E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSRao Jin, founder of April Media in Beijing, talks about the US role in the world.
BEIJING – With more than 1.3 billion people, China has a plethora of views on the United States and its influence on the global stage.
Some see America as over-controlling, trying all the time to force its influence across the globe, while others see it as a beacon of individual freedom unheard of in China. And many are in between those views.
In an effort to check the pulse on the current Chinese take on the U.S., NBC News in Beijing spoke to two men with very different views on the country.
Rao Jin has made it his life’s work to channel Chinese patriotism in the face of what he sees as a Western media onslaught. On the other hand, fellow Beijinger Ye Nan can’t wait for his next trip back to Disneyland in the U.S. and thinks the Chinese and American public’s views aren’t that far apart.
Not happy with the ‘world police’
Rao first made a name for himself in China in the spring of 2008, when news of one of the biggest riots in Tibet spread around the world.
China’s official news outlets routinely blamed the exiled Dalai Lama and his refugee government as the “instigators,” while most of the Western media took a sympathetic stand and attributed the riots to long-term persecution and dominance by China.
During the peak of the riots, quite a few foreign broadcasters, including CNN and the BBC, became targets of intense Chinese criticism and threats for allegedly biased coverage of the protests in Tibet. CNN in particular came under fire for using inaccurate photos and for remarks made by commentator Jack Cafferty, who referred to China's leaders – not the Chinese people – as a "bunch of goons and thugs."
That outraged Rao, then a 24-year-old who had just graduated from the engineering physics department at Tsinghua University, one of the top educational institutions in China.
Rao, who already had his own IT company, created a website called ANTI-CNN that spread criticism of Western news reporting and soon gained wide support from Chinese citizens.
The website continued to draw millions of hits daily during the chaotic pre-Olympic torch relay when pro-Tibet protesters interrupted several legs of the torch run in America and some European countries. (One particularly egregious incident was when a Chinese Paralympian in a wheel chair was attacked by pro-Tibetan protesters while she bravely guarded the torch).
NBC News speaks with citizens from around the globe, asking the question, 'What Does America Mean to You?'
Originally from the southern coastal province of Fujian, Rao has since become a quasi-spokesman for those in China’s population who are unhappy about how China is viewed and reported in the West. He has been interviewed by many foreign media in China, as well as being invited to events by embassies and NGOs in Beijing.
“I don’t think we represent the whole young generation, but we do represent some,” said Rao at his office in a high-rise in northern Beijing, where 30 employees concentrated on their computers.
Rao’s original ANTI-CNN website became April Media in 2010, named after a month he likes for its symbolism of power and rejuvenation. He said the website “represents a generation of youth who are familiar with Western culture and have international views as well as a sense of patriotism.”
Aiming to become a cross between a Chinese Huffington Post and a think-tank, April Media now has about 200 columnists and almost one million registered members.
On the left side of the homepage, next to a small photo of the Statue of Liberty, there are a few U.S.-related articles, including “American truth: leader of wasting energy,” “Is property expensive in the U.S.?” “Do American minorities get preferential treatment?” “Americans really don’t wear long underwear?” “What is an American green card?”
Rao toured the United States from the West Coast to the East Coast in late 2010. He was impressed by the natural scenery, but didn’t find the real America to be too different from his pre-conceived notions and what he saw in Hollywood movies.
“In aspects of the economy, politics and culture, the U.S. has shown an admirable spirit of innovation,” Rao told NBC News in his office, but he argued that America is “a world leader that failed to perform well.”
“The U.S. has always imposed its own values on others and acted as a hegemonic state and as the world police,” he said. “It has fought too many wars it shouldn’t have fought.”
Ye Nan, a digital business manager in Beijing, describes how he views America.
America ‘fights for justice’
A short drive from Rao’s office, 42-year-old Ye Nan, a business director of another influential news portal, has a completely different view of the U.S.
“The U.S. is just like a strong, robust, but brusque, next-door neighbor,” said Ye in a garden next to his office. “He fights for justice and gets himself involved when there’s a problem. He gives everyone else the impression of being warm-hearted, and having a sense of justice. Some people are afraid of him, but most like him.”
Ye’s family story is like a condensed version of China’s own tumultuous history.
His grandfather was one of the earliest Chinese students to study in the United States, graduating from Johns Hopkins University in the 1920s and being trained at the West Point Military Academy. After he went back to China, he fought shoulder to shoulder with American soldiers in Burma and India during World War II.
