The 'no meddling principle'
China's government swears by a pretty firm rule: each country is in charge of what happens inside its own borders - no one else should be allowed to interfere. Western diplomats call this the Westphalian principle (referring to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 which made respect for national sovereignty a key factor in international affairs).
That's a bit of a mouthful - so it might be easier and simpler to call it the "no meddling" principle.
Here's a question, then. Where does China's "no meddling" principle stand when it comes to what's happening in Burma at the moment? If Burma's rulers don't want to open their borders to outside aid, should China (and other countries) simply ignore the generals, do some meddling, and try to get in anyway?
France has called on the UN to deliver aid without waiting for a yes from Burma's military rulers (by invoking the UN's "responsibility to act" clause which allows aid to be delivered, and borders to be breached, if a government fails to act).
But, for China, this goes a bit far. I've just come back from a briefing at the Chinese foreign ministry where the spokesman, Qin Gang, gave China's position: "Assistance should follow the principle of equality and mutual respect. We should respect Myanmar's sovereignty. We should also have patient communication with Myanmar."
ie - no meddling - Burma's rulers should be allowed to set the pace of the relief effort.
Qin Gang carried on: "We hope Myanmar will cooperate with the international community. We hope Myanmar will overcome the disaster at an early date. China is ready to provide assistance to Myanmar whenever it needs."
In defence of this approach, China would point out that its decision to engage with Burma's rulers has paid off. A first plane carrying $500,000 of supplies from China arrived in Rangoon on Wednesday. China has also offered a further $4.8m in emergency aid (by comparison China donated about $63m following the Asian tsunami in December 2004.)
Still, it's clear that China's not about to approve an unapproved humanitarian invasion of Burma.
Westphalia rules.
I’m 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~07~RS~)
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I totally agree that "Assistance should follow the principle of equality and mutual respect.” It's also a common value of our ordinary people's relationships, isn't it? Aid and good advices are always welcome, but anyone don't have the right to make decisions instead for yourself. That's what we said "respect!"
Any problems happened in Burma should be sorted out by their own people and their government, other countries and people may give them genuine assistances and suggestions, but it is up to Burmese to make their final decisions.
I do believe there are loads of problems in Burma. However, do you believe Burmese people expect any invasions from foreign countries? Look what's happened in Iraq and Afghanistan, we already have had enough lessons.
God bless Burmese.
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"Still, it's clear that China's not about to approve an unapproved humanitarian invasion of Burma."
Why do you say that James Reynolds? Are you saying the Burmese government needs Chinese government approval before they are allowed to accept aid? I think it's clearly the Burmese government who is declining foreign aid, and they have every right to do so. No meddling means let a sovereign government to determine on their own if they need outside aid or not. No country has the right to breach the boarder of another country.
It's interesting how you twist the facts to say that Burmese government is a puppet regimen of China.
By the way, you are famous on youtube. You made a name for yourself for your China reporting!
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This is not news report, this is Double Talk. And surely you could do better than this—"Still, it's clear that China's not about to approve an unapproved humanitarian invasion of Burma."
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People should think more about why Burmese dont want to accept aid from some west countries. Do not just simply think that only the government dont want and Burmese want aid from west! If this disaster happened in China,most Chinese people would rather even choose to die than accept aid from some West countries which do never respect China, especially after what happened in recent. This is a very important thing in East Value that the dignity is more important than life.
If west powers could learn to respect and give more understanding to other countries, today Burmese do not have to suffer so much pain.
In 1976 there was a terrible earthquake in Tangshan,China. In that time the culture revolution just ended and the situation was very difficult, but China still rejected all aid from West. I can not give these kinds of rejections a judgement, but I totally understand these kinds of feelings what is just the feelings of Burmese now.
At least Burma want to accept aid from China. I believe that Chinese people would like to give them support as far as they can.
Blessing Burma
To some west governments: Stop blaming, have more self-reflections.
