Live From China

Charles Anthony, your comments continue to be a rant! If you have been reading these posts, you will see that most of our information comes from a combination of research, reading and personal observation. I am definitely not connected with the Chinese government in any way, shape or form, and I will bet that Kindred isn't either. Although, I am sure indicating such will not convince the paranoid! Ni de ci shi da ben! And Riverwind, it just boggles my mind that you would say that someone possibly murdered by the police in Canada is a minor issue. I'll bet their family doesn't think so! Or are you somehow less dead when murdered by the police in Canada instead of by the police in China?

Charles Anthony, your comments are nothing more than a pure rant. Hardly the basis for intelligent discourse! Kindred, wo tongyi, Charles Anthony congming! Wo ye xihuan ta!

So what if Google, etc. are being asked to censor information at the request of the government? First, there is still tons of information coming through. I mean tons! Second, you have to understand how the Chinese mind works. Often things here are done for show. Yes, the government here is still sensitive to excessive criticism. So, Google et al is asked to "censor" information, websites, etc. Of course, in the Canadian mind, we are astounded at this suggestion. But then someone with strong understanding of "Sino-psychology" says, "Make a show of it. Censor something!" So they do, and the government is satisfied. Occasionally, they "make a scene", just so they appear to be doing their jobs. This whole process is related to the concept of "saving face." Google, etc. still make money. Affiliated Chinese businesses still make money. Everyone is happy. Think of it this way: the net is thrown out and a dozen fish are caught; meanwhile, millions get through.

Firstly, I am not a tourist here. I am working here and living in an apartment. Secondly, how is it that I can routinely access Amnesty International, etc? And if there are areas where people have more freedom, then that shows that China is changing. Come on, why don't you take up my challenge and fly over here to prove that Kindred is wrong? I mean if nothing else you would actually have an enjoyable holiday! And don't worry about "losing face", it's not part of the Western psyche anyway.

OK, my first post, and I am really writing from China! Kindred is not in denial. According to the logic used by some posters, I should not be able to access this site because it is criticizing the Chinese government. In fact, I routinely access sites that criticize the government, e.g., Amnesty International. But of course, I am probably an agent of the Chinese government, right? No one, especially Kindred, has admitted that China is perfect. But that is changing, slowly but surely. Kindred's ideas seem well researched and all her critics are just naysaying. Hardly the basis for well-informed discussion. Seems to me that someone who has lived here, should probably know more about the country. Please critics, get on a plane to Beijing and spend some time here! I promise I won't have you arrested! Again, no one said that the Middle Kingdom was perfect. Yes, there have been human rights abuses. And so what if the government hasn't admitted to their mistakes. This is changing, and China is well aware that its abuses are front and centre on the world stage. You can talk about Tiananmen Square. You can buy "Wild Swans" here without much problem. Not everyone here is an agent of the government. I pretty well agree with everything Kindred says. Of course, she is probably an agent of the regime!