But by the time Ye’s father came of age during China’s Cultural Revolution, Chinese-U.S. relations had changed. During Chairman Mao’s “Young Intellectuals Go Down to the Countryside” campaign in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he and other privileged youth were forced to learn from workers and farmers. He was forced to leave Beijing and died in an accident in Tibet when Ye Nan was only five.
“I’m sure he was told to write those communist posters criticizing America since he was educated,” said Ye in looking back at his father’s life during the Cultural Revolution.
Ye first set his foot on American soil last year to visit his wife, who was a visiting psychologist at the University of California at Berkeley.
His impressions were positive, “The air was much better, people were friendly, cars would wait for pedestrians,” he said. He was also happy to be able to surf any websites – quite a different from his experience in China, where many sites are blocked, including Twitter and Facebook.
What really amazed Ye, though, was the prompt reply from Johns Hopkins University when his wife emailed them and asked if they could help find Ye’s grandfather’s files. The university sent a 10-page file, including letters and academic documents. Such free and quick service is almost impossible in China, he said.
“Freedom is in American people’s blood,” Ye said. “Individual freedom is the basis of everything, while China values collectivism that stresses personal sacrifice for the group.”
He thinks, though, that the differences are narrowing.
“In my grandfather’s generation, America and China were friends who fought together in World War II. In my father’s generation, they were enemies. The young generation now is greatly influenced by America. They all drink Coca-Cola and watch Hollywood movies. They agree more than they disagree. The world is flat and the two countries will gradually come to a consensus on many matters.”
Ye said his next trip to the U.S. will probably include a visit to Disneyland that he promised his 8-year-old son. And like many Chinese parents, Ye and his wife hope to send their son to study in the U.S. one day.
This story is part of a series by msnbc.com and NBC News "What the World Thinks of US". The series aims to check the pulse on current perceptions of America's global stature during the election year and ahead of our annual Independence Day. Share your thoughts about this story and our series on Twitter using #AmericaMeans
Stories in the series: What the World Thinks of US
How I see America, from a former Gitmo prisoner
Bye, bye, GI: Deep impact for many Germans as US troops downsize
Post-revolution Egypt to US: Stay out
Iran's dentist to the stars offers views on US
For many Pakistanis, 'USA' means 'drones'
One man's mission: Promote Chinese patriotism in the face of Western onslaught
In South Africa: 'My head says China is number one, my heart says America'
Not all Thais are Gaga about America
Family moves from the Bronx to Jerusalem, but US remains land of 'liberty and freedom'
Palestinian: US supports 'an apartheid system that is suffocating us'
Afghans are 'no different from any American
Leave a Comment:
I just wanna read the articales, hopefully there in english.
Seriously, Orly?
One article of Rao's I'm eager to read is the one titled “Americans really don’t wear long underwear?”.
Excuse me for a moment while I laugh my butt off.....
Okay, I'm back. “Americans really don’t wear long underwear?” Are you serious? What the hell? That's one of the most rediculous headlines I've ever heard!
Hey Rao! Boxers or briefs? What? Long johns? In the summer? You must like it hot!
Poor China. Always playing the hurty hurt victim while they keep on doing exactly what they hate being done to them.
You want to invade a country like China? You do it with TV and free internet access. They HATE that!
I love how the people bashing this guy can't even spell.
Chinese patriotism?
I wonder how similar that is to North Korean patriotism?
I like how this guy conveniently doesn't complain about his own country's media coverage. Chinese media outlets have never had a sterling journalistic reputation, seeing as how they are puppets controlled by the government.
Maybe leave the long underwear speculation alone and report on that instead, Rao.
The long underwear story has me worried. Is he trying to stir up another " boxer " rebellion ? It's hard to have a great leap forward in long underwear. The Tibet story isn't being shown from a Chinese perspective ? This guy should go by the " Great Balls of China " !
Rao should remember that other countries, including always ask the U.S. for assistance when there is a problem. A lot of Legal U.S. Citizens think that there should be a cost applied to that assistance that other countries need to re-pay and that the era of "Free U.S. Handouts". Any U.S. Assistance should come with "strings attached", if you cut the string your assistance ends and will not be reinstated.
Good point. It is a little known fact that in the year 2062, China invaded and occupied parts of the U.S. including the cities of New York and Washington DC. They then proceeded to burn down the White House, the Capital and Empire State building. Before they left, they also attacked Fort Knox and looted all the gold. After their American vacation, China then invaded Japan and Western Europe in 2131 just for kicks. True story.
