ago, NATO and US targeted China as the main rival, will they change?
Can NATO occupy China like taken Iraq?
If we work on the good side, we have a 'colony ' in Mars, if we work on the bad side, we have a missle station in the moon.
if it does anygood to the west, is to let the West reflect and search for its own shortcoming and direct the world to a better world.
Mr Reynolds, it is your duty , God assigns the duty to you.
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I dont think earthquake, Tibet riot or torch relay changed China or Chinese people. Actually 5000 thousand years history have endowed Chinese people with a complicated national spirit.All Those things which happened recently gave westners more chances to see more about this complicated spirit of China and also gave Chinese people more Chances to realise this spirit which inherited in their blood.
Actually the most effective thing in recent is that China unblocked west media and then Chinese people know how west media did their best to demonize China. As a Chinese I really feel sad to see all those things. Before 2008, most of Chinese people were so nice to outside world,because they did never know how westners are not friendly to them. But now the entire west world and west value lost Chinese people' s trust. That is why I feel so sad. Several months ago I left many comments at different west media when I know China unblocked them, and I just want them to stop what they were doing(I knew I couldnt),because I know how hurt the feeling was when a Chinese people read those biased reports.
Sadly now in China the main-stream attitude of Chinese people to westners is mistrust, anger,even hatred rather than friendship. Before 2008 everything were different.
West media may can change their ways of reporting China to be more objective in short time,such as this time the earthquake courage from BBC are more objective than before. But it is really difficult to change Chinese people's bad feeling about westners which is a serious consequence of biased reports made by west media including BBC.
Chinese people have spent a long time to know and study west values and cultures since the 4th-May-Revolution in 1919, and now it is may a good chance for west to observe China in a more modest and more sincere way.
All 6 billions of us need a peaceful world so firstly we need know each other without pride and prejudice.
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How might the earthquake change China?
Chinese people have always loved China, and the earthquake brings ten thousand faces into focus as the recipient of that love. We see pictures of crying children, doctors, soldiers, injured, dying, and we love them!
In the past when I have seen a Waidi ren (outsider) on the Tianqiao (pedestrian bridge) selling things or begging I have noticed how despised these folk are.
It would be a wonderful thing if the love of country which has become focused on a love for the orphans, ill, and hungry of the Sichuan countryside would spill over into a love of country amongst the migrant workers, and underclass of countryfolk who are trying to make a living in many of China's biggest cities.
It is just possible that the many heroic stories (A Xinzang man risking his life to save a Xinhua journalist, A Chinese soldier risking his life to save a Taiwan Chinese tourist, A Japanese rescuer working into the night to save Chinese children,..) might teach us a new love for our neighbors across the whole of this great country.
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10. At 4:46 pm on 27 May 2008, MikeChen998
Do you really know China???
I think you have never been to China.
Your words are really ridiculous!!!
And I really do not know why you did so hard to make lies to hurt China!!!
Are you paid by CIA???
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1) I wouldn't say this disaster changed China, since China weathered many natural disasters of similar magnitudes. However, I do think that this earthquake caused changes in how the Chinese people feel about our country. Many people, like the young generation in the big cities, are quite surprised at how much they found themselves care and are saddened by the suffering of their countrymen. They are even more surprised at the fact that people around them share similar feelings. For the first time in decades, unitedness and patriotism are in openly displayed fashion.
2) Let me comment on this since I am in US and my American colleagues are the few Americans that are interested in the outside world (as opposed to the world of USA, durr!) by listening to NPR and BBC. They sort of sympathized with the Chinese because it relates them to 9/11, which means that they are less likely to yell "free Tibet" to my face. For the general public (and general broadcasters), they couldn't care less, since China, even with this many deaths, has not replaced Africa as the No.1 place for tragic stories.
3) Thanks to the emphasis by news agencies like BBC, people around me talked about the "openness" of Chinese government in this earthquake twice as much as they talked about the disaster itself. And this is wierd. It made me concious about the clear distance between me, a Chinese, and the western people around me. So my answer to this question is that I don't think the Chinese government will and even should feel obliged to meet this "standard". There is no "standard" being raised here. There are deaths, there are stories, there are tears and laughters and there are lives here. "Standard of openness" is simply not on the mind of any Chinese.
