China’s Hopes and Dreams

As expressed by various Chinese bloggers. This was an inspired idea and one of the most interesting posts I’ve seen in our community to date. A must-read.

The Discussion: 9 Comments

Oh, my but that’s a compliment. Thanks Richard. Was thinking to try to expand this somehow but not sure how to reach more Chinese – post it in Chinese maybe?

June 24, 2005 @ 7:04 pm | Comment

That would be supremely cool.

June 24, 2005 @ 7:27 pm | Comment

I have some other ideas for publicizing the question; let’s discuss via email.

June 24, 2005 @ 7:28 pm | Comment

Chinaese hopes and dreams, in their own words.

China’s hopes and dreams: what the Chinese want for their country in 20 years. Chinese visitors are encouraged to leave a comment describing what they want from their country most. Very informative, particularly if you’re a Westerner infuriated by the …

June 25, 2005 @ 12:09 am | Comment

yep excellent stuff Laowai and fully in the spirit of “eductate us [foreigners] about what you think” rather than “let’s see the funny things these [Chinese] people think”!

I have the idea of wandering China chatting but with a tape recorder and snippeting out the results into a bestselling but un-editorialised book of reportage laying no great claim to truth but being accuarate … shame my chinese is now rubbish and I’m unlikely to spend much more time in the country.

June 25, 2005 @ 3:37 am | Comment

KLS, you’re only partly right with you “Let’s all laugh at the funny things Chinese people say” and by saying this, you’re doing exactly the same as those you are taking a little swipe at, just from the opposite angle that’s all.

I’m not disagreeing with you as much as maybe you think but if you’ve spent time in China (which I’m sure you have) then you’ll know that SOME Chinese people come out with the most outrageous things, be it xenophobic, overtly-nationalistic, based upon half-truths, ignorant or, yes, sometimes just plain stupid.

You can also say the same about SOME Americans or British. However, I’d say that one difference is that China is still a relatively closed society (go to some provincial second/third tier citie and it’s like going back 20 years if you listen to the people there) and the media and channels of information are tighly controlled. Not only are they tighly controlled but “real” news and reports are often replaced by propaganda.

This won’t last forever of course, but at the moment at least I think we should bear in mind the circumstances that a lot of Chinese people grow up under but we should also not allow Chinese people to say outrageous things (such as anti-Japan hatred) that we would not accept from each other, without questioning it.

To say otherwise, for example that the Chinese can’t help it or they are not as advanced as us is also patronising.

Oh well, it’s all fascinating stuff this ‘Chinese puzzle’ as I think Shanghai Slim calls it.

June 25, 2005 @ 4:09 am | Comment

yes I’m pretty much with you there Allan. I do though think it must be difficult for a chinese to make an anti-Japanese point (and a rational one) without people jumping on him or her for being wholly blinded by propaganda.
I suppose hazy parallels are supporters of palestine being instantly labelled anti-semetic, or anti-Iraq war americans being labelled unpatriotic, regardless of whether they are or not.

I’m also sceptical about how many of those people in the second or third tier cities really believe everything they say — instead, how many do you think find it more politic to revert to propaganda when speaking with a foreigner.

and don’t underestimate the extent to which some inquisitive chinese bounce what they believe is probably propaganda off a westerner, as a “safe” way of listening to another point of view.

June 25, 2005 @ 4:53 am | Comment

KLS>

“how many of those people in the second or third tier cities really believe everything they say — instead, how many do you think find it more politic to revert to propaganda when speaking with a foreigner.

and don’t underestimate the extent to which some inquisitive chinese bounce what they believe is probably propaganda off a westerner, as a “safe” way of listening to another point of view.”

Excellent points both. Agreed without question..

June 25, 2005 @ 8:19 am | Comment

“…how many do you think find it more politic to revert to propaganda when speaking with a foreigner.

and don’t underestimate the extent to which some inquisitive chinese bounce what they believe is probably propaganda off a westerner, as a “safe” way of listening to another point of view.”

Agree with Allan, those two points are inspired KLS. Now I actually think about it, there’s much truth in that.

How the hell do you think up stuff like this? Well, I don’t need to know but please keep it coming.

June 25, 2005 @ 1:53 pm | Comment

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