US President Obama will arrive in Shanghai on Sunday to start his four-day visit in China. The meeting between Hu and Obama will not likely solve all major problems on this planet at once but many people still hold high hopes that the meeting will promote mutual understanding between the two countries. Obama’s schedule includes a Q&A session with young Chinese in Shanghai on Monday and some Chinese websites are calling Chinese netizens to give their questions. Some English websites translated a few of them and the following are what I find interesting.
Dear President Obama, if you are reading this blog, please GO SIGN UP FOR CHINASMACK PERSONALS don’t feel pissed off by Chinese people’s frankness, and take these questions with a spoonful of soy sauce :)
Questions from People.com.cn:
有点另类：
I want to ask President Obama, how do you deserve the Nobel Prize? —– Please be honest!
上海老绍兴
Is America becoming a Socialist society?
形变量虚空非无
If exchange rate caused trade imbalance, then Korean won and Australian dollar should be depreciated since the two countries had trade surplus for a long time. Based on this, I want to know, as US President why don’t you think more about how much US plundered from the world’s laboring people with depreciation of its dollar? Even with appreciated Chinese RMB we can’t buy Unocal!
American soldiers are not welcome in Afghanistan so why are you still there killing their civilians? Why are you going there to ‘provoke’ them to become human bombs? Right, it’s your anti-terrorism business but it’s innocent civilians who died. Before you were there, they had a better life.
Facing a united European Union with rival power in military, technology, economy and its superior culture, what’s your idea? Chinese Hong Kong will probably introduce EU dollars to its financial system. What do you think?
Have you read the Chinese classical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Do you know how Sima Yi and his two sons won in the final? If you wish that European countries follow you to have a trade war with China, many Chinese foresee that the history will repeat itself. What do you think?
东海防卫
Mr. President [The commenter used 总桶 instead of 总统 for sarcasm], you just signed the tariff on Chinese tires and started a trade war against us. Don’t you think this is not the right time to visit?
形变量虚空非无
Have you eaten yet? [A common Chinese greeting]
xwzzrc0911
What is your ideal image of Sino-American relations?
Questions from Huanqiu.com:
yulu943115783
Obama, your mom is calling you to stop protectionism and go home to eat! [a recent internet meme]
一叶浮萍草
Obama, for your soldiers and all the peace-loving people around the globe, please stop your invasion of the world!
baiqiuen2008
Don’t interfere in our internal affairs ~~ take care of your country’s own business ~~
炼狱兽
What instructions have you got from your Wall-street bosses? What do they think that the financial crisis didn’t weigh us down?
薇卡
How can you sleep on America’s high unemployment rate?
Questions from News.cn: (more than 2000 so far)
鱼米之乡
Why is the United States always conducting spy activities around China? I want to ask Mr. President, is it OK for the PLA to spy near American border?
汉风石韵
Japan’s Prime Minister proposed a East Asian Community. Does the US want to join?
静坐思
America always advocates itself as a model of free trade. So, are the protectionist measures that your country conducted a betrayal of what you aired? How do you explain it?
香香栗子
Your country always complain about the trade imbalance with us. Then why don’t you lift the embargo of high technology products on us? We can make all low tech goods so tell me why/what we should buy from you?
香槟伯爵
If someday Hawaii wants to separate from America, will your government and people support it? If one country uses the excuse of helping Hawaii to protect its people to sell them weapons, in order to keep balance between Hawaii and US, will you still support the ‘friendly’ relationship with that country?
心中有爱
Almost every US president waged a war, will you do that during your term of office?
~大黄蜂~
It was proven that Iraq did not have WMD, can you represent the US government in apologizing to the Iraqi people and make war reparations？
重型空优
What do you want to sell in China and what are you going to grab back? [Python: This is a direct one :)]
黑白相间是熊猫！
Mr. Obama, I want to congratulate you on the Nobel Prize. Please answer me, how much has the great victory of the American army in Iraq and Afghanistan helped in winning you the prize?
环球时报环球网友
Mr.President, what did you think when Chicago was kicked out of the bid for the 2016 Olympic Games in the first round?
弹指一笑
What do you think is the biggest common interest between the two countries?
环球时报环球网友
What do you think of the integration process of Europe? What character does your country want to play in the process?
请总统拍电影
Howdy Mr. President! My name is Guo Jianwei and I’m planning to produce a movie. The principal character will be a president so can you come play it? I believe you will win an Oscar. Best wishes to Sino-American relationship!
乌龟大师
Mr. President, I’m a Chinese businessman and I have to go to the United States frequently on business trips. However I often have to wait a long time at the US embassy and sometimes I am rejected for a visa. Can you take care of the problem?
水上行风
Chinese people have a saying, “With a good wife, you will have half [of life's] happiness”. Every successful man has a excellent women behind him, what do you think about your wife? Tell us some stories about your wife.
XSQ
What is the American people’s attitude towards China’s rapid rising? Do you think it is more about opportunities or challenges? What will America’s strategy be after China becomes a global superpower?
孙世恩
Dear Mr. Obama, can you tell me what’s your belief? What do you think is the meaning of happiness? If it’s convenient, can you come to my wedding? Thank you! Wish you have a good trip in China.
