Chinese culture, western philosophies, and government

For example: South Africa and the racist Boers who wanted to insulate white culture from black cultures; and Pauline Hansen who wanted to insulate white Australian culture from Asian and Middle-Eastern cultures. It is worth reflecting on the value of modern western institutions and philosophies which resisted these cultural throw-backs and their outdated ideas.

Western societies have benefited from the separation of culture from state systems of governance.

China is different

We must understand before we criticise. China is a developing nation which contains 1.3 billion people and 20 per cent of the world’s population. And according to UN data, 800 million of these folk live below the poverty line.

Education and health services are inadequate, ensuring food for all is a worry, and maintaining the integrity of China’s borders is a geopolitical nightmare for the central government in Beijing. Restive minority peoples are pushing the boundaries.

Maintaining economic growth at 8 per cent per year in order to keep Chinese society on the rails is an even bigger challenge. These are critical times which demand Nike’s exhortation to the consuming masses: “Just do it”. Forgive the irony.

China’s ruling elite has big problems.

At this crucial stage of China’s development, perhaps it is better for Chinese people to stick with the cultural devil they know rather than experiment with foreign ideas they don’t know. Does anyone believe that the European Union could do a better job of managing China?

We westerners should make a better effort to understand China and her complexities rather than self-righteously criticise her for her faults. China is a continent, not a country. The EU is an apt analogy.

Congratulations China on your 60th anniversary. Feudalism to capitalism in one generation, lifting the standard of living for so many people along the way. You have much to celebrate.

Call me a “China apologist” if you like, but this is the way I see it here in Chongqing, China.