You go there young man. At least China is proud of China which is more than I can say for Mexiamerica.
Nana, well stated! I'm very lucky to have traveled to China many times and have met numerous business and professional people there. I've always noticed the intense national pride of China, and the desire of everyone there to improve their country and the quality of life. Chinese are justifiably proud of the tremendous strides they have made since the passing of Mao (1976) their incredibly successful, clean, fast, and safe transportation system. Add to this the ongoing focus on education, caring for the elderly, fiscal care and conservatism, and a daily focus on healthy eating. And, yes, the average Chinese has a total admiration for the USA, and with the tremendous rise in the Chinese middle class, (it's now about the same as the USA, (48% +) visiting the US is one of the goals of nearly every Chinese citizen. Their treatment of meiguon ( Americans) is legendary in their generosity, thoughtfulness, and kindness. China most assuredly is not an enemy, but a strong, strong ally, and while careful and guarded in their news and statements remains a strong and totally reliable ally and friend. And I must smile as I noted the comments about long underwear, on one of my visits there in the winter a businessman friend noted that I was not wearing long underwear and he was terribly worried I might become ill....next morning a messenger arrived at my hotel with new long underwear! Typical of Chinese care and consideration. Every one of us in the USA could learn from the Chinese strong sense of family, health, financial management, and especially national pride.
China is a proud and Ancient Culture that continues to grow. I believe the people of China, like any other country, should decide the path their country goes in the future. While the future may not be acceptable to other countries, that future should be respected by other countries. Countries, like the U.S. and others, should not interfere into the internal affairs of other countries. Again, the future of any country should be determined by the citizens of that country without any intervention from other countries. The countries either survive or fail on their own merits.
We can not sit by idly and allow a country to tourture and kill their own citizens because they don't agree with their religion as happens in China consistently. China is not a beckon but more of a black hole where any sentiment of dissent goes to die, literally. It needs to be pushed towards freedom. And I'm a liberal.
South African comment: "My head says that China is number one, my heart always says America.”
As it has been, is and with some intelligent American thought will always be. When the WORLD needs help, it turns to America. Floods, drought, earthquakes, civil wars or miners stuck underground call America. Why? Because America, unlike China, for better or worse will try to help those that ask. We are not perfect, but we do reach out to try and help. That decency will always make us better than the China's of the world.
To the guy above that said like 48% of China is "middle class", by what standard do you mean? Are you talking 48% are middle class by China standards, because you certainly can't mean what we in the US think of as middle class. I've been to several parts. Even in the best, I'd say that's a stretch. I've heard all the news reports here talking about a booming middle class in China. Drive out in the countryside and see what you think. Ask some of the people working in the giant factory work-compounds what they think. I did. They seem to share the US problem that some are getting very rich, but prices are escalating for everyone else.
To basedrum777, one thing I learned to appreciate after going to China is how much pride they have in their country (as most people on Earth... surprise!), and how insecure they are about its image on the world stage. But one thing for sure: the harder you press China to change, the harder it will resist. The only thing that let the leaks of capitalism in was the promise of great wealth for the elites. They will never be a US-style democracy. The majority of people there really don't want, or even care about that. I think exposure to other parts of the world will continue to loosen them up, though. They're starting to realize they can WANT things, and not just struggle to survive.
I stopped reading this quote chain when I read 48% of China is middle class. I have been to China on several occasions for business. I have seen multiple urban areas. I know for a fact that the urban areas not even CLOSE to 48% middle class. Unless you have some seriously warped standards. And let us not even speak of the poor rural areas where millions flee to work at lovely places like Foxconn.
Is there immense growth and wealth in China. Sure. Is there a strong growing upwardly mobile economic class that can buy luxuries? Absolutely. Is there massive wealth disparity. Dear Lord yes.
Oh and every time I hear someone blame the Buddhists monks and Dalai Lama for all sorts of rumored illicit or immoral activities, it is wants to make me on one hand cry and the other hand burst out laughing. The "best" are the ones that I heard multiple times in China (and even by Chinese Americans in this country) of how the monks perform unspeakable rituals involving cannibalism, etc. and even worse, Get real. Grow up. That is beyond propaganda. That is brainwashing BS.
Still I think China has a bright future, they just need to cut through the bureaucracy and have open intellectual and civic discourse with themselves and the rest of the world. It will happen. Impossible to stop over generations when the economic conditions are increasing so rapidly.
Best of luck China.