木子李
Hi Mr. President! Have you received my mail/email? I sincerely wish you every success in visiting our country! Hope one day you will come to Sichuan. I wish you have a good journey!
Huanqiu.com also has an unofficial poll on “US President will soon visit China, what do you most want to chat with him about?”
- Winning the Nobel Peace Prize after just taking office, how did you get it?
1487 votes (10.19%) - Discuss the Chinese human rights problem that Obama cares most about, how about it?
620 votes (4.25%) - About the issue of whether Taiwan is a province of China.
3322 votes (22.76%) - What will America use to secure China’s investment of American government bonds?
2903 votes (19.89%) - How to promote denuclearizing of the world?
614 votes (4.21%) - How does America plan to promote its relations with China?
1670 votes (11.44%) - How can China and America cooperate in denuclearizing the North Korean peninsula?
439 votes (3.01%) - What role does American want to play in the future East Asian Community?
545 votes (3.73%) - When will America lift its embargo of high-tech products and weapons on China?
2490 votes (17.06%) - How can China and America cooperate on anti-terrorism?
503 votes (3.45%)
Update: live broadcast of Obama’s meeting with Chinese youth
The meeting between President Obama and young Chinese will begin in minutes. The Chinese online live broadcasting can be found here.
11:56 am Beijing time: Young Chinese arrived in the speaker’s hall.
12:36 pm. About 520 young Chinese are waiting for Obama.
12:42 pm, Obama will enter the meeting place soon.
12:58 pm. Obama entered the meeting place. People will ask questions in either Chinese or English.
12:59. Head of Fudan University, Yang Yuliang is today’s host.
13:04. Yang introduced President Obama to the audience.
13:04. Obama begins his speech. Pity Xinhua doesn’t provide an English transcript.
13:07. Obama is praising Shanghai and China. Blah blah blah.
13:09. He’s talking about the bond (纽带, don’t know the original English) between two countries. US’ aid to China in WWII. The ping-pong diplomacy.
13:13. Obama talks how mutual trade influenced people’s lives in the two countries.
Xinhua is quick :)
13:32. Obama’s talk was boring but, fortunately, short. Finally the question time!
Question #1:
我叫程熙，我是复旦大学的学生，上海和芝加哥从1985年开始就是姐妹城市，这两个城市进行过各种经贸、文化、政治交流，你现在在采取什么措施来加深美国和中国城市之间的关系。世博会明年将在上海举行，你是否准备参加世博会呢?
My name is Cheng Xi, I’m a Fudan student. Shanghai and Chicago became sister cities since 1985 and the two cities had all kinds of trade, cultural and political communications. By what measure will you enhance relation between American and Chinese cities. The world expo will be hold in Shanghai next year, have you prepared to come to the expo?
Question #2:
总统先生，我是上海交通大学的学生。我的问题是，您来中国的第一印象是什么？你给中国带来什么？又想从中国带走什么？
Mr. President, I’m a student in Shanghai Jiaotong University. My quesiton is, what’s your first impression [of China] after your arrival? What have your brought to China? What are you going to bring away?
Question #3:
我是同济大学黄立赫（音）。首先我想引用“有朋自 远方来不亦乐乎”这句话来欢迎您，在《论语•子路》中有一句话叫和而不同，我们中国人民的理想就是在世界构建一个文化多元化的和谐世界。我们知道美国文化 本身是在历史沉淀当中由不同的文化元素所积淀而成的多元混合型文化，请问在您的这届政府中会采取哪些措施来共同构建这个世界向着文化多元化发展？在您的外 交政策中会有哪些措施去尊重各国的不同的历史文化？我们中美两国在此方面会有哪些合作？谢谢您。
It’s a question about multiculturalism and how America should respect other country’s culture and history. How should the two country cooperate in this area.
Question #4:
总统先生，您好。我们非常荣幸来到这儿，我叫张新 （音），来自于上海外国语大学。我想找一个网上的问题，这个问题是来自于台湾的一位同胞。他说我来自于台湾，现在我在大陆做生意，现在两岸关系在近年来不 断地改善，我现在在大陆的生意做得很好。当有人在美国说，美国想向台湾售武的时候我们非常担心，因为这样的话会破坏两岸关系。总统先生，我想知道您是否支 持改善两岸关系。当然，这个问题是来自于一位商人。但是其实对于所有的年轻中国人来说，其实都非常关心这个问题，所以我们特别希望听下您的看法。谢谢
About Taiwan issue. Asking Obama if he supports China and Taiwan strengthen their ties.
Question #5:
谢谢。总统先生，我是来自于上海交通大学的一位学生。我想问一个您得诺贝尔和平奖的一个问题。您是如何看待您得奖的？您得了奖对您来说是不是意味着更多的压力和责任？您有更多的责任去推动世界和平。同时，这会不会影响你解决世界问题的一些态度？
Another student from Shanghai Jiaotong University. She/he asked how Obama thinks of the Nobel Prize. Is the Prize a pressing power or a burden?
