Since we’ve been in Beijing, many of you have been sending emails asking for the real low-down on China. I am going to do my best to share some of our impressions - with the understanding that we are only seeing a very small part of this large and complicated country – it is highly unlikely that either of us will quit our day jobs and become “Chinese experts / talking heads” anytime in the near future.
Being here reminds of me of a story a Chinese friend once shared with me. It seems that when she was growing up in China, and didn’t want to eat her peas, her father used to make her feel guilty for wasting food - reminding her to remember all of those poor starving kids in America. I find this ironic, as I thought my dad had a corner on that market. Lesson number one – if you're planning to visit China, leave all of your pre-conceived opinions at home, and come with an open mind.
Lesson number two - Chinese people are not 'brainwashed', and are in fact very patriotic. They are a wonderful people who love their country, and are having a very hard time understanding why the world sees them in such a negative light. Most of the people we have met are disappointed and hurt over the Olympic torch relay protests.
It is easy to blame a wide variety of sins on China, but coming here has been a wake up call for me. Most of the environmental damage in China is due to manufacturing – the majority of these products being produced not for China, but for the Western world. Think about it, how many things do you own that are made in China? Lesson number three – we are a big part of the problem.
My biggest epiphany has been the overwhelming feeling that I am in Beijing at a historical moment. This feels like the dawn of a new era, a coming out party of sorts. The pivotal moment in which China becomes a new world super power. Let's all join the party.
Being here reminds of me of a story a Chinese friend once shared with me. It seems that when she was growing up in China, and didn’t want to eat her peas, her father used to make her feel guilty for wasting food - reminding her to remember all of those poor starving kids in America. I find this ironic, as I thought my dad had a corner on that market. Lesson number one – if you're planning to visit China, leave all of your pre-conceived opinions at home, and come with an open mind.
Lesson number two - Chinese people are not 'brainwashed', and are in fact very patriotic. They are a wonderful people who love their country, and are having a very hard time understanding why the world sees them in such a negative light. Most of the people we have met are disappointed and hurt over the Olympic torch relay protests.
It is easy to blame a wide variety of sins on China, but coming here has been a wake up call for me. Most of the environmental damage in China is due to manufacturing – the majority of these products being produced not for China, but for the Western world. Think about it, how many things do you own that are made in China? Lesson number three – we are a big part of the problem.
My biggest epiphany has been the overwhelming feeling that I am in Beijing at a historical moment. This feels like the dawn of a new era, a coming out party of sorts. The pivotal moment in which China becomes a new world super power. Let's all join the party.
4 comments:
I just got finished reading a National Geographic that my mother had on China. It was very insightful and written by an American teacher who had lived/taught in China in the 80's and 90's and then recently returned to Beijing to reconnect with some of his former students. Interestly enough, the manufacturer plants that you speak of have given the Chinese a middle class and a much better way of life (material-wise) than they have had in decades. Even though they are taught by their Gov. to resent the USA, they are trying to emulate our life-style (most young people adopt an English name and are now fluent in English). The youth are more outspoken about political issues than their elders. China is predicted to surpass the USA in Global Trade Economics in the coming decades. Those plants are giving people jobs and a higher standard of living, a better education (80% of students go on to college)and more choices. Perhaps their Communist Government should adopt a better way of eliminating toxins into the air instead of blaming us for their problems. Of course, I havent been there...this is just what I read.
Its a 2 way street, the U.S. loves to blame its problems on china as well
Such as?
Hey Mika!
Glad to hear that you're having such a great experience. I can't help but think just a little bit that you're not as "free" to express you thoughts or beliefs in China. I'm waiting until you get home to hear the "real" thoughts. Freedom of Expression- speech, religion, political beliefs is HUGE in my books. Perhaps if you don't know what you're missing?.....
Post a Comment