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Must be joking! Why do you think the interference of China will gain easy access for UN's aid?
Even the disaster in Burma will not arise someone's sympathy but is used for dishonoring China, another Asian country.
I was expecting reading a mourning article over the gloomy death toll but, my mistake to get in the blog.
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What good did the US' meddling in Iraq do for the people of Iraq? What good did it do in Vietnam?
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The problem started when the US tried to use the disaster as a key to open the door to Burma for its troops. May I ask why the US insist on sending its navy to send aids to Burma while it is common knowledge that Burma is suspicious of US? Why not through red cross or Burma's neighbors? Maybe it is time the west stop trying to politicize everything, especially the natural disaster that claimed so many lives.
Besides, as far as I know, China doesn't really has that much influence on those generals in Burma. Thailand is the largest trading partner for Burma and US plus France oil companies hold the largest leverage on those dictators. Maybe Mr. Reynolds should talk to them first.
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James,
good title to the blog.....
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James,
to put things into perspective, let's look at a simple scenario bearing striking similarity with Burma: In 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, millions of people has been effected and tens or thousands have become homeless. The nation of North Korean has made a statement saying the government of North Korean is very concerned with the suffering in New Orleans and is particularly concerned with the slow speed of government relief coming from the Bush government. The government of North Korean is willing to send a team of humanitarians, food and other essential supplies to USA in order to help the people in New Orleans.
Now guess what the America government replied: we welcome any help but please join the queue and apply for Visa before sending anyone to America.
So James, by the same standards applied by the American government, I hope you can understand why the Burma government should have an say on any "humanitarian invasion".
Of course, from your point of view, the Western government holds the moral high ground and therefore is always right to distribute, forcefully if it may be, "humanitarian invasion" and Western-style "democracy" to the rest of the world.
But, I hope you would agree, the world is of course not a black and white place, every country, including Western countries has its own national interests. and the truth is, the western governments have always had the habit of putting their national interest in front of others.
For this reason, at the receiving end of the "humanitarian invasion", China, and other developing nations, have called for the principle of mutual respect of other countries sovereignty and national interest.
Now if you put it this way, the Westphalia principle doesn't sound so bad does it?
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Oh, China should meddle. (And it already does). However, they should meddle to replace the inept government. Ideally with a democratic government (fat chance of that, considering this is the PRC), but even a more-or-less competent autocratic regime (as in China) would be a step up.
As a general rule, Westphalia principles should stand; something the United States should consider in its foreign affairs. But not when hundreds of thousands of human beings' lives are at risk.
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James, i am glad the British general audience here can tell what you are trying to manipulate...(a technique that you referred to as "brainwashing", often have a pre-fix of "Chinese Communist").
History has proven that, the western "humanitarian invasion" imposed to those third world countries are NOT working, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea...for examples....the list can go on and on and on and on...
The reason of West failing? ...No Respect!
The first delivery of aid relief to Burma, brought by whom? CHINA!, not the west.
Who else can bring the Olympic flame and the spirit of international unity to North Korea? Only CHINA!
Take a moment and revisit yourself, once you get rid of your arrogant superiority, can you then receive other countries respects.
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I have been a BBC World Service fan for some 60 years. Current affarirs have alkways been my main interest and throughout the years it is clear the Western world approaches are not always acceptable to those of us lviing in the "Far East". It's a question of culture. Rudyard Kipling once wrote "East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet" He understood something which many Westerners don't. Maybe it has to do with our root culture defined by religious beliefs. Buddhism which as deep roots in the East teaches one to believ that we alone are responsible for our own lives. I think because of this Asians tend to hold to the "no meddling" approach. What the Chinese Govt. has stated is in compliance with this. If there is enough meddling there will always be avenues for friction and then what --- is anything achieved. Bush unilaterally decided to save Iraq from Saddam Hussein --- what is the result. If you want to meddle in the affairs make sure you have the mores of the old Imperial powers! The people in Myanmar must take action into their own hands be it huminatarian or otherwise!
