Wing Wing: On Donation to China vs Japan

On Donation to China vs Japan

Translated by Chen-t'ang 鎮棠, edited by Kristee Q, written by Wing Wing (翼雙飛)
Original: http://www.passiontimes.hk/article/05-12-2015/22920 

(GBTimes; in Hong Kong, a citizen donates money to World Vision for Sichuan Earthquake in China)

It has been four years since the 2011 earthquake in Japan. It had been a while since March, but whatthe Japanese did in that time was more than impressive. In June 2011, the Japanese thanked Taiwan by putting advertisements in two Taiwan newspapers thanking them for their efforts in the, earthquake. This year some Japanese NGOs expressed their gratitude by doing volunteer work in superman suits and last March a Japanese restaurant owner in Taipei gave out free curry rice for a week so as to thank the enthusiasm shown by the Taiwanese people.

Some people might say Japanese are over-pretentious as they predominantly show their polite side to others but on the other hand shouldn't we see this as a sign of being educated? To thank those who have helped his/her country in plight is a sign of politeness - putting the word "pretentious"aside, Japanese has won in terms of politeness. When a child receives a gift that he doesn't like much and he still thanks that person, would you say that he is pretentious? If he pouted and remained silent, or even made a long face, would you say that he was sincere and tell him "you don't have to thank others if you don't like the gift"? You simply wouldn't because thanking others is a form of politeness and virtue.

In China, during the Eastern China Flood and Wenchuan Earthquake (seven years ago), tears shed for their victims were uncountable in Hong Kong. Very many people donated their own money to help the flood victims and those who disagreed with such donations were condemned as "cold-hearted". But what have we got in return for our genuine distress and wish to help? Has any Chinese tourists thanked us for "giving a helping hand in our plight"? Are there Chinese putting advertisements in newspapers thanking us? No. Instead we hear of some Chinese tourists humiliating Hongkongers: "If it isn't us [coming], your Hong Kong is certainly doomed!" or "China has arisen, you Hongkong-dogs are jealous of us being rich!"

For sure, these people don't represent all Chinese but Hongkongers are being humiliated online and offline. How can people expect Hongkongers to donate when there are many charities raising donations for China? A decision to donate hinges on how the donor feels about the place and its people. I have a few words for those genuine victims: "Your compatriots are tirelessly zealous in humiliating those who have helped you. If they are so rich and powerful, can you really blame others not seeing the need to help you? Not to mention how much money has been pocketed during the donation process, after many Chinese charity scandals have been exposed."

Therefore it is not strange for Hongkongers to show unwillingness to donate to China.

Some "patriots" might say, "Are Japanese worth emulating? They have tonnes of problems, such as..." Certainly Japan has tonnes of problems, but why don't we learn from their positive attributes? If a nation only nit-picks at others and feels comfortable doing so without learning from their good points such nation will inevitably degenerate slowly but surely.

Yu Jie: Arrogant Headmaster, Arrogant Chinese

Arrogant Headmaster, Arrogant Chinese

Translated by Chen-t'ang 鎮棠, Written by Yu Jie (余杰)
Original: http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20150317/19079443 

Zheng Qiang was raving a few days ago at a press conference of the Chinese NPC about "the overseas Chinese students saving universities in Britain":

I've returned from Oxford. All their professors are saying the truth: if the Chinese education system did not nurture such a good batch of youngsters, around 20% universities in Britain would be closed - this is true.

So a headmaster from one of the poorest provinces can finally hold his head up high to the "empire on which the sun never sets"!

A Qing dynasty official, Lin Zexu once claimed that "gweilos" from England were but vampires who did not know how to bend their knees. When the arrived, they could be easily attacked. Headmaster Zheng was similarly bursting with pride – so what’s the big deal, Oxford and Cambridge? "If we did not provide flocks of overseas students, your skeleton in the closet – the dilapidated, once-great empire that you have become – will be shown for all to see!"

Post by Hong Kong Columns - Translated.

Somebody doctored a photo of the "Two Meetings" - replacing the banner with "Parents' Meetings of Chinese Students Studying in the West". Quite accurate. Are there any official's children not studying in "evil capitalistic" countries with "ulterior motives"? Whether the offspring of Zheng studies in Guizhou University or abroad is worth our doxing?

[Translator's note: Tsinghua University was "first a preparatory school for students later sent by the government to study in the United States" - Wikipedia]

Top-notch institutions in China, such as Peking University or Tsinghua University, have become the "preparatory schools" for students before they go on to study in the US or Europe. The younger generation of China has never ceased to study, work and live in the West, and contribute to the growth of the West. This is a sign of failure for China’s entire higher education and social system. It is not something headmasters should feel proud of, rather, they should feel ashamed.

Post by Hong Kong Columns - Translated.

Zheng's logic is that of the almsgiver who hands out gifts with condescension.  This attitude is prevalent among Chinese elites and spreading like a cancer. They grab milk formula, daily necessities and luxuries in Hong Kong, arguing: "We are here to spend and give you job opportunities, how dare you not welcome us? Even if we urinate, defecate, jump red lights, and shout whenever we want, you should tolerate us." Chinese elites think Hongkongers would only live on air were it not for the Individual Visit Scheme. Yet "living on air" will not be as a "death" sentence – unlike that facing those kids whose parents are unable to buy quality milk formula so have to drink tainted formula, which makes them become big-headed babies. Does the Chinese dream of Xi Jinping include big-headed babies?

Chinese elites also go to Taiwan to buy fruits and seafood. All purchases have a political undertone. They think when they buy Taiwanese products, Taiwanese people should be grateful, or wish for "reunification" immediately. Yet the Sunflower Movement has shown the will of the younger generation, leaving Chinese leaders to reveal their true colours: "If we don't buy your fruits and seafood, you will suffer!"

China is not the almsgiver of the world, and the world is not the prostitute of China. So you are rich, huh? Buy more paper offerings, and create more smog then!