Mixed Feelings
Whilst reading The Guardian this morning I came across this article:
'Sars doctor joins 'disappeared' on Tiananmen anniversary'
I live a pretty average daily life here in Beijing. I teach, I go to the shops, the cinema, go drinking with my friends. Its easily to forget that China is still a developing country, not just financially but socially.
Reading this makes me somehow ashamed to live in China. Its not just the covering up of the whole thing, and the reluctance to admit mistakes and move on- for me its the little things, like being arrested for trying to mark your childs death with flowers.
This country is obssessed with becoming 'developed'- and by that they mean rich. Everybody wants some money for themselves, whether it be for a hundred extra lessons for their children, or for that new Audi. Why is nobody interesting in building a country with human rights for each citizen?
The answer maybe obvious, but to me, well, I will never understand.
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(4.6.04 05:12) I know what you mean, everyone is in it for the cash and no one seems to care about selling their souls and others down stream to get it 
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(5.6.04 00:21) There was a statue raised to freedom and the possibilities of democracy during those troubled days. Hope endures... |
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(6.6.04 21:29) Culture is not a easy thing to change overtime. While freedom may be a respected factor to us, it might not be the case for them Chinese. What human rights will they demand, if they have nothing to compare to, in the first place? I won't say the country is obssessed with money. They are probably growing too fast in too short a time. |
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(6.6.04 21:30) To add on, I think its quite amazing how you're in China working. I'm a Singaporean Chinese but I can't imagine myself working in a place where I can't read the language (I speak though). Kudos to you! |
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(8.6.04 07:27) Perhaps it is unfair to say that they are obssessed with money. I think it just seems like that sometimes. Thanks for dropping by! |