Probably true. Just don't expect it to be a carbon copy of the 'American way' or 'American values' that so many Americans are hell bent on asserting as if it is the holy grail of human development. China will blaze its own trail and way of thinking through trial and error, just like America did.
Of course it's by China's standards. Even by American standards, roughly 300 million Chinese earns between $30,000 and $60,000 a year. Now if you were to lower the bar some due to cost of living adjustments (as it should), it wouldn't surprise me if that number jumps to 500 million. Not exactly 48% but not far off either.
If the Chinese middle class were to live by U.S. standards, there wouldn't be enough water, land and natural resources to sustain them. That is assuming that they can even breathe through the emissions generated by the additional power plants and the 2-3 cars each family owns.
Frankly, when it comes to electricity/water consumption and carbon emissions per capita, we are light years ahead of the Chinese as well as many other countries, developed or otherwise. You wouldn't want to live in a world where the global middle class living standard is based on ours. Earth as we know it would turn into a polluted wasteland.
China is a country that believes the U.S. should stay out of their business and I've always felt the same way. They could become a great trading partner for us and help grow our economy. We just need to find a way to go about it without China feeling intimidated by us. Tiwan I think has found a way to cope with their mother land. They have said they will come back and become a part of China when change occurs and as the older generation dies off the younger generation may hold the Change China needs to restore it's faith with other countries. I believe it will happen but like everything else it takes time.
Are you freaking Nuts? China is a communist enemy to America. We have all of our manufacturing jobs going to china. why is that you may ask? because once we are incapable of building anything we wil be a push over in a war. right now we can't even cloth our soldiers without buying the stuff from China. The only people in China that have patriotism are the ones along the east coast big cities. there are 500 million people in the interior of China that don't even have in-door plumbing or electricity on a regualr basis. Setting up trade with China is one of the worse ideas we have had lately. It is Corporate greed just like Apple has. They make the iPod, pds etc fro around $5 and sell them in the USA for hundreds of dollars. where does that excess profit go. Into their pockets.
I wonder who paid you to post such a comment?
hey hey there if you don't have the facts don't use the numbers. You start to sound like that AC sales guy I had the other day told me I need to spend $5,000+ to replace my 10 years old system because according to his book, 10 years is the limit.
What decade are you in? What century?
Our 'enemy'? Really?
In the middle of the last century, during the cold war, communism was the demon in the room, and America was beat over the head with it's scary boogyman aspects. Reagan hauled it out again to beat America up with his 'bear in the woods', and along with his 'welfare queens' used it to fear up the race for the WH. I mean, whatever works on the gullible and uninformed, right?
China saved America's bacon with financial loans, and so again China is used as the two x four over the head to make us think if we don't belly up to the bar and drink the coolaid they can come repossess our butts ...yada, yada, yada. But, China likes all that lovely interest, as any lender would.
Perhaps it's time to think more about banks or Wall Street in defining where enemies might actually lurk...well that, and presidents who tell us to shop more, that it's patriotic, when a crisis is fast approahing meltdown.
Naw, China is not 'enemy', nor communism, at least at this point. Theocracy however, is looking more and more scary in America, especially after watching Republican debates and interviews.
ihateliberals--
Much, MUCH more of the profit is going into the pocket of the US corporation than into the pocket of anyone in China. If you are concerned about this, maybe you should get active in a movement to strike down the campaign laws that allow unlimited political donations by corporations.
I just don't understand why the same people complaining that the government is spending too much want the US to spend even more to produce the products they purchase. If "IHateLiberals" would like to pay $50/shirt instead of $5 then we can produce it right here in the US.
Yeah, and I'd like to know why the people I know who are self-proclaimed "True Americans" and hate the rest of the world so much are the ones who continue to shop at Walmart like it's their second religion. That place practically is MadeinChinamart.
Someone must have brought Joseph McCarthy out of cryostasis. The China of today is 'Communist' in name but a mixture of authoritarian, technocratic and capitalist in practice. Do some reading on this subject, you might get educated. With that said, I certainly don't see why we should start a war with a 'perceived' enemy simply because of some 'rah rah rah' rhetoric based on an obtuse ideological conflict that has little bearing in today's reality.
Given that 51% of Chinese live in urban settings and I have yet to been to one city in China where the population don't have access to plumbing and electricity, I'm going to have to call your BS. You know, bold faced lying isn't going to make your argument any stronger especially when it is so easy to fact check. Perhaps you were thinking of India where 70% of the population (or 800 million) live on less than $2 a day. Well whatever it is, you certainly can't get your facts straight.
