Without mightygoobi on here we have no means of learning more about his beloved homeland... Hope you get beck here soon...

I recently got back from the USA. I think I must apologise for what gets served in Chinese restaurants over there - I'm not quite sure how we get away with drowning noodles in oil, adding salt and MSG and calling it 'Chinese food'. And I'm not quite sure why all our generals are apparently going to the US to cook chicken (Tsao, Chao, Tsiu, Chow etc. Who are these guys?)

China is all over the news right now. According to most English press I've read, this Olympics is a disaster. You need a gas-mask to breathe, the internet is blocked and visas are being denied for political. Tibet, Darfur, Tian An Men, free Religion is big problem and athletes are encouraged to protest or boycott to shame the government and never give China the Olympics again.

Every country has good and bad points. Every country has engaged / is engaging in things that are not so good. If you focus on only the bad things, you can make any country look like hell. If you focus only the good things, you can make any country look like heaven. Later, I will write a post from my point of view on some of the 'big topics' – it is good to talk about them and not to shy. I think the ‘big topics’ are much more complicated than some of the views that are put out in press. I also think China has done a poor job of addressing these concerns in the media.

And from someone who is tremendously excited, passionate and happy about attending the Opening Ceremony tonight, I thought I'd post a few personal comments of what it's like to live in the heart of the Olympic.

At the beginning, I recognize that there are many things people feel unhappy about. We have a population of 1.3 Billion – 1/5 of the world. If we DIDN’T have problems of pollution, politics, resource use, corruption, rights, people upset of the governments etc. – it would be very strange. To pretend that China is a perfect country is completely wrong. To pretend we have no problems is silly.

I also think a lot has happened in a small amount of time. Sixty years ago, China was sending everyone with IQ over 100 to become farmers. Not long ago we didn’t have enough food and electricity. And we only entered the Summer Olympics 24 years ago – this is only our 6th Olympics (though I respect our brothers in Taiwan has a slightly different view). When I was born, China had not yet entered the Olympics!

Today – I’m feeling proud. Tonight is the Opening Ceremony of an Olympics in Beijing. I am deeply praying It goes ok. I’m sure there will be many tricky issues. And I think if we only do things that are easy, then we won’t advance.

Now, away from the big issues, some small comments from a grass-roots look:

1. The Olympic torch relay has had the most torch bearers of any Olympics. It also has had the most 'foreign' torch bearers. The torch relay is shown all the time here - and ever 8 or 9th runner is from Canada or Ghana or Russia or Ethiopia. "Intentionally choosing people of the world to run in Beijing - because the torch is for all, not just Chinese" has been written several times here in the Chinese press. I translate it badly, and I hope you get the feeling.

2. The warmth between Beijing and Taipei right now is very high. It seems extra effort has been made to make Taiwanese feel welcome. I can guarantee I will be on my feet giving standing cheer when the Taiwanese enter the stadium. The political arguments seem a long way away now - it is so nice to be able to welcome them here.

3. I am very sad that north and south korea won’t march together.

4. I spent some time in the Olympic and Media villages. They are really spectacular and luxury. Musical fountains, solar powered roof top swimming pool, bowling alleys, restaurants, post office, gazebo, temple, prayer rooms, pinball and video games room – there’s a nice ‘wii room’ too. it's very nice – added to the fact that there are over a thousand volunteers and staff to help carry bags, pour drinks, get ice etc.

5. Speaking of volunteers, one of the nice things is the huge contingent of ‘senior citizen’ volunteers who are posted at various stations around the city. Frankly, I’m not sure what they do (I think they are supposed to give directions) – but I think the gift is that they are so happy. Being outside, soaking the atmosphere, instead of indoors watching TV. Talking with neighbors, chatting, drinking beer – it’s nice to see so many senior citizens (over 10,000) out and about smiling.

the volunteer movement has also allowed students from all over China to come to Beijing - something that many in the past have wanted to do, but could not afford to do. It's nice to see so many students and young peopl from around the country all helping out with diretions at the bus stop, or handing out information, or translating at the immigration.