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very interesting blog
I went to china eight years ago
for thousands of years the chinese people have ordered their country and steered it through natural and man made disasters.
this single earthquake will not change china.
the west - by which I mean western governments - and the chinese government are opperating on very different trade levels than they were even 10 years ago. Any tactical or economic stances will be made in either sides best interest.
there are issues with tibet, as there are historically in cyprus, between spain and morocco, and Britain and Argentina. Hopefully negotiation will win out over military action.
time will tell
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1) has earquake changed China?
A hugh question and with no black-white answer.
If China refers to CCP?
Probably no. But it's interesting to note that the reformers are gaining upper hand in the poliburo. This is because the swift open reaction to quake did NOT happen just by chance or Wen's impulse. Chinese poliburo does everything with a clear motive, always!
If China refers to Chinese?
Yes. Quake is one of the catalysts, among recent Tibet and Olympics events, that forced Chinese, mainland and oversea, becoming more united in surporting China or CCP, or both. Is it new? No! From Chinese history prespective, Chinese have alway been more united whenever critical times come alone, when foreign forces are threatening China, regardless who's in power. This is one of the 5000 yrs culture heritage that is deep in our blood, whereever we might be.
2) Has the quake changed how the West views China?
Still, a huge question and with no black white answer.
If the West means powerful neocon and anti-China British Empire Bloc, the answer is NO. They will always act in their own geopolitical interests, with or without quake.
If the West means some media jounalists and some regular Joes, the answer is probably yes. They are starting to see the human face of China/Chinese/CCP. This is partly due to the open media that gave them a chance to see the real Chinese as we alway are.
3) Will CCP open media in Tibet?
NO. Old rules still apply. The reason is simple: the main goal of poliburo is not to satisfy the west media, but to safeguard the stability of China. Facing all the forces (good and evil) towards China at this sensible time, the poliburo will not take any risk to let open media in Tibet.
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Chinakaren:
I believe you may have mis-understood the meaning of my post.
I am Chinese-American and I support China, with regard to both the quake and the Tibet issue.
I would recommend a more thorough reading of my answers to James' 3 questions.
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Think about it: Chinese patriotism is not anything new.
What British think of the patriotism they have, being a recent superpower for about 100 years?
It is natural for Brits to think they are invincible and united, especially after 7/7 in London.
What Americans think of the patriotism they have, being the superpower for 100 years and ongoing? It is natural for Americans to think they are invincible and united, especially after 9/11 in NYC.
Now try to imagine what Chinese think of our patriotism, after being the superpower for 2.000 years, especially after 3/14 in Tibet? or 5/12 earthquake in Sichuan? Our Chinese patriotism and pride for China is naturally 20X stronger than how Brits and Yanks feel for theirs, if we just take a simple linear estimation!
Remember: whenever you talk about China/Chinese, you are actually dealling with this. Now still curious why Chinese call China "Middle Kingdom"?
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I had a nightmare last night. China called in all its debts.
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1. Don't think that the earthquake has changed China, or Chinese. It has simply brought out the patriotism, endurance, and generosity which are at the bottom of the hearts of many Chinese. Indeed, during the Tangshan earthquake, stories similiar to the ones that people are seeing now also took place. Premier Zhou was at the site directing the rescue efforts. The PLA men were risking their lives saving the victims. One survivor from Tangshan earthquake described in his article that when the army arrived, it was pouring, and within seconds, and with no command, all raincoats on the soldiers were wrapped on the old and the children. This is how our army has been all along. And I'm not sure if you have noticed that many Tangshan people were among the first volunteers who arrived at Sichuan to help, bringing with them supplies and money. According to them, they understand the situation better than anybody else, and they remember the help that they received from all over the country. It's time for them to pay back.
2. Hopefully the earthquake has changed how the west views China/Chinese, at least to some extent. For example, it seems that CNN's recent reports on China are more fair than before - but then, it's probably because of the protest against Jack Cafferty's comments.
3. I don't feel very comfortable with your 3rd question. To me, it implies that you have taken it for granted that before the earthquake, "old rules" applied. In terms of openess, China definitely has changed a lot, but the change started a long time ago, not just a couple of weeks ago after the earthquake. The change however has been ignored by the west in the past.
