Mao said that “Ours will no longer be a nation subject to insult and humiliation. We have stood up.” Thursdays celebration in Beijing shows that Mao was right. China has a strong economy and a strong military. China is now a world power of the first rate.
Prosperity is a condition, not a value. Many Communist Party leaders are concerned that linking patriotism to prosperity is like riding a tiger. The tiger is fast and strong but wild and unpredictable. Professor Zhang Ming, a professor at Beijings Renmin University, says that “The government has no ideology. The people have no ideology. The reason the government is in power is because they can say: “I can make your lives better every day.” But Professor Zhang asks what will happen if prosperity ends.
Chinese people are proud of their country today and proud of their 5000 year history and culture. But love of country is not the same as love of the Communist party. Maos ideology of socialism and revolutionary struggle against capitalism are taught in schools but the government is moving the country away from socialism toward capitalism and individual responsibility. In addition, China has become a three class society with the rich, not the farmers and laborers, in control.
This weeks celebration raises more questions about Chinas future than it answers. The tiger has to be fed. If he becomes hungry, it is not safe to be riding on his back.
Your Opinion, Please!
Did you watch the celebration?
- What was the best part of the celebration?
- What do you think the message of the celebration was to:
- The Chinese people?
- The World?
What is your opinion of this article? Do you agree or disagree?
American political values are democracy and freedom. What are the political values of most Chinese citizens?
Is having a political ideology important to the Chinese people?
What do you think would happen if the Chinese economy failed to satisfy the people’s expectations?
Vocabulary List
capitalism: An economic system based on predominantly private (individual or corporate) investment in and ownership of the means of production distribution and exchange of goods and wealth; contrasted with socialism or especially communism in which the state has the predominant role in the economy. [资本主义 [zi1 ben3 zhu3 yi4] (capitalism)]
democracy: where people vote for their leaders OR Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people. [民主政治 [min2 zhu3 zheng4 zhi4] (democracy)]
humiliation: The act of humiliating or humbling; abasement of pride; mortification. [胯下之辱 [kua4 xia4 zhi1 ru3] (humiliation)]
ideology: The science of ideas. [政治思想 [zheng4 zhi4 si1 xiang3] (ideology)]
patriotism: to love your country OR Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one’s country; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one’s country. [爱国主义 [ai4 guo2 zhu3 yi4] (patriotism)]
prosperity: wealth OR The state of being prosperous; advance or gain in anything good or desirable; successful progress in any business or enterprise; attainment of the object desired; good fortune; success; as, commercial prosperity; national prosperity. [人寿年丰 [ren2 shou4 nian2 feng1] (prosperity)]
revolutionary: A revolutionist. [革命军 [ge2 ming4 jun1] (revolutionary: army) / 革命衛隊 革命卫队 [ge2 ming4 wei4 dui4] (revolutionary: guard) / 革命黨 革命党 [ge2 ming4 dang3] (revolutionary: party ) / 革命性 革命性 [ge2 ming4 xing4] (revolutionary)]
socialism: A theory or system of social reform which contemplates a complete reconstruction of society, with a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor.. [社会主义 [she4 hui4 zhu3 yi4] (socialism)]
Tags: ESL News
