Below is a survey my friend Kevin sent me a few days ago. He's looking for Chinese to fill it out and express their views for a final project for a summer course at York U in Toronto. If you've got the time, copy and paste this into the comment box here and fill it out. I'll pass them on to him.
1. What is your ethnicity?
a. Canadian
b. Chinese
c. Other ____________________
2. What is your first language?
a. English
b. Mandarin
c. Cantonese
d. Other ____________________
3. Do you speak multiple languages?
a. Yes
b. No
4. Are human rights an important issue to you?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Somewhat
5. What is your main source of information on human rights in China?
a. Local media
b. Friends and family
c. Independent research
d. Other ___________________
6. Do you believe Tibetans in China have ever experienced human rights violations?
a. Yes
b. No
7. Do you believe Tibetans in China today experience human rights violations?
a. Yes (Yes, but this is not to say that progress is not being made)
b. No
8. Do you believe Canada has a role to play in promoting human rights in China?
a. Yes
b. No
9. China is a sovereign nation. Is this important to consider when looking at their human rights issues?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Somewhat
10. Are issues regarding human rights in Tibet an international issue or a national (Chinese) issue?
a. International issue
b. National (Chinese) issue
c. No Opinion
11. Do Chinese negatively affect the livelihoods of Tibetans or do Tibetans negatively affect the livelihoods of Chinese?
a. Chinese negatively affect Tibetans
b. Tibetans negatively affect Chinese
c. Both affect each other equally
d. None of the above
12. Is the 2008 Beijing Olympics a good venue to stage protests in support of Tibetans?
a. Yes
b. No
13. If you have any comments or opinions, please write them below.
Picture: At the Henan museum today.
Chris
7 comments:
Hi Chris. I have just seen your "I'm begging you, Sophie" youtube video and it's extremely cool! And that's why I come to your blog.
About the questionnaire, I would be glad to fill it out for your friend Kevin:
1. What is your ethnicity?
b. Chinese (I'm from Hong Kong.)
2. What is your first language?
c. Cantonese
3. Do you speak multiple languages?
a. Yes
4. Are human rights an important issue to you?
c. Somewhat
5. What is your main source of information on human rights in China?
a. Local media (But since Hong Kong enjoys the freedom of press that's absent in mainland China. I can read lots of human rights news from foreign media as well. And btw, the "local media" in HK faces much less intervention and restriction form the government.)
6. Do you believe Tibetans in China have ever experienced human rights violations?
a. Yes
7. Do you believe Tibetans in China today experience human rights violations?
a. Yes
8. Do you believe Canada has a role to play in promoting human rights in China?
a. Yes
9. China is a sovereign nation. Is this important to consider when looking at their human rights issues?
a. Yes
10. Are issues regarding human rights in Tibet an international issue or a national (Chinese) issue?
a. International issue
11. Do Chinese negatively affect the livelihoods of Tibetans or do Tibetans negatively affect the livelihoods of Chinese?
a. Chinese negatively affect Tibetans
b. Tibetans negatively affect Chinese
(a and b, but I would say Han Chinese has a greater influence on the Tibetans.)
12. Is the 2008 Beijing Olympics a good venue to stage protests in support of Tibetans?
b. No
13. If you have any comments or opinions, please write them below.
The Tibetan human right issue is extremely complicated and it's not just about Han Chinese "abusing" the Tibetans as most Western media portrayed. Since you (I mean Kevin) are doing research on Chinese views on the Tibetan issues, I would like to share a bit of my view as a liberal Han Chinese from Hong Kong:
- First of all, technically it's questionable that you single out "Tibetans" from "Chinese". In China, the term "Chinese" includes 56 ethnicities and Tibetans are considered one of them. But the of course, you could argue that "Han Chinese", who comprises about 90% of the population, is dominant in China and other minority groups like Manchu, Mongolian, Hui, Miu etc. are somewhat subordinate in main stream Chinese culture.