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OR
4) What other experiences have impacted significantly the earthquake assistance reponse?
The Chinese leadership learned from the international reaction to the Burmese miltary dictatorship's refusal to allow aid to storm victims in the name of political expediency. It was not a wise move. The Burmese people suffered--perhaps those in political disfavor by the government suffered more--and talk of international intervention to avert needless death from epidemic disease and malnutrition began at the UN. (The question in mind was: Will the world again stand idly by as now Burma is devastated from within by its army, as the Khmer Rouge did to the people of Cambodia?)
The case of Burma, combined with the upcoming international scrutiny during the Olympics, influenced the Chinese leadership's decision.
The recent interantional scrutiny of Chinese policy and repression in Tibet has already sullied the image the Chinese leadership wished to project from the Olympic Games. Accepting international sympathy by welcoming international aid for earthquake victims made sense from several vantage points.
Firstly, no organization or country can effectively deal with the results of such massive destruction as the Chinese earthquake without some outside assistance. The Chinese leadership might have relaxed xenophobic views of foreign assistance because of the satisfactorily high level of foreign investment, which is no longer seen as a threat. And, the leadership certainly, finally, must have realized, that despite western tolerance for public self expression and official commentary about respecting Tibet's culture and people, western governments have no intention of disrupting Chinese control in Tibet or elsewhere as their business relationships are too important.
Thus, there was more to be gained than risked in accepting international aid.
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Before I discuss James' questions, I'd like to throw out a few questions I've been thinking about.
1) How has the earthquake changed James?
2) How has the earthquake changed the way James reports news?
3) James acted with unusual honesty during the earthquake - and it has been praised for it on this Blog. Does this honesty set a standard that BBC will feel obliged to follow in other coverages (eg don't lie again) Or will the old rules still apply?
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I was in China just after the quake and during the 3 days of mourning. Where it had been typical for China to limit the publication of bad news, during the 3 days all television shows were limited to showing only news, including the rescue efforts. There were no entertainment shows and no nationalistic, heroic movies. It was as though China had moved from supporting the image of a China that can do anything to a very human picture of suffering. It had a significant effect on the people I met during the 2 weeks in was in China at the time. People were glued to the television, even during dinners.
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Well as a foreigner who has lived in China for over 14 years, I must agree that these questions are ones that only a 'westerner' would ask.
The chinese people, more than anywhere else in the world are truly humble people with a great capacity for compassion and togetherness. No where else in the world could you see so many people standing together for a cause (though most people would say its becaused they're brainwashed).
I think sometimes our opposition to the Chinese Government and our 'western' fear of the chinese economy, blinds us as to the real spirit of the chinese people and we need a reality check.
I am not surprised (and neither are the people who understand the chinese people) that eveyone stood together and mobilized massive support in wake of the earthquake....it's the chinese way.
So instead expressing amazement and asking how....maybe we should be asking, 'what else are we missing?'
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The fact that china will be hosting the olympics games this year, I think is the main reason why the chinese government has been so open.
The have received very bad press over Tibet and the olympic torch relay, they see this as good PR.
I don't believe that because of modern communications they are allowing this, it is one of the most censored countries in the world. It allows to show that the country is being more moderate and transparent.
Large scale crackdowns on rural demonstrations in the countryside last year were only announced after 6 months. The big test will be when the olympics have finished and then will the same moderate policies still hold.
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1). I don't know how much the earthquake itself has changed China but I think it has provided evidence of how China, and particularly the Chinese government, has changed by comparison with their reactions to other disasters such as the 1976 Tangshan earthquake.
Also I hope that the Chinese will view the West differently following this disaster. Hopefully widespread western praise of China's reaction to the earthquake will serve to demonstrate that the West is not just "out to get" China but is willing to praise as well as criticise them. I also hope that the aid given by western countries will also help to establish them as friends rather than foes in Chinese eyes.
2). I hope that the Chinese response to this earthquake will help westerners see that China is changing, it is very easy to see the Chinese government as the same as that of 1989 and the Tiananmen Square massacre but I think their response to this disaster makes it clear that they now care a great deal more for the lives of their citizens than they did then. Hopefully this will help westerners avoid despairing at the visible shortcomings of the Chinese government but view it as a work in progress, slowly but steadily improving itself.