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Hehe, we interpret the sudden openning of the so-call great wall for western information hegemony as consequence of the sudden credibility bankruptcy of western media.
James has just contributed another blow to BBC's credibility. By pretending innocent, James once again reveals the true attention of western media: invasion aided by media hegemony. Once again, the hidden message in James' script severs to counter its surface value.
It is time for BBC to work hard to win back its global readers by repairing its credibility if BBC really wants its business to grow.
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What's going on in your mind, James? I see nothing wrong with China's view on that matter? Do you mean that if China says "Free World. Please knock down Burma's doors and send in help." Then it is politically right? You sound a bit ridiculous here.
Why blame China for Burma's problem? If your country want to do something right, why don't your country just do it. Like in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Suppose during Katrina, China says, "Come on, you stupid Bush government. Let us help with our troops." Would that sound right?
China, at least, has the right to voice its opinion on the matter. Burma is an independent country, they have the right to shoot anyone who enters its territory without permission.
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The condescending tone of your report in describing Chinese foreign policy is the epitome of everything that is wrong with Western attitudes towards China - complete and utter disrespect.
We have got to start teaching Chinese history in our schools.
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James, when you hear the phrase “international police” outside a certain country / countries, it is not a compliment. I don’t believe what Myanmar’s government is doing is humane, but Myanmar as a country can and should make it is own decision.
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James... James... James...
what should i say, just as i was having a little faith in you, you've just let yourself down again!!!
please get your head straight! bearing this "cold-world" like mentality isn't going to help your career in China, or perhaps you are due for a transfer?!
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I thought the Chinese had already promised $50 million according to the BBC, please get your fact right before opening your mouth, like the blunder you made in early April regarding the torch.
Also, what is the point you are trying to make with your article? Are you suggesting someone should go in gun blazing no matter what? well, that's the impression I got from reading all that.
My personal opinion is that, people in Myanmar are doing all they can to help themself, along with their Asian neighbours. Leave them be, and help only when asked.
This is hardly a political issue, and do not make it into one.
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what's that you're saying nullbrain? No country has the right to breach the boarder of another country? so does a government have the right to kill their own people, either by inaction in facilitating the distribution of aid, or opening fire on peaceful protesters? is the world expected to sit by and watch the people of myanmar die by the hundreds of thousands of disease, exposure and starvation because they don't want to violate the military junta's precious 'sovereignity'? what a ridiculous suggestion.
with climate change, these sort of disasters will begin to happen more and more. as a global community, we need to be able to move aid as quickly as possible to people who need it, especially in countries that don't have the emergency response capability to handle it themselves.
and people who choose to lecture about 'rights' do themselves a disservice coming to the defence of tyrants.
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China seems to be helpful to Burma.
In fact, they are just doing their business.
Burma's location is strategically important for China.So China wants to see the government which is in good relation with them.And China doesn't want to see democratic government in Burma.
That's why China supports that shameless, selfish, narrow-minded military junta (who rules the country without any consideration for the people). That's the reason they keep shouting their "no meddling principle".
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This is one case in which the no meddling concept does not apply we have a very serious situation happening on the ground in Myanmar one in which could potentially affect the rest of the world if the disease's are left unchecked because there will be refugee's heading to Thailand and they potentially could bring those disease's to Thailand and then those disease's could infect people in Thailand and then those disease's would be picked up by tourist's and then spread around the world so in a situation like that the world must act and must do so by any means necessary to protect all the citizen's of the world The United Nations must take a stand on this and demand that the government of Myanmar open it's borders to aid or else face very severe repercussions
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The no meddling principles not just China bust the ASEANs'... That's how we're all suppose to get along or disagree, and not resort to a shooting war. Of course the USA and Brits want China to agree with them all the time, that includes agree with the USA and British invasion and bombing of Iraq and Afghanistan or any food or aide blockade they wish to impose on any country they want to (didn't Bush want to impose one on Burma a while back?)... ironically now the USA and Brits also want China to agree to their forcing their way into Burma.. when the Chinese think their's a more diplomatic way to bring in aide.