Question #6:
第一，有这么多互联网使用者的国家，有6000万写博客的人，你知道防火墙的事情吗？第二，我们是不是应该自由的使用TWITTER?
[This is an online question selected by US embassy.] First, in a country where 60 million people are writing blogs, do you know about GFW? Second, should we have free access to twitter?
[Python: It's nice that someone mentioned this but the question has grammar errors if it's written in Chinese. Did Huntsman write it up or was the Chinese question translated from English?]
Obama said he never used twitter before. He believes the Internet should be open but sometimes he hopes information doesn’t flow freely so he wouldn’t hear criticism against him, and it’s nature to think so. Obama said free Internet is a double-bladed sword since it allows technology innovation while extremists and terrorists use Internet to mobilize. However, there are much more advantages than disadvantages and he’s happy that Internet can be used as a part of the dialogue [between him and the students].
Question #7:
我想说我非常荣幸，站在这里向您提问，我认为我很幸运，我也感谢 这个机会，您的演讲非常清楚。我是周元天（音），复旦大学管理学院的学生，我想问一问，现在已经有人问您得诺贝尔奖的问题了，那么我不会以同样的角度问 您，我想问的是从另外一个角度来看，因为您很难才能得到这个奖，所以我在想您是怎么得到这个奖的？还有您的大学教育怎么样使您得到这个奖项？我们很好奇， 想请您给我们分享一下您的校园经历，如何才能走上成功的道路？
[A live question]. He wants Obama to share his experience on how his college education helped him in winning the Nobel Prize. [Crap. Even asking him if he knows chinaSMACK personals is better than a REPEATED question. Are you a White House two-quarters?]
Question #8:
总统先生，很荣幸问最后一个问题。我是复旦大学的学生，今天我也是中国的青年网民代表。这个问题是北京的一位网民问的，他非常关注您的阿富汗政策。他想知道，恐怖主义是否仍然是美国最大的安全威胁？您如何看待在阿富汗的行动是否会升级成另外一场阿富汗战争
[Another selected online question by US embassy.] Is terrorism still America’s biggest threat? Will [US army's] operations in Afghanistan upgrade to another full-scale war?
14:03 pm. It’s over. Quite boring. No adidas exchange. And [12:30pm] Xinhua is being smacking down by too many disappointed netizen.
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[comment hidden for too many negative votes -- click to view]
Ah gee PP. You were showing signs of major rehabilitation on a previous post with a massive approval rating. The Nobel Committee were seriously considering you for 2010…..true.
Your first point: back to your usual self and off the reseveration. Tell mum you need to double up on your medication. Don’t take it so hard: you will be normal one day.
I don’t mind the fact that he’s a dumb ass, but why does he always have to be first??!?!!?!?
I wrote a script in Python that informs me whenever a new article is posted on Chinasmack.
Cause he is a dumbass and a homebound loser who is on Chinasmack all day when he is not busy whacking it to ‘2 Girls, 1 Cup’.
Still living in his mother’s basement. That’s why. It is not happiness he feels when he trolls, it is loneliness.
[comment hidden for too many negative votes -- click to view]
Couldn’t get the links they are blocked where I’m at.
Don’t bother, the still image doesn’t match with the video on Sky News. I think there’s been some photoshopping.
I’m sure all the chinaSMACK trolls have moved on now, so no one will ever read this.
Keith Olbermann shows Nixon bowing to Hirohito:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#33978902
The original Sky News footage, which is a lot less impressive (the Jap dude is a midget for a start):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kyD_e0Y7FQ
@ Python
Why censor PP for too many negative votes?????
He is one of the luminaries who make this site such fun.
No. Im serious. You should not do this. There were no expletives, and his second point was totally valid.
Explanation Please.
It’s a standard feature of the site to hide posts that have too many negative votes. If you like Pusan so much, I’m sure you can manage to click on his post to see it (which will require a fraction of the effort required to make your last post).
@Mercator
With respect, I devote a bit of time baiting PP and, yes, he really pushes the envelop in the – department often. However, there is not a lot to object to in his initial post in this thread. Go check out the really racist filth found on the Lou Jin (sic) thread….christ, its really bloody disgusting, yet nobody was moderated out.
Which point do people object to.
A Obama … racist caricature, but I’ve seen much worse here.
B. China stealing OPs technology….check this thread, a number of people agree.
Now, his second post is pretty obnoxious, but big deal. If every post which offended political correctness on CS was moderated, the site would die in the bum.
lostinsz,
Dude, Mercator wasn’t trying to convince you there was something to object to PP’s original post. He was just explaining to you that the comment voting system here automatically hides comments (as above) that receive too many negative votes. All comments are subject to this. It’s an automated system. No one moderated him but ourselves, which is pretty democratic of this site. We already know the only blogger here at chinaSMACK that actively moderates is Python, and that’s only on his own posts. Fauna, well, judge for yourself.
