Jim Lehrer News Hour: Report on China
This report, published May 30, 2008, is accurate to my experience in China.
In this report, a number of Chinese, including several graduate students in China, are interviewed. Some of the graduate students have studied outside of China and they all claim to listen to news from outside China. They explain very clearly why Chinese people feel personally insulted by the worldwide protests in support of Tibet and the criticisms against the Chinese government. Like the students I taught from 1998 to 2001 in Shenzhen, these students strongly identify with and support the Chinese government.
One student says the following: Most Chinese people are for their government. We see the results from this reform, the work of the government. We enjoy a lot, we improve a lot. That's why we are supportive of this government. When the outside world criticizes the Chinese government, people think maybe they are trying to taint their improvement or life.
A journalist inside China explained, This is a legacy of a society that is not used to hearing disagreement, confrontation. They hear it as bad, possibly criminal.
To listen to this thirteen minute report, please follow this link: The Chinese support their government
My comment: when you consider China's past history -- from one or two thousand years ago up to Deng Xiao Ping's Open and Reform policy of 1978 in which capitalism was introduced -- the Chinese people are enjoying the highest standard of living and the best governmnet in their history. Not only are their lives personally improving, they may be citizens of an emerging superpower.
We Americans think of the Chinese people as having a craving for democracy, free speech and an uncensored press. They don't. My Chinese colleagues talked about this and the people over the age of 35 wanted it, but they were grateful to have opportunities and comforts that hadn't existed previously. Above all, they wanted stability. Russia's quick change to democracy and their bottoming out economy loomed as a frightening example. Reform too quickly and you'll be set with poverty and corruption.
Americans need to see China from a broader perspective than our own experience.
In this report, a number of Chinese, including several graduate students in China, are interviewed. Some of the graduate students have studied outside of China and they all claim to listen to news from outside China. They explain very clearly why Chinese people feel personally insulted by the worldwide protests in support of Tibet and the criticisms against the Chinese government. Like the students I taught from 1998 to 2001 in Shenzhen, these students strongly identify with and support the Chinese government.
One student says the following: Most Chinese people are for their government. We see the results from this reform, the work of the government. We enjoy a lot, we improve a lot. That's why we are supportive of this government. When the outside world criticizes the Chinese government, people think maybe they are trying to taint their improvement or life.
A journalist inside China explained, This is a legacy of a society that is not used to hearing disagreement, confrontation. They hear it as bad, possibly criminal.
To listen to this thirteen minute report, please follow this link: The Chinese support their government
My comment: when you consider China's past history -- from one or two thousand years ago up to Deng Xiao Ping's Open and Reform policy of 1978 in which capitalism was introduced -- the Chinese people are enjoying the highest standard of living and the best governmnet in their history. Not only are their lives personally improving, they may be citizens of an emerging superpower.
We Americans think of the Chinese people as having a craving for democracy, free speech and an uncensored press. They don't. My Chinese colleagues talked about this and the people over the age of 35 wanted it, but they were grateful to have opportunities and comforts that hadn't existed previously. Above all, they wanted stability. Russia's quick change to democracy and their bottoming out economy loomed as a frightening example. Reform too quickly and you'll be set with poverty and corruption.
Americans need to see China from a broader perspective than our own experience.
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