Being a PR student, I was curious to understand the communication element of China, both internal and external. China Shakes The World: The Rise of a Hungry Nation by James Kynge is an extremely insightful book on the real rise of China.
The review from the South China Morning Post, an English newspaper in Hong Kong, sets the book apart from others: “Kynge’s work ranks among the finest reportage on China’s rise, free of the hyperbole and fear-mongering that tends to characterise such books.”
Aside from the admiration of the book, the review states a strong limitation: the fear of China from others. This fear leads to a lack of communication and understanding between China and the world, mainly U.S. and Europe.
Ironically, One World, One Dream, the slogan of the Beijing Olympics 2008 is paradoxical. On one hand, the notion of unity within the world is pasted on every poster, advertisement, magazine, platform related to the Olympics. On the other hand, the Games in Beijing were a show-off of China’s national power.
Many other examples can illustrate so clearly the ‘issues’ some have with China. However, being foreigners, the label cemented on China, is only the result of a few events. It is common to hear Chinese say that foreigners cannot understand Confucian thinking which is the base of the Chinese culture.
Both sides of this relation are limited by the lack of willingness of communication followed by the destructive habit to judge a book by its cover.
It is true that sometime foreigner cannot fully understand Confucius philosophy, and I believe one of the main reason is language. Chinese text are mostly not straight forward enough and tend to use other fact to reflect on the actual meaning especially in old days. As a Chinese myself, I do sometime find it difficult to have a complete understand the true meaning behind and also question that how many people can follow his philosophy in the contemporary world. Here is two quote I respect the most from all his philosophies, and still trying hard to achieve: "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others." "With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my crooked arm for a pillow - is not joy to be found therein? Riches and honours acquired through unrighteousness are to me as the floating clouds."
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