There are indeed a lot more racist shit on the Lou Jing thread but apparently either enough people support a lot of the racist shit there for a lot of those racist comments to remain visible OR there simply aren’t enough people still voting on that thread to hide the torrents of racist shit there. PP, however, has endeared himself to most of the regular commenters here, enough so that every time he posts his usual nonsense on the latest thread, the regular commenters who come in subsequently delight in voting him down. He knows it, and he probably enjoys it. His ability to embrace his reputation and persona here is what makes him the successful clown. He doesn’t take himself seriously and doesn’t begrudge others for doing likewise.
The stuff he says is still pretty awful though.
Being pedantic, actually two posts were moderated down on the Lou Jing thread. Although I’ll admit out of 910 that’s not very impressive. I must confess I’ve almost got a pavlovian response to pusan’s name: MODERATE DOWN!
By the way can we ban pusan outright for that really charmless movie his name links to.
I find it ironic that while Obama’s political opponents like to call him a Communist or Socialist and complain that America is becoming one of the two, such a thing is likely to make the Chinese like him more (well, maybe after taking care of the trade issues).
Oh, and the question about Hawaii becoming independent one day is NOT as hypothetical as people might think. You see, Hawaii once was a monarchy, and there are still people who want to make it independent again. I mean, it became a state within living memory: there are plenty of people alive today who saw the days when there were only 47 states (Alaska, Hawaii & Arizona being the last 3). Interestingly, there are people like that in Alaska, too. It seems like areas near the border are more prone to this, though. I mean, you never hear Kansas rumbling about independence. But even places like Texas have small groups of people talking about it…
Yeah, every nut out there thinks they have the right to self-determined sovereignty for their state, however its the ethnic/ cultural differences that grants the right to do so.
Tibet is mostly inhabited by Tibetans, and they consider the Chinese government to be a government facilitated mostly by Han people.
Hawaii was once its own kingdom with its own indigenous people. But the ethnic representation of modern Hawaii is a boiling pot, everybdoy has a bit of every ethnicity in them, thus there is no ethnic majority to claim self-determination.
Same with Alaska and Texas, of course some can argue these places have a culture of their own, but they have more similarities than differences when compared to the rest of America.
So I guess some good advices for the Chinese government is if you want to assimilate Tibet, send waves of your best looking and most fertile young men and women there and let the party begin.
“grants the right”? what right do we have as humans on the planet? NONE except those imagined up by some hippies that we have some invisible universal rights.
The rights to your land exist because you have a bunch of guys with guns claiming them as yours… this is the way ownership of land has, is, and will be determined in EVERY part of the world.
If you want a state with a culture all its own, look to Louisiana first. Though I haven’t heard of them trying to split off from the country, it’s entirely possible that I just don’t know about it. I mean, Quebec in Canada has certainly gone that route.
Incidentally, while Texas does not have the right to leave the Union as someone prominent suggested a while back, it actually DOES have the right to split itself into up to something like 4 states, if memory serves. Given their political inclinations, I actually wonder why they haven’t done this at one point or another to gain an advantage in the Senate (you get 2 Senators per state, so if you gerrymander the existing state of Texas into four parts…).
I can see why China(no no, any country) wouldn’t want and other country to mess with their internal affairs. However, China baby, if you’re going to flaunt your riches and newly found power(not mention destroy the environment while you’re at it) then at the very least you’re going to have to accept criticism without being a baby about it.
What do I mean by this? I think all(most) of these questions are great however if you’re going to make it personal then can we at least start a threat of questions we’d like to ask the communist part-ay??
BTW – I’m Canadian so it’s not like I have a boner for Obama or anything, I just support forward thinking people.
Beyond PPlaya’s very apt criticism of the idea that America should stop “spying” on China…haha who spies on who again?
I also take issue with the ignorant and condescending questioning of America’s role in Iraq in Afghanistan from the Chinese. Who has benefited from our intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan without committing a single troop? When all is said and done, most of the oil from the middle east actually goes to Europe…and CHINA! Further, with Iraq’s stabilization China has found ample opportunity to invest in oil fields there. Now, in Afghanistan, it’s doing the same thing. Investing in mining projects( and supporting the corrupt Karzai regime), while UN soldiers put their lives on the line to make such investment possible.
So, for all the idiot Chinese who think they are “defenders” of the innocent peoples of Iraq and Afghanistan, please get a clue, open a paper other than something published by Xinhua, and get some information on what your country actually does abroad. You are the ones benefiting from our military intervention in these places. Personally, I think it’s high time that we put pressure on China to “man up” and start contributing both monetarily and militarily, if they want to reap the benefits of these country’s resources. Otherwise, let the Taliban back in and China can clean the mess up when the Jihad comes to their border by way of an alliance with the East Turkestanis.
I don’t think there are any Chinese people who believe they are “defenders” of Iraq or Afghanistan. On the other hand, isn’t the U.S. who claim
there are weapons of mass destructionthere to deliver democracy and prosperity to Iraq and Afghanistan?I think by and large Chinese leaders recognize that despite all the pomp in the news, China faces tremendous internal challenges and fear the risk associated with a bigger role in the international stage. Even if the risks are acceptable, there are people that believe China should not divert resources from much needed national developments. Moreover, Chinese leadership have been repeatedly stated China’s peaceful intention to its neighbors in the East Asia who already view it with suspicion, military occupation of another country would anywhere near the scale of U.S. involvement would undoubtedly result in backlash from neighboring countries.
