From Times Online, Simon Barnes wrote,
A lot of our fear and mistrust of China comes from the fact that it is a one-party state and that political unorthodoxy is discouraged. But it is a reckless misunderstanding to assume that the population are sublimely happy with this, and want nothing more than to serve the state. If that were so, the Chinese would indeed be a sinister lot: but the idea is absurd. I can exclusively reveal that most Chinese people wish to live happy, peaceful and fulfilling lives, to look after their families, to get enough to eat and to get a kick out of life.
Not entirely unlike us, then. So perhaps we should instigate a Cultural Revolution in the head: and look upon China not as a nation, but as place where 1.3 billion individuals happen to live.
Not sure about his emphasis on how ‘beautiful’ Hong Kong Chinese women are, but the rest of the article resonates with what I have been trying to articulate these days. Last thing I would add is, please, people, the notion of ‘Chinese people’ is a contestable one, just like you cannot assume all Americans are the same, as with any nations, not all ‘Chinese people’ are the same. One basic tenet of human rights is to respect people as individuals, instead of just a herd of things that move and feel the same way.
*sigh*
Can’t wait when August is over.
Aneez | 14-May-08 at 11:20 pm | Permalink
This article reminds me of the song “Russians” by Sting.
cathyma | 22-May-08 at 12:58 am | Permalink
I definitely need to get hold of that, so long as being a geek who never listen to popular music :)