Vivien

A student from China's famous Tsinghua University wish to know your views on the topic 'China's image'.
Could you please answer the following question for her?

1) What is China's image on American media (in general)?
2) What are the key words used in the media to describe China or relate to China?
3) From what aspects is China revealed in the media? (e.g. political, economical, cultural, educational or others)
4) what do you think are the main issues in this topic?


Thanks for your views.

sultansofswing

It gives me an impression that China is often linked to negative things,  is iit "demonized"?

2) I often see the term red China, communist China in western reports.

I am in China. Friends from other countries pls share your ideas.

netawhile

As a westerner in the U.S. I try to look for the optimistic news and contribution from China.
Putting forth this topic is a healthy sign and one that seems idicitive of China's opening up and exploring harmony in the global society that we become.  The stigmas are hard to break, especially when they are used as tools to manipulate or influence the opinions of the masses.  It is also easier to slap a label on something rather than take the time to evaluate it fairly.  But, it seems that the frequency and severity of these stigmas showing up in the media is waning, giving rise to the concept to the more profound stature of China.  The notions of "Red China" and  "Communist China" are certainly from a cold-war mentality and it may still exist, however, it isn't being refueled any longer.  Socialism is in a new phase of being and It has long been the the goal of China to establish it's own brand "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics".  There are also the notions that China is adapting a form of capitalism or engaging in a market economy.  In this way, Americans should realize that China is active in defining the road for a peaceful and prosperous global future.  I do.

jimmy67

China's image described and propagated by most American media outlets as:  Once hugely backward and incredibly poor, led by Mao communist commanders.  Started to change under the leadership of Mr Deng Xiaoping from early 1980s.  Now, a start-up, hybrid-system (both socialist and capitalist) guidance, but in essence an authortatiran "communist" country. The thing they grabbed their heads trying to figure out is: How such a poverty-stricken, populous, and "Communist"-ruled country making so glaring, so monumental, so rapid progress in realizaing modernization, and it is unstopable.

Because of the queries in their heads, they have tried to brand China as "a threat" (to America's dominating world position, perhaps), but defenitely not to a more balanced and peaceful world. (China's rising investment in Africa, S. America and elsewhere will make all them grow and pick up their roles in the world).

jimmy67

The truth is:

Chinese ppl are extremely diligent, hard-working, intelligent, innovative, but maybe not that adventureous as other ppls.

The system of guidance (1/3 socialist and 2/3 capitalist) follows the rule of practicism. It is still evolving and perhaps improving itself in the course.

Whether it will continue to prevail, defends on two factors: (1) continuous choice of a group of wise men/women (like President Hu and Premier Wen) to form the leadership, who are advised by hundreds of brillant and selfless advisors ;  (2) continous practice of free speech, and more force of rule of law.

moveman

In my personal contact with Americans, I just feel as a Chinese, I know much more and better about America than they do about China. The mind picture they have conceived at the mention of China and the Chinese culture tends to be outdated or even distorted. Communication is two-way, but if the information remains asymmetrical to the both sides, how can the gap be narrowed down for a smooth communication?

Rita

Us are suffering their economic and political decline: Us products solds on Us markets are "made in China" because our workforce is inexpensive, Us people is jobless and turns often in homeless, no chance for  Us low class people to improve lives with work or education, scientific development and progress is opposed by so called religions which are in reality dangerous and intolerant sects supported by irrational fanatics poisoning cultural debate. Human rights are not respected at all.

The truth is Us political and financial lobbies regret the opening to China: in only sixty years our Great Nation has realized a powerful economic and social development and our People has demonstrate to the world the power of cooperation and hardworking together in order to realize an harmonic and equal society.


For these reasons Us medias are supporting a hateful anti-Chinese campaign followed by other western countries.


I love China and I will support and defend our Nation against our enemies.

netawhile

The negative stigmas are not the primary things reported in the U.S. media.  On the contrary, the is much rise to the benefits of a Chinese global power and the evidence of good faith in the actions of China and improvements in industry and education.  The media plays up the friction as a contradiction to the positive news because that is the nature of stirring reports that are generated to "sell" news.  News and media sensationalize everything and exploit and contort the most minor issues.  New and media are at the core of some otherwise benign issues that are escalated to finger pointing and name calling.  I call this trashy reporting and it should be recognized as such.  By far, the hard work of China to build a solid foundation for an emerging country are unparalleled in the world.  Even developed countries are layered in their development and new technologies and infrastructures rest on top of old because it's too difficult to start from the bottom and build it all as new.  Similar to re-roofing a house and leaving the old roof and simply applying a new layer.  It keeps the rain out, but the old roof remains underneath rotting.  China has and is seizing the opportunity to build many areas from the starting point of an informed and technologically aware point of view.  Regardless of what news and media try to fling around and get under the skin of societies, China is on a solid path and should not thwarted by any negative claims.  This is the important thing!

Our countries have leaders that are supposed to reflect the will of the people.  They are to work on behalf of the people.  Unfortunatly, people are sometime not behind the policies and actions of the leaders in the U.S.  Many of the actions are controlled by lobbyists and special interest groups that pander to the lawmakers and representatives.  Some are more dedicated to the true wishes of the people than others.  It is my belief that most people in a good relationship would want harmony and and widespread progress.  China has been very conspicuous in this drive for equality and balance and I believe it is enough to initiate a trend for global harmony to become a reality.  As all people of the world, we need to stay true to our faith for the best outcome.  We may need to overlook some of the media hype and bad policy that doesn't reflect the desire of the masses, and strive for correction in these areas as we reach our ultimate goals.  We must act fast to see improvements while we have the opportune leaderships of President Hu Jintao and President Barrak Obama in office.

Referencing a topic in "Comments and Suggestions", about PR and selling good ideas... http://www.peopleforum.cn/viewthread.php?tid=3491&highlight=PR ,  I believe China is working hard to perfect a superior social model.  It is known as "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics".  This seems to be a significant improvement on basic Socialism and combines benefits of progressive economics and a store-front approach to a market economy that says "open for business".  The core Socialist benefit for the people supports equal growth and prosperity as it's principles and remains the main component of the Chinese model to keep equality of classes in society.  To use a President Hu phrase, "WIN-WIN".  If this idea of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics could be branded and sold in a global PR approach, it could be the next "I (heart) NY" PR frenzy that sweeps the globe. The PR goal is to sell it to the masses and not have any negative stigma linked to it.  Soft power is key in this challenge.

myatthwin62

Remember this; "one man's meat is another's poison".  You can't expect everyone to like, let alone love China's rise.   There are perennial warmongers and bullies, arrogant folks with superiority complex.  And there are, of course, vested special interest groups, e.g. arms manufacturers.   If the world is at peace who needs to spend their national treasures on arms and most of them are obsolete that the sellers don't want.  And then there are stooges (aka) traitors who look up to foreigners and look down on their own country.   You know, the 'separatists' under the guise of human rights, self determination, real autonomy, etc.   We all know who these people are, don't we?

China was humiliated by the British, the French, the Japanese, the Portuguese, etc.   Now, it's her time to show the world what she is really made of.