Global Voices » Jacky

China: iPads Now Officially Banned

Jacky — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:54:20 +0000

Apple has lost the first round in a trademark dispute brought by Shenzhen-based computer monitor manufacturer Proview. Although Apple has appealed the ruling, iPad devices have been required to be removed from shelves in some Chinese cities.

China: Today's Myanmar, yesterday's China?

Jacky — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:11:43 +0000

In John's round-up of Chinese bloggers' responses to the Saffron Revolution, he mentioned that some Chinese bloggers used "this incident as an opportunity to reflect on the state of China's own democratic movement."

Some of them even link the Saffron Revolution to the political disturbance of Beijing in the 1989's summer.

Here is an example. A post Myanmar's Today on TianYa.cn reads,

你们吃人民给你们的食物。你们却杀戮人民、杀害僧人！

曾经，有些人吃人民的乳汁，当人民的子弟兵，却杀戮xuesheng。

You are eating food given to you by the people. Yet you kill people and you kill the monks!

At one time, some men ate the people's milk, became the people's army, yet they killed xuesheng (Students).

To avoid censorship, the author used PinYin for the word Student instead of Chinese characters.

It is not easy to find similar posts on the Chinese internet now. As the 17^th Party Congress is approaching, most of the Chinese web sites have tightened up their filters.

However, Chinese are good at expressing themselves implicitly.

A netizen, personating the Myanmar Daily Editorial, wrote a post A Clear-cut Stand Against The Myanmar Unrest, imitating the tones and styles of the People's Daily Editorial.

…

全国僧侣、全国人民必须清醒地认识到，不坚决地制止这场动乱，将国无宁日。这场斗争事关缅甸振兴和国家建设的成败，事关国家民族的前途。

…

All the monks and the people shall realize that if we do not stop the unrest resolutely, there will be no peace in the country. This battle is concerned with the revitalization of Myanmar and the success of nation-building. It is vital to the future of the nation.

Replacing the words Myanmar and Monks with China and Students, you get the message.

Many Chinese readers found this article interesting and cross-posted it on different BBSs and Blogs. But the intention of this article is too obvious to the web sites' moderators. It disappeared from most of the big BBSs and blog sites. Still, readers can find pieces of this article hidden scatteredly in some comments of BBSs or Blog posts.

Some netizens took more complicated routes to get their voices across.

A post on KDNet.net, The Iron Evidence of America Interfering Myanmar Internal Affairs – Let's Protest Together!, has generated many responses from the readers.

The author called on the readers to protest against the US.

想干涉下美国内政的就跟贴干涉好了，我搂主大大的欢迎！

Those who want to interfere the internal affairs of America please post your follow-ups here. I greatly welcome.

It looks like a post from the Anger Youth, buried in some other nationalistic posts. But if you read carefully, you will find something interesting. Responding to Bush's statement on the situation in Burma, the author wrote,

我呼吁秉持砖制和奴才价值观的人们颠覆美国布什政府的狰荡要求。

I call on those who embrace the values of autocratic and flunkeyism to overthrow the Bush Administration's hideous request.

Many readers applauded the author in their comments.

From this cat and mouse game, we can see that the monks' protest in Myanmar is not only a foreign issue but also an internal issue to the Chinese government.

China: Boycotting Beijing Olympics? They have ill intentions.

Jacky — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:10:59 +0000

From Mia Farrow to François Bayrou to US Congressmen, every news or report about boycotting Beijing Olympics has provoked rounds of anger from China's netizens.

In a widely cross-posted blog post Boycotting Olympic: A farce doomed to failure, Wang Chong, a political commentor, grouped the boycotting Beijing Olympics advocators into three categories.

第一，借奥运说事达到个人目的

First, those who use Olympics to get their ends.

Wang Chong believed François Bayrou had his hidden agenda when he advocated boycotting Beijing Olympics. François Bayrou wanted to take advantage from this topic to campaign for votes.

第二，来自反华的右翼分子。

Second, those right-wingers who are anti-China, such as Shintaro Ishihara from Japan.