3). I expect the Chinese government had little choice but to be open about this disaster because of the number of people directly affected and their ability to broadcast their own stories and views. I understand the first blogs describing the earthquake arrived within minutes of its occurrence, goodness knows how many there are now, it would have been impossible to contain information about this quake. I think the openness of their reporting can be accounted for by the nature of the disaster perhaps more than any change in policy.
However I hope the warm reception their openness had and the apparent lack of downsides will encourage them to be more open in the future.
Regarding the Tibet issue, I think it is likely that the PLA was not as heavy handed as the Tibetan government in exile said, independent reporters' presence there might have dispelled rumours to the benefit of the CPC. Following Western media's coverage of this disaster I hope that the CPC will be more trusting of them and allow them greater freedom within China.
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Since you mentioned 'tibet' in your third question, I have two questions for you, James....
1. Dalai lama took up weapons to fight the government troop, failed and fled to India and was given the Nobel peace prize, has the west lost all it's credibility?
2. Dalai lama claimed he did not send those thugs to kill, burn ..., he could not control those thugs, then he is no longer a "leader" of that group, why Chinese government need to talk to him?
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phoenician88's comment above seems to have overated the importance of foreign aids in this earthquake. Last time I checked, the fund appropriated by the Chinese central government for the earthquake relief stood at 3.4 billion RMB as of May 16, while as of May 18, total donation received was 8.9 billion, among which only 1.2 billion came from overseas (which include donations from HK, Macau, Taiwan and should have also included those from overseas Chinese).
The reason for us receiving international aid with respect to the earthquake is because we want as much relief as possible to reach the affected people as quick as possible. Any other consideration, compared to this one, is not important at all.
If you read the comments on this blog, you may notice one thing which I think is quite interesting: all comments posted by Chinese, and most comments posted by people who say that they have spent time in China, are much more friendly to China and supportive of the Chinese government's response to the disaster. Is this because all Chinese are brainwashed? and those foreigners who have spent time in China are also getting brainwashed?
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Firstly I would like to say I feel you and the BBC have done good job in reporting of the earthquake. I live in N.America and most of the news channels we have has been more focused on other events like the up coming elections. I am really grateful for the news even though it has been upsetting. I worked in Duijiangyan last year and so perhaps feel more connected to this natural disaster (than say the one in Burma even though I are more sympathetic to their plight).
1) I think the earthquake has brought change, but then China has been changing slowly for a number of years now. Due to the openess of the media more stories of the common people were heard - this might make the local government act more responsible or against corruption, now that they are aware that now more than ever not only are the Chinese people and central government are paying closer attention to their actions but so are the eyes of the world. Chinese people may now have more knowledge or courage to make their government more accountable. For a while at least one hopes this will bring out positive changes in government in terms of the welfare of its people. It perhaps will give people hope or reassurance that their government does care about them.
It has also seemed to galvanized the view of the Chinese themselves of their government - for example; many of my ex-students believe now more than ever that Chinese unity means strength for the country and they have become more proud to be Chinese, as a result in spite of the devastation the earthquake has brought in their town and own lives, they have gone out of the way to help others whom have been hit worse. You can say that this is brain-washing of the state or Chinese school system but when you consider these students have been in an International Baccalaureate School where the students are exposed to a western education system this doesn't hold so much water.
2) I doubt that the earthquake will change many people minds about China. It has for once shown the world how unified the country can be (like no other I have seen) but they will put it down to communism brain washing e.t.c. It still remains that too many people do not understand Chinese culture and so do not understand the motivation behind many of the actions of the country.
E.g. the abstinence of entertainment for three days of mourning or that the government had no choice but to respond in a fast manner if it wanted to keep its seat of power, its not mainly because of the Olympics and trouble in Tibet but Chinese people still believe in things like 'Tian Ming', its large army are made up of common people that still hold old beliefs.
I never encounter such ignorance about a culture as I have about the chinese. For a lot of people, what they know and what they form their opinion on is the mainly negative press of China and movies. I applaud the ones that make an effort to understand but I have heard too many well-educated individuals still make jokes about the flied lice and the like here. Many simply don't care. The earthquake is simply another natural disaster on the other side of the world which will be forgotten as soon as it leaves the media just like the Tsunami did. Then we are back to the same old mentions of politics and economics.
