Ok, what about people in your countries think about Chinese?

[outcast]

From what I have seen, most Americans seem to think that China is a threat. They are afraid of it. Then again most Americans are afraid of everything, even their own shadows.

[Outofin]

I third that. This is not a nice thread. Let's not over do it.

In fact, everything comes so natrually. Judging people is a basic functionality of the brain. Places like the United Arab Emirates and Russia far east could easily feel threated by immigrants, which is very understandable.

[Outofin]

From what I have seen, most Americans seem to think that China is a threat. They are afraid of it. Then again most Americans are afraid of everything, even their own shadows.

From my own experience, I don't think most Americans view China as a threat, but there are plenty. Before I came here, I thought ideology was a excuse of American to compete with China. Now I understand that majority of Americans do believe in it and work hard to push their agenda. To consolidate the 2 points, most Americans think commie is a threat but not everyone thinks China is commie anymore.

[bhull3]

This reply was written in haste, so I appolgize if it is a little choppy. I am an American (please don't hold that against me), born and raised in Ohio. I have gone to school here and on the east coast with people from all races and cultures. I have traveled in in my immediate part of the world (mostly the islands, Canada, Mexico and I'll tell you, I am appalled by the way tourist treat the native people, but that is another story). I like meeting and talking to people from different cultures - it is very stimulating and enlightening. I find that although we have some obvious cultural differences, at the core, we are basically the same and desire the same things (safe place to live, raise family, food to eat, enjoy life, etc...). Here in the U.S., there is a certain class of Americans that can't see beyond their own arrogance; that the world revolves around the USA and the rest of the world is (for lack of a better word) inferior. (some of you probably think that applies to most Americans and I won't argue that point.) These people are the "what-ever-I-do-is-right-and-if-you-do-the-same-you're-wrong" type (perpetuated by the Bush administration). I do not hold that attitude - I believe in being fair across the board (or ocean). Personally, I feel that each one of us is an ambassador for our race, culture and country, and it sickens me to think that the global perception of me (as an American) is being formulated based on the media and the action of a bunch of narrow-minded @#! 's. As an African-American (since I have to be categorized), I have my share of negative stereotypes to deal with in my own country - I don't need to deal with one outside of my country - but like anyone else, if I have to be judged (and I will because it is human nature to do so), I want to be judged on my actions as an individual - not on a stereotype. More Americans need to take the time to see themselves the way the rest of the world sees us - it would be a shocking and humbling experience.

I have always been enamoured with Asian cultures and at 46, I have begun to learn Chinese (I have begun teaching myself - so far so good) Some day I hope to visit China.

and for the record - I did NOT vote for Bush! (now I have to wash my hands for typing his name)

[fenlan]

From what I have seen, most Americans seem to think that China is a threat. They are afraid of it. Then again most Americans are afraid of everything, even their own shadows.

Actually, this is untrue. I may have my own criticism of America, but this is simply not right. People in the government/Senate may view China as a threat - as it in fact is, at least to America's position as no. 1 - but ordinary Americans are not anti-Chinese AT ALL. Opinion polls show quite the reverse! Most Americans, if they have any opinions on the subject at all, are fascinated by Chinese culture and China's rapid development. But this is not what the CCP tells the Chinese people. Very few Westerners of any nationality are anti-Chinese - you may not read that in Renmin Ribao, but that is how it is.

[Outofin]

fenlan, don't blame Chinse media for the anti-American sentiment. I don’t read Renmin Ribao and I believe only very few Chinese read it. I would be surprised if such a newspaper doesn’t follow government’s diplomatic policy, which is to keep good relation with the US.

I got the impression that (from some to many) Americans think China is a threat from American media, and from the President’s speech. I don’t know if you watch American news channels. They’re sometimes horrible. (And some of them are always horrible, all the time.)

According to a Time poll, more Chinese think the US in a positive way than the other way around.

[devi9]

Yes, some Americans view China as a "threat", but I feel like this could mean several different things depending on who you're talking to. Some people might just mean that China will one day be America's economic equal or superior, with or without negative connotations implied. However, this doesn't mean that the someone who thinks this about China isn't fascinated with the culture and people , as fenlan pointed out. Therefore I would say that the overwhelming majority of Americans are incredibly intrigued and interested in China and its people.

As far as Time's poll is concerned, I don't know when it was published, but I find it hard to believe. Just like I can't believe that the majority of the American people are in favor of Bush. When looking at polls, you have to understand that it was probably taken by a select (sometimes controlled) group of people who may not represent the whole. Maybe I'm a bit skeptical, but I think statistics are useless.

[outcast]

From my own experience, I don't think most Americans view China as a threat, but there are plenty. Before I came here, I thought ideology was a excuse of American to compete with China. Now I understand that majority of Americans do believe in it and work hard to push their agenda. To consolidate the 2 points, most Americans think commie is a threat but not everyone thinks China is commie anymore

It goes way past China's political system being communist. The people in the government here see China as a threat to the future of American hegemony, and they are using any possible excuse to convince the people here that China is bad. Not every believes it, but many do.

One thing that you need to learn is to never, ever underestimate American paranoia.