第三，一些非政府组织和右翼小报。

Third, some NGO and Right-wing tabloid. For example, RFA and the Washington Times

任何抵制北京奥运的言行都将注定没有市场，注定失败。

Any words and deeds of boycotting the Beijing Olympics will have no market and will be doomed to failure.

In response to US Congress raps China over Darfur, blogger Yingzi wrote Darfur problem exposes the selfish American hegemony.

这是怎么回事？简直离谱至极啊。这关你们美国人屁事啊。

What is this all about? It's going too far. It's none of your American business.

…尽管言论荒唐，却能反映出他们内心的秘密。

…Despite the absurd remarks, it can reflect their inner secret.

正是因为中国经济迅速发展，中国的崛起让他们感到害怕了。

It is because of China's rapid economic development. China's rise frightens them.

在这次事件中，达尔富尔地区爆发了内战，迫使西方石油公司纷纷撤退，而中国公司却趁机进入获取石油资源的进口。这就让美国人感到不爽和恐惧了。一些美国人心中不满，就要找个机会来发泄咯。

In this case, a civil war broke out in the Darfur region, it has made the Western oil companies withdraw, while Chinese companies have seized the opportunity to enter and import the oil. This makes the Americans feel bad and they are alarmed. Some Americans are resentful, so they must find an opportunity to vent their anger.

…

其实根本原因就是，美国人自己的利益受到损害，而中国却能从中得到发展，美国人眼红了，更重要是美国人害怕我们中国的强大，怕他们的老大地位不保啊。

…

In fact, the main reason is that American's own interests are damaged, but China is able to benefit. The Americans are jealous. More importantly, Americans are afraid of a strong China. They worry that they will lose their leading position (in the world).

ShiShao believed that the US is playing a political game.

近年，中国在非洲的影响力在不断增大。在之前，存在于非洲的势力主要是以法国为首的欧洲和美国。选现在，西方认为中国在非洲的存在已经影响到这些国家的利益在非洲的存在。他们于是对中国”另眼相待”了。

In recent years, China's influence in Africa has kept increasing. Previously, French-led Europe and the US are the main powers in Africa. But, now, the West consider China's presence in Africa has affected the interests of their countries. So they view China ”in a new light.”

…
美国和欧洲固守着”零和”的游戏规则，认为当有一方的利益增大之时，另一方必然会减少。他们认为中国在非洲影响增大会损害到他们的利益，于是极力排挤中国在非洲的存在。其实，这中思想可以休矣。

The United States and Europe think it is a zero-sum game. They believe if one party's interests are increasing, the other party's interests are bound to decrease. They think that China's increasing influence in Africa would be damaging to their interests, so they are crowding out the Chinese presence in Africa. In fact, it is time to stop thinking in this way.

…西方国家的利益依然可以在非洲这个正在增大发展的空间的保持并不断扩大。这需要中国、美国及世界上所有国家的努力一起来消除非洲的贫穷、落后，让非洲发展起来，让大家达到”共赢”局面，这才是正确的选择。

…Western countries' interests in Africa can still maintain and grow in this continually developing space. It needs China, the US and all the countries of the world to work together to eradicate poverty in Africa and to develop Africa, so that we can have a “win-win” situation. This is the correct choice.

John Zhou had a similar opinion. He wrote

我的感觉是西方一些势力会利用一切机会，遏制正在崛起的中国。

My feeling is that some Western powers will use every opportunity to contain a rising China.

But there is a rare voice in this post's comment. An anonym commented,

lz已经被中共洗脑了,只要外国和中国过不去,lz就认为是西方在遏制中国崛起,但是lz知道因为达富尔问题已经有几十万的难民和成千上万的死亡吗?看来lz真该到难民营去住几天.
中国因为自己的石油利益想苏丹政府提供军火,直接导致了问题的严重化,这是应该谴责的

The author has been brainwashed by the Chinese Communists Party. Once foreign countries are making troubles to China, the author consider that they are trying to contain the rise of China. But does the author know that the Darfur crisis has made tens of thousands of refugees and tens of thousands of deaths? Looks like the author needs stay in the refugee camp for a few days.
China provide the Sudanese government weaphons for its interests of oil. This has worsened the problem. This should be condemned.

