Here are some letters I received. This isn't all of them, but I can't find them all right now. Now that I've got this letter page I will try to post them as they come in.I have removed names and put xxx in place of any name.
- In response to the letter from a "Young Chinese Patriot" (se below) I received this message
Regarding "I received this letter from a young Chinese Patriot" in the fan mail section:
The ROC government will be introducing a system where children will be required to learn two languages in elementary school. One language is the required universal language Mandarin. The other language is the choice of the parents: Hokkien (Taiwanese), Hakka, or any other Chinese or aborigine dialect. In Singapore, don't people learn two languages: English and one's mother tongue? What's wrong of having people in Taiwan celebrate the fact that they have a diverse HETROGENIOUS CHINESE society rather than a DULL HOMOGENIOUS Chinese society. Besides, Mandarin is a barbaric language. Cantonese, Taiwanese, Hakka, Fujianese, and other southern Chinese languages are closer to ancient Chinese than Mandarin is. Consider the fact that ancient Tang dynasty poems rhyme better in Cantonese than in Mandarin. The story goes that when the Mongolians, Manchurians, and other norther tribes overran China, many Han Chinese fled south. Those who remained in the north tried to teach Chinese to the "barbarians." The "barbarians" could not speak it well enough, and their form of Chinese evolved into Mandarin. Now this does not mean that I hate Mandarin. I think Mandarin is a rather exotic sounding dialect, which is part of the reason that it has been chosen to be the common language for all Chinese.
Please post this in your fan mail.
- (I received this letter from a young Chinese Patriot)(See above for a response)
Hi,
My name is xxx xxx and I'm currently living in Singapore. I was born in the US; I guess you could call me an ABC American Born Chinese. My parents are originally from Taiwan. My grandparents moved to Taiwan from Shandong province right before the Communists took over the mainland. I take great interest in the China/Taiwan issue. I fervently support the Republic of China, as well as eventual reunification. Unfortunately, currently there is a pro-independence movement supported by the majority of Taiwanese. There are certain trends in Taiwan that I am strongly opposed to:
1. The use of the Taiwanese dialect in everyday life as opposed to Mandarin Chinese; especially in education. Already some schools offer classes taught in Taiwanese.
2. The belief of some Taiwanese that they are not of Chinese descent. All Taiwanese are Han Chinese, except for the very few indigenous races.
3. Opposition parties, ie DPP, who want to establish a Republic of Taiwan. Although the KMT does not openly support independence, I believe their actions support it. The only true pro-unification party is the New Party, which I support.
I'm only 18 years old and have lived in the US for the majority of my life. Ever since moving to Singapore, I have taken a great interest in this issue and I have had many heated arguments with many of my Taiwanese friends. I thoroughly enjoy your website and find it very informative. In my opinion, the proposed Federal Republic of China is feasible, but it will take time for both sides to agree to it. Your idea of the mainland giving up Fujian province is also good, but more than impossible to implement.
There was a question that popped into my head during the Hong Kong handover. If the UN still recognized the Republic of China as the only China, do you think Hong Kong would be returned to the ROC instead of the PRC?
Keep of the good work!
- (I received two quite thoughtful and insightfull notes from an interested party in response to Gong's Gripe and Studying in America. I must point out the excellent review was written by someone else, not me.)
Dear Ms. Tkg,
On his death bed, about 1982, the most famous and beloved Chinese actor then alive warned the Chinese Communist Party to keep hands off if it wanted a great Chinese cinema. For a few months the actor's advice was followed, and there were two brothers who actually tried to start their own film company in Peking. But then the iron fist descended again and it was "back to normal" in Chinese cinemaland. What is normal nowadays in Chinese film production? I can remember when annual production of Chinese cinemas exceeded 900. About 300 would be closer to the truth under current Chinese communist production, certainly less than 400, eh? Cinema, and all artistic productions according to Chairman Mao, are to be considered weapons in the class struggle to further revolution, but in practical terms Chinese cinema is in crisis.