The re-election of Hamid Karzai which happened under US-UK efforts is as corrupt as it had always been but recently have been less cooperative with U.S. efforts. Nevertheless Obama congratulated Karzai and U.N. declared the election credible and legitimate, but when Chinese companies does business in Afghanistan, it’s somehow supporting an evil regime??
The Aynak mining contract you speak of was the result of having the highest bid among twelve international companies which included U.S., U.K., and Russian mining companies in its shortlist. Phelps Dodge, the U.S. company would not start until the country is deemed safe at some unspecified time later while the Chinese company can start right away.
That is, unless you believe China (many other countries for that matter) does not deserve a chance to bid for the contract. But your sole argument seems to boil down to: since U.S. was the principle force behind the liberation of Iraq and Afghanistan, it should have the right to override the decisions of these new government and favor American companies only.
I think each country does what it can to maximize its gain given the situation and U.S. certainly have every right to call for great participation from China but can we drop the moral superiority and name calling?
it’s late, apologies for the grammar mistakes.
On the point of China trying to communicate its peaceful intentions. The issue is not about what China wants, it’s more about transparency. When the legal system, the media outlets, and people’s voices are not independent, it’s hard to believe what the government says is the truth since there is no internal forces to keep the people in charge honest.
You want a peaceful China and free press and democracy on the same time?
impossible.
If the government stops censoring the media, and people where allowed to elect their own leaders, Ultra Nationalists would rule the country over night. And then, China’s rise wont be even attempted to look like something peaceful anymore.
Somehow, I’m happy that China is ruled by a machiavellian, rationale oligarchy. At least they are following a semi-rationale Master-Plan and are holding those ultra-nationalists at bay with their censorship.
I dont want to imagine when this suppression of internal aggression fades away, only to please gullible liberals.
Well said Whichone – Regarless of any errors in grammar !
whichone,
Please never leave chinaSMACK.
Okay Kai. Didn’t know about the auto thingy.
In past times (ie agrarian society), we would have locked PP in the chook pen when we had visitors, so as not to cause embarrassment. Sort of like the deranged pedo uncle. Today things have greatly changed, and besides PPs mum owns a PC room.
That Lou Jing thread was truly disgusting.
Thanks
Well let me pose this question then. Do you think that China would have had the chance to win that contract based on the highest bid if it were still run by the same regime? The truth of the matter is China is benifitting from the invasion of Iraq, especially in oil contracts.
War is war, and the spoils of war should go to those who are victorious. In fact I think the U.S. has been too lenient in giving other nations opportunities to benefit from our spilling of blood in Iraq especially. Regardless whether or not you agree with the invasion of Iraq, the fact of the matter is that we are the ones who have stabilized and died there. I personally think that we should have a much tighter control instead of trying to have a politically correct war where countries such as China and France point fingers at us but then go in to sweep up contracts.
If China wants to take moral high ground about world invasions they should sent aid to Iraq and take nothing from the country. Hey I support them kicking Tibetan ass, shut your mouth about Iraq.
FDLR
No, I do not think China would have the same chance to win contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan prior to their respective invasions. At the same time, when Iraqi government have a open contract to build/reconstruct oil refineries, or selling development deals I don’t think rest of the world should decline because they did not take part in causing the damage in the first place.
To the victor indeed go the spoils. However at a time when America is trying to “win hearts and minds” in the middle-east, your idea of more favoritism to American companies is counter-productive to U.S. interest in the region. From a P.R. standpoint, these open bids have not been a bad thing for the United States. No-bid contracts issued by the U.S. government have led to considerable ire both in and outside of Iraq. The funds available for reconstruction come from U.S. as well as many other countries and they are very limited. Audits have shown many U.S. companies have charged significantly higher than market price and delivered shoddy results. Open bid allows for competition that ultimately delivers better result.
I am admittedly biased in this matter so make of it what you will.
—
Super Kong
I agree with you on the need for independent media, however in matter of foreign policy I don’t the media can convey intent very convincingly.
you know, your reply just makes me feel better with my gov. ..at least they outsmarted you haha..
First point, China is really making great strides on environmental issues. From first hand experience, I just came back last week from Beijing, and Beijing’s pollution has definitely improved from when I was there 2 years ago. I work for a solar equipment company here in the states, and I can also tell you Chinese companies are our biggest customers. Their government is spending something to the order of 221 billion USD from its 2009 stimulus plan on renewable energy. The Chinese are leaving the US in the dust in its solar and wind development.
As for Obama, he may have vision, but in the current US political environment, it’s pretty useless.
Dear China,
As a superpower you are blessed with the criticism that comes with holding that mantel. Of course, this is a serious cultural difference – compare how the US media treated Bush, during his presidency, versus how the Chinese media treat Hu today – but this is how the international (ie. 191 other countries) press roll.