There's nothing wrong with being patriotic for one's country. Just as there's nothing wrong with looking outside one's own borders for good ideas. The rub comes in knowing right from wrong and being able to separate patriotic zeal from reality. I look forward to a discussion between two young, bright and obviously talented Chinese about their country and it's future. I personally suffer from a negative view of China, but I've read a few books (Kissenger, Chang, Ferguson, and Friedman) and I'm willing to listen to a discussion of how I might have been wrong. I'm not convinced I've been wrong yet.
Being a Home Stay host in California I've had the pleasure of hosting (4) different graduate students that came from different regions in China. As a 3rd generation American Born Chinese professional, my family has a history spanning 6 generations in the Los Angeles area. I've often wondered about the development and modernization taking place in the Mainland, and as such I too wanted the opportunity to speak to an open minded / college educated person who would give me their personal opinion on politics, housing, education, religion, and personal freedoms in their country versus our way of life in the U.S. Most of our media unfortunately is very biased and one-sided. Even if you were to quote the opinion of one person in China, that one individual doesn't represent or speak on behalf of over a billion people. My students were in agreement that yes, life is good here in the U.S. and that the graduate programs are definitely the best in the world. However, they are proud to be ethnic Chinese people from China and their only goal after receiving their Master Degrees is to return to their country to start-up their own businesses, as their country provides a hefty seed grant for educated upstarts. Additionally, all of these young people have among themselves several siblings at home ranging from 3 to 4 siblings in the household. No, they don't from from affluent families or are connected to the Central Government in any way. So I guess that blows the "one child policy" right out the door.
It's "Qinghua" University, not Tsinghua. You used the Taiwanese romanization system, but since you are writing about China, you should be using Pinyin romanization.
Tsinghua is a long-recognized and acceptable way to spell this school's name. In fact, the school itself spells its name this way.
Thanks T...correct of course, I've been to Tsinghua many times, have a friend in business within the U. so fairly familiar with it...although you won't get into too much trouble using either name...
Thanks T...correct of course, I've been to Tsinghua many times, have a friend in business within the U. so fairly familiar with it...although you won't get into too much trouble using either name...
Hey guys, how many angels can you fit on the head of Tsinghua or should I say Quinhua ?
Perhaps it would be a good idea for our government to forcibly block this website from being viewed by American citizens.
As long as china is run by the old guard style commies who believe in repressing women and killing off babies, china will never advance to be equal on the world stage, something it wants and desires more than anything else in the world.
Well chinese people, if this is what the younger generation truely wnts, then the first order of business is to get rid of the old bull commies that run your government.
I am not saying the usa is without its faults, our government and all the crooks that represent it need to be replaced with some truely honest people who represent the people of the usa and not their cronie crooked friends who run wall street, the big bnks and big business, each and everyone of these people are as crooked as the day is long.
We need desperately in this country an uprising that will get rid of/ put in jail all of the corrupt pigs in our senate and congress, immediately and replace the crooks with truely honest people who represent the American people and not their corrupt friends.
We are one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
Jim...check your meds...you have obviously missed a few doses.
We do have plenty of corruption, but it's well-checked and policed. We're far from one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
Besides, an uprising is almost guaranteed to make things worse. The number of revolutions that have measurably improved things rather than ruining the few things that were going well (or not changing anything) are very few. Our own American Revolution was extraordinarily lucky.
Well said, SF accountant, least someone gets it and isn't one of those "We must take our country back! Rebel now against the [Oppressive Government]."
Russians were patriotic for Lennon, Germans were patriotic for Hitler and Italians were patriotic for Mussolini. Patriotism can be a good or bad thing. China is one of our greatest threats to our sovereignty second only to Obama with Mexico being third on that list.
Its funny that you'd imply that the currently elected president is somehow a threat to our sovereignty. I'm sure you were right in line complaining about our prior president when he was creating a whole generation of terrorists in Iraq and Pakistan....
Wow, working with the Chinese on a daily basis, there maybe some true facts here, but you people need to be concerned.
Like other countries, the only benefit from a global economy are the large corporations. China and the Arabs are buying this country up left and right. To the person "I hate Liberals" you must hate the Republican party my child! Because they are allowing this to happen. Remember when in 2001 when Rep Bonner, McConnell and the other Republicans stood-up and said "we cannot maintain these jobs in the U.S.". Who do you think they where representing at this moment. Corporate america just like they do today. That is where the money is! Why take away government jobs when you can privatise that will cost more money to the taxpayers. It's called kick-backs that polititians get for the corporate backers along with perferred stock trades. They do this same thing in China!