- You could probably see that in the Tibetan's protest this year, most mainland Chinese share the view of the communist government and they are not shy away to stand up for their opinion. As mentioned in Time/Newsweek (I couldn't remember how I come across the articles as I subscribe to both), it's wrong to think that the reason is because they are "brainwashed" by the communist government and have limited access to the "truth". As a matter of fact, many overseas Chinese with western education are discontent about biased view of main stream Western media. I think the reason behind is quite complicated but I try to break it down as follows:
1)Many Westerners (I hate to use the word "Westerners" as it seems kinda xenophobic but anyway I mean European/American in general.)think the whole incident is a result of long-term Han Chinese oppression on the Tibetans. Their culture is deteriorating. They struggle to keep their own religion and faith while more Han Chinese rush into Lhasa to run hotels and tourist shops. While part of it is true, you could not single it out as it only happens in Tibet. You know, China is rapidly turning itself from a collective society in the most capitalist countries in the world. The loss of culture and faith is happening everywhere in China. Confucian teaching is losing ground. Ancient architecture and temples are giving way for new real estate development. If you are a traditional Chinese culture lover, you could see that Chinese (including Tibetan) heritage is deteriorating everywhere. It's the cost people pay for the great economic boom in China.
However, what I would like to point out is that it happens to everybody in China, Han Chinese and Tibetans alike. However, quoting the so-called "culture genocide" as a ground for Tibet independence is absolutely nonsense.
2) While I feel sympathetic to the Tibetans who struggle to make a living, many Han Chinese in the rural areas probably suffer more than the Tibetans. Many peasants in rural areas have their farmland forcefully confiscated by the local government for real estate development. Without proper compensation, they struggle to make a living and is forced to move to somewhere else. It's the problem that we face and of course, the corruption of government officials and poor rural policies should be condemned. But it's definitely not a reason for "independence", Han Chinese and Tibetans a like.
The suffering of the Han Chinese peasants make the call for Tibet independence more illegitimate because it's not like all Han Chinese are well-off as they are exploiting the Tibetans. The fact is that as China's robust economy is booming, the income gap widens. Some become billionaire in a short time while many others are struggling to make ends meet. Granted, many Tibetans are probably at the lower end in terms of its standard of living but so do many Han Chinese. What we should do is to find a way to improve their standard of living, Han Chinese and Tibetans alike, but not independence.
3) Another reason why the Chinese are so angry about Tibetans are being portrayed as an "inferior" ethnic group in China is that the communist has actually carried out some policies that are more beneficial to Tibetans than to Chinese. For example, Tibetan students are better subsidized in the main stream education system, very much like the policies in favour of African American in some universities in US. Some Tibetans gets better job positions in the government bureaus simply because of its ethnicity. The government has also poured in million of dollars every year to improve the livelihood of the Tibetans. The positive discrimination policies of the government make many Han Chinese think that it's simply ridiulous to say that the Tibetans are worse-off and exploited by the Han Chinese.
- Sovereignty is an extremely sensitive issue in mainland China. Most mainland Chinese thinks the call for independence is simply unacceptable, no matter what the motivation is. The major reason is that China has a recent history of being invaded by Europeans and Japanese. The thousand-year national pride has suddenly turned into foreign humiliation in 100 years. So if there is any foreign countries call for Tibet/Taiwan independence, it would be considered as a wicked motivation by the foreign powers to divide the land of China all over again. Obviously triggering the nationalism in China is not a good way to improve the human rights in Tibet.