The last time I was in Peking, several years ago, I asked a Chinese citizen sitting near me what he thought of the show about 5 minutes after it began. It seemed he already knew who were the "good guys" and who were the "bad guys" and how it would probably end and it was boring! The theatre was not full at all, and recently the theatres seem more and more empty. Many foreign films are imported, not necessarily some of the curiously interesting ones from the so-called 3rd World, but less expensive (hence, lower quality) films from Hollywood too often or else where. Even if you accept communist dogma in film production, why were the Soviet films of lasting quality (world class, prize winning classics by Eisenstein, etc.), and why is current "acceptable" Chinese cinema so bad? It seems all the best Chinese cinema is banned as soon as it is recognized internationally, and most of the leading or promising directors are forbidden to direct. For example, Zhang Yuen ( whose film "Mama" was an eye-opener) has simply tried to depict the truth in a neo realist fashion, and is banned. What does it mean for a good & growing director to be unable to direct in his own country (when he feels that directing is as vital as breathing)? What is to be done?
Sincerely, xx. xxx ([email protected]) 10-VI-98
Dear Ms. Tkg,
Although I have not yet read Qian's book, neither the pirated nor the authorized version, I still want to discuss one question raised by your stimulating review of it. Whether Chinese or Americans are more patriotic, or whether Americans automatically dismiss patriotism or not, may depend on what we mean by this term. If what we mean is a kind of "my country right or wrong is still the most important and so the best in the world" nationalism (that some people feel in their heart of hearts, but would not publicly admit), then more and more Americans are willing to challenge or reject this in favor of international human rights and the hope for a continuing evolution into what Wendell Willkie called "One World." If, on the other hand, we define patriotism as the love of freedom enshrined in the phrase "the people shall judge" and we believe with Benedetto Croce (the anti-fascist Italian philosopher) who stated (if I may approximately paraphrase him) that history is the story of the human struggle for liberty, then there would be few Americans or Chinese who would scorn such patriotism. "This is my song, a song for all the nations. . . a song of peace, for your land and for mine. For other lands are green like mine with clover, and other hearts are beating just as proud as mine." -- suggested by Sibelius' "Finlandia." Let me raise one further question: When it is as easy for Americans to become Chinese citizens as it is now for Chinese to become Americans, then China may be able to be democratic, open and "internationally patriotic." What do you think, could this happen within the next 20 or 30 years?
Sincerely, xx. xxx ([email protected]) 11-VI-98
- Ms TKG, you are a political nutcase.
(Interestingly this was from someone who called himself Mao Zedong). I wrote back
> Strange thing to say, xxx. I am not the one calling myself Mao Zedong.
and received a response:
I meant a complement with that remark.
- ��������
̨�����л������IJ���.
(The above is in gb code--simplified Chinese. Essentially it says "I think this is stupid. Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China".
The subject of the e-mail was stupidity as well.)
- (Here was one with the subject cross dressing:)
It is funny how MCD (who gave you the title of Ms.) now turns around and accuses you of being a cross-dresser! Enjoy some of your recent postings in NYT forum. "Which government?", indeed! Just want to say hello again.
- Thank you very much for creating such an impressive page! I believe everyone who visited this page site would appreciate your effort in gathering and putting together such a huge volume of Chinese-politics related information. I may have something to share on this site later.
(This was nice to receive. It was from someone with a pinyin name).
- Dear friend: Welcome to the homepage of the Party for Freedom and Democracy in China(PFDC) at http://www.freechina.org/
Your opinion and contribution on how to promote freedom and democracy in China will be appreciated. Any sugesstion, please mail to : [email protected] or [email protected].
Thanks and have a great weekend!! Secratariat Office of PFDC [email protected] 5/15/97
- you are talking about China but you don't understand what is 'China'. like the general american people, you are just brainwashed by CNN. you hate CCP, but I know CCP makes China strong and powerful country in this world. Chinese people know the history of a weak china. the western countries were not and will never be nice to a sick China. A powerful China is really big threat fro them. This is why the American media tells people so many lies about CCP and PRC. Forced abortion is necessary for carrying out the one child policy. we are living in a real world, the earth is not the heaven, nothing can be perfect. Too many people in China(1.3 billion!!!), If those white people really care about the human rights in China, please try to understand China first.
(This writer also had a PinYin name)
- Dear Sir/Mdm
I am a student of Chinese History and culture. There are a few things that I like to comment on the American uproar over China's government and attempt to bar the MFN renewal.
What I understand about American politics is one of interest and many groups have their hidden agendas against the Chinese Government in Beijing.
They cited forced abortion, religious problems, human rights and a push for democracy as reasons not to renew MNF which is a purely trade and economic issue.