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Dear James,
Hi it's me again here! After the Hong Kong torch relay, you have been 'dissapeared' for a couple days and I've been so worried about you! Great to see you back again here!
It seems that you have started to do a lot of research about our country from now on, which is good. You probably might actually realize that reporting about China is far more complicated that you might realize at the beginning. The thing is , for 5000 years of history , with 56 different ethnics, different regions, China itself is already complex enough. You have been to Hong Kong, now you're on China, and you might already feel the huge difference among the two areas.
Last time, what I actually meant was HK people are used to be NOT that pro-China. (Sorry for my typo). But thanks for the western media, who had been unfairly reporting china on a one side based, all Chinese (Inlcuding HK) are united as never before, which I think is a good thing.
It is getting hotter and I know that your trip is going to get tough. Take some more rest because your way to Beijing is not going to get easy. Appreciate your hard work because at least you are showing that you are trying to understand us and our culture, which is a good thing.
By the way, I saw you on Youtube. You are really getting famous now. For your information, all the media including in China and Hong Kong DID report a lot about the torch relay incidents in Paris and London. So it is not that China always 'hide' the negative news. They are improving, at least, I could type my last message in Shenzen , China.
Wish you well!
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why someone will check my post in BBC?? NO FREE SPEECH IN BBC, EVEN WORSE THAN CHINA'S STATE OWNED MEDIA
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James, a simple question to you: if your house is flooded, your brother is dying, somebody living in another town told you that I will come to help you, but you know he does not like you, he might be interested in your wife, he might have plan to kick you out your house and become the new owner of your family. What will you do?
I think the Chinese government's policy is absolutely right: respect other country and help them in practice, but blame them aloud and say I want to help you. It is too hypocritical.
James, you have been completely brain washed by your western society. In eastern, if you want your voice to be heard, you must learn how to respect others.
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China, China and China!!! please, 100 000 human lives lost within 24hrs. in Burma should be more than enough for you to act swiftly than talking about your 17th century rhetoric of 'non-interference'. Last time, when over 250 000 people were killed in Sudan, you were again talking about 'business' and 'non-interference' in the UN. This time again when 100 000 people are dying in Burma, you use the same language. 'Westphalia' is a concept, too old to be understood in the context of our contemporary reality of interdependence and globalization. China as well as the international community should have better orientation regarding the use of the concept. If it is not discarded from the vocabularies of realpolikk, at least should not be hijacked by those blood-handed regimes and dictators. But, for now it is time to act than talking rubbish. The international community, particularly China have the responsibility to act in Burmese people's hour of need.
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Dear all who put their comments here : I agree with lots of your points, however , with Burma's current situation, it is really difficult to put a judgement with the reject. People are dying here and instead of debating , no matter in what way, food, water and medics must get reached to the poor people asap , whom all are innocent.
PS. Please have some respect while replying some comments out here. Listing the points out is good but it would be more appreciated if they are in a polite way.
You earn respect only if you start to respect others. Please give some respect to James, at least he shows a willing to learn, otherwise all these comments would not be showing out.
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Perhaps we should be grateful for China's no meddling principle.
China has disputes with most of its neighbours - Japan, Russia, Vietnam, India. But it is trying to solve them by adherence to International Law. China has a growing military plus nationalistic public opinion. If in addition China was not committed to established International Law the world would be very dangerous.
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After seeing the gross misinterpretation of the English language in comment #2, let's get something clear.
"Still, it's clear that China's not about to approve an unapproved humanitarian invasion of Burma."
The 'approve' may simply mean to agree or disagree. Given China's policy on foreign governments and sovereignty as described clearly by James, of course the Chinese government will not be approving of unilateral aid action.
People have also forgotten that China has a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. James therefore may also be implying that China has the option of using the veto vote.
