How some of you Chinese posters talk about logic as you make ad hominem attacks over and over and over again is beyond the pale. What a waste of everyone's time.
There are all kinds of morons on those Chinese forums, mostly "angry youths" blinded by patriotism. Just like the American counterparts, they are not very informed about the outside world and yet think their opinion is the most educated. And they get laughed at. They are called "***** youths" and made fun of. People everywhere are all the same. They typically don't have "moral superiority" but "cultural superiority", like "we have 5000 years of history so we know better", and they generally don't have the "we know what's best for you" mentality. But still, they are annoying as hell, and I usually avoid going to Chinese forums to discuss politics because it degrades to name calling pissing match faster than D&D.
You somehow remind me some guys from certain country I met in graduate school. Whenever asked if they know something about a specific topic or if they can do a certain job, they will ALWAYS say yes regardless what is being asked. But when you want them show something they get, experiment data or computer program, whatever, they will always find excuses or change topic when they can not show it. Maybe that is some kind of culture thing. No, I am not attacking you, and I am not even using logic. I just stated my experience in a plain form. Now I am just wondering what would have happened if I had gotten some of them as my house mates. Because I was told by quite a few guys I trusted that they would drink MY milk if I shared a refrigerator with them. That has never been proved because I never had any one of them as my housemate.
The only country I admire is Japan. How did they go from war torn just a six decades ago to a powerful economy now is amazing.
The U.S. had a lot to do with the Japanese economic miracle, just as it has a lot to do with the current Chinese boom.
I thought that after the war that the Japanese was penalized and not allowed to have a military for quite some time. The government then used the money that would normally be spent on defense and used it to bolster technology, education, etc.
most people have a sense of 'moral superiority'. i guess it differs in that, Chinese don't push their views on other people. the West has been spreading their views on others for hundreds of years (missionaries in China for example), now through democracy. maybe it's just cultural differences.
wrong. government IS a reflection of the people. you have to understand, whoever is in charge in China, all came from the commoners. some of my parents' friends are now local/provincial officials. they do things based on their view, not necessarily communism. heck, they are NOT even real communist. they just want a job where they are in charge. the reason the government is still popular in China is because majority of the people support the path they are heading.
Because, because, because by Mitch Albom, McClatchy News Service Sunday August 24, 2008, 10:57 PM Because it's China. Because I can still see the Opening Ceremonies in my head. Because the first people who greeted us gave a small bow, a symbol of respect that repeated itself every day. Because of Michael Phelps. Because of his mother. Because of stories that turn on one hundredth of a second. Because of NBA players jumping up and down at center court, as if they'd just won a high school title. Because of seeing Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, unannounced, clapping for U.S. athletes at the pool. Because 20 Chinese will gather to give directions. Because 20 Chinese later, you're still lost. Because, for once, drugs were not the story. Because of Natalie Du Toit, an amputee from South Africa, who swam a marathon with one leg. Because of Eric Shanteau, who arrived with testicular cancer but still competed in the breaststroke, serving notice to his disease: you will not kill my dreams -- or me. Because who knew beach volleyball had that much drama? Because I thought I knew about China and was wrong on so many levels. Because a worker shared with me an old Chinese expression, "You're so poor, you only have money." Because of Peking Duck. Because of Usain Bolt. Because of dropped batons and gold medal relays. Because fans actually cried when Liu Xiang walked off the track. Because a 67-year-old farmer led us up a mountain to the Great Wall of China, and when we gave him more than the $4 he'd requested, he invited us to his home for a meal. Because, despite what we heard, the Chinese do hold hands in public. Because, despite what we heard, you do not need a mask to breathe. Because, despite what they're told, the Chinese do long for larger families, same as us. Because, despite what they're told, many Chinese seek out God and religion, even at great risk. Because the Chinese volunteers took on Western names, like "Betty," to make it easier for us. Because the Chinese will give you a Chinese name if you ask, although I still can't pronounce mine. Because, while undeniably under a Communist government, Beijing seemed nothing like the old Soviet Union or East Germany, grim places with miserable people looking over their shoulders. There were smiles and laughter and hope and growth and a belief in their system, even if we doubt it. Because I didn't know that before going. Because our female gymnasts were as graceful in defeat as they were on the bars and beams. Because our softball players cried real tears when they lost their finale -- not just over a silver medal, but because their sport was being eliminated. Because an American you never heard of -- Bryan Clay -- won the decathlon; still, in my book, the greatest athletic feat in the world. Because women such as Sheila Taormina, Dara Torres and Lisa Leslie proved you're never too old. Because 14 year-old divers and who-knows-what-age gymnasts proved you're never too young. Because of the Forbidden City. Because of the Temple of Heaven. Because in two-plus weeks of sporting competition, I never heard a boo. Because of buses next to cars next to bicycles next to a mule. Because of hutongs (or alleys) that show what Beijing once was, and gleaming shopping malls that show what it's becoming. Because you never appreciate another country -- or your own -- until you walk on foreign soil. Because of these reasons, and a million others, I have an answer to the question I've been asked upon returning: "Was it worth going all the way to China?" I thank you and the Detroit Free Press for the privilege of telling Beijing stories. Because it really, truly was.