Therefore, my recommendation to you, China, is to be proud of criticism. You are becoming the Microsoft, Exxol Mobil, or Wal-Mart of the United Nations and so follow these F500 company’s lead – invest in some PR. CNN, NBC, and the BBC might then give you some positive air-play and return to stereotyping the Russians as the bad guys.
Best regards,
Morry
PRC should hire some of those western media executives for their PR.
but then the anti-cnn guys would concentrate on domestic issues and make trouble. it’s a fine balance Jean.
Okay guys.
There is well known quote(from Henry Ford?!)
“You can have any colors you like as long as it is black!”
Over and over again I see Uncle Sam’s trick. If USA is serious about saving the plannet that it wont be in my life time sadly to say. History has shown that the Yanks only do things that suit and benefit their interests, and would not give the damn about the world. So what is different this time? NONE whatsoever.
Good lord, Link. I agree with you, but you’re taking an amazingly short sighted position.
You’re correct that America looks out in its best interests with its foreign policy and often passes it off as humanitarian.
Guess what? Every country’s foreign policy is created to suit domestic goals. America has a bit more leeway because of their disproportional power, but I think we’ll all see that coming to an end soon (primarily because America can’t really afford military adventurism very well any more). But you can rest assured that, much like every other country that has any influence, they will continue to do what they think is best for America (or for their corporate backers).
At least America tried! And it is still the most innovative place on the planet! Factories in Huville produce the ideas of Americans and then copy that creativity with disrespectful insults about political agenda’s they don’t even really care about coz they are too busy amoralizing their ways into tomorrow while embracing capitalistic materialism. The Earth is doomed.. people are just too stupid and selfish to save anything accept their face.
lol.
I love the passive aggressive attacks from Chinese netizen. There is hope for them after all. Ding it.
I gotta be honest, America’s protectionism is nothing compared to China’s… people at home just aren’t made aware of it.
Not to try and stir up a hornets nest. I am a currently semi-retired American citizen, who is not to fond of our new President. What little I know of China is what is available through the local media (which has no bearing what-so-ever on truth)and library. To be honest I am tired of being told how people in other Coutries think. I would like to ask, in your opinion, what the people of China think of Obama as our President and how you feel Americans look upon the Chinese in general ?
Thanks !
I think we should let Pusan Playa explain this all to you in a rational, researched, and well thought out response.
that’s one huge honet
I’m shocked that you made it to retirement age without thinking a little harder.
Decisions made by the US government have a strong effect on the rest of the world. Sometimes the opinions of non-Americans regarding the US are well-grounded, sometimes they are not. But they are certainly entitled to have them. If you’re so sensitive about it, don’t read them.
Anyway, Chinese people in general are very positive about America most of the time. There are times when people get upset about the US doing things that impinge upon China’s sovereignty especially in economic matters. But hey, seems like you should listen to the opinions of your biggest creditor, no?
When you owe the bank 100$ you’re in trouble, when you owe the bank 1,000,000$…
@ Honjian
You are running a really cute argument above. Somehow it doesn’t square with your cavalier nationalist rants found on earlier threads.
I agree with your argument that democracy is not very high on the agenda for the average citizen.
As for free press and internet, yeah, I think most non-party people see great benefits in a free media. Then they could openly discuss the education/health care non-system, rule of law, price of apartments, illegal land reclamations, pervasive corruption, environmental degradation etc. These are daily issues of life.
You deliberately over-estimate ultra-nationalist sentiment. A few spoiled brats in Shanghai and Beijing…why are they know as shitty youth….
You celebrate the cynicism of a power structure/management plan which produced all the daily concerns mentioned above.
I suspect you are simply trying to find a standout position within your China is Angry work unit.
Same victimisation drivel with a minor twist.
Well, I’m a Machiavellist, believing in the wisdom of ‘The Prince’, but not a angry-youth-styled ultra-nationalist, who are advocating nuking Japan for what they did in WWII for example.
China’s success is based on firm control and a command-ecomomy, dubbed in the West as ‘China Corporation’ analogue to ‘Japan Corporation’ in the 80’s . A third world country with that size couldnt have gained so much power and wealth if there were endless parlamentarian discussions and enviromental/human-right-related scruple to begin with. So China’s current situation, the good as well as the bad, is closely related with the dictatorship it is ruled with. Like it or not. It’s just the fact. With democracy, China just wouldnt have become the third largest economic-power in the world and such a credible challenge to the American Superiority, as it is now.
And ultra-nationalists ARE a very serious problem for China. They are so fanatic and their numbers are legion. People even compare them with the Red-Guards of cultural revolution, posing a credible threat to the stability and continuity of China’s foreign/defense policy and international relationship.
If there is a election tomorrow in China, Hardliners would be elected. This is common fact. You just have to see the senseless aggression in the people, to notice that the tight control over it is actually a mercy.
Good that you mentioned open discussions about the problems of China, like corruption, health-care, rule of law and illegal land reclamations etc… So, how do these ‘discussions’ are ending, generally? In a peaceful and civilized way like in any western country? Or in a big protest with deadly chaos on both sides?
This site is your friend in finding the answer.
