Evolution of the Chinese Terms for Foreigner -- Devil or Ghost? From Oldie to Friend

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Misunderstandings could have been avoided if people stop referring to ghost as devil. The literal translation of "gui3" is ghost. Since the last two centuries, Chinese have stuck with habit of calling "yang2 gui3zi" 洋鬼子 short form for ghost from western oceans. It is a similar to Cantonese version of "gweilo" 鬼老 (old ghost).

It is a serious mistake to use ghost and devil interchangeably. Devil is "mo2" or "yao1" in Chinese, not "gui". Such errors are unforgivable, not just a loss in translation but reinforces prejudice and misgiving among nationalities.

Is "gui" racist? It all depends on the context, intentions and expression of the speaker. Ghosts are not confined to Caucasians, Japanese and Africans. There are many ghosts among Chinese too - people who are out of the normal range, such as gambling ghost "du gui", lazy ghost, misery ghost and greedy ghost. Elderly people sometimes shake their heads and comment disapprovingly of the ghostly behaviour of youngsters. There are times when ghosts of the human and nonhuman dimensions mingle.

http://www.chinese-culture.net/html/hungry_ghost_festival.html

Nevertheless, it was true that historically, self sufficient Chinese civilisation saw the Middle Kingdom as the centre of the universe and other tribes and races were deemed barbaric. During the Opium War and unequal treaties which ensued, the term "ghost" was used with some degree bitterness by Chinese who were patriotic and suffered from mistreatment. For generations, the habit could not be discarded. Like all stereotypes and especially historical ones, the term has lost its meaning and purpose.

In the last half a century the term "lao3 wai4" 老外 was widely used in the USA and among some English speaking Chinese. It means a foreigner similar to 外国人. The word "lao" means old is an informal form of address, a reference to "that person" as in old pal. Among Chinese, it's often used with a surname like "lao Li" or "lao Wang". There are no racist connotations but some foreigners prefer to be called a Mr so-and-so, not a "lao".

The preferred term nowadays is "wai4 guo2 peng2 you3" 外国朋友 (foreign country friend / friends from another country), quite a mouthful but can help to avoid misunderstandings of people who are easily offended. A more common and popular term among the baby boomers is "xi ren" 西人 or western person.

(Posted by Fables)

* Acknowledgement : permission granted by oneworldtalk forum to publish the synopsis of the discussions.

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.

Are Chinese (Asian Confucianist) School Education System Really Winning?

There is really no perfect education system since it is catered to meet the needs of the majority of the times. Sadly, the growth potential of a minority are likely to be neglected or even slowed down in the process.

Kristof , like some of the academics with global vision and experience I have spoken to, is well placed to view both sides of the coins and the complexities of education issues. Unlike others, he could appreciate what propelled the enigmatic success of China (and other Asian countries) and its shortcomings. More importantly, how could countries that performed poorly in recent education ratings learn and catch up.

Many people of this generation seem to have forgotten that in the heydays, the British, German and Scandinavian education systems used to highlight rote learning and rigour, overseen by regimental and stringent headmasters. There are indeed similarities between the East and West in this respect, contrary to many who see the contrast between day and light.

Education and meritocracy are the legitimate and egalitarian paths to gaining social economic status in an orderly manner. The result would be a society with a sizeable middle class population. Everyone has an even chance rather than the skewed results of private and public schools systems that have developed in most free enterprise systems.

Critics who paint an absolutely negative image of the Chinese / Asian / Confucianist value on education should ponder deeper. Are they envious and sour graping sore losers? Are they too shallow to appreciate the positive aspects of a disciplined education system?

Meanwhile, the Chinese unfazed by academic success, are constantly seeking to improve their education system and humbly learn from the West / Americans who they admire for stimulating creativity.  It is not difficult to anticipate which school system will be the real winners in the longer term.

Op-Ed Columnist

China’s Winning Schools?

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

Published: January 15, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/opinion/16kristof.html

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Education thrives in China and the rest of Asia because it is a top priority — and we’ve plenty to learn from that.

For a socialist system that hesitates to fire people, China has also been surprisingly adept — more so than America — at dealing with ineffective teachers. Chinese principals can’t easily dismiss teachers, but they can get extra training for less effective teachers, or if that doesn’t work, push them into other jobs.

But this is the paradox: Chinese themselves are far less impressed by their school system. Almost every time I try to interview a Chinese about the system here, I hear grousing rather than praise. Many Chinese complain scathingly that their system kills independent thought and creativity, and they envy the American system for nurturing self-reliance — and for trying to make learning exciting and not just a chore.

For my part, I think the self-criticisms are exactly right, but I also deeply admire the passion for education and the commitment to making the system better. And while William Butler Yeats was right that “education is not filling a bucket but lighting a fire,” it’s also true that it’s easier to ignite a bonfire if there’s fuel in the bucket.