China: Bloggers' Response On The Attack In Ethiopia

Jacky — Thu, 03 May 2007 08:59:39 +0000

Nine Chinese oil workers were killed in Ethiopia oil attack last month. Many Chinese netizens have expressed their grief, sadness and pain over the Internet.

Knowing so many Chinese were killed, LouLou advises Chinese to stay home.

中国专家所分析恐怖分子并不是针对我们中国政府而是针对埃塞俄比亚政府的不满. 他们并不想伤害中国的工民.

我个人不太赞成他们的观点. 既然他们仅仅是反对埃塞俄比亚政府, 为什么会袭击我国工民,他们是不是在向来自其他国家表明不允许我们进入埃塞俄比亚并不允许我们和埃塞俄比亚政府握手呢?

…

这样的事故近几年已经屡次发生, 我国人员出国的越来越多其安全系数也不是很乐观. 当然国家也在努力中,我奉劝各位还是少出国尤其是旅游的人员, 中国这么大为什么一定冒着生命危险去玩呢?

Chinese experts have analyzed that the terrorists do not aim at our government, but the Ethiopian government. They are dissatisfied with the Ethiopian government. They do not intend to hurt Chinese citizen.

I personally do not support their views. If those terrorists only oppose Ethiopian government, why did they attack our citizens? Or if they want to show that they do not want us to enter Ethiopia and do not want us shake hands with the Ethiopian government?

…

Such incidents have repeatedly happened in recent years. We have more and more people going abroad. They do not have optimistic safety level. Our government is certainly making efforts, but I still advise everybody, tourists in particular, not to go abroad so often. China is so big, why should we risk our lives to have fun?

More Chinese bloggers condemn the attack. Some of them even urge China government to take stronger actions in respond to this attack.

XiaoLiang LeHeHe says,

难道除了遣责，就什么都不会了吗，吓怕了吗？

Don't we know what to do besides condemning? Have we been terrorized?

A popular post from Tiexue BBS outcries,

对于杀我同胞的畜生，我们是不是换种方式来回应他们？！不是用抗议、谴责、而是用子弹！

Shall we change our way in respond to those beasts who killed our fellow Chinese?! Not protesting, reprimanding, but bullets!

MingHao(冥昊) believes China should give proper response and maintain its interest in Africa.

对于这次事件，我们要吸取经验教训，不要让悲剧再次上演。同时，我们应该做出合适的反应，九名中国人是被谋杀的，中国人不是草芥，不能白白被杀害，凶手必须付出代价！我国政府应该采取一些手段，震慑那些心怀鬼胎的人，同时也给受害者亲人一个交代。中国政府应该为自己的公民主持公道！

In light of this incident, we have to learn lessons, so that the tragedy will not occur again. Meanwhile, we should make an appropriate response. Nine Chinese people were murdered, the Chinese are not trash, and shouldn't be killed like that. The murderers must pay the price! Our government should take some measures to deter those people with malicious intent, and give an answer to the relatives of victims. The Chinese government should uphold the justice for its own citizens!

Some bloggers give their suggestions on how China can protect its interest abroad.

A cross-post on blog HeNanOilField reads,

当然，发生在埃塞的袭击事件是彻头彻尾的恐怖行径，恐怖分子是此事的元凶。但是，作为我们，从事件中该反思什么？

第一，认真考察所在地的安全状况，首先进行安全评估
第二，建立完善的安全应急体系
…
第三，避免在有争议的地区进行油气田的勘探开发

Definitely, the attack in Ethiopia is downright terrorism and the terrorists are the prime criminal. But, what should we reflect on this incident?

Firstly, study the security situation of the site seriously; make safety assessment first.
Secondly, establish a sound emergency response system
…
Thirdly, avoid exploring and developing oil and gas fields in the conflict regions.