Even minor problems are ending in at least a ‘human-flesh-hunt’. Not very civilized and well-mannered if you ask me…
And dont say ‘Hurrr its the evul CCP with their PAP and Chenguang henchmen, openly inciting the violence against them innocent people who just want their freedums Durrr’
In a war, noone can simply declare innocence.
So to all your democracy-fanatic people out there, who are still butthurt over their ass kicked in Liu-Si: Just look in the mirror and find the answer why China is yet not ready for democracy and freedom: You are just not civilized and well-mannered enough. Period.
‘Homo homini lupus – Bellum omnium contra omnes’
Never was Thomas Hobbes’ theory of the chaotic natural state of humanity in his opus ‘Leviathan’, more clearly detectable, than in the case of China.
What you are advocating, is the gullible and very very dangerous wish to murder the ‘Leviathan’, the savage Wolf who holds togehter 1.3 billion even more savage Wolfes by tight control and oppression.
This is just the real face of the Lib-tards and Hippies all over the world: Liberal retards and Toddlers with no sense of reality.
So cry more please. Your tears are delicious.
Hongjian
Are you on Special K or something.
I’ll digested 101 philosophy. Plus Latin quotes which you certainly don’t understand. (Try some Foucault if you want an analytical tool.) Go back to Starbucks, pal. Put on your sunglasses and order an overpriced coffee. Wanker.
Hongjian
Better still.
Get an engineering degree and apply for a home help job.
You might get lucky.
Are you frustrated?
Anyway. I’m already too commited into jusrisprudence to do something else.
Nevermind.
I find it funny that someone who’s country continues to steal the Military software and weapon diagrams of the United States is upset that the United States, along with many other countries, are spying on China. As for Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Many Americans don’t think he earned it either. The iluminarties control The President and many other Heads of State. Do you really think $650 million just showed up from no where out of the United Statesto finance his campaine? Ask your questions, but show some respect for a Head of State. The same as you would for the Head of State of China.I have read some of the questions are they deserve no answer. Perhaps some questions should be asked of you in a personal manner. SHOW SOME RESPECT. Chinese citizens are no better than citizens of any other country! Maybe more rude and judgemental of each other!
I find it funny that you can’t understand fundamental logic. Unlike the USA, Chinese netizens find Obama’s idea to hold a question and answer session to be a superficially deceptive way of self promotion, relying on the fact that people will either be too overwhelmed by his presence or sheepish to ask questions of any real value. Unfortunately, at least I hope, Obama won’t get away with it.
I assure you that if the Chinese communist party would hold a similar event in the United States, people would not shy from asking similar questions challenging the very integrity of the government system, and the non-existant human rights problems that the United States have amplified in the media. In that alternate situation, I doubt that hypocrites like “Michael Deusa” would still say that those questions ‘deserve no answer’. In fact most of the world would agree that American citizens are the most self righteous, rude and judgmental of the affairs of other countries.
I’m with Jason.
Maybe you should take politics 101.
US/China butthurt over foreign spies and media throw fit.
US/China stay tight lipped on their operations.
you believe the US (much as you have displayed) are butthurt in their media?
“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
It is very easy to complain about the problems of this planet, but what have YOU done to improve the situation?
What have you accomplished?
People who post on message boards aren’t about improving things.
The purpose of message boards is to read about others’ complaints and post your complaints/opinions.
Who has time to improve the world when they are posting and reading comments?
Hah, you know they just hatin’. Obama is gonna show up with DJ Khaledand the resurrected ghost of Jimi Hendrix and get down with Hu up in the PARTYTIME VIP KTV room. GIVES US SOME SHINES!
LOL. Thank you Immortal for bringing some levity to the comments.
The secession analogy people need to make for THE AMERICAN BLACK PRESIDENT to truly understand the situation is to compare this to Raekwon The Chef wanting to split from the Wu Tang Clan.
That and Hu Jintao needs to work on his B-Boy stance.
His B-Boy stance? A decent smile would be a good start, or in fact any smile at all.
Okay, here is the Hu Obama playlist for the big KTV party getdown.
War – Edwin Starr
Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas
Funky Broadway – Dyke and the Blazers
The World is a Ghetto- Edwin Starr
Burn Rubber – Gap Band
And to seal the deal:
Love to Love you Baby – extended Donna Summer mix
And to chill out before the hookers, anything by the Isley Brothers.
Was going to suggest Public Enemy’s Fight the Power…..since Im old school….but its probably not a big fave in Beijing.
I’d have gone for public enemy’s ‘Fuck the chengguan’
Sorry 250. That regional version by Chuck D is not in my old fashioned vinyl collection.
However, since Obama had a bit of a fractured family history (prior to producing the perfect photogenic family….and all good luck to them), lets add to the play list.
Papa was a Rolling Stone….again Norman Whitfields
extended mix.
Now if Hu and Obama really see eye to eye, I recommend
Lets get it on – Marvin Gaye (even if he was shot by his father because of his porn addiction), that is song guaranteed to even get PP laid. Out.
Before anyone notices my blatant mistake, it was NWA (Nationalists with attitude)led by Ice-GreenT that did Fuck tha Chengguan.
My bad.