Now these same people are still in office and blamming our President for not creating more jobs. Funny thing people, we need to protect our land. Because we cannot own any land, busineses or resources in these countries, but we allow it here!
So why don't we produce more metal products, because all of scrap metal goes to China. They are buying farms and forrest's to fuel their production. Just hope this drought will not happen here in the Midwest. Guess again!
We need to get our asses on the ball here or we will all be speaking Chinese or the Araba launguages.
But I guess we have time to call each other names. For what? One showmanship while people are starving and loosing their homes. For showmanship!
I'm an American, what are you?
We have no buisness getting involved with other peoples/countries affairs. BUT, if we don't fight for whats right, who will? This is a Christian nation. We do not wish to see anyone suffering anywhere in the world. We have known freedom our whole lives here, all we want is for people to be free everywhere. To know what we have known. When there is conflict happening, we jump into because we simply want to help those that may be getting bullied. Our intentions are coming from a good place. Sometimes we mess up, but at least we try.
Unforturnately, you are not fighting for what is right, but what is in the best interest of usa, irregardless of anybody who will be hurt. You invade countries on packs of lies. You assissinate leaders around the world for not kowtowing to your wishes. You condemned Palestine for ELECTING a leader that you don't like. You create enemies like Russia and China because they beat you at your own games. Your military budget is larger than the rest of the world combines, and yet you have the nerve of accusing China for expansionism?
USA is the biggest liar and terrorist in the world.
America is the biggest bully I know. I from America and love my country, but China has much to offer, also. Yes, we both make mistakes, but neither side wants to admit it or say they are sorry for fear of losing face. I've been here for a little while and at first there were some who looked at me with fear in their eyes. Once they knew I was not here for just a week long visit, they warmed up and now even offer a jovial, "Hello!" when I say, "Ni hao!"
I think we both have a lot to learn from each other; can't we all just get along?
Wow, First off the original poster didn't do anything, the government chose those decisions so stop with the "You did this and that" stuff. It's ridiculous. If you didn't know when we were in Iraq, US was NOT THE ONLY COUNTRY, neither was AFGHANISTAN, but I guess most of you rather blame the US for your problems
"Unfortunately, you are not fighting for what is right, but what is in the best interest of usa."
Regardless of whether it was in our interest or in the interest of the country. Many wars we have fought have left a footprint that healed the nation and somehow throughout time affected it positively.
Just look at World War 1, Who's exact interest was it that we were fighting for when we pushed those Germans back? Definitely not ours.
In World war 2; Who's exact interest was it that we were fighting for when we were dragged into the mess and helped push Hitler back and we weren't even fighting them orginially. It was most of Europe because it had a positive effect on them by keeping them from all becoming annexed under the power of Nazi Germany.
In 1990's who's interest was it that we were fighting for in Operation Desert Storm when Iraq invaded Kuwait? It was for Kuwait.
In 2000's who's interest was it for when we invaded Afghan to free their nation from the hands terrorist. Along with some NATO support. It was for them and as a result we have maintained a steady relationship and built security for their nation so they can actually DEFEND their selves this time.
In 2003 who's interest was it that we were fighting for in Iraq when some European NATO forces and US invaded Iraq . It was for their people. If we honestly didn't care for Iraq, we could have left their nation in Anarchy but no, we stayed and fixed their country up till December 2011 and since then we have became friends with each other and trading partners.
In 2011 who's interest was it that we were fighting for in Libya when Britain and France spearheaded a war against Libya with US assistance. It sure as hell wasn't for our benefit.
War always seems bad but it's usually the outcome is what makes the difference. If it is a good outcome and it puts a positive impact on the people of that nation then it is a success.
So if you think U.S. is world police or a bully, Enjoy having Communist China in power...
If our 'fight' is purely to bring justice and freedom to the world then great, that is an admirable goal. However that is far from the reality and listing only our 'positive' achievements is half truth at best, blatant whitewashing or historical revisionism at worst.
We, like any other country, often fight purely to further our own national interests. Cliche words and catchy slogans like 'freedom' and 'justice' doesn't even enter the equation. Just how many totalitarian regimes have we propped up in the past? Pinochet? We backed his coup. Noriega? He had our blessing until he refused to play ball. Moving on the the middle east. The Taliban? We built the foundation. Saudi Royals? One word, oil. Mubarak until he has overthrown? Another word, Israel. This is just a short list of the more well known examples and there are many more such regimes scattered across the globe.