3) I think old rules will still apply - the Chinese government will not sudden allow access to Tibet e.t.c. Perhaps I am a bit cynical. I don't think the openess of entirely insincere of course they didn't want such a tragedy to happen and the government reacted in an appropriate way (learning after the Tangshan earthquake). But some smart people in the government did use it to their advantage - the spin doctors did what they are paid to do.
Having said that the Chinese have been very slowly opening up without us noticing so much, imagine my surprise when I read your first blog that the internet restrictions on the BBC had been lifted this year. Not that they can stop all the proxy websites and programs that are present in China anyway those with the education/motive will always find a way.
The government will not jump quickly into anything like opening up or democracy or its human rights issues. I think they will take their own time to do things as they always have. Even though the progress and modernization of China has happened quickly in the 60 years of Chinese history - its feudal and archaic system that has been around for many dynasties still hangs around with a ghostly influence in people's minds. The Chinese government will not change for anyone but their own people. The people will not demand a change until the common person is well-educated enough to realize their own social problems that could take a lot longer than 60 years.
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1) How has the earthquake changed China?
A big question. I hesitate to draw conclusion but I would say how it changed me, an ordinary Chinese citizen who was once 'brainwashed' by the western value rather than CCP propaganda.
I was in Europe when the Spanish railway bombing occured. We had a one-minute mourning. Fellows from Spain were misarable with tears, but not me, nor the French. When we were having this 3-minutes mourning for the victims in Sichuan, I was in tears. I suddenly understood what a 'nation' meant.
And, I think it was important and appropriate to have mourning days, and all that reports on TV. Chinese is a people lacking sense of society. now we know we are also participators. as they were trapped under relics we were not free.
And I decide to donate for the Burma also. I have done so little to help people outside China.
2) How has the earthquake changed the way the West sees China?
I don't know and I don't care. Since there will always be bias, prejudice, misunderstanding and distortion towards others, we need learn to live with it. all of us need self-reflexion.
3) The Chinese government acted with unusual openness during the earthquake - and it has been widely praised for it. Does this openness set a standard that the government will feel obliged to follow in other areas (eg access to Tibet?) Or will the old rules still apply?
an interesting question. This openness began from the torch issue. China is weak in journalism and reportage owning to media control. it seems that official reporters are less efficient than witnessing 'netizens'. most information we had about the torch was not official. It is a funny thing for the west to say we are 'brainwashed' by the biased reports of official media. How do you know that we do not know? the only thing is some people understand that not only China media is distorting,haha.
people do not trust the offical report, and then rumor and scandal arises, ten times more severe than the real situation. with an openness, rumors will lose their popularity. one interesting thing is that some rumors are obviously inventions of a professional team. who are they? interesting.
As a Chinese in China, obviously I have different stand from those outside China. It seams to me 'openness' is good, but has no priority. In China, those who claims openness is 'middle class', like me, like whoever posts their commentaries here( they are definitely not farmers or laid-off workers, trust me). People like me have more complaints about the government, for tax, for corruption, for not having HBO or CNN at home. But I also understand, the gov is making efforts to improve the living and education of the 70% or more farmers. so that are properly fed and also think about 'openness'.
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TO BBC Editor, why my comment in [38] breaks the hosue rule? What's wrong with it?
Shame on BBC!!!!
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Yes, the earthquake has definitely changed China, we have not yet realized the power of the changes.
The whole nation is sending earthquake relief to Sichuan, and we never believed that Chinese people can be so together. As a nation of selfish, no sense of surroundings and other people, which before only ‘money’ is the religion, now many Chinese understood give is happier than to get, helping others is merrier than making money. This makes China stronger than ever.
At the time when Chinese sending their donations, they started to keep an eye on how each cents will be used, and everybody think they have the rights to criticize, and chase any evidence of corruptions, no matter how small it is. We do wish the system can be remained to kill the corruption in the future.
Premier Wen Jiabao just set up a great example of his ‘to do attitude’, we do expect a group of Chinese leaders who like Wen Jiaobao can replace all the old tradition ‘just talking’ politicians.
