Comments on: Torch Protest Misunderstanding: Why Chinese and Foreigners Don’t Get Each Other http://cupofcha.com/2008/05/05/torch-protest-misunderstanding-why-chinese-and-foreigners-dont-get-each-other.html This is China Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:56:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Robot Monkeys :: The Old Guard at the Debutant Ball http://cupofcha.com/2008/05/05/torch-protest-misunderstanding-why-chinese-and-foreigners-dont-get-each-other.html#comment-2993 Robot Monkeys :: The Old Guard at the Debutant Ball Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:28:41 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=266#comment-2993 [...] tour, and there’s protests around the world about human rights and Tibet, and the Chinese seem confused. Maybe they believed the crap that Western corporatists spout about how nothing is appropriate for [...] [...] tour, and there’s protests around the world about human rights and Tibet, and the Chinese seem confused. Maybe they believed the crap that Western corporatists spout about how nothing is appropriate for [...]

]]> By: nanheyangrouchuan http://cupofcha.com/2008/05/05/torch-protest-misunderstanding-why-chinese-and-foreigners-dont-get-each-other.html#comment-1377 nanheyangrouchuan Wed, 07 May 2008 22:19:35 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=266#comment-1377 "Foreigners don't understand China" is the new version of "foreigners can't learn Chinese". "The fact is there is not a single gov in the world who doesn’t recognise Tibat as a part of China, and in western countries the “free tebet” supporters are basically a fringe group of hippies." China feels the need to "get the word out" regarding its version of China-Tibet relations because Beijing has finally realized that foreign governments were disingenuous when they signed those One China agreements. They only signed them to get business access for their companies. And the people who believe Tibet is occupied territory are a much more diverse group than some hippies. Bad China “Foreigners don’t understand China” is the new version of “foreigners can’t learn Chinese”.

“The fact is there is not a single gov in the world who doesn’t recognise Tibat as a part of China, and in western countries the “free tebet” supporters are basically a fringe group of hippies.”

China feels the need to “get the word out” regarding its version of China-Tibet relations because Beijing has finally realized that foreign governments were disingenuous when they signed those One China agreements. They only signed them to get business access for their companies.

And the people who believe Tibet is occupied territory are a much more diverse group than some hippies.

Bad China

]]> By: Josh http://cupofcha.com/2008/05/05/torch-protest-misunderstanding-why-chinese-and-foreigners-dont-get-each-other.html#comment-1375 Josh Wed, 07 May 2008 13:45:47 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=266#comment-1375 Not swayed at all by the substance or specific examples I give I take it. Not swayed at all by the substance or specific examples I give I take it.

]]> By: stuart http://cupofcha.com/2008/05/05/torch-protest-misunderstanding-why-chinese-and-foreigners-dont-get-each-other.html#comment-1374 stuart Wed, 07 May 2008 12:31:53 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=266#comment-1374 The ' foreigners don't understand China' meme is the most obvious indicator of Chinese misconceptions (reinforced daily by a simply awful media) concerning the west's perceived ignorance of all things China. It's nothing more than a convenient label that has been used as an excuse for the petty tantrums of recent weeks. The ‘ foreigners don’t understand China’ meme is the most obvious indicator of Chinese misconceptions (reinforced daily by a simply awful media) concerning the west’s perceived ignorance of all things China. It’s nothing more than a convenient label that has been used as an excuse for the petty tantrums of recent weeks.

]]> By: Mick http://cupofcha.com/2008/05/05/torch-protest-misunderstanding-why-chinese-and-foreigners-dont-get-each-other.html#comment-1372 Mick Tue, 06 May 2008 13:50:06 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=266#comment-1372 Very good observation. I never fail to be surprised by how smart and perceptive the Chinese can be in some areas, and yet when it comes to dealing with foreign powers it's like they're stuck in an 1898 time warp. And it's not a mainland thing. There are Facebook groups set up by overseas Chinese based on the premise that western governments [not just a few free Tibet protestors] want to sabotage the Olympics and separate Tibet from China. Very good observation. I never fail to be surprised by how smart and perceptive the Chinese can be in some areas, and yet when it comes to dealing with foreign powers it’s like they’re stuck in an 1898 time warp. And it’s not a mainland thing. There are Facebook groups set up by overseas Chinese based on the premise that western governments [not just a few free Tibet protestors] want to sabotage the Olympics and separate Tibet from China.

]]> By: Rhys http://cupofcha.com/2008/05/05/torch-protest-misunderstanding-why-chinese-and-foreigners-dont-get-each-other.html#comment-1370 Rhys Tue, 06 May 2008 07:28:56 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=266#comment-1370 A case in point was the incredibly hysterical french bashing that occurred at the start of that incredibly disgusting waste of human life that is the Iraq war. I was literally flabbergasted at the rhetoric used by some american politicians and also citizens, and remain incredibly surprised at the amount of french bashing that goes on in US pop/consumer culture today. A case in point was the incredibly hysterical french bashing that occurred at the start of that incredibly disgusting waste of human life that is the Iraq war. I was literally flabbergasted at the rhetoric used by some american politicians and also citizens, and remain incredibly surprised at the amount of french bashing that goes on in US pop/consumer culture today.