The fact of the matter is, when it comes to international politics, good and evil (black or white if you will) has not been our ultimate guiding principal. In actuality, some shades of grey is probably closer to the truth. While we use one hand to espouse ideals such as justice, freedom and liberty in public, we are using the other hand to assist those who turn a blind eye to those words. As long as it suited our purpose of course whether it is energy security or economics. With all of that in mind, is it really that surprising for some non-Americans to have such conflicting views about America? If anything, the sum of their assessment would be quite accurate give our own ambiguous past.
critical times hard to deal with, will be here.
China is ruled by the racist Han Chinese. They desire conquest, land and power. It matters little how they accomplish it. Theft of intellectual property is government policy. Murder, torture, and repression exists in China as normal business. They are not enlightened. They seek only power. I believe that God will destroy them, without any outside help. If the U.S. fails to change their policies of abortion, despotic rule by the corporate wealthy and other evil practices...we are also doomed. This is simply recognition of historical reality. By the way, the world is fairly round in shape. To think that Humans will ever cooperate in a meaningful way is a "flat" idea. It has rarely been seen, often talked about and impractical.
Have you checked the history books, lately? Ummmmm let's see.....they have 5,000 years of history. At what point along that road would you say your "God" had the opportunity to "destroy them" ??
We, humans, should take a lesson from the Babon apes. They show no signs of domination over other groups of apes. In fact, they practice free love!
I have never met one single racist Chinese person. Have you ever been there, "worktilldeath?" You wouldn't know anything about working until you die. Go to China and look at their work ethics. They will work any American under the table in one night.
JDG..well stated! The Chinese work ethic is unsurpassed anywhere in the world. Look at the lazy, foolish, Arab muslims who only shout, scream and dance around like dummies, and of course their countries are nothing but failed, abject and miserable in every measure. Look at the Chinese who work hard, value financial conservatism, family and especially education. The entire world should look at China and learn from them!
If there is indeed a God, I would think that he would much rather destroy fundie morons such as yourself first. Narcissistic, self-righteous and ignorant egomaniacs poses a greater threat to the civilized world than China ever will. Evangelicals of today would make Jesus weep in terror and shame.
Dear Friends:
China needs labor force go they will hire you. The Gold financial dealt me a prejudice that should not ever happen and the Asian in Elk Grove, CA too. So my sin, I am white, Caucasian and heritage of the original States. Chow Caw KDesigners last saw you and she too so prejudice she talks behind peoples back and back stabs. China man check out the want adds in China and woman who are few. Go home. You take jobs from citizens of the USA. You hire few African Americans and Few Caucasians. Prejudice and wrongs. Chaing in Ca government has done a terrible job and is a disgrace. He has cost the citizens of California oh so much. Legal suites and more. Let him too go to China for a job.
All around the world has suffered in different degrees due to the oppressive actions of China and communism. Let us not favor the Chinese. This is the United States of America. Sovereignty nations and native Americans deserve more than you. Let us not ever forget. The pilgrimage, our forefathers that made this nation become just that and formed our free government and society.
You want you nose up China go there. We have fires to put out, our government to protect, decency and put out the fires of prejudice that you are singly inspiring. This is the USA not China. God warned us of the likes of you.
Amen. Hurray for Power Radio Station! NAACPA Power! Equality not China or Chinese. This is the USA. Take the Chinese language off our ballots. English this is the USA.
Protect the American Bald Eagle, the Grey Eagle, the Buffalo, the antelope, the Deer, Protect all that this nation is day and night! We the People of the United States of America will stand United. China has made threats to this nation and others. Let us not ever forget or what you have called for in this public address.
Never stop fighting for the Stars Spangled Banner, The Red White and Blue, the Stars and Strips Forever! and Ever! And Ever! Amen.
Nice representation of an American. Learn how to spell, or at least how to correctly write a sentence! wow....
The Fourth of July! Keep it Safe! No Smoking and no Fires!
Can we put out all the fires in this nation by the fourth of July!
volunteers! Future planting of wild flowers, ground covers, trees, for the birds, bees, wild life. Help!
I could care less what this jackass says. He likes China. Fine he can take all the crap he sends us and stick up his Chinese kazoo. I have visited his stinking country and been held by the PLA for 4 hours accused of everything from the Gang of four and starting the Vietnam war. What the U.S. should do is put back on the trade duties and watch China collasp.