I wanted to wait until after the Olympics were over to post whether my view of China has changed. I've had some rather confused feelings over the build up and the lead up to the Olympics and my feelings now are one of guarded optimism regarding the future of the PRC. I was born in the US and my loyalty will be with the US but as a Chinese-American I do feel ties back to China. Getting the Olympics was a great achievement for Chinese everywhere and I've felt very proud of the incredible production from the amazing architectural achievements, incredible opening ceremony, well run games, to the spectacular closing ceremony. I also have felt proud for the athletic achievements of Chinese and as a skinny Chinese kid it has been a great feeling to watch people that look like me achieve athletic greatness. I will even admit to pulling for the PRC to win the overall medal count and being choked up when Lui Xiang had to pull out of the 110 m hurdles. For all of the greatness of the Olympics though I am still dismayed though at how far the PRC has to go. Even while I'm amazed at the discipline and sacrifice it took to pull off an incredible Olympics I am still accutely aware that sacrifice was brought at great cost to many poor people in Beijing and throughout China who lost their homes and who came and labored at the games only to get shut out. I am also still dissapointed that rather than being a chance both for the World to come and see China the leadership and collective society hasn't taken as an opportunity to look at themselves. Not just for the World's benefits but ultimately for China's benefit to open up. I find it sad that for all of the promises of more openess the PRC still clamped down on dissent and didn't relax the great fire wall. I'm left with some hope that this experience will be remembered as a national triumph for the country and the PRC leadership the experience of the World coming to China's backyard will lead to a change in the country and in the future we will see a stronger and more open PRC.
Thx for sharing! that is a very romantic way of looking at it For what it's worth, is it impossibly hard to swap perspective for a second? does anyone wonder why the communist party hold such a hardline position over said issues? Why does the pan western media so relentless to spin everything negatively? IMO we are always by default relegated to rather fruitless discussion when we have to rely on media and hearsay while most vital information are witheld by the elites anyways, like they're ever gonna tell us the motives and developments behind what's really going on. well now, anyways, maybe it's for some other time
It is simple, the Chinese CCP want to hold power as long as possible, same as any other party, but they have absolute power, so they try to silence dissenting voices. The western media sees China as a competitor a threat in many ways. There is also a different world view from both sides. The people in China think economical gains and stability are much more important than democracy at the moment while the people in the west think democracy is the cure for all and should be implemented without regard to other issues.
I think this paragraph really summed up my most negative thoughts of Olympics. Not the underaged athletes, the "faking" during the opening ceremony, and such. But rather all the preparation and the sacrifices by the people leading up to, and during the Olympics. There are too many cases to cite, but I will talk about the food carts. There are tons of them all over Beijing. In the morning you see various Chinese style pancakes and other breakfast stuff. At night you see kaboobs and hot-pot-type food. Some comes with some plastic tables and stools for you to relax. They're not the cleanest nor the nicest eateries around, but I've always loved them, as it gives new meaning to "eating out" that I never found in the US. For basically the entire 2008, 99% of these places were forceably closed down. I can't even imagine how much this affected the locals, as this is basically their business. What they do their whole life. And they were basically told by the government that they can't do their business because it's not the image China wants to present to the outside world.
First off all, I thought the opening ceremonies were great and impressive, even if some of the fireworks were faked, it doesn't matter. It was a spectacular show. But my view of China has shifted. I never understood why the Chinese people stood behind a gov't that treats them as individuals so poorly - and thought it was all just a case of propaganda. I think I understand now that most Chinese feel the nationalistic spirit the Chinese gov't is fostering, and the economic growth they have to be credited for - and that's a huge source of contentment for a population that has struggled for the past few decades, especially with the historical nature of outside interference. I think what will happen though over time as the standard of living rises and economic growth slows, things like the environment, civil liberities, and health care will growth into larger concerns. But that might be a ways off. For now, the PRC has a contract with the people, and that's to provide economic growth overall, as well as stability and world recognition. And in exchange for giving authoriatative control - perhaps it's not a bad deal. So with that view, I suppose all of what has transpired is completely logical, and in a sense, the proper course is to engage China, and assist it in reaching a higher standard of living economically for her people. Anything else will probably be counter-productive.