[fenlan]

The American government is correct in thinking that China's rise will push the USA off the top perch, but there's little they can do to stop China's rise, and even they realise that they might as well make money out of China's rise in that case. Ordinary Americans might resent their factories closing down owing to Chinese competition - the number of manufacturing workers is much less than it used to be and so this is just a small minority of people. They are right to see China as a threat to their jobs. A greater number of people realise, rightly, that China is keeping prices for a whole range of goods cheap for them. But the topic of this thread is "what do people think about Chinese?" Americans generally don't feel too happy about Communist dictatorships in general, but on the 民间 level, the very vast majority of Westerners in nearly all Western countries do not have any problem at all with Chinese people. It is factually wrong to imply that they do. Many working class people don't think much about China, apart from loving Chinese food etc, but the educated classes are generally enamoured with Chinese culture and fascinated by China's economic growth.

Chinese nationalism still retains a "chippy" edge, particularly in relation to the so-called China containment theory. [chippy = a chip on their shoulder] In fact, the US bends over backwards to engage with China, and China is treated in world forums as if it already were a great power, instead of just being a future great power. India is not treated like this at all. China receives more favourable treatment in the world arena than almost any other developing country. Chinese nationalists may be blinkered enough not to realise this, but it is true. Look at Taiwan for instance. China's stance that no country can have diplomatic relations with Taiwan is simply an outrage. No other nation has tried to pull this kind of S**T. It would be reasonable for Western government to say, "it is a problem for China and Taiwan to resolve - we will speak to both and not try to prevent reunification if both want it". That is what happens with respect to Korea - China has diplomatic relations with both Seoul and Pyongyang. China insists, not on neutrality on the part of third countries, but on their active support for the mainland Chinese position.

Chinese people rarely know enough about the West to realise that nationalism is regarded as a very outdated stance in most Western countries. Very, very, very few Westerners dislike members of other nations or races per se. Maybe you can find such emotions in the 1940s, but not in 2005. As I said, the number of Westerners who dislike Chinese as a general rule (as opposed to disliking individual Chinese they have had an argument with) is extremely low. Some of the messages in this thread are highly misleading.

[bhchao]

Who cares what other people think about Chinese? If you had enough self-confidence, you could care less about what others thought about a race you belonged to. How others think about your race does not reflect on you as a person. It's like judging Chinese people in generalizing terms based on the government's own image and performance

Chinese people rarely know enough about the West to realise that nationalism is regarded as a very outdated stance in most Western countries. Very, very, very few Westerners dislike members of other nations or races per se. Maybe you can find such emotions in the 1940s, but not in 2005.

I agree. The nationalism found in many people in China (and overseas) is disturbing and way outlives the nationalistic era of WWI.

Wushijiao wrote in another thread "For example, I went to KFC the other day, and all the employees were wearing some hilarious shirt saying, "为了中国的强大, 我们给你服务.", or something like that (I'll go back to get the exact wording). In other words, eatin' chicken that's been done fried up nice and good, and served by an American company somehow strengthens China."

Such attitudes are scary, outdated, and certainly unhealthy for a modern nation.

[Outofin]

Fenlan, I know little about Europeans. If you say Europeans like Chinese, I believe you and I'm so glad hearing that. My impression is that Europeans are less zealous in politics than Americans. But here it’s different. I’m NOT hallucinated. Watch the TV or see Chinese in Hollywood movies. I don’t know the percentage of the people holding hostility. I feel that engineers, businessmen and economists see China in a positive way. And of course, one who is more educated will be reasonable person and treat others more nicely. But political junkies mostly dislike China. And you know that racism is a reality, don’t you? I’m not arguing that most Americans don’t like Chinese, which I have disagreed in an earlier post. But I have to disagree with you on that “the very vast majority of Westerners in nearly all Western countries do not have any problem at all with Chinese people.” And “Very, very, very few Westerners dislike members of other nations or races per se.”

If you had enough self-confidence, you could care less about what others thought about a race you belonged to.

That’s true and that’s what everyone should be. But the discussion still has its meaning.

1. Others could tell some bad behaviors of Chinese immigrants and tourists. If they make sense, listen to them and adjust your behaviors.

2. If some look at you in a bad way, they will treat you in a bad way. So the discussion has practical meaning.

[fenlan]

Outofin, political junkies are a tiny percentage of the population. As for racism - rubbish! Why do you stay if you feel the way you do about it?

[Outofin]

Very insulting, too personal, and ignorant.

I don't ignore reality. You perhaps are living in a ideal world, which is good for you, or, you're living in a dream world. Why do you think I'm running down America? I contribute to America probably no less than you do. I have a mix feeling of the country. Certain part attracts me and the other don't. For the bad parts, of course I'll condemn it! And the same for my mother country. It has good and bad sides. You don't understand this?!

We're done.

[fenlan]

Thankfully, I realise that many Chinese in America do support the society around them.

[sui.generis]

As HashiriKata said, such questions almost always seem pointless.

Sometimes. Sometimes it is interesting to observe what misunderstandings people latch onto. I had a teacher in China, for instance, who was absolutely certain that preachers in the US were on government payroll. I bet there's an interesting story to that misunderstanding, though I didn't have the time to figure it out then.

[Outofin]

Ops, very surprising response, fenlan. I felt angry about your early post. Now I feel bad on myself. Again, I didn't mean to bad mouth the US. Actually I wrote something praising the country after my travel to NY and DC. But for controversial countries like the US and China, people all have different opinions on different topics. Okay, I'll keep myself out of the thread.

[roddy]

Okay, I'll keep myself out of the thread.

I'll think I'll keep everyone out of the thread, actually.

Last edited by fenlan : Today at 03:23 AM.

I saw what you wrote originally. Frankly, if you are posting and then deciding to come back repeatedly to change what you have said, you would be better off just thinking a bit longer before you post in the first place rather than shooting your mouth off.