I probably have talked too much in just one single comment but I hope it helps. In short, China is still an authoritative regime so I have to admit that human right abuse, social predujice, degeneration of traditional heritage and faith DO happen to Tibetans and Han Chinese alike. While I somewhat agree to the movenment that urge China to improve its human right record, I think the target should be focused on other ethnicities in China as well, not just the Tibetans. And I am not certain that independence could actually have to improve the situation.
about ur last post asking questions about why the western media didnt say anything about chinese ban plastic bags. well, my thinking is: if anybody pays a guy some money to let him pretend a tibetan who has been persecute by CCP then this guy will be the centre of the western media's attention. because this guy is so much more attractive for the western media rather than the chinese improvment in the enviroment protection!
here is my answer of ur friend's survey:
1. What is your ethnicity?
b. Chinese
2. What is your first language?
b. Mandarin
3. Do you speak multiple languages?
a. Yes
4. Are human rights an important issue to you?
a. Yes
5. What is your main source of information on human rights in China?
a.both Local media
and b. Friends and family
6. Do you believe Tibetans in China have ever experienced human rights violations?
i cant answer this question, because my definition of "human rights" r different from lots of other guys. from my view, the answer is no. from the western view, the answer is yes.but i accept the information that the CCP did kill some tibetans in tibet more than 10 years ago and i dont accept the information that the CCP killed the tibetans at the beginning of this year ( because it is really stupid to do so as we all know the olimpic is coming soon and every chinese wanna to change our image, so CCP wont be so fool to kill tibetans and also there hasnt go any evidence to say the CCP killed Tibetans since the western media went crazy!)
7. Do you believe Tibetans in China today experience human rights violations?
this is a stupid question, do u believe americans in usa today experiece human rights violations? the answer for this quesion is yes! but i still think the americans do have the human rights.
8. Do you believe Canada has a role to play in promoting human rights in China?
another stupid quesion. this is really not UR BUSINESS! another question for u: do u believe china has a role to play in controlling canadian's legal system? because lots of chinese criminals will choose canada as their first destination when they want to escape from chinese legal punishment!
9. China is a sovereign nation. Is this important to consider when looking at their human rights issues?
there should be another question before this quesion, the question is: is china a sovereign nation?
u'd better to study! i feel u have no idea about china when u make this survey. please do some study!
10. Are issues regarding human rights in Tibet an international issue or a national (Chinese) issue?
30% inernational issue and 70% chinese issue. but if some countries going to use this issue to make some other issues, then this should be fully chinese issue!
11. Do Chinese negatively affect the livelihoods of Tibetans or do Tibetans negatively affect the livelihoods of Chinese?
one more stupid question, do black guys negatively affect the livelihoods of the white guys or do white guys negatively affect the livelihoods of black guys?
12. Is the 2008 Beijing Olympics a good venue to stage protests in support of Tibetans?
how come u have the idea to make olympic become more political? if u even bereave the human's sport;s pureness, then r u making us experiencing human rights violations?
13. If you have any comments or opinions, please write them below.
i have billions words to talk about this, so i dont have enough time and space to write them down!
to kevin: i thinking u r making this survey based on western languages. like some western guys saying chinses always use CCP languages. and aslo for question 5: i'm currently studying in australia and i have been here for 5 years. i like here and i share western;s axiology. i think australian medias r more open than chinese medias but they r also big bilkers! they even lies more than chinese medias!
to vincent chen: i have one commen ground with u which is i dont like to use the words " western" or "westerners". i feel when i say this i always put the chinese and the westerners in opposite positions. but i still use them just in order to express my opinions easily.
to chris: i watched one of ur currently videos and u said the chinese needs ccp right now but maybe not in the future. i really agree with u.
1. What is your ethnicity?
b. Chinese
2. What is your first language?
b. Mandarin
3. Do you speak multiple languages?
a. Yes
4. Are human rights an important issue to you?
c. Somewhat
5. What is your main source of information on human rights in China?
d. both local and international sources
6. Do you believe Tibetans in China have ever experienced human rights violations?
---- Honestly, no idea. But I guess Tibetans might have experienced the same thing as most ordinary Chinese. They are better treated as minority group.
