Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.

By HfjNUlYZ
Contributor profile | More stories

Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Foreigners in China: Now and Then

Monday, November 5, 2012 19:01

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

If you are like me, you are baffled by the idiotic mindset of those Chinese bureaucrats. Apparently, Melissa Chan was expelled because the “relevant” authorities were unhappy about some reports criticizing China that involved her (or not). I’m sure the authorities’ desired effect was “killing one to admonish a hundred” (杀一儆百) — but guess what? It is only natural that such a move greatly increases the awareness and impact of those previously less-known reports. How clever is that?

The disturbing thing is, from my contacts with Chinese bureaucrats, they really do believe what they are doing is both good and smart. There is a great gap between reality and their view of it. Unfortunately, as far as I can tell China’s officialdom is dominated by such. Their way of thinking is at least two decades behind the times. I doubt China can have effective political reform before this generation of officials withdraw from the stage.

And be sure to read this hilarious (no kidding) report: Chinese Official Questioned About Al Jazeera Reporter’s Expulsion, count how many times the word “relevant” is used, and get a kick out of it. I’m sure the speaker really believes his answers were very smart.

On a related note, Foreign Policy‘s Isaac Stone Fish has an interesting post that analyzes the possible connection between race and China’s expulsion of Melissa Chan. To further Fish’s point, race has almost always been a factor, if sometimes demonstrated in different ways, in Chinese attitudes toward foreigners. This again is a generational thing that’s waiting for change.

Following the Melissa Chan incident, NYT’s Edward Wong dug up – and Tweeted about – an old tale of another American journalist, John Burns, who was expelled from China in 1986 because of his exploration of the kingdom’s backwaters. Burns’ story recalls intimately the experience of my husband during that same period. In the summer of 1987, Bob rode his bike across China coming to see me in Chongqing, and enroute he and his bike were both arrested. I wrote about the episode here:

The American Bicyclist at Large and His Adventure in China

That was 25 years ago. China may have made great advances in economics and technology, and seen a substantial increase in its openness, but surprisingly little has changed in the depth of official thinking.

2012-11-05 18:57:57

Source: http://insideoutchina.blogspot.com/2012/05/foreigners-in-china-now-and-then.html

Source:

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!

Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!

HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.

Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.

MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)

Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!

Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.

Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).

Comments

Online:
Visits:	1,603,102,229
Stories:	8,149,023