In Chinese history, nothing can be so transparent, the way the government handles international aids, international media, the true numbers and situation etc. It is the best PR case study of the new Hu-Wen government: how good they can handle big crisis, thus make everybody confident of the government’s ability of facing everything else in the future.
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1, regarding change china, i prefer to say earthquake changes a lot to sichuang, psychologically and physically. but earthquake uncovered something i ve never or rarely seen before, the voluntariness and motiveness of chinese people , the stability of chinese society under unitary regime and government, and some beaurocratic efficiency compared to so-called democratic.
2, i don't know how west views china. and i think thousands could have thousands of china. if in the view of media, i feel a bit shocked by the positive stance on chinese government of BBC's report, given its a bit cynical history. in the future, i still think media may still take a negative view on china while the ethics of chinese government's ruling is continuing to take against that of west.
3, the event is just a one-out-of-99. i tend to believe china still go on with its old rule. china is changing but not changing absolutely like an earthquake.
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I think the earthquake has actually raised the standing of both chinese govt AND people in western eyes, and done a lot to repair the historic damage
We have sen a government that cares deeply about its' people, and a people who are unified.
The govt showed more openness, more determination to do right by its' people, more integrity than we in the west traditionally associate with the regime.
and the response of the people showed that govt and people are far c loser than we thought.
It's also a painful-but-true thought that the contrast with the appalling way the burmese govt handled Nargis was a wonderful propaganda 'victory' for the PRC.
I think - hope - we in the west will be slower to judge china - and quicker to try and understand her perspective.
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You asked 3 Questions.
(1) I believe that this tragedy has drawn the Chinese people closer together and made them think of others rather than just the immediate family.
(2) The West I believe are impressed with the rapid response, and the ability of the Chinese to manage the logistics of the rescue operations without delays. It shows that China is not the primitive, disorganized and divided country she once was. I shows that the armed forces, the backbone of the rescue effort is organized and disciplined and human (not robots). It shows that the Chinese have engineering skills at different levels of their organization. It shows that the leaders in Beijing are not simply wax-work icons and they too have feelings. It also shows that China did not immediately ask of outside help in desperation, but had her own resources and expertise to call upon but did not reject offers of help.
(3) This openness showed that China was not a closed dictatorship afraid of outside friendly and sympathetic journalism but was also capable of clamping down when malicious, prejudiced and demonizing journalism was practiced, aimed at discrediting the PRC either for sensationalism or malicious political propaganda. That some matters that are considered "internal matters" should be so respected. That China will not tolerate subversion of the PRC in any form.
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!) boots the nationalism to a new high. The efficient way of it's government handle the post quake rescue greatly improved China's image in the world. It also setting up a fairly good example for the management of natural disaster. It reveal the serious problem of the public school buildings. I believe China is going to inspect all school building and establish safety standards for all schools
2) The Chinese government does care about their people. Not as the western media so negatively described.
3) I believe so. The Chinese are normally very practical and smart people. If they see it help them they will do it again. Why not?
Access to Tibet? I thought Tibet is already open to the tourist and anyone who want to visit.
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Dear KrSund70
Your post is very well written with great indepth understanding and clear analysis of Chinese society, history and culture. Most of all you are able to effectively apply these knowledge for comparison with events and happenings outside China to deliver strong aurguments on the stand and policies the CCP are (or expecting to take) taking in managing the various issues which are discussed in this blog.
Are you a professor ?
Swift
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about openness. Do you refer the number of the death? a lot more than that.
although i do not like chinese 'netizen' behaviors but i have to say that they are strong. people post their complains and doubts on the internet and stories,opinions spread rapidly. then qu estions were thrown to officials on press conference, and the government has to explain and clarify. a lot trouble with the red cross. they question the price of tent; they are not ware and are angry at the fact that charity organizations have administrative fees. they critized a governor smiling when accompanying Mr. Hu and reporters interfering rescue.
some people are volunteered police. during the mourning days they spotted out website that the hue did not changed to gray and anyone wearing bright colors. they curse those companies or celebrities who did not donate as much as they expect.
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To KrSund70,
Although having to spend long time to study your comment, but I find it worthy and very impressed by your rational thinking and profound knowledge on Chinese culture, history and world affairs. I can't agree more with you.
