Well first of all, I myself don't like how the Chinese government treats the citizens abusively as inferior people, while acting humbly (or even softly) before other countries. But that's the Chinese way of life for thousands of years, to improve it they need time. However, despite the domestic human rights issues, China never treated other countries harshly. Even though one may blame China for not taking the responsibility of a powerful country in various conflicts around the world, but it's only protecting itself from the consequences of enraging certain parties (America as a good example). Historically, yes China used to be a communist country, but only for 30 years before they shifted the economy to capitalism. Nowadays, the teaching of communism is only struggling to survive in slogans and textbooks, though noone really believes in it any more. Moreover, down to personal levels, I agree that Chinese culture might seem awkward to westerners, but it's where many popular oriental cultures rooted from, which are quite celebrated in western societies. I don't see any logical reasons why westerners would hate China. But it has constantly been devilized by medias and is under double standard under many issues, such as taking down satellites, the inaction in Darfur, or the lack of protection of worker's rights. Why should the western society criticize China intensely while they are having or have had similar problems? My perception is that many well developed western societies have fear for the rise of a new powerful competitor, who would consume enormous amount of natural resource during its future development. I don't know whether that is justified, because the developed countries all have gone through similar stages where not everything is efficient, and they were too exploring the "right way" by taking lots of failtures and consuming lots of resource. It is not fair playing, though the well known whiner-muting phrase "life is not fair".That being said, I hope to hear the insignts of everyone reading the topic. I'm Chinese and I love every culture I have had contact with. I have gone through, for quite a long time, the frustration of defining myself when the two countries I love are in conflict, and of being treated constantly as an outlander, even though most people have been nice to me. It wasn't easy time.
2/20/2008 2:34:03 PM
You realize that many territories that have been taken over post-WWII by China were by force, correct? Manchuria, Tibet namely, were taken over via manifest destiny without regards to the people who lived there. Taiwan is in a similar situation, yet has staved off the Chinese government until now. Hong Kong was ceded to China, but many citizens disagreed with the transfer of power.The main difference I've noticed when speaking with Chinese people is that they see Tibet and Taiwan as 'historic' china and therefore see no problem with taking the country 'back' into the fold. Western thought generally teaches us that this is wrong, unless the people ask for it.
2/20/2008 2:41:06 PM
The conflict between Tibet and China, and between Taiwan and China has been going on for centuries. I read that at the beginning of Qing dynasty Tibet was in war with the Chinese, and during peace times, the relationship was often like between kings and dukes, where the king gives the "duke" sovereignty and title while receiving payments each year. So I'd say taking Tibet as part of China historically is not justified. Hongkong, on the other hand, was "rented" by UK for 100 years with a contract. Their suffering in economy and freedom is more like domestic issues. Taiwan is even more different, it has to do with America's strategy in Asia, and China's desire/competition of resources in west Pacific with Japan. It has nothing to do with sovereignty or freedom. To be honest, Taiwan's political system is quite broken already.[Edited on February 20, 2008 at 3:00 PM. Reason : a]
2/20/2008 2:59:24 PM
2/20/2008 2:59:53 PM
The only thing China don't makeis job for American worker
2/20/2008 3:01:47 PM
2/20/2008 3:05:56 PM
I agree that China would become agressive for the sake of resource, just as any hungry men will do. However I don't see how most third world countries would present as desirable resources to China, besides the potential for expanded markets, but their purchasing ability is quite in doubt. As far as WW3 goes, if global energy crysis takes place, it's inevitable, no matter who starts it.
2/20/2008 3:06:39 PM
They were told to by old men wearing red ties on their television sets.
2/20/2008 3:07:37 PM
2/20/2008 3:14:00 PM
2/20/2008 3:19:16 PM
If you didn't know, eastern people hate china too...... the Japanese are, to this day, still struggling against the Chinese in areas dealing with oil, military, and just plain bitterness from a sour history together. I don't think Africans appreciate China much either, for their hand in the Sudan/Darfur conflicts. Besides, "hate" is such a strong word to use in this context. People don't hate China, they just don't like them as much.Also, I wouldn't say their national image is any worse off than say... America? Maybe your next thread should be titled, "Why do many eastern people hate United States?".
2/20/2008 4:08:36 PM
2/20/2008 4:14:54 PM
I don't hate China. How much anti-China stuff do you see around here, anyway?