6. The stadiums are amazing. The bird nest and the water cube are of course brilliant. But the rowing, the cycling, the table tennis, the tennis stadiums – they are all great. Beijing has always had poor sporting facilities – now it is much better.

7. In 2 years, there have been over 21 subway stations built. I’m so happy with the public transport now. The move from big smelly diesel to gas bus is also great. And with the car restrictions, the traffic is not quite as bad as before.

8. Finally, just the feeling in the city is so great. There are parties planned. Big screens set up around the city. A national pubic holiday. Lots of smiles.

Tonight is a party that has been 7 years in planning. I am very excited. In a time when there is no shortage of bad news, challenges to face, problems to address - I hope that just for a little while - we can smile.

so glad to see you back online... Where in The United States did ou go? If you were in Philadelphia I wish you would have let me know... could have shown you China Town here.   

Good to see you back - and dont give a thought about that anti [whatever] drivel thats thrown around in a very precious manner on the back of the Games, most of us over here dont. Its there to feed the clones who cant think, but still pay for the paper. Its the usual nonsense resulting from media circulation wars.

Away from the invective yelled loudly by the very small minority, the silent majority who just get on with lives, have without a doubt been very impressed with the spectacle that you guys came up with, truely impressive. Jingoism to one side, I doubt that will ever be bettered. Reasons why it will not be, are irrelevant, and get back to the usual political drivel. Whatever stance anyone has, nothing will detract from the reality of the end result.

Great Job  , and take blogging invective with a pinch of salt, the louder they yell is usually the indicator of the smaller the brain.

Its also good to see the tangible infrastructure benefits becoming reality that you mentioned. Enjoy The Games, I truely wish I could be there.


Exactly, ignore the loudmouths and Enjoy   


Take care

Regards
Zy

I like China. If I had to pick a country to defect to and share sensitive nuclear secrets with, it would be that one.

-Bigglesworth

Mr. Goobli

What may I ask is your opinion on the Falun Dafa?
I personally see it as a creepy cult.
My mother in law was persicuted rather harshly for practiceing it in China. Scars along her back from where they(Chinese police) beat her, an old woman. They wouldn't let her sleep or sit down for days, feed her cardboard, cut her skin at random.
Do you have no freedom of religion? Yes yes, I know, we americans had the puritans and their 'witches', etc etc..
My wife went to vist her grand father in Guangzhou. She is American born, with American passport, full Chinese blood and language. That was a year ago, we have not heard from her. Just a few months ago we recieved word from her grand father that the police called and wanted to inform him that she had died in their prison.
I don't hate China, but I do hate your CCP. We have tried calling the Chinese prison - they just hang up. We have tried calling our local authoities - they give us sympathy but cannot do anything about it.

WWW Link
WWW Link
WWW Link
WWW Link

Spacepony said:



Thank you for your kindness Spacepony. Didn't make it to Philadelphia - and if I do go, I will certainly let you know.   

Zydor said:



Thank you for your kind words Zydor.

Regarding the opening ceremony, it was pretty good. I was sitting right under one of the 'big footprint' fireworks - and it was amazing seeing the 'giant walk across heaven' - just above my head.

As happy as I am about the opening ceremony, I think we might have made it easier to 'understand' for an international audience. Whilst the 'evolution of harmony' (the characters that moved up and down) made a lot of sense if you know what the character 和 means, I think the magic is lost when you don't know it. Furthermore, the song sung by the children of all China's tribes is a children nursery song that we all know. And the torch bearer running across the roof is a reference to a legend of a hero who chases the moon with a fire torch. I hope that the commentators in English explained that - because the commentators in Chinese did not.

Regarding 'negative media', I don't mind that 'bad things' are written about China - if something bad happens then it should be written. It's incorrect I believe to only think that good news happens in China. For example, the terrible tragedy of the America who was killed just after the opening ceremony SHOULD be reported and talked about (and it has been reported a lot here).