Great post James and far better than your earlier ones. Anger on both sides of the fence produces nothing and I hope you can see China "as-is" and analyse the situation by yourself rather than relying on stereotypes!
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Call me a conspiracy theorist but it seems that there is a concerted and not at all co-incidental or 'organic' campaign against Western correspondents in China - and poor old James in particular.
I don't think James' naivety and obvious lack of deep understanding of China, the Chinese or - perhaps most importantly - the Chinese language, helps his cause. However, I think the flak he suffers here and elsewhere is excessive.
I wouldn't be in the slightest bit surprised to discover that half of the people commenting on this blog are in fact stooges of Chinese government organs, either directly or at some remove.
Blogs and Web 2.0 in general are the perfect tool for rapid rebuttal strategies for those seeking to undermine Western media commentators - and those who read and watch their output.
But the transparency of some of the attempts to shout down the BBC or alter its perfectly moderate editorial line are risible.
The Chinese are very fond of telling us that we lack the knowledge or subtlety to understand the real China. It strikes me that many Chinese commenting here lack the subtlety or understanding to realise that
strident attacks on moderate reporters like JR only re-awaken the old suspicions Westerners have about China.
Want to influence our opinions? Want to promote a more subtle understanding of China? Then don't make yourself ridiculous with inconsequential and aggressive attacks against moderate journalists.
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"Still, it's clear that China's not about to approve an unapproved humanitarian invasion of Burma."
This is the key point of dispute.
Guys, it is not that China don't want the west to solve the problem. China has sent in its help and pushing Burma to accept more. However, what your proposed "humanitarian invasion" can do for Burmese. I think it will stay with verbal attack against the Junta forever. No one would really do anything like an "invasion". The reality is, you have to talk to them with respect. That is the only viable way if you really want to help.
I see no point of shifting the blame to China. At least you should focus on how to save the real victims.
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it is funny to see so many posts removed due to
MODERATION...
haven't BBC learnt a lesson from Chinese media? the more you censor the more curious people get and more room for
CONSIPIRACY THEORY....
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Odd that the chinese concept of "no meddling" doesn't go for Tibet, a country that has been royally showered with Chinese "aid".
And while I have nothing against attempts to lift people from poverty or medieval living conditions (as is happening in Tibet), I cannot appreciate it when it's done without RESPECT for the locals (and irony wills that the chinese reasoning about bringing civilisation to Tibet is uncanningly similar to the European's reasoning about bringing civilisation to Africa a century ago. White Man's Burden became Yellow Man's Burden? Think about it)
And let be just the supposed lack of RESPECT which the -I wager- many Chinese posters refer to when denouncing Western attempts at aid. This is what I call the "Splinter in one's Eye" concept. (and this concept equally applies to the claims that Mr. Reynolds is spouting evil anti-china propaganda. It could equally be the chinese media spouting insidious anti-everyone-who-is-not-chinese propaganda.)
In any case, I expect a lot of denouncing after this, as compared to reason.
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China adopted the non-interference policy in early 1950's to allay the fears of its Southeast Asian neighbors. All these nations have large numbers of economically mighty ethnic Chinese , and were afraid of China exporting communism to their lands.
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"Odd that the chinese concept of "no meddling" doesn't go for Tibet, a country that has been royally showered with Chinese "aid"."
The reality is that Tibet is a part of China. China has every right to do whatever it sees fit on its own land.
It is your imagination that Tibet is separate country. I am afraid you won't be able to live to the day to see Tibet becoming a separate "country".
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You complain that china has a censored media. But have you seen the amount of rejected comments on this forum? (including 2 by me) I can't speak for others here but my comments were reasonable if not widely accepted by the mass public. Atleast on chinese forums they don't pre-screen everything.
And why are there so many people blaiming the chinese government for this disaster? In fact china has donated the most money and emergency supplies in response to this situation.