As YiXin921 had mentioned previous, not until very recent some west media like BBC, CNN was unblocked in China, but to our surprise, we didn't see friendly faces, but indifference, bias, distortions, condemns about Tibet and Olympics are overwheleming. Especially Tibet issue, we can't understand why it is so concerned by the west world? When Dalai Lama left China some 60 years ago, Tibetans were villeins under his regime, and he is talking about "democracy, freedom" every day now? Give me a break! We don't think the tibetans are suffering or their culture are unpreserved at all.
BR//Christine
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1)
People are found more caring and loving than usual. More people are starting to rethink about the value and meaning of life. The mutual-support, love, thanksgiving, and perseverance gained from the quake is the invaluable assets Chinese people gain from this disaster, which could be more precious than what were lost.
2)
I am not sure, until the West (more appropriatedly SOME westerners) is willing to give up the old way of self-righteousness, lack of tolerance, and being prone to be judgemental. I think the quake itself won't change the view of West to China, unless they are willing to change them mindset. I hope they can take the opportunity to do so.
3)
I think China is on the right tract to be open to the outside, and be more mature and skillful to cope with the global neigbours, thanks to the work done by the Western media (even though many could be biased, and self-interested). I hope this move should go on.
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All:
I thank you for your comments. No, I am not a professor. I am a newly-minted law student currently studying for the bar exam ... so clearly, as a way of keeping sane, I have to find ways of distracting myself. :-)
I was born in China, but moved to a very non-diverse part of the US at a young age. I've been educated in American public schools, I have a white wife, and I guess I am about as "banana" as they come (yellow on the outside, white on the inside ... haha).
But I love China and the Chinese people. Often I think of what I did to deserve the life I have, as opposed to any other Chinese person living a much harsher life somewhere in China. I think of my parents, their generation most harmed by the Cultural Revolution, and why they maintain a love of nation and people still, even when the CPC took so much away from their youth and happiness. I look at the reaction of all Chinese around the world to both the unrest in XiZhang and the SiChuan earthquake tragedy.
And I can only come to one conclusion. Clearly, the CPC of today is not the same CPC of 30/40 years ago. And I owe it to myself, my parents, and all that is good to do what I can, when I can, so that all Chinese may have better lives, better tomorrows, at least the necessaries of living, and an ability to be proud of being Chinese. What is clear, today, is that the path to that future lies squarely within the current progress, direction, and efforts of the CPC and the fine leaders we have in place today.
The truth is, the CPC has changed FAR MORE than Western attitudes toward China has changed. All of us here in the West can testify to the fact that life here is still full of greed, intrigue, self-interest, racism both overt and covert, glass ceilings, discrimination, a society run by good old boys and legacies, and a fundamental way of thinking which includes attitudes of "who does China think she is?," China's poisoning the environment, China's sending shoddy goods, China's conquering other nations ... when Western greed, waste, self-superiority, sense of entitlement, domination of world affairs, wars in Iraq (for example), consumption, extravagance, dominates, easily, any sins of China ... especially if looked at from a per capita perspective.
China wants to have more so there's enough to go around (and yet realizing that it may not be fair to other nations to have so many people so let's have a 1 child policy); the West wants to have more so there is more profits, more waste, more consumption, by an already engorged populance hell-bent on having anything and everything!
Any individual, you don't even need to be Chinese, when looking at the balance from a fair perspective, would have their sense of equity inflammed by the facts, and by the attitude that the West maintains toward China.
China's finally fighting against that inequity. China's finally strong enough and has leverage enough to do it. All any of us wants is a fair shake for China. It's been so routinely denied that it's surprised everybody, today, when we've finally spoken up about it. It's about time.
This attitude of "oh, you must have the right to pray or to vote, but keep eating your gruel while I drive my hummer and feast on filets and lobsters" disgusts me. And it's simply a diversionary tactic. Forcing the world and the media to focus on ephemeral "human rights" which costs the West nothing while hiding the fact that far more important human rights in the necessaries of life are being blatantly ignored (because should anything be done about it, it would mean that the West would have to do with less), is the game they want you to play. But Beijing is too smart to be fooled by this game of hide the ball.