P.S I didn’t know Marvin Gaye had a porn addiction. If only this right arm wasn’t so tired, he might have been able to defend himself.
True 250. His old man was a preacher
I suppose Hu and company will treat Obama for a 10 course Banquet, followed by a tour of a great wall, and then a colorful Q&A session where he will be asked why Obama’s dog is named ‘Bo.’ And then he will come back to the states and says that we are great friends with China while next week Hillary will complain about China’s Human rights record.
Bing-ooooooooooo
China will do the same and claim we are all great friends. I wonder if that banquet will be like all the government ones I have been to here. Excessive baiju(Chinese liquor) drinking followed by KTV(karaoke) with hookers. Ganbei,tongzhi! (Cheers, Comrade!)
I know all of you are talking down about the meeting, but let’s face it. All of you are going to be watching…
I for one, am very interested in the Q and A. I don’t think the Chinese will hold back on their questions. I don’t think Obama will answer in a stupid way. I am very happy about all affairs…
A lot of people are extremely critical of the states, it would be great to see them air out their feelings.
Then again, this could be another example of “paid questions.”
Either way, good times are ahead. I am really looking forward to the follow up on C-smack.
of course it will be a case of ‘paid questions’.
who cares anyway?
what could possibly be asked and what answer given that would matter?
its a public q & a with young chinese.
what could young chinese possibly ask that matters?
something that isnt ‘nationalist pride driven’ or ‘absolute global unawareness’?
i mean, look at even the questions online that are semi-jokes, of course, but still…
either its
“hey obama, why dont you fuck off and kiss our ass” or
“how do you like china? is your wife very important to you?”
come on…
i expect a serious discussion and important questions asked and answered…NOT!
Ha ha ha, knowing youth in Shanghai…. He might get something along the lines of:
“Dear President, Do metal gears really exist? If so, how should we deal with them?”
I’m surprised they didn’t ask him typical Chinese questions like, “Can I make friend with you?” , “Can you use chopsticks?”, “Do you like Chinese food?”, etc.
come, there far more funnier post on that post than what displayed here. especially the ones that make fun of the office US embassy request of changing Chinese translation of Obama from 奥巴马 to 欧巴马.
what so great about obama other then his crispy clear precise speech :)
It’s funny how the people asking some of the more troll-like questions in this post were probably the same people who felt so offended at a troll-like response to Wen Jiabao’s speech in England when a guy threw a shoe.
The meeting between President Obama and young Chinese will begin in minutes. Please follow this post for live broadcasting.
It’s done. I’m not going to translate Obama’s whole speech. Let’s wait for the original one from Xinhua or White House.
Python. Great to be updated.
You better double check the translation if Xinhua or CCTV is involved.
Obama ” I think we can work together on this global economic stuff up, Mr President”
CCTV translating ” Christ Yu, your eldest daughter is a smoking hot bitch. Does she do house calls?”.
LOL. This is a good one. In reality Obama never came to China. All images/videos were photoshopped and voice simulated by CCTV, as what they did last year in Olympics.
http://www.tudou.com/playlist/playindex2.do?lid=7364999
http://www.tudou.com/playlist/playindex.do?lid=7366765&iid=40097341&cid=99
Thanks for the link. I just find the full English transcript of the dialogue:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-barack-obama-town-hall-meeting-with-future-chinese-leaders
Chinese translation to the talk and Q&A session
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/obama/2009-11/16/content_12467370.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/obama/2009-11/16/content_12467610.htm
Wow, Obama did really well and the questions were not what I expected them to be. Seemed that there were no punches pulled. But, Obama is a great speaker as usual.
Its kind of screwed up how people only clapped when a question was asked, but no answered.
Wow, historical Q and A. Very well done.
Anyone know where we can watch a video of the students and Obama session? Doesn’t have to have subtitles.
Nevermind, just looked up, thanks.
I’d like to see Hu Jintao or Wen Jiabao get asked questions by American college kids now.
Hu did in 2006 in Yale. By searching “hu jintao 2006 yale” you will find some coverages. A video of the dialogue is here and an incomplete translation is available. Questions asked after Hu’s talk were almost as ‘harmonious’ as yesterday’s. Maybe one should never expect much from such kind of talks, which in nature are all “propaganda speeches” used to appease both sides while questions are all sort of selected. A real dialogue has to be ‘unofficial’ to get into any inspiring debate, between your average American Joe and our ordinary Chinese Wang.
Student Q @ A, Community College, Butte Montana
“Do you think American food is delicious, Mr President.”
And any self-respecting Chinese citizen would reply.
“No fucking way…my first impression of your great country is FLAB”.
http://www.counterpunch.org
Recent article by Alexander Cockburn.
Fact of the Free World, People.
Obama’s talk should be broadcast nation wide but it was only broadcast in the Shanghai region. Only the elites in Shanghai gets to hear what Obama has to say which I think the laobaixing in the countryside should also get an opportunity.
what makes you think people in Shanghai are elites?
Obama’s speech was fantastic!
I wonder if Hu Jintao would be willing to come to an American University and answer American students’ questions.
Remember, those guys don’t answer questions unless they’re coming from ccp members.