Tao DuanFang is a Chinese diaspora in Canada. He lived in Africa for a long time. He suggests,

海外战略资源要开发，中国公民的安全也要确保，在这种局面下，能作的选择无非就是两个。

一是加强对被开发国家及所开发地区的预研工作，认真调查、科学评估、慎重决策，做到“千金之子，坐不垂堂”，远离高危地带，既保证资源供应的稳定性，又确保开发者的人身和财产安全。

二是采取一切可以采取的手段，调动一切可以调动的资源，用国家的力量保护在热点地区从事战略资源开发的中国公司和公民。

…

不管愿意与否，今天的中国已拥有全球利益，海外战略资源的开发，则是这一全球利益中极重要的一环。必须从战略高度确保这一开发的安全，这不仅是为了同胞的生命，同样是为了国家战略资源供应的稳定确保，和相关企业经济利益的不受损失。

We need to develop strategic resources abroad and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens at the same time. In such situations, we have only two options.

First, enhance preliminary research on the countries and regions being developed. We must conduct serious investigations, carry out scientific assessments, and make careful decisions. “A valuable and important person stays away from danger.” Keeping away from the high-risk zones will ensure a stable supply of the resources and the developers' personal and properties' safety.

Second, take all possible measures, mobilize all available resources, and use the national power to protect the Chinese enterprises and citizens who are developing the strategic resources at the hot-spot regions.

…

Whether you accept or not, today's China has its own global interest. The development of strategic resources abroad is a very important part of its global interest. We must ensure the security of this development from a strategical point of view. This is not only for the lives of our compatriots, but also for ensuring a stable national strategic resources supply and protecting the related enterprises' economic interest.

But to YuJiaXue(雨夹雪), he needs a simple and direct solution–arm the overseas Chinese workers with advanced weapons.

我建议在外派时应该对他们进行军训，配备自卫用的武器。因为我儿子就在埃塞工作，距离欧加登地区有600公里。我担心他们。

I suggest that we should get them military training when sending them out and equip them with self-defense weapons. Because my son is working in Ethiopia, at a place which is 600 kilometers away from the Ogaden region. I worry about them.

Who is visiting Africa?

Jacky — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 09:53:12 +0000

Chinese President Hu Jintao is on a 10-day-visit to Africa now. Many state-owned news media such as Xinhua News Agency and People’s Daily, headline his visit on their websites’ front page almost everyday. His tour has also attracted attention from Chinese netizens.

The Chinese government regards Hu’s visit as a great diplomatic victory. Many Chinese echo with exultance.

A popular post applaudeded Hu’s effort in Sudan’s Darfur crisis, China vs. the US in Africa: Bush failed, Hu Jintao succeeded!!!

在俺们胡哥的亲切的微笑中，达尔富尔问题就这样解冻了！在俺们胡哥的亲切的微笑中，联合国的维和部队就快要进住了！

布什做不到的，胡哥在微笑中做到了！！！

中非友谊是真正的友谊！！！！！！！！！

支持胡哥！

Our brother Hu thawed the Darfur crisis with his cordial smile! The United Nations peacekeeping force is going to station (in Darfur) with his cordial smile!

Bush failed, brother Hu succeeded with smile!!!

Sino-Africa friendship is a true friendship!!!!!!

Support brother Hu!!!!

At the same time, many blogs and BBSes cross-posted analysis from all over.

China’s role in Africa from Singapore’s Zaobao is one of the popular articles,

中国在非洲所要扮演的角色，依然是第三世界利益的维护者，但不再是国际秩序的挑战者。在非洲大陆继续站稳脚跟，同时又要避免与西方国家发生对抗，这应该是当前中国对非洲外交的思考方向。

China’s role in Africa remains a vindicator of the interests of the third world, but no longer a challenger to the international order. China should continue to stand firm on the African continent, while trying to avoid confrontation with the West. This should be the direction of China's diplomacy in Africa.

Many bloggers seem to not understand China’s Africa strategy, especially Hu’s promised economic aid to Africa. They think China is a poor, developing country. It should take care of its own business before it goes out to help others.