Should we not learn a lesson from the chinese government for once. Why is the chinese government able to get help to the myanmar people but western governments are not?
Maybe the non-interference policies is working, so before you start criticising it, look at both sides of it.
Why did this disaster happen in the first place? why is it that myanmar doesn't have the early warning system and the equipment for mass evacuations? is it not because that due to the sanctions placed upon myanmar, their technology is either non existent or outdated. Myanmar is virtually a museum made by the western governments. So before you blaim the chinese government for the scale of this disaster, blaim your own.
Due to your governments insistence that Myanmar plays by western rules, due to the west's forceful spread of their values and their political structure, myanmar doesn't trust the western government anymore. And when you are claiming to be helping someone trust and respect is very important. You can only help someone as a friend not an aggressor. So before you blaim the chinese government for not putting enough pressure on Myanmar to let western agencies through, look at what you have done to open doors to myanmar. If you are not bothered to open doors to myanmar yourself, then we can't help you.
In this particular case the non-interference philosophy is working, we are able to help the mayanmar people because we didn't interfere. We are able helpto construte a new Myanmar because we didn't have an aggressive policy towards Myanmar.
Before you can meddle in asian affairts, learn some asian history and traditions, after doing so you will realise that your method is not only ineffective but wrong by our standards.
If you are willing to learn about us, then don't start telling us what to do
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39. At 1:15 pm on 09 May 2008, dvzoop wrote:
"I wouldn't be in the slightest bit surprised to discover that half of the people commenting on this blog are in fact stooges of Chinese government organs, either directly or at some remove."
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Well dv.....with top of 2.1 billion internet users in China + oversea Chinese, you are in the middle of a overwhelming population used to 'from other side' you never had dialogs with before. Like James said, BBC website is now accessible to audience in China....so it will be like this from now on, get used to your new fellow readers from China alright :)
"The Chinese are very fond of telling us that we lack the knowledge or subtlety to understand the real China. "
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True......with sizzling nationalism right now, you can't expect anything moderate from Chinese audience.
"Want to influence our opinions? Want to promote a more subtle understanding of China? Then don't make yourself ridiculous with inconsequential and aggressive attacks against moderate journalists."
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Good point, well, just like every forums, you get sophisticated or big mouth comments at the same time. Again, get over it and respond to individual case, avoid using words like 'WE' vs. THEY'.
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To 42. At 2:58 pm on 09 May 2008, BernardVC
To mention that Tibet is a counrty just show how uneducated you are. In this planet there is not any country recognizing Tibet as a country. Is there no history education in UK??? The Tibet issue has been used enough to infuriate China, which is really a great achievement of all those anti-China organizations and media.
Two months ago if you went to China you could find that Chinese people could be the most friendly people to the West all over the world. As a Chinese student in London, it is so sad to see that now after many Chinese people realised that West main-stream media have a strong prejudice against China, everything changed. Suspicion and hatred, are these what you-biasd westners want???
Do not try to irritate 1.4 billion Chinese people again and again!!! Hatred is easy to make but so difficult to eliminate especially for a nation who always engrave history in their hearts.
Stop twisting, God damn hatemonger!!!
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James, seems that you've garnered quite a few angry comments, though GoonerCow has put in a good word for you. Will also do so: what you've typed in your blogs so far has not been particularly offensive, and corresponds to most media available on the internet (except Xinhua). And they've been valid topics to bring up.
As for the comments making the ludicrous comparisons between Cyclone Nargis and Hurricane Katrina--the overwhelming bulk of those killed in Katrina (much less than the 20,000 or so in Burma) were killed BY THE STORM ITSELF AND THE FLOODING WHICH FOLLOWED. At most, the aid would have been money to help people get on their feet. The thing is, to help a single American would have cost quite a bit for people from developing countries ($40,000 a year is poor). The United States could easily provide the food and medicine, and the transport to deliver them; Burma's main food producing region was hit, and they don't have much in the way of medicine or transport. Furthermore, people weren't dying en masse from malnutrition and disease, which is what Burma is heading toward.
