Many western press, governments and ordinary people choose to believe in the stories spun by the exiled Tibetans than to view the improvements to the lives of Tibetans objectively.
The Dalai Lama and his exiled Tibetan supporters have become westernised and lost much of their Tibetan culture even though religious practices are retained from theocratic days. By the same argument, even the Dalai Lama could not prevent cultural genocide among his supporters. This is inspite of reports that the exiled government is autocratic, discriminatory against other Tibetan sects and practises nepotism.
In contrast, Tibetans living in China are free to learn their own language in elementary and high school level. However, practical reasons necessitate that they become fluent in Chinese Mandarin language which is the medium of instruction for tertiary education throughout China. Many non-Anglo Saxon ethnicities in the western world have to learn English as the official language for education and work. There is nothing so abhorent and fearsome about it.
German scholar Ingo Nentwig refutes Dalai Lama's "cultural genocide" allegations : http://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/fulltext/56150/print
Unfair and Disproportionate China bashing
Where was the world when the Indonesian government committed cultural genocide against ethnic Chinese citizens in the 1950s and 1960s? Discrimination was carried out to the extreme to undermine Chinese businesses and erase all traces of Chinese identity. It was unfortunate that it happened during the Cold War and the free world tacitly applauded these human rights violations. Similarly, the racially motivated riots in the 1990s despite in a less hostile international environment, also only received scant mention in the press, without much criticism or condemnation from western governments.
Reflecting on oneself, the atrocities committed against native Americans and Australian aboriginals that have yet to be fully vindicated compose another thesis for critics to ponder before jumping on random petty incidents that cloud the bigger picture.
Unlike these marginalised groups, affirmative action is shown towards ethnic minorities, more favourably towards Tibetans, in the form of scholarships with lower selection criteria and enjoy various forms of subsidies not available to majority of the Chinese population. Critics either do not know, or not bother to find out, or simply have the audacity to brush aside pertinent facts.
It is only logical that a caring government would create wealth to distribute wealth. Without doubt, every society has tensions between the very rich and bottom of the social ladder who have fallen between the cracks. Honestly, how many of us buy the arguments of looting during the London riots recently. Envy and getting back at unethcial capitalists are lame excuses to plunder and kill innocent people, many of whom are middle class people trying to make a honest living. Are the value of Chinese Han and Hui Muslim lives worth less than the victims of the London riots?
Like some of the "spontaneous" revolutions in other parts of the world, they would not have been ignited or spread without the instigation of exiles and their western clandestine sponsors. From hindsight, most Chinese and world citizens would appreciate the need for firm security when self interested rebels overstep their privileges, rights and responsibilites to harm the interests of the majority regardless of religion, social status and ethnicity.
Showing posts with label Social. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Social. Show all posts
Friday, August 26, 2011
Arab Spring bug : better pray that China summer will pass, as no one will be wiser or better when revolution and misfortunate strike
At this time of the year, it is confirmed that there won't be a spring revolution in China.
http://chinainformzen.blogspot.com/2011/02/china-blooms-warding-off-jasmine.html
But speculators are putting forth ingredients for a China summer.
http://the-diplomat.com/2011/08/20/china%e2%80%99s-summer-of-discontent/
Questions must be asked. But to what extent should opposition forment revolution to topple the government and then what? The scene will be ugly and disastrous.
The international economic environment and spate of natural disasters are unfavourable to most countries. Social tensions would be multiplied many times over when government incompetence and irregularities trigger unhappiness and unrest. Could any other governments have done a better job? That is for the people to weigh the balance of probabilities and assess if it is worthwhile to risk discarding whatever gains made so far for some elusive goals.
The next wave of unrest is more likely to happen in the US and Europe if UK is an example to follow. Spain and Greece are experiencing much worse economic woes and unemployment problems than most countries in Asia.
Reports contrary to the relatively smooth and "bloodless" overthrow of the Gaddafi regime by Libyan rebels supported by NATO forces showed human rights violations and bloodshed. Note that Libya is a small country. Those who wish for China summer or whatever season uprisings were to take place are sadistic. Will the Libyan people be better off. We don't need to wait much longer to see the outcome.
http://chinainformzen.blogspot.com/2011/02/china-blooms-warding-off-jasmine.html
But speculators are putting forth ingredients for a China summer.
http://the-diplomat.com/2011/08/20/china%e2%80%99s-summer-of-discontent/
Questions must be asked. But to what extent should opposition forment revolution to topple the government and then what? The scene will be ugly and disastrous.
The international economic environment and spate of natural disasters are unfavourable to most countries. Social tensions would be multiplied many times over when government incompetence and irregularities trigger unhappiness and unrest. Could any other governments have done a better job? That is for the people to weigh the balance of probabilities and assess if it is worthwhile to risk discarding whatever gains made so far for some elusive goals.
The next wave of unrest is more likely to happen in the US and Europe if UK is an example to follow. Spain and Greece are experiencing much worse economic woes and unemployment problems than most countries in Asia.