I have to remind all these American people that these problems are those for Chinese people to solve as I am sure that when things got out of hand, no American is willing to help China.
Chinese History over the last 155 years had been one of humiliation and indignity due most importantly to Western imperialism and less importantly to its long history as a great power.
Over the Last 155 years it has been trying to find a solution to all the problems that she faced.
1) Since traditional times till 1839 it was a period of ignorance and a close door policy---Nobody tried to do anything and teh Qing Empire decays
2) 1850-64 Taiping rebellion, where the Christians converts set up a Christian state------No Western powers wanted to help and instead sided the corrupted Qing Dynasty
3) 1850-1911----Western powers including the USA ---bullied China and make her pay huge indemnities pulling her down from a rich state to a poor state
4) 1911---Sun Yat Sen----a Democrat came to power----again No Western power except Russia helped him.
5) 1911---Because of no support from the Western Powers-----Yuan Shih Kai, a Traditionalist--took back power and brought China to a period of warlordism
6) Between 1911-1937 ---No Western powers except Russia who turn Communist helped China----No doubt the Chinese turned to Russians and Marxist Lennism for help
7) Worst in 1927-28---Chiang Kai Shek lauch a massive killings of Communist breaking the trust of the Chinese people for the Nationalist ( KMT) who is now in Taiwan
8) 1937-1945-----Chiang Kai Shek kills his own country men ( communist) instead of Japanese even after a cooperation is Xian was agreed
1945-1949---Americans supported a Corrupted, indecline, lousy and irresponsible Chiang Kai Shek against the organised and clean Communists.
1950-----Americans used the Korean Wars to try to attack China and some even comtemplate using atiomic bombs againt China.
1950---1972---The US refused to help China and push her away despite Mao's interest and sincereity to establish ties with the Americans
Thus so it depended on the Russians and eventually experimented with Maoism which resulted in massive population growth
1972-today----the relationship between US and China has improved significantly
But 1989----after Tiananment-----relations has suffered and American unrealistic idealism take over and tried to push China away again.
So what I have shown here is that China always want to have good relations with the world but since 19th century till today, no one is friendly to her in the Western world. Chinese Government until Deng XiaoPing is better than any Chinese government since the Qing Dynasty. It has helped to improve the lives of many.
I think the accusation that Deng is a despot is unfair
I think the abortion policy is right and is a "no choice" situation. Will the American society tolerate a immigration of 250 Million people to America ( 1/4) of her population and allowed to stay in the US using their methods of no birth control? If US allows this immigration than I guess China can then drop her 1 child policy and go for no control.
China has many religions. Many of them advocate a forceful overthrow of the Chinese government.
Lest you people are too anxious of a Chinese Government being overthrown, China has no alternative government capable of holding the population together and the country will definitely go into chaos and than many will sail to the US and many parts of the world. We Chinese are not afraid and is daring to go anywhere. You surely heard that a couple of Chinese actually crossed the hot dessert in Australia a few years ago. They are the Gung-ho type of people.
So you people out there who are too zealous, think before you say anything and please read the Chinese history books and understand why China is what it is today. Than most likely you will ask for MFN to be renewed.
Your
xxx
(This writer was from Singapore.)
- (This letter was a second letter from this person. I have misplaced the original comment)
Ms. TKG: Sure, you can post my letter and e-mail/name. You are right in viewing my comment wishing Jiang well as paradoxical. I did not mean to give a blanket okay to whatever he does, as I have qualms about some of his ideas and limitations. Basically, I was wishing him well to the extent that his policies coincide with my own: reducing income gaps, attacking corruption at all levels, giving more power to the NPC, eliminating absolute poverty, rapidly constructing a safety net, empowering trade unions and workers congresses at enterprises with more than formal decision-making potential, gradually spreading citizen elections to higher levels, etc--in short, emphasizing the democratic and socialist side while combating the negative market consequence side of the market socialist model. The principle I would pose to him (and all CCP leadership) is rank-and-file control of the CCP, citizen control of the government, and worker control of the enterprise. But this has to come from a movement from below, as well as positive responses from above. Until that occurs, one can only hope for gradual improvements within the limitations of the given--though changing--context. I do not view the situation or the CCP or its leadership negatively. Rather, it is replete with contradictory positives and negatives--shades of grey rather than black-and-white absolutes. But whatever my views, I hope they stimulate discussion. Thanks for listening. [email protected]