And yetingsong (comment 10), North Korea's imaginary 'aid' to the United States should have instead gone to the North Korean people. More North Koreans starve to death EACH YEAR than those killed by Katrina. How would this hypothetical aid reach the United States, and what would it consist of? Would the ships transporting the aid run on fuel donated by the United States? Would the aid consist of food and medicine donated by the United States? Come on, try to be at least marginally rational. North Korea had no intent of actually sending aid to the United States.
kklimmy (comment 13), Rudyard Kipling was a racist who didn't know much of squat about Asia as a whole. 'The White Man's Burden' was written to exhort the United States to take over the Philippines rather than give that nation its independence (sovereignty). He wrote condescendingly about Filipinos and Indians (and he was born in [British] India); not the sort of guy worth admiring.
The West--at least the United States--also considers it to be shameful to accept aid from others because that is a sign of failing on the part of the recipient. However, this is an issue of life and death. Even Asians would accept aid rather than die--much to the contrary of YiXin921's comment (5)--the same as every human on Earth. Survival trumps pride.
And considering the amount of comments that had to be removed--far more than in any other BBC blog (United States, Australia, Europe, etc.) that have seen--it seems that quite a few people here have 'potty mouths' (or hands). Learn some manners, will you people?
Keep up the good--and apparently tough--work, James. China and the non-Western world deserve a BBC blog, and you've done a great job so far.
As for all the angry Chinese and their supporters: Don't be so Xinhua.... ;)' .
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While India, China, Indonesia, and ASEAN countries are doing real help to Myanmar/Burma, some other less tasteful factions, like Bush Admin and certain media and their journalist are milking some political gain and setting conditions for their so call 'aid'. Certain factions are too busy politicizing the humanitarian crisis in this country. The 3 mil, 5 mil, 10 mil USD aids these countries offer are not relevant, if they are set with conditions and ended up NOT sent at all. these are the real PR stunts. No matter what name you call it, Myanmar/Burma needs unconditional aid, urgently. Actual, real aid, not your conditional pledges, and PR stunts. and certainly not your milking something out of this natural disaster.
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I’d like to respond to the 39th comment from “dvzoop”
Dvzoop said -
“I wouldn't be in the slightest bit surprised to discover that half of the people commenting on this blog are in fact stooges of Chinese government organs, either directly or at some remove. “
Do you have any proof ? Chinese people who don’t agree with your view, they must be “stooges of Chinese government organs …”? I seriously think you make a huge mistake.
The truth is… majority of the people are like me. Don’t have English proficient enough to post a counter viewpoint. Otherwise, there would have millions of millions people disagree with you and James. I have been reading this blog and many others, and have become so angry about the western bias and propaganda that they bring back to me the “opium war” history. I wish the Chinese government could spend the money to hire professionals to counter attack those ridiculous lies and smears. Chinese government have been so lame that they let the ‘Tibetan’ thugs to kill, burn, loot and still talk to
that political, hypocritical monk. What a joke. Keep being so soft and week, the communist party will soon be dumped.
By the way, I am a Taiwanese Chinese.
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God be with the people of Burma.
Have you ever thought of why this is happening? In oriental culture ,sympathy andmercy are not always greeted. If unapproved it might be regarded as insults.And can you draw the border lines between aid and invasion?Still remember how the Japanese occupied Karea?We have witnessed so many examples that we have to consider twice before approving foreign forces to put a hand in domestic issues. I admit it's everything but a good way to handle the issue,but we have no choice, especially with hospitality toward China around the western world .
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To DVZOOP,
It's no conspiracy theory, it's reality. Their clumsy attempt at trying to discredit a reputable media and journalist is laughable at best. Then again, there are some 30,000 on the PRC's payroll working on the internet.
A challenge to any of BBC's critics, especially those in China.
