Quote:
Originally Posted by hx37
Ray, while the Chinese response is rather protective of the CCP and its treatment of the Tibetans, I still do not believe that it is the result of widespread Legalism. From the posts on this board by defenders of the CCP, I have concluded several points why they do not condemn the Tibetan treatment:
1.) They think that the cultural encroachment upon the Tibetans is more than compensated by economic, birth, and employment policies set aside for the Tibetans.
2.) They believe that Tibetan culture contained too many flaws, such as slavery, a theocracy, and other confirmed nasty components that it is not worth saving.
3.) They believe that while a minority of Tibetans are extremely unhappy with the religious/cultural situation, the vast majority of Tibetans are in fact happy. (95% of them going by claimed monk/serf population split.) And that the uproar with the so-called genocide (I don't believe this part, genocide is what's happening in Darfur, Sudan, Rwanda. What's in Tibet is a walk in the park compared to those three places.) is stirred up by Western powers hostile to Chinese ascendancy.
Going by the three points above, I do not believe that Legalism is the root of Chinese complacency over the Tibetan treatment - rather, it's apathy. If similar policies were applied to Han, there would be a huge uproar. However, Tibetans are a minority in China, with very little representation in the public mind - hence, not many people actually care what happens to Tibetans. Most Chinese are focusing upon the materialistic world nowadays, judging success by the amount of money you earn, the brand of your clothing, house size, and your car. To them, cultural decay can be dismissed as insignificant so long as the materialistic needs of the people in question are met. This is not a result of Legalism, but rather a drastic shifting of cultural values that comes from a nation's rapid entry into capitalism. As long as the CCP can give them plausible-sounding reasons why the Tibetans are NOT being oppressed, they're more than happy to continue making money and drinking coffee at Starbuck's. This is not a result of the consideration of the State over the individual, it's a result of general apathy toward cultural decay. As for the overuse of force, it's not widely discussed in Chinese forums (banned), and the recent Lhasa riots have not made the Tibetans look like a pacifistic people being abused - rather, it's the opposite.
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First of all, let’s be clear – are we talking about Mainland Chinese or the Chinese Diaspora?
I am talking about both and I find that you are doing so too. Though at times the lines blur.
When I wrote ‘compare the Chinese response to the Tibet violence or the silly Olympic Torch. The Tibetans maybe not be totally innocent’ I meant the Diaspora as also the Mainland Chinese.
I have given you why I feel Legalism still lives in China, please address that and show why it should not be so.
I find your defence of no Chinese posters condemning the excessive use of force to curb the Tibetan rebellion is because economic freebies given by the Chinese is justifiable is most worrisome. Are you sure that money can buy everything? I thought as per the advertisement it was Visa card which did that!!!
While you Chinese talk about humiliation heaped on you by history to justify issues and talk of your Glorious heritage and civilization, how do you justify denying the Tibetan their glorious history and civilization and their religious ways?
Serfdom was their way of life. It is not right. But what makes you feel that Dalai Lama would, in this modern world and with such world support, would dare return to serfdom? It is just that China is afraid that he would lead a movement to break up the historically annexed territory from China.
Sadly, the Chinese Communist propaganda that the Tibetans are happy now that they have been made Godless is totally false. If they were happy (95% as per you), why is there this constant exodus from Tibet. Is it that it is a way to ensure ethnic cleansing in a polite way?
I think you Chinese are suffering from a self deceit that the world is worried about your ascendancy. No, they are not. They are worried about your sharp economic practices which is giving you an unfair advantage (Shek and Top Hatter may fill you in on this, they being the experts on the subject).
I don’t buy your theory on Legalism is the root cause for Chinese apathy to the Tibetan issue. One the one hand, you feel that it does not exist and yet when it is convenient, you say it exists!
That apart, your contention that there would be uproar if similar policies were adopted to Hans is also incorrect. Worse conditions and treatment was meted out to the Hans during the Three Natural Disasters, Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. The Hans of China meekly stepped in line. So, this too is a fallacious argument.
I also do not believe that the new found materialism amongst Hans has de-humanised the Hans and they are not aware of their surroundings and instead are only interested in their brand of clothing, car, the size of their house et al. You do injustice to the Hans. The actual truth is that it is the Han imperialism mindset that history has bequeathed them whereby they forget others also exist within the Republic of China!
There are Hans in this very forum who are most concerned about the poor and so the Hans are not de-humanised and chasing the materialist Holy Grail as you wish to portray!
I personally feel that Hans are a good people but Legalism rules their mind!
Likewise, every race, including Indians, have cultural flaws. It is just that one has to recognise them and change!
For instance, only Brahmins could be priest amongst the Hindus. It is today's news that the Scheduled Castes too, who have been taught the holy rites, are to be priests. Unthinkable at one time, is a reality today!!
A great victory for India and its culture.