When is it OK to criticise China?
One of the frustrating things many foreigners find about living in China is the seeming inability to engage the locals in rational debate or express constructive critisism of their nations policies without elicitng an angry response, upsetting somebody or getting ejected from the dinner party.
Thanks to Jerimiah, when a Chinese person asks me whether I consider Taiwan to be an inseparable part of China, I recognise this not so much a question but a request for confirmation of what they believe to be the absolute and unquestionable truth. So when asked my opinion on the Taiwan issue I have two viable responses dodge the question or lie. Engaging many Chinese on issues related to China and it’s leadership is like engaging a Christian in the existence of God, it can only end badly and you will never get closure.
As Josh points out criticism by foreigners is more often seen as an attack on China and Chinese people in large and though criticism of policies and leaders is becoming more common, the fact remains that blood is still the key determinant to how this criticism is received.
When I first moved to China in 2005 many of my new Chinese friends, even Chinese friends made during my university study back home in New Zealand asked me “why China?” to which I would reply “I love Chinese food, I’m interested in Chinese culture, language etc”. I think this echoes the sentiments of many in the China blogosphere, however for many this has flourished into a deeper connection to China and the desire to stay and make a life here.
Many of us in the China blogosphere, who have lived long enough in China to break out of the honeymoon stage. Though we love it here, like most we recognize its less than perfect, but what many fail to recognise is that many foreigners have a vested interest in China. Some, granted, have invested large sums of money in the hope that China will make them rich, but many of us have relationships, spouses here or more importantly have invested a significant portion of our lives learning the language and culture so that we may play an important part(maybe even a career) bridging the cultural divide. Unlike our Chinese counterparts (immigrants abroad) of whom we are vastly outnumbered, we do not seek, nor do we have any chance of being granted, citizenship, greencards or permanent residence. It is for this reason that our place in our chosen home is so fragile. Blogging, is a modest outlet for issues that affect us and our hopes for our chosen home.
Immigrant communities in New Zealand are often the most outspoken catalysts for change and at present it is the Chinese lobby groups that are grabbing all the headlines.
A term that has been banded around the China blogosphere recently is “China Bashing”. Though there is a place for this term it most certainly isn’t as a knee jerk reaction to constructive criticisms of Chinese policy. The Chinese people are the greatest stakeholders in their country’s future, but they are by no means the only ones.
“when asked my opinion on the Taiwan issue I have two viable responses dodge the question or lie.”
So true! However to be fair I have met a couple of Chinese people who thing Taiwan should go their own way if the people want it. Interestingly, though, none of these people have been from Beijing. In my experience southerners tend to be a little more open-minded.
“A term that has been banded around the China blogosphere recently is “China Bashing”. Though there is a place for this term it most certainly isn’t as a knee jerk reaction to constructive criticisms of Chinese policy. ”
it has always bugged me that anything that isn’t 100% adoration of all things Chinese is seen as anti-Chinese Westerners. I love my adopted home, I really do, but that doesn’t mean I find, say, 38 slips of paper with 45 red stamps the most efficient way to check out of the supermarket. And if I say that, it really isn’t an attack on all things Chinese!
I also feel like “good news all the time” journalism kind of devalues the REAL accomplishments of China.
Isn’t this just confirmation that an education system designed to engender nationalism; to teach cultural superiority and historical exploitation is working?
A colleague of mine loves cars and would love to enjoy Japanese cars. He wavers, but he can never commit himself. He hates the Japanese because he was taught to.
It kind of shows that “teacher leave those kids alone” still stands.
My daughter goes to a Taiwanese primary school — and her teacher , who I know as an otherwise well rounded person who speaks good English — hates the Japanese for their occupation of Taiwan. Nothing personal — she is just passing on what she was taught earlier when she was a child.
So when my daughter started saying negative things about Japan, I had to remind her that two of her aunts are married to Japanese — that she goes there on holiday, and that she often does nothing but watch Japanese cartoons.
… its easy to influence people when you get at them young… and its hard to get it out of them again. Bit like religion really.