Reports contrary to the relatively smooth and "bloodless" overthrow of the Gaddafi regime by Libyan rebels supported by NATO forces showed human rights violations and bloodshed. Note that Libya is a small country. Those who wish for China summer or whatever season uprisings were to take place are sadistic. Will the Libyan people be better off. We don't need to wait much longer to see the outcome.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
London Riots - the case for strong family values, security forces, leadership, but no time for social excuses to dodge problems
In the absence of effective policing and clear guideline of when and how to intervene, the mobs which were ignited by an apparent vendetta crossed the acceptable threshold and all hell broke loose. It had never crossed their mind to call in the military for backup as it is inconsistent with democratic practices. Affording human rights to those who dare has deprive basic rights to the majority who abided by the law. Where is fairness?
No matter what humanistic socialists argue and seem bought over by lame excuses by rioters of the social and economic causes and citing similar stealing by filthy rich bankers in the subprime crisis, the bottomline is that violence is unjustifiable. Two wrongs will not make one right.
Have sympathy for the middle class being squeezed and has to bear the brunt of societal problems. Many were innocent victims of unscrupulous capitalists and greedy looters. The rights and safety of the majority of good people ought to be protected by the state.
Consequently, the horrors have led some to call for a review of unchecked and ill-disciplined "liberalism". Prior to the London riots, no one has acknowledged or taken notice of the continuing decay in western society decades. While religious studies have taken a back seat in the name of secularism, it was moral hollowness with tacit support from government and society that should be blamed.
The decline of family education and imparting ethics and values is the foremost and primary cause for the decline in reason and decency. Families have become utterly dysfunctional. Though not all single parents are non-chalant about educating their young, many struggle with jobs to make ends meet and family support from spouses (whether former or current partners) is sorely lacking. Is it better to have "tiger mums" than no control at all? People are now paying for the price of freedom.
A handful of middle class individuals who partook in the looting were not poor but driven by greed, self conceit and malice. There is no fostering of ethics or morality at home as parents are too busy trying to make ends meet or are cursed as single parent families. Who would provide the guidance when politicians, big businesses and military did not live by social norms, ethics, incorruptibility and public good.
Two generations ago, many in our extended family lived in poverty but it never crossed their mind to enrich by dishonest means or steal from those who have more, even if they possess are ill-gotten wealth. The stories of seizure of lands by landlords and hard-hearted factory owners are familiar and had at one time formented pressure for socialist revolution. These were averted because conditions improved. Majority of the poor were able to climb the social ladder through education, apprenticeship, small business and working overseas. What we are certain is that tsituation for the have-nots will worsen if they harbour negative thoughts, get addicted to drugs and live socially irresponsible lifestyle.
As concerns surface over the security of Olympics complex in the wake of the riots, notice that China did not do the ungentlemanly act of criticising London's incapability in hosting the Olympics 2012. This is a stark contrast to western media and official jeering and support for riots and killings in Tibet in the runup to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Events similar to the London riots could happen anywhere in the world's big cities where social tensions, dysfunctional families and ineffective state protection. Some cities in the US, such as Philadelphia, are on high alert to avoid similar disorder and damage to the infrastructure. According to recent BBC news reports, curfew has been imposed on youths entering the historic part of Philadelphia. But is that too little too late to overhaul societal ills?
No matter what humanistic socialists argue and seem bought over by lame excuses by rioters of the social and economic causes and citing similar stealing by filthy rich bankers in the subprime crisis, the bottomline is that violence is unjustifiable. Two wrongs will not make one right.
Have sympathy for the middle class being squeezed and has to bear the brunt of societal problems. Many were innocent victims of unscrupulous capitalists and greedy looters. The rights and safety of the majority of good people ought to be protected by the state.
Consequently, the horrors have led some to call for a review of unchecked and ill-disciplined "liberalism". Prior to the London riots, no one has acknowledged or taken notice of the continuing decay in western society decades. While religious studies have taken a back seat in the name of secularism, it was moral hollowness with tacit support from government and society that should be blamed.
The decline of family education and imparting ethics and values is the foremost and primary cause for the decline in reason and decency. Families have become utterly dysfunctional. Though not all single parents are non-chalant about educating their young, many struggle with jobs to make ends meet and family support from spouses (whether former or current partners) is sorely lacking. Is it better to have "tiger mums" than no control at all? People are now paying for the price of freedom.
A handful of middle class individuals who partook in the looting were not poor but driven by greed, self conceit and malice. There is no fostering of ethics or morality at home as parents are too busy trying to make ends meet or are cursed as single parent families. Who would provide the guidance when politicians, big businesses and military did not live by social norms, ethics, incorruptibility and public good.
Two generations ago, many in our extended family lived in poverty but it never crossed their mind to enrich by dishonest means or steal from those who have more, even if they possess are ill-gotten wealth. The stories of seizure of lands by landlords and hard-hearted factory owners are familiar and had at one time formented pressure for socialist revolution. These were averted because conditions improved. Majority of the poor were able to climb the social ladder through education, apprenticeship, small business and working overseas. What we are certain is that tsituation for the have-nots will worsen if they harbour negative thoughts, get addicted to drugs and live socially irresponsible lifestyle.