]]> By: Rhys http://cupofcha.com/2008/05/05/torch-protest-misunderstanding-why-chinese-and-foreigners-dont-get-each-other.html#comment-1369 Rhys Tue, 06 May 2008 07:16:59 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=266#comment-1369 I agree with your analysis....but only in part. In my opinion, you could barely get two people ( a laowai and a Chinese) who even agreed what they were arguing about. For example, how about the Chinese gov lecturing foreigners recently on Chinese history, and how Tibat is a part of China. The fact is there is not a single gov in the world who doesn't recognise Tibat as a part of China, and in western countries the "free tebet" supporters are basically a fringe group of hippies. Yet the way the Chinese media and some Chinese bloggers go on, you'd think there is some vast world wide conspiracy to split tebet away from China. Likewise im sure some Americans think China is poor. But I'm equally sure it's not mainstream opinion in the US. Just like I think the hyper-defensive (or aggressive) nationalistic rhetoric on so many blogs is not really an entirely accurate reflection of how a large percentage of Chinese really view the whole mess. (At least god i hope not) And I don't necessarily think too many Chinese are totally insecure about their "wealth" (those that have it) Conspicuous consumption is alive and well in all capitalist socieities, i think, including the current day US, and so is an element of aggressive nationalism. I don';t necessarily believe these things are more common in China. I agree with your analysis….but only in part. In my opinion, you could barely get two people ( a laowai and a Chinese) who even agreed what they were arguing about.
For example, how about the Chinese gov lecturing foreigners recently on Chinese history, and how Tibat is a part of China. The fact is there is not a single gov in the world who doesn’t recognise Tibat as a part of China, and in western countries the “free tebet” supporters are basically a fringe group of hippies. Yet the way the Chinese media and some Chinese bloggers go on, you’d think there is some vast world wide conspiracy to split tebet away from China.

Likewise im sure some Americans think China is poor. But I’m equally sure it’s not mainstream opinion in the US. Just like I think the hyper-defensive (or aggressive) nationalistic rhetoric on so many blogs is not really an entirely accurate reflection of how a large percentage of Chinese really view the whole mess. (At least god i hope not) And I don’t necessarily think too many Chinese are totally insecure about their “wealth” (those that have it) Conspicuous consumption is alive and well in all capitalist socieities, i think, including the current day US, and so is an element of aggressive nationalism. I don’;t necessarily believe these things are more common in China.

]]> By: cathy http://cupofcha.com/2008/05/05/torch-protest-misunderstanding-why-chinese-and-foreigners-dont-get-each-other.html#comment-1368 cathy Tue, 06 May 2008 03:31:17 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=266#comment-1368 Too late, they don't have it posted anymore, one has to search Sing tao Daily USA, exclusive interview with Dalai Lama. Anyway, you do censor, for whatever reason you like to explain yourself with, Dalai Lama is a sensitive name to mention in websites in China I guess, but I guess especially on your site. That piece of interview is more important than most of us rambling on the site, whoever gets to read it might change their perspective on what Tibet is asking for, I am not asking people to agree, but it doesn't hurt to read it, because the piece published just before CCP announced to meet with Dalai Lama, the timing was wonderful, maybe you don't read Chinese, but that one article was more important than us endlessly discussing with no end and some times I feel people who come on here debate just for the sake of it, just to prove they are right, and not willing to see where the other side is coming from. Too late, they don’t have it posted anymore, one has to search Sing tao Daily USA, exclusive interview with Dalai Lama. Anyway, you do censor, for whatever reason you like to explain yourself with, Dalai Lama is a sensitive name to mention in websites in China I guess, but I guess especially on your site. That piece of interview is more important than most of us rambling on the site, whoever gets to read it might change their perspective on what Tibet is asking for, I am not asking people to agree, but it doesn’t hurt to read it, because the piece published just before CCP announced to meet with Dalai Lama, the timing was wonderful, maybe you don’t read Chinese, but that one article was more important than us endlessly discussing with no end and some times I feel people who come on here debate just for the sake of it, just to prove they are right, and not willing to see where the other side is coming from.

]]> By: Josh http://cupofcha.com/2008/05/05/torch-protest-misunderstanding-why-chinese-and-foreigners-dont-get-each-other.html#comment-1367 Josh Tue, 06 May 2008 01:40:47 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=266#comment-1367 @Cathy, I assume you are referring to when you posted a full Chinese article in the comment section. I removed it not for the content but because you posted a full article in the comment section. please feel free to re-post a link. @Cathy,
I assume you are referring to when you posted a full Chinese article in the comment section. I removed it not for the content but because you posted a full article in the comment section. please feel free to re-post a link.

]]> By: Larry http://cupofcha.com/2008/05/05/torch-protest-misunderstanding-why-chinese-and-foreigners-dont-get-each-other.html#comment-1366 Larry Mon, 05 May 2008 22:47:47 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=266#comment-1366 Do Chinese understand today's China and it's influence in the world ? Would that be about a million out of 1.3 billion ? Do Chinese understand today’s China and it’s influence in the world ? Would that be about a million out of 1.3 billion ?

]]>