This blogger, benfei, strongly questions China’s policy in helping Africa,

质问：中国只是个发展中国家，又不是发达国家，不是钱多的没地方花，自己国内的问题都没解决好，在国际上装什么大尾巴狼啊？每年GDP的增长都高居世界榜首，可国内民众受惠在何处了？那些无聊的数字又代表了什么意义？民众的住房、医疗、教育问题都急需政府的大投入，自己都入不敷出，还谈什么媚外啊？民众的贫富差距早在 05年左右就超出了国际警戒线，可谁来过问，谁来关心？由此产生的一系列社会问题已严重加剧了不稳定因素。这一切老百姓都看的那么清楚，我们的政府难道就熟视无睹？看看希望工程里那些可怜的孩子，再看看那些丑态百出的贪官们，民众的心在泣血，国家的责任何在？

Question: China is a developing country, not developed. We don’t have extra money to splurge. We have not yet solved our domestic problems, why should we keep up appearances in front of the world? China tops GDP growth in the world every year, but do Chinese in China benefit from that? What’s the significance of those senseless figures? Public housing, medical and education problems need the government’s heavy investment urgently. While we cannot make both ends meet, why should we fawn on foreigners? The gap between rich and poor people in our country has gone across the danger line, but who is asking, who cares about that? A series of social problems arising from that has seriously aggravated the instability. We, the people, can see it clearly, why does our government turn a blind eye? Look at those poor kids in the Hope Project; look at those grafters acting like fools. The people’s hearts are bleeding, what is the responsibility of the country?

This blogger, RuYi, is suspicious of the policy, but he is not so emotional and even makes his own suggestions on helping Africa.

…

不是说非洲不应该帮助，

…

我觉得我们在帮助别人的时候，

首先要看看我们自己的承诺和自己的经济实力是不是能成正比．

要知道我们还是发展中国家，

我们的经济基础依然薄弱．

按发达国家的人均水平，我们目前依然贫困．

…

我们帮助非洲国家　，我没有意见．

…

但是需要看到的是中国目前的一系列问题．

我们的有很多贫困学生无法得到资助，而上不了学．

…

却要资助非洲国家２０００名学生，甚至更多的学生在中国上学．

Not saying that we should not help Africa,

…

I think before we help others,

we should see whether our commitments are proportional to our economic strength.

We should know that our country is a developing country,

our economic foundation remains weak.

Compared with those developed countries on per capita level, we are still poor.

…

I am not against helping African countries,
…
But we must see China currently has a series of problems.
We have many poor students. They get no funding to go to school.
…
Yet, we need to fund 2000 and more African students to study in China.

He continues to offer his 7 advices on helping Africa:

1. Seek voluntary university students to go and help Africa;
2. More help in building Africa's police system, stabilize the societies;
3. Set up Chinese areas in Africa;
4. Encourage Chinese businesspersons to develop in Africa;
5. Transfer some agricultural technologies to Africa;
6. Advise Chinese in Africa to get the local citizenship;
7. Completely open bilateral trade.

Although Chinese opinions on China’s Africa strategy are not so unified, people are getting more and more interested in Africa.

Voc.com.cn has recently started a special session, Read Elites’ Works, Taste African Coffee, for propagating African culture. Moreover, they have invited the Ethiopian Ambassador, Haile Kiros Gessesse and Kenya's Ambassador, Ruth Sereti Solitei, to start blogs on their site.

This girl, A Hedgehog in the Forest, talked about her African dream when she saw the news of Hu Jintao visiting Africa. In her post, Blessing Africa, she wrote:

最近一个时期，中国和非洲许多国家都会是“蜜月期”，因为一个大国的元首到非洲出访，会给非洲国家和人民无限的荣耀和实惠。所以，在我心底埋藏的愿望就有可能实现了——今生就想去非洲。

Recently, China and many countries in Africa are in the “honeymoon period”. A big country’s president’s visit to Africa can bring African countries substantial benefit and boundless glory. So, my dream buried in my heart may come true – to go to Africa in my life.