China is looking out to provide the tangible neccessary "human rights" for her citizens, as it should rightly do. Thus, the focus on needed resources for continued economic development, metals, oil, jobs and willing acceptance of Western out-sourcing. These are "rights" which are not free for the West to give ... and so note the uproar when China acquires them legitimately and fairly ... Americans complain about lost jobs and shoddy goods when fairly, the job has gone to the people willing to work harder for less ... Americans complain about raised oil prices and metal prices ... when it is just an element of the free market which is the foundation of capitalistic economics. And then they question China's "motives" for such acquisitions and drive the fear of the imperialistic "reds" into the minds of their citizens.
Simply, rights which are free for us to give? We'll not only give them to you, we'll force it upon you. Rights which entitle us having to do without? Over our dead bodies!!!
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To Christine_Liang,
I'm sorry, but in free deomcratic countries the press can be objective and critical of the actions of governments.
This year, the behavior of the chinese people on the internet have shown ignorance, intolerance, narrow-mindness and the inability to handle any sort of criticism or differing view.
You can attack the Dalai Lama, but at least he is advocating democracy and freedom, concepts the chinese have no knowledge of or ever want to achieve.
Finally, the systematic destruction of Tibetan culture and religion by the chinese is offensive. They are not chinese, they are Tibetan!
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Earthquake has not changed China,Chinese has always united against disaster including war,not so long ago million of chinese people died defending China and most died willingly for the country during 2nd world war.And I believe the same unity will always be there during similar incidents.
Certain western media will continue to bash China after this because it will help them to sell more newspapers and so on.Most americans will be oblivious to the happening as there is little concerns of theirs.There may be some turning of heads in Europe but the incidents will soon be forgottened and Dalai Lama who is in fashion will be in the limelight again.
China should not open up the Tibetan issues as long as the mindset in the west remains the same.
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Don't know how "open" all of the government will be ... BUT ...
I have just returned from working in hospitals in Mianyang and Chengdu as part of a medical team, following the Chinese government asked the UK Foreign Office for assistance. We were helped by their FO in working in their hospitals, treating and operating on their citizens, assisted by their surgical and nursing teams.
I believe this is unheard of from the past. Their Health and Foreign ministers visited the team and thanked them for their efforts. But I've not seen a lot made of this on the news outlets, so it doesn't seem to have just been a PR stunt (is that naive?).
The Chinese people seemed very warm to outside assistance (humblingly!), and are clearly enormously resiliant to such disasters ... and the authorities seem to be organising a huge level of resources to help recover from this disaster to considerable effect ... but they've been "open" enough to invite Westerners in too as witnesses, and as active assistance.
It may not change their mindset on other matters, but their government certainly seems to have "acted with unusual openess during the earthquake"
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James:
the bbc did a very superb job in covering the earthquake in the region.
thanks....
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10.34am on 29 May 2008
fairreport:
because the bbc receives a complaint about on merely any reason...they will rejected it.
you should not say: "shame on bbc"....if they rejected it...then redo it.
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James,i have to really let you know that the earthquake has changed China in so many ways.China can never be the same after a devastating ugly earthquake destroyed lives.Never will these parents forget they lost their only child and now the government considering allowing them another child is a great change.
The west envies China because of it's great population and dominating the world market.Otherwise the chinese people are better than most.without them,we would not have basic items.Africa now depends on Chinese goods.
Well.About Tibet,China knows it well and the Tinetans can best answer that question.
Thanks,Mary Lion In Seoul.
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Hi i am a brit living in chengdu the people here are the kindest people you could ever meet i do some volunteer work for earthquake relief going around the hospitals visiting injured children, talking to them and having sing songs with them using the banjo and the ukulele the chinese hospital staff say the therapy is wonderfull i visit 4 people on a regular basis 3 young 16 year old girl students who have lost legs one of the girls is a star i am teaching her to play the guitar she has real posative thinkiing and is still happy after loosing her leg .2 other boy's have lost both legs and i have arranged to visit them when they are out of intensive care i went to do a concert at shifan where all the children are living in tents we went with an internet company from beijing who took gifts medicine and fruit for the chidren the people's gratitude was awesome i wrote over 200 autographs on childrens books T shirts etc wishing them luck from myself and the british people .
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
The earthquake had very many ways on impacting the way; things were done in China....
~Dennis Junior~
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