2/20/2008 4:28:10 PM
I don't hate China, but I am intelligent enough to realize that in the coming future they will be a rival and/or adversary to the United States on the global power stage.I think the people that don't like China are probably for the following reasons:-communist, authoritarian government-human rights abuses-cheap labor and lax labor laws which results in them getting industries from U.S. and taking American jobs (more of an anti-free trade gripe than anti-China though)[Edited on February 20, 2008 at 4:42 PM. Reason : /]
2/20/2008 4:38:53 PM
I'll be honest.I dislike a lot about China.There, I feel better now that I've put it into print.Now, just to clarify.What I tend to dislike about China, I also tend to dislike about the United States:1) Nationalism.2) Interventionalism.3) Authoritarianism.4) Censorship.5) Human rights abuses.6) Ecological irresponsibility.But on the real deal Holyfield, why does the Democratic adversary imprison the greater ratio of its citizenry in this relationship?
2/20/2008 4:52:02 PM
well, the reason I say China is not communist is because they can't really adopt any new political paradygm appeared in 19 and 20th century, due to the fact that the Chinese people are so used to totalitarian leadership, to the point that even if they try to adopt communism or democracy, a special "hero" will always become the center of attention, and many people will seek him for leading. Those who don't will be under pressure, not only from the government but also from fellowmen. And those who hold a neutral ground will stay silent due to the ubiquitous "stay out of trouble" philosophy in Chinese culture.Thus, when considering China's various issues including human rights, authoritarianism and such, one should take into account China's history, tradition and philosophies, because they play an important role in determining the form of society. This applies to many other countries as well, and blatantly saying either democracy or communism or totalitarism is the best political system per se is not valid. However I can see how the Chinese culture is changing with the Internet. In China, the Internet provides a space for free speech, though somehow censored, they can always get by by using abreviations. Recently, since many decades the government's media started to look bad (and stupid) in front of Chinese people, and ever since the old school political leaders died out there has been subtle changes in people's beliefs and values, in other words, their mind is getting more and more freed.
2/20/2008 5:45:23 PM
I really hate that they don't have a floating currency and that they peg their currency to a basket of different currencies which they won't reveal so that no one knows what their money is really worth.If they were to float like the other major economies of the world, in theory, it would be of great help to our economy.
2/20/2008 5:51:01 PM
i don't like their devilish slanty eyes.
2/20/2008 6:07:06 PM
sputter, why should a country do things to benefit your country? from an objective point of view.
2/20/2008 7:43:12 PM
2/20/2008 8:00:45 PM
China is obviously growing quite quickly, but at what price? You make a valid point that developed Western nations went through growing pains and exploited natural resources (and continue to do so in some cases). However, what was done in the past should not give China a free pass to do the same given what is now known about environmental and social impacts. China is polluting its land and its people. This is not responsible or respectable. China is quickly getting rich off of Western consumerism and they should be held to Western environmental standards. I feel guilty buying Chinese goods because I think about the environmental and ethical compromises that likely went into the production of that product, but often there is no alternate. I buy American goods whenever possible, even though they are almost always more costly. Western consumers need to wise up and demand better accountability and transparency from foreign manufacturers. Just look at the ongoing lead paint fiasco.
2/20/2008 9:37:06 PM
There was already rivals in Taiwan against the mainland government since the 1600's when the previous dynasty (Ming)'s remaining forces took refugee in Taiwan from the new Qing dynasty. The history of Taiwan has made it an important strategic point, which is an ideal asylum for defeated and bannished people from the mainland, and also a danger zone for China if occupied by enemies. Think about Hawaii, if Hawaii was occupied by Japan or Russia during WW2 or cold war, America would be in big trouble. A cheap and huge aircraft carrier and naval base, isn't it? The reason I say the Taiwan issue has nothing to do with sovereignty or freedom (or the integrity of China) is that neither parties involved in the conflict, be it Japan, America, China, or the government of Taiwan, really care about what the Taiwanese people want. Of course, supporting democracy, or keeping China's integrity was the presented by the governments as propaganda, but their real interest is to take hold or control of millitary strategic point.