Go to China and in public place, hold up a sign that simply and correctly states, "Human Rights is more important than the olympics or government of the day."
You'll quickly end up in the same jail as Hu Jia, and Xinhua will report you as a criminal trying to dis-stabilize the country. Where is free press? Where are human rights? Where is freedom of speach?
Make no mistake, the Chinese people want freedom and transparent and accountable government to replace this corrupt and secretive dictatorship.
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To dvzoop:
First of all, if you think JR is a moderate journalist, please do some googling about the reports he did for the torch relay in france, london, etc, then I am pretty sure that you will regret the point you have made that he is a so-called moderate people.
Second, why is it okay for west ppl to go for a protest for whatever reason you have because you have the "freedom", then when chinese ppl are "invited" into the situation because of all the biased reports about China, Tibet thing, it must be supported by the gov. What is the logic there? Whos brainwashed? You tell me!
Third, how much did you get to reply like that, mon?
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Erm ... what's wrong with my comment? Why hasn't it been published yet? :confused:
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To Jamie Au:
You've seriously misunderstood my motivation in making the observations I did.
First, a couple of points that may - or may not - influence your understanding of the point I'm trying to convey.
I am very much a Sinophile - I've been to China many times, speak atrocious Chinese but at least try and am married to a Chinese national.
Every time I visit China, I'm deeply impressed by the intellect, vigour and acumen of the Chinese I meet. It's a great time to be Chinese and China has so much to offer to the world.
So there you go - I hope that allays yours suspicion that I am some kind of rabid anti-Chinese stooge (and no - I didn't get paid a penny, I was just making an honest and independently-motivated point!)
The point I was trying to make is this. China has a massive PR problem and seriously misunderstands HOW to form opinion in the West in a congruent way.
The smarter people in the Chinese media organisations realise this. If you hop over to Xinhua's English language site, you're notice they're currently recruiting sub-editors for their site - in a much more prominent way than they ever have.
As lhobdrak wrote in comment 52, it's more or less openly acknowledged that the Chinese government seeks to influence opinion in the Western world, either straight-forwardly with state-sponsored English language media entities or through more 'subtle' mechanisms. Before you jump on me again, I acknowledge that Western governments do EXACTLY the same thing.
Whichever way it is done, the Chinese need to improve their editorial subtlety - that means either training Chinese journalists to write English language stories in a more savvy way or employing Westerners to work on their polishing and PR.
I'm not making a moral judgment in any of this, I'm offering a strategic analysis. Try to read between the lines next time.
As for the specific points you make - JR IS a moderate journalist but because of his slightly sardonic (quintessentially public schoolboy English style) rubs up some observers the wrong way. I have youtubed and googled him and some of the video skits are just plain churlish.
As for demos, I don't for a second doubt the individual motivations of both Westerners and Chinese. However, If this debate reveals anything it points to the dangerous power of the media to form 'personal' opinions on both sides.
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Not meddling in the affairs of other nations is something China's government preaches but doesn't practice. Just let an official of the Taiwan Republic of China or the Dali Lama visit your country, even land on your soil let alone be received by your leaders in a state visit and watch them meddle in your affairs, threaten your government with punitive actions. They tell you not to meddle when its suits them, then meddle in other nations affairs when it suits them. They are no less hypocritical than anyone else.
BBC and other Western news media are very careful not to offend them less they get thrown out the way BBC got thrown out of Zimbabwe. BBC cannot say China is a cruel barbaric tyrannical dictatorship which has no value for human life. Sometimes I think that even the Congress of the United States is intimidated by China's government. It's time the world stood up to them and told the Chinese People the truth, that their lives are being sacrificed by their leaders for political ends. That they get jobs from places like America because Americans will not work for the slave wages they get and can not be exposed to the dangerous industrial conditions they face because it would be criminal in America to do so and expensive to correct it. Do people in China know that an illiterate American working for minimum wage at an unskilled job makes more money in a day than many Chinese make in a month?
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