As concerns surface over the security of Olympics complex in the wake of the riots, notice that China did not do the ungentlemanly act of criticising London's incapability in hosting the Olympics 2012. This is a stark contrast to western media and official jeering and support for riots and killings in Tibet in the runup to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Events similar to the London riots could happen anywhere in the world's big cities where social tensions, dysfunctional families and ineffective state protection. Some cities in the US, such as Philadelphia, are on high alert to avoid similar disorder and damage to the infrastructure. According to recent BBC news reports, curfew has been imposed on youths entering the historic part of Philadelphia. But is that too little too late to overhaul societal ills?
Monday, February 21, 2011
China Blooms, warding off Jasmine Revolution
Plum flowers which thrive in harsh winter conditions are blossoming during the spring festival which coincides with the celebration of the lunar new year.
There is no sign or potential for a Jasmine Revlution. The bottomline is that China is not Egypt, or any of the self-enriching and uncaring Middle Eastern autocratic regimes.
While China continues to be plague by social problems of the old as well as effects from economic development, the leadership is making effort albeit with mixed success in resolving them. Not many countries in the advanced economies could claim credit for good economic management. The Chinese leadership is disciplined in esnsuring a balanced budge and keep unemployment and inflation down. Corrupt officials are investigated and meted with harsh penalties if found guilty. Policies have been geared towards institutionisation and legal framework that is clear and consistent. Of course, like most developing countries, China is still finding its way to leapfrog in the least painful means possible.
The bottomline is : the vast majority of the Chinese people do not want to see turbulent, turmoil and bloodshed. Personal and community interests rank higher than democratic ideals. Most of the complaints involve land disputes, unequal contracts, corrupt provincial officials, labour compensation and environmental issues. The Chinese people know too well from past revolutions that they could first and foremost be empowered with economic wealth and education.
Say what you may about information restrictions. Control of the internet, checks on dissidents, university students and workers have stemmed the sparks of discontent from turning into flames. The Chinese media including private organisations are self discipline and impose self censorship to avoid getting into trouble with the law, but more importantly, to exercise discretion, objectivity and responsibility in reporting. Chinese people know too well that political instability will return them to the dark ages, living in fear of political extremism, stagnation and decline.
The Tiananmen generation are now middle age and have become part of the bourgeois class. Many are living overseas, not precluding those who remain, have successful businesses, careers or earning good royalty incomes from publications. Some among the Tiananmen heroes are disillusioned and circumspect with politics.
Gone are the days of a single dictator or all mighty party. The Chinese Communist Party is a collective leadership and consolidating grassroots support is the key to the party's legitimacy. As long as it endeavours to ensure food security, respect for laws, implement social reforms and safety net, address environmental issues, and work towards equal opportunities and equity, revolutions are probably a thing of the past. Sorry to disappoint democracy advocates and fighters.
There is no sign or potential for a Jasmine Revlution. The bottomline is that China is not Egypt, or any of the self-enriching and uncaring Middle Eastern autocratic regimes.
While China continues to be plague by social problems of the old as well as effects from economic development, the leadership is making effort albeit with mixed success in resolving them. Not many countries in the advanced economies could claim credit for good economic management. The Chinese leadership is disciplined in esnsuring a balanced budge and keep unemployment and inflation down. Corrupt officials are investigated and meted with harsh penalties if found guilty. Policies have been geared towards institutionisation and legal framework that is clear and consistent. Of course, like most developing countries, China is still finding its way to leapfrog in the least painful means possible.
The bottomline is : the vast majority of the Chinese people do not want to see turbulent, turmoil and bloodshed. Personal and community interests rank higher than democratic ideals. Most of the complaints involve land disputes, unequal contracts, corrupt provincial officials, labour compensation and environmental issues. The Chinese people know too well from past revolutions that they could first and foremost be empowered with economic wealth and education.
Say what you may about information restrictions. Control of the internet, checks on dissidents, university students and workers have stemmed the sparks of discontent from turning into flames. The Chinese media including private organisations are self discipline and impose self censorship to avoid getting into trouble with the law, but more importantly, to exercise discretion, objectivity and responsibility in reporting. Chinese people know too well that political instability will return them to the dark ages, living in fear of political extremism, stagnation and decline.
The Tiananmen generation are now middle age and have become part of the bourgeois class. Many are living overseas, not precluding those who remain, have successful businesses, careers or earning good royalty incomes from publications. Some among the Tiananmen heroes are disillusioned and circumspect with politics.
Gone are the days of a single dictator or all mighty party. The Chinese Communist Party is a collective leadership and consolidating grassroots support is the key to the party's legitimacy. As long as it endeavours to ensure food security, respect for laws, implement social reforms and safety net, address environmental issues, and work towards equal opportunities and equity, revolutions are probably a thing of the past. Sorry to disappoint democracy advocates and fighters.
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