2/20/2008 10:04:44 PM
2/20/2008 10:06:23 PM
I'm not very sure if China will ever invade other non-neighboring countries, they might have conflicts with neighboring countries due to border disputes, but in a long run, I'd be pretty proud if China ever has the balls to tackle another country. Historically, China has one of the biggest and most fertile land in the world. For thousands of years China's soil produced everything it needed to sustain. It's got farms and pastures, timber, iron, oil and coal, and recently discovered natural gas. Even when Europe ran out of resource and had to colonize and industrialize, China was still living on everything produced by itself without trouble. Throughout history China has never the need to invade another countries, and quite the contrary, it was the neighboring states who was lack of resource constantly trying to invade China. As a result, China has developed a defensive culture that makes it hostile to foreign countries and yet unwilling to initiate attacks. This culture caused China to fall back in scientific and technological developments before 20th century, and nurtured somewhat feminine people. Not something to be proud of.
2/20/2008 10:21:00 PM
2/20/2008 11:46:29 PM
2/20/2008 11:49:42 PM
I don't know whether Alistair Johnston's book was based on current Chinese foreign policies or historic ones, but despite what he finds, any powerful country would use power to enforce its will on neighboring weaker countries, which is not my point. I was talking about the type of invasions done by the mongolians in Europe, the Mongolians were very short of resource and always needed to expand and move on to better pastures. The native Chinese has never done that. The relationship between China and neighboring countries are like tributary states. China did get payments from those countries but did not go as far as taking over their territory and sending its own officials to rule the population. Most importantly, since the unification of China, the borders has always kept between the Great Wall and North Vietnam, and between the East Sea and Czechuan. There was one point in 112BC the Han dynasty took over Vietnam (by a king who was famed to be martial), but soon they gained independence. In 668AC China invaded and took over North Korea. Today's northern China (north of the Greate Wall) was acquired when the people there took over China and began the Qing dynasty, and later in early 20th century handed over entirely to the pre-KMT party. So, despite what the European scholars had to say, China has always kept their feet in their doors most of times, and to be scrupulous with the small invasions is simply exaggerating - comparing with Europe's massive colonization in Africa, Asia and America, China's purpose of wars was mostly securing the border instead of colonization. If the recent PRC has been more aggressive than before, it's only because it has realized the importance to hold a powerful national image to avoid the shameful events happened in late 19th century. After all, it is nothing comparing with US's level of agressiveness. Of course, we are not celebrating the less evil, but I do think everyone should step into each other's shoes and stop accusing. All powerful countries have come to the point of success with some evil deeds. I also think the medias in China and in western countries should be more objective and less controlled by the governments - which is not possible, but at least the people from two sides should communicate more and help finding out what's really going on.
2/21/2008 12:58:05 AM
2/21/2008 9:31:04 AM
I like Japan better; they got all the cool gadgets, cars, and sushi.
2/21/2008 9:33:26 AM
because the media tells them to
2/21/2008 3:31:38 PM
3Com Impasse Raises Tensions With China
2/21/2008 4:40:43 PM
^^^ I agree. I don't dislike China I don't think, but the couple people I have known were assholes, and Japanese girls seem hotter and sluttier. And they make anime. By comparison it may seem like hatred, but it's just that Japan seems so much cooler. Ok, I'm out of soap box now, sorry.
2/21/2008 11:08:59 PM
I don't know bout yall, but this video displays some questionable Chinese morals.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Z92Qur1fM
2/21/2008 11:10:01 PM
2/21/2008 11:36:19 PM
China calls on US to provide data on satellite shootdown
2/22/2008 1:40:26 AM
I'd say NO CHINA
2/22/2008 9:50:10 AM
at least we had a good reason to shoot down our satellite. we also shot one down in a decaying orbit where the debris would be limited.fucking china.
2/22/2008 10:09:50 AM
Pentagon confident satellite's toxic fuel destroyed
2/22/2008 12:29:38 PM
hitting a satellite in a predictable orbit is no where near as hard as hitting an object falling through the atmosphere.
2/22/2008 1:26:24 PM
^ You underestimate the total mission--hitting the satellite was fairly straightforward. Much of the complexity came from calculating a window to hit the target and have any remaining debris fall through the atmosphere as quickly as possible.
2/22/2008 1:49:19 PM
this is why: because for the past 20 years, the media has made it sound like China is actively or already has taken over the US as the dominant world economic power. They have americans more scared of the Chineese than they are of Mexicans because they'll "tuk ur jobs". the fact remains, though, that while China is growing at a tremendous rate, and they do have 3 times the population as the US, we're still far and away the world's biggest economic power
2/25/2008 8:11:01 PM
2/25/2008 8:15:54 PM
2/26/2008 6:46:05 PM
China is like Texas but without the good BBQ and with a shitload of bicycles.
2/26/2008 7:37:46 PM