The larger issue is that the greatest strength of the Chinese system is the Confucian reverence for education that is steeped into the culture. In Chinese schools, teachers are much respected, and the most admired kid is often the brain rather than the jock or class clown.

Americans think of China’s strategic challenge in terms of, say, the new Chinese stealth fighter aircraft. But the real challenge is the rise of China’s education system and the passion for learning that underlies it. We’re not going to become Confucians, but we can elevate education on our list of priorities without relinquishing creativity and independent thought.

Worship of Chinese Historical Heroic Figures and Cultural Traditions

Deeply entrenched in the traditions and cultures of the Chinese people is practice to remember historical figures and commemorate special events. There is often a fine line between mythology and history. Taoist teachings have an enduring influence in these mystical stories that have wowed many generations. Volumes of folklore stories have been written, with greater ethusiasm, dramatisation and miraculous claims. Many of these have been scripted and performed in opera conveyed in different regional dialects.

Most Chinese peoples including some of the illiterate worshippers are aware that they are not "praying" to a god, demi-god, deity or shen 神 despite the tendency to "idolise" almost every spiritual figure, including the Buddha. However, injecting an element of mysticism adds flavour and colour to enrich their way of life.

Values are incalcated and reinforced by performing rituals for thousands of years. Hence, Chinese including many overseas diaspora have built temples to pay respects to Confucius (scholarship), Guan Yu (bravery, honesty, loyalty), Qu Yuan (righteousness, patriotism) and Zheng He (adventure, diplomacy).  Some like Guan Yu and Zheng He are worshipped by other non-Chinese or mixed ethnicities in Southeast Asia. Their beliefs are inclusive. It does not bother overseas Chinese that Zheng He (Cheng Ho / San Bao) was a Hui Muslim.   And Guan Yu was held in high regard in Vietnamese home shrines even though he was of a different ethnicity.  There are many more regional and local folk heroes held in high esteem and models for laymen to follow.

Hero worshipping is probably the Chinese (and some Asian) way of learning from history. This is probably the reason why ancestral worship is an integral part of Chinese customs and traditions. While  Chinese families do not accord divine status to the deceased ancestors, they are "worshipped".  It serves as a reminder for past sacrifices and contributions. It is therefore common to to find ancestors' tablets enshrined in villages and overseas Chinese clan societies.

Thousands of years ago, before moderating and nurturing effects of Confucianism and Buddhism was absorbed by the Chinese, many were pagans and animists. To date, we still find families incorporating worship of the Kitchen God, Heaven Emperor, Mountain and Guardians, Wealth God, etc.

Surprisingly Mao Zedong is still worshipped by some mainland born Chinese baby boomers, overseas residents notwithstanding.  They would usually place a Mao photo or small figurine on the altar or shrine at the side of a Goddess or Mercy or Buddha.  While Mao had built a personality cult, Chinese people had never been duped into believing he was a heavenly son like the Emperors before him who were denounced by his Communist Party.  Mao might have shown superhuman powers when he unified China but he had also committed many grave policy errors and caused untold sufferings to his people.

Mao's bid to get rid of religion in Chinese society could not succeed because beliefs, customs, religion and cultures form a complex matrix,  so closely and strongly intertwined in Chinese society.  Certainly thousands of years of accumulated customs could not be easily wipe out by decades of Cultural Revolution. Today, the fear of excessive materialism and empty souls have prompted the Chinese government to encourage the revival of "religion".

The future face of Chinese religious psyche as increasing number of Chinese turn to Christianity in tandem with the relaxation on church activities is an interesting issue to explore. While Buddhism and Islam are foreign imports assimilated smoothly into the local culture, they are nevertheless oriental philosophies.

I shall deal with this topic in greater detail in future.

References :

http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/History109bye460.html

http://www.china.org.cn/english/culture/137215.htm

http://scenery.cultural-china.com/en/109S124S507.html

http://www.paulnoll.com/China/Excursions/Guan-entrance-sign.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_China

US should learn from Germany and successful economies rather than blame China

The US economy would be out of the doldrums more quickly if the Treasurer paused to think and chart out a workable strategy than to find convenient scapegoats for its problems.

Economies such as Canada, Japan, and Germany which have savings surpluses, typically run trade surpluses.  Perhaps the USA should learn to do things more like them than to be a spoiler.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/40564662#40564662

" BERLIN - CHANCELLOR Angela Merkel has defended her nation's trade surplus as evidence of the quality of German products and warned that distortion of currency exchange rates would dampen global economic recovery.

In comments to Die Welt's online edition released on Tuesday, a day before she departs for the Group of 20 economic summit in South Korea, Dr Merkel said her nation's trade surplus of 16.8 billion euros (S$29.9 billion) reflects 'how competitive German products are.'