What upsets me is when (a) bad things are exaggerated and ( good things are not reported. And this is not just a problem with 'western' media - I think it's human nature to talk about bad things and make them bigger. We had reports of some huge tomato problem that occured in the US with germs and bacteria. I'm pretty sure most Americans continued eating tomatoes and didn't all die.

Similarly, the air is not prestine here and the sky is not all blue. And you can still ride a bike and not need a mask. If I tried to run a marathon, I would probably die - but that's not because of the air - it's because I'm fat.


 

One of the big topics in the leadup and during the Olympics has been the issue of Tibet and also of Human Rights. There has been 'free tibet' packages distributing, or 'free tibet' posters hung off highway and human rights talking about the torch.
I respect people have a strong desire to act and do what they think is right. My question is: what is the goal of the protesting? I would imagine the underlying goal is to make life better for Tibetans or increasing 'human rights' for all Chinese people.

Does hanging posters off the highway do this or running across TianAnMen square in a 'free tibet t-shirt'? You can be guaranteed of getting on YouTube - but I'm not convince the action supports the goal.

Imagine if just before the Superbowl or game 7 between Lakers vs. Celtics, 4 Chinese protesters climbed on top of Abraham Lincoln statue with CLOSE GITMO BAY! Those protesters would get a lot of coverage, and "raise awareness" - but probably also get many American people angry at China... even those that actually sympathised with the idea of close guantanamo bay. And it is unlikely that the American government would really change attitude based on the Chinese protesters. Because whatever the rest of the world says about Guatanamo Bay, the final decision as to what to do, when to close, how to treat the 'enemy non combaters' will be up to America.

A simliar thing I believe applies to China with regards all the various things we are criticised about. We know we've got a lot of problems - and eventually, it's going to be up to us to solve them. And one by one, we're getting there. It's slow - and we have a lot of problems to get through.

Comment and indeed even criticism is something that China should welcome - because it shows where we need to improve. China probably is a bit too sensitive at times - and this could be a reaction to having very negative publicity a lot and little positive publicity. In the future, I hope things become more balanced and also that we are more open to criticism.

And criticism and comment should be tailored towards improving the situation. Simply attempting to 'humiliate' a country into changing will likely simply push the country in the wrong direction. I've mentioned before, in my feeling, many the Tibet protests have made it a lot harder inside China to find support for Tibetan charities, Tibetan hospital countructions, Tibetan educational programs.

mightygoobi, If I may, would you be so kind as to direct your friends who speak english and enjoy bragging about the olympics to this website?

WWW Link

http://www.ultimatesportsrankings.com/

I would consider it a personal favor as I am now working for them and it would be viewed favorably upon me if an international audiance were to grow during the games...

Wow.. very interesting thread. Unusual for a topic to be this culturally diverse, especially in a gaming forum. I have a couple questions:

Do young Chinese people typically hate, or at least still have a grudge against Japan for what it did to their ancestors?

Do young Chinese hold the PRC government in high regard? I'm assuming this is an atypical, extreme case.

And in case you're wondering, I'm not Japanese, even though my forum name is.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDIT: I just noticed mightygoobi's post on anti-Japanese sentiment, and this made me ROFL!



AHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Spacepony said:



Done! I hope you get some good hits on your site.

Zettai Baka said:



Happy to welcome you to the thread Zettai Baka.

The danger of speaking on behalf of all "young Chinese people" is that theres quite a lot of us - so views will be non identical. I will try my best. To my thinking:

1. Young Chinese have mixed feelings towards Japan. On one hand it is the country that did so much damage to us - and those feelings stay still. On the other hand, we admire their hi-tech, their fashion, their dancing, their clean, their food. I think I mentioned before, I personally get frustrated that there are so many soap operas on China TV about Japan war crimes. I don't think it's helpful for relations.

However, recently and especially with new Japanese government, relations have been very warm. Lots of high level exchange, mutual trade, scholarships for students etc. I like to see it. We are generally very positive towards US, Europe, Africa continent which actually are quite far. Tokyo is only 1.5 hours from Beijing - I hope we can improve the feeling.

