A Chinese editorial on Sina is moved by the Korean response to the burning of Sungnyemun. The commentary notes the loud public condemnation of the government’s failure to protect the national treasure, the public apology from Mayor Oh and resignation of the Cultural Heritage Administration chief, and the genuine public remorse for the loss. The editorial draws a favorable contrast to Chinese government silence over a New Year’s fire in Urumqi which burned for two days and left three firefighters dead. The editorial concluded with these words:
We should study and learn from the Korean people’s self-rebuking style of patriotism.
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. . . Meaning that one can still be patriotic and criticize their government — unless that government is the Communist Chinese Party. This is not so much a note of admiration for Korea as it is a coded message for their own.
Sonagi, blogging at the Hole!
A welcome addition, indeed.
“We Should Learn from the Koreans”
That’s a phrase that’s been phrased and rephrased over and over again from the Chinese. Seriously, it’s getting real old.
And then they take great delight when Korea fails on something.
Anyway, I’m glad someone is covering more on the Korea - China relationship, which I think is very important.
I once chided a Chinese blogger for translating into English a long, mostly glowing article about Chinese investment in Africa. Another Chinese commenter reminded me to read between the lines and analyzed the structure of the story to get at the real message. Criticism of the top leadership is out of the question, but local and provincial governments are fair game although one must be careful about naming names. The writer used very flattering language and specific details to describe the Korean public reaction, so I believe they had probably watched and were moved by television images of Koreans putting flowers and writing messages in front of the gate.
The Korean media also likes to hold up as a model the behaviors of governments and people in other countries in order to shame their own.
Is it? I didn’t hear or read it much in China, where praise of Korea is limited to acknowledging economic success.
Is it? I didn’t hear or read it much in China, where praise of Korea is limited to acknowledgi”
When were you in China? Obviously it’s been quite a while now.
One more thing, I don’t take that as “praise” of Korea, just for the same reason as your previous post.
And have you ever lived in China or learned Chinese, cm? I have been out of China three years, but I keep up with news there from friends and the media.
“the Korean people’s self-rebuking style of patriotism.”
Gimme a break.