Dr Merkel echoed her finance minister's criticism of the US Federal Reserve's recent cash injection, and compared it with China's currency policy.
She said that currency rates should not be held artificially low in an effort to boost trade and that the euro should not be forced to support a 'one-sided adjustment.' -- AP "

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Money/Story/STIStory_601434.html

The allegation that China's currency manipulation was the "cause" of US trade deficit is oversimplifying economic theory.  This is a lame excuse for one's own inefficiency and mismangement. '

On the contrary, the "undervalued" yuan has benefitted many poor and middle class Americans who could afford cheap imports of basic necessities (that don't bother the rich as much because they only spend a fraction of their income on or on other expensive substitutes).

Moreover, with everyone protecting its national interests (including the Japanese yen manipulators), it is understandable and unsurprising that China has to cushion global crises and safeguard unemployment for its billion workforce.

Asians rote learning score merits if complemented by creativity - Shanghai's success in PISA

It is not an achievement that is easy to replicate. The Shanghaiese must have got things right somehow. Combining acquisition of knowledge with stimulation of creativity seem to be the right formula for success. 

These bright kids will reap the most benefits when they go to America and Europe for their tertiary and post-graduate education. All owing to the strong foundation and knowledge acquired  in the early years of their education.

http://www.asianweek.com/2010/12/10/shanghai-owns-the-international-pisa-science-math-test/

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/education/07education.html

Smart and Green - Made in China and the real inside story behind currency manipulation allegations and trade deficits

While China is entering the brave new world at breaking neck speed and setting new records every year, many of us in the developed who have been lulled into complacency have developed a penchant for blaming others for our own slack.    

Smart and green - and made in China

Excerpts

The beat goes on about America's massive trade deficit with China, China's mountain of accumulated greenbacks, and its unwillingness to let its currency rise against the staggering US dollar.

But the headlines about the world's biggest and most unbalanced bilateral economic relationship obscure what is really going on in US-China economic relations.

These imbalances are no doubt an enormous political problem. Americans complain that unfair Chinese trade costs them millions of manufacturing jobs. Beijing is spooked by the prospect of a hot money asset bubble. The G20 thinks US-China-led global imbalances threaten a sustainable recovery.
But the world economy is way ahead of the politics. Enter Apple's iPhone and BYD's E6 electric car.

The trade statistics show that last year more than 11 million iPhones were "made in China" and shipped to the US at a total value of just over $US2 billion. There were about $US100 million in American parts in these iPhones. So iPhones added about $US1.9 billion to the official US trade deficit with China.

But research by the Asian Development Bank uncovers the economic reality written on the back of every iPhone, "designed in California, assembled in China". It says components from Germany, Japan and Korea make up about two-thirds of the $US200 wholesale price of an iPhone. Chinese assembly of them is worth only about $US6 per iPhone, less than half the cost of the American parts.

As a result iPhones were a net export of about $US50 million from the US to China, not the $US2 billion deficit in the trade statistics. Germany, Japan and Korea were net exporters to China. And none of this takes into account the 50 per cent or so profit Apple made on iPhone retail sales.

If Americans want to complain about the evils of iPhone globalisation, they should be worrying about why the disk drives, memory and screens come from Germany, Japan and Korea rather than the US.

In fact, iPhones are a perfect example of where China no longer wants to be in the global economy. For the past 25 years, China has been a low-cost assembler of products like Apple's. This has helped lift hundreds of millions of Chinese out of poverty.

Now Chinese citizens in coastal mega cities, such as Shanghai and Shenzhen, earn too much and want better working conditions than Apple assembly jobs. Cheap assembly jobs are moving to countries such as Vietnam. Protests against working conditions in Chinese factories are rising.

This is why China is trying to position itself as a global greentech leader. BYD, "build your dream", offers a window into the transformation that is taking place in the Chinese economy.

The US is BYD's first target market for the E6, through its new Los Angeles headquarters for marketing and distribution. The E6 will sell in the US for about $US40,000, more expensive than the hybrid Prius but about half the cost of a Tesla, the Silicon Valley electric sports car that competes for attention with Porsches rather than the Prius.

BYD E6 electric car sales in the US will be tiny next year. Americans may demand more creature comforts than BYD offers. But the fact that a Chinese company is pioneering what could be the must-have consumer durable of the next decade is extraordinary.

Rather than fretting about low-tech Chinese assembly of goods often designed in America, the US should be worrying about mass Chinese production of high-tech electric cars to get ahead in the coming green race.

-  written by Professor Geoffrey Garrett is chief executive of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. 

Published on December 23, 2010

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/smart-and-green--and-made-in-china-20101222-195ho.html