2. Regarding regard for PRC, in general I think there is good respect for the government as responsible for addressing so many problems and slowly getting things done. Of course, give us a beer or two and you will get a list of problems with our government twice longer than anything that CNN can come up with (corruption, rule of law, rights issues, pollution etc. etc.)

But (I'm sorry to repeating it) our standard of living has gone up a lot in a very short amount of time, our opportunities are increasing, our Universities are getting better, our parks are bigger and greener, our "blue sky days" are more - so even though now is not perfect there is much optimism.

The gold medal count in the Olympics is giving us a boost. US will overtake once tracking and field starts - but for now, the streets are very happy.

Regarding that link you provided, my philosophy is that patriotism does not need to make you stupid, blind or disrespectful. I can love my country and also accept it has flaws. I can also love my country without needing to hate your country. I do not find that website very well done.

mattsw104

I'm sorry to hear about your experience mattsw104. Earlier in this thread, I mentioned I really don't know a lot about falun dafa. Perhaps others could assist you more.

Heavy rain in Beijing today - not going to watch any events. I've been reading a bit about the Chinese female gymnasts. Lots of comments on age, on cheating. One thing that is common is that the idea is we have a totalitarian Chinese government is obsessed with winning medals. It forces babies into sporting concentration camps, makes them do a million drills a day.

I don't know any Olympians personally. I don't go to training camps and I don't know how they train. I do know that we do have 'sporting institutes' and 'sport universities'. I remember reading an article in the leadup to the Olympics about how the government was sponsoring a lot of scholarships in the lead up to Olympics to get better athletes. Scouts were go around to offer scholarships to young children and parents to become olympics trainings.

And many rejected it. Perhaps it's our focus on academics and 'real jobs' as opposed to 'sport'. But my guess is many parents would prefer son or daughter to be a doctor or a lawyer and go to Engineering school instead of sport school. Of course there is the 1% chance of being an Olympic gold and getting lots of fame and money. And there is a 99% chance of not.

Also, its no surprise where China olympians come from. Very very few (I can only think of 1) come from our big cities Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an. The standard of living there and the opportunities there are higher - so to give it all up to try for Olympics is hard choice. But from the poorer families, the choice is easier because less to give up.

So my thinking is that the idea of secret government officials kidnapping children at midnight and hiding them in secret training camps is a bit strange. Parents do have the choice. I suspect some of them may make a choice that THEY like, more than the child - but that is a question of parenting I think, not 'evil government'. And I also think that such a question might not just be restricted to China.

Just finished watching a quick documentary on Phelps, the American swimmer, on CCTV. He is simply amazing. China seems to be doing well across a range of disciplines, but we don't have one superstar like Phelps. Simply congratulations!

Thanks for your viewpoint, mightygoobi. Enlightening, as always. A year ago, I made friends with an English language student from Beijing who came to California. He said that he minored in Japanese at his university in Beijing. Strangely, later in casual conversation, he called the Japanese language a "barbarian language", and mentioned that a lot of Chinese don't drive Japanese cars because of resentment. Since these were casual remarks, I assume he wasn't being very serious, but it did illustrate the "mixed feelings" you mentioned in your reply to my post.

Another question I'd like to ask is:

1. What do you think of the current education system in Chinese schools? That is, high school and below.

This is a broad question, so feel free to tell me anything you want about it. In particular, I'm interested in knowing how it affects:

a. the students' worldview
b. their attitude towards the West
c. their opinion of the Chinese government, and
d. their feelings towards the Japanese.


And on a different subject, I'd like to ask about Traditional Chinese Medicine. Here in the West -- at least in America -- alternative medicine methods such as acupuncture are becoming increasingly popular. However, mainstream medicine often dismisses it as little more than a placebo. What do current Chinese scientists think about acupuncture and herbal treatments versus modern medical science?

china and there cafaterias

http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2008/07/then-well-grab.html