I visualize China as the worlds largest ant hill with a billion black ants going in and out 24/7. I talked with a rep from a company that was considering trade with China, the guy told me it was the filthiest, smelliest place he had ever been. His company chopped off negotiations.
America needs to be in some ways like Switzerland. Let's backup our money with gold or other tangible assets and our military should only be used to defend our borders. We will give other countries food and medicine and help them develop their agriculture if they ask for it but we should not create their problems. As George Washington wisely advised: Do not get involved in foreign entanglements.
Patrick, if we follow your simple advice, America would not getting into such a mess in modern US history with all the wars and financial crisis. George Bush, Dick Cheney, and his elites Republicans did "exactly" the opposites.
Now we are paying the painful prices for years to come.
Its understandable if they don't want propaganda from CNN or PMSNBC.
If the ignorance and a lack of intelligence exhibited by some posters here representing the thinking of mainstream americans, then US is doomed.
China fights to keep it's people inside it's borders. America let's its people in and out of the country freely. Enough said.
Chinese are free to travel anywhere in the world. However, free Americans are not allowed to travel many countries. If you travel, you would see Chinese everywhere you go.
Frustrated, have you ever tried to leave America for more than 30 days? If you have, you will know that we need a visa to do so. Acquiring a visa requires you let the gub'ment know where you are going, why you are going there, who you will be with/working for and when you will be back. Then, there is the HUGE expense in acquiring such a visa. How free is that? People from the Midwest and further west are required to visit the embassy for the country they want to visit, which is most likely in Washington D.C. Talk about pricey!
As far as letting people into the country freely goes, ask an immigrant how much money it too them to get there. I can guarantee you that you will be really surprised by the cost of such an endeavor. People do not flock to America because they have it great at home, especially in Mexico (and further south) or Sudan/Kenya and others. Get a grip, Frustrated, and get to know a few immigrants without your prejudices in place, go ahead and get off the front porch and play with the big dogs - I mean travel a little.
China does not fight to keep people inside it's boarders. Haven't you read the recent articles about how educated Asians, mostly from China, now surpass all immigrants from other countries? I suggest reading a little, become more informed before you begin to spout your right-winged, fear-based agenda.
I'm sorry, but closed-minded comments like yours are what gets my goat the most. Don't worry, you're not alone, even our current republican presidential nominee feels the same as you do. Of course, "free" to him is not an issue over access to money, either...
The guy should write a report about why the Chinese like smoking in the no smoking areas, cutting in lines (queuing day), raising prices higher for foreigners for hotel rooms, & other scams.
So you think the media should stereotype the Chinese as annoying people? Because those are rather petty things you're accusing an entire race of.
Since when did Chinese become a race?
I enjoyed the article a lot. It's nice to see unabashed opinions from well-connected and influential foreigners. Stuff like that is supposed to be what America is all about, after all.
America is going to have to make a decision on how to deal with China politically going forward, and I'm not talking about war or tarffs (neither of those are feasible responses with our economies entertwined). Rather, we'll need to decide whether to lean on them constantly to try and shift their policy toward a more democratic and liberal government, regardless of how much they complain, or whether to clam up and try to mirror China's hands-off approach to make their transition to a world superpower smoother and have closer ties.
Either way, China's not going away, and no amount of xenophobia is going to change the essential partnership our economies have built together. You might as well get used to it and find a way to benefit rather than whining and prophecizing doom.
Well said SF. We will never force China to do anything. We have to back off, take a lesson from them and shut up. They know what needs fixed and are extremely efficient in fixing them. We all make mistakes, but pointing them out will only loose face and that makes things even worse, on both sides. We both have a lot to learn from each other.
I LOVE crabmeat wontons. Does that help? Sorry - that's the best I can do. I do not care about their politics.
Chinese dumplings, jiaodzi, and kung pao chicken are also hen hao chi, very delicious! In fact, I have not had one bad meal, here!
China nationalism would have an effect on the world- hopefully the Chinese will stop trying to leave their own country.
Yeah, that Horrible American Culture needs to STOP being forced on poor nations. Those horrible things, like;
- Coca Cola
- Autos
- Telephones
- TV's (Cable tv)
- Radio
- Air Conditioning
- Computers (Damn you Bill Gates ! ! !)
- Purified Water
Countries would be so much better off living in the 19th century, how dare those Ugly Americans try and bring people into a civilized life.
Might want to check your history. Of those things you mention, I'm pretty sure only Coke was invented in the U.S.