7. Do you believe Tibetans in China today experience human rights violations?
b. No
8. Do you believe Canada has a role to play in promoting human rights in China?
b. No
9. China is a sovereign nation. Is this important to consider when looking at their human rights issues?
a. Yes
10. Are issues regarding human rights in Tibet an international issue or a national (Chinese) issue?
c. No Opinion
11. Do Chinese negatively affect the livelihoods of Tibetans or do Tibetans negatively affect the livelihoods of Chinese?
d. None of the above
12. Is the 2008 Beijing Olympics a good venue to stage protests in support of Tibetans?
b. No
1. What is your ethnicity?
a.Chinese
2. What is your first language?
b. Mandarin
3. Do you speak multiple languages?
a. Yes(Chinese,English)
4. Are human rights an important issue to you?
c. Somewhat
5. What is your main source of information on human rights in China?
d. Other (I often get information from Internet by myself)
6. Do you believe Tibetans in China have ever experienced human rights violations?
a.Yes(They hadn't any human rights about 50 years ago)
7. Do you believe Tibetans in China today experience human rights violations?
b. No(Actually,Tibetans r totally better then anytime in the history of Tibet)
8. Do you believe Canada has a role to play in promoting human rights in China?
b.No(Please extradite Chinese malfeasant from Canada first)
9. China is a sovereign nation. Is this important to consider when looking at their human rights issues?
c. Somewhat(But China is not a sovereign nation)
10. Are issues regarding human rights in Tibet an international issue or a national (Chinese) issue?
c. No Opinion
11. Do Chinese negatively affect the livelihoods of Tibetans or do Tibetans negatively affect the livelihoods of Chinese?
d. None of the above(Tibetans r Chinese!It like Canadian including French and English.Most of Chinese r Han ethnicity,but It doesn't mean "Han ethnicity=Chinese".I think its positively affect between Tibetans and Han Chinese)
12. Is the 2008 Beijing Olympics a good venue to stage protests in support of Tibetans?
b. No(Is the 2008 Beijing Olympics a good venue to stage protests in support of Eskimo?because I think Eskimo in Canada today experience human rights violations!)
13. If you have any comments or opinions, please write them below.
I really don't know why you foreigners care about Chinese human rights like this?Who of you guys has really been to Tibet or China?Both human rights and Tibet affairs are internal affairs of China,so I do not believe Canada has any role to play in promoting human rights in China.By the way,I think human rights are violating in Quebec."Free Quebec"is a most important job of China,because I believe China has such an important role to play in promoting human rights in Canada.And I hope Canadian government can deliver the criminal to China as soon as possible.Saving criminals is not a correct behavior as well as an bad impression on Chinese.Some of my relatives and friends are living in Canada now,and I living in New Zealand now,I will one day be moving to Canada probably.I don't think politics is such an important game to play.
1. What is your ethnicity?
b. Chinese(not Han)
2. What is your first language?
b. Mandarin
3. Do you speak multiple languages?
a. Yes
4. Are human rights an important issue to you?
c. Somewhat
5. What is your main source of information on human rights in China?
c. Independent research
6. Do you believe Tibetans in China have ever experienced human rights violations?
a. Yes
7. Do you believe Tibetans in China today experience human rights violations?
a. Yes, but this is not to say that progress is not being made
8. Do you believe Canada has a role to play in promoting human rights in China?
b. No
9. China is a sovereign nation. Is this important to consider when looking at their human rights issues?
a. Yes
10. Are issues regarding human rights in Tibet an international issue or a national (Chinese) issue?
b. National (Chinese) issue
11. Do Chinese negatively affect the livelihoods of Tibetans or do Tibetans negatively affect the livelihoods of Chinese?
d. None of the above
12. Is the 2008 Beijing Olympics a good venue to stage protests in support of Tibetans?
b. No
13. If you have any comments or opinions, please write them below.
I don't believe in any governments which use human right as a tool to criticize China. I have had enough ideology. I also don't believe in universal values. I tend to view the international community from a Darwinism perspective although I do believe some foreigners care about human rights in China sincerely.
1. What is your ethnicity?
b. Chinese
2. What is your first language?
b. Mandarin
3. Do you speak multiple languages?
a. Yes
4. Are human rights an important issue to you?
c. Somewhat
5. What is your main source of information on human rights in China?
c. Independent research
6. Do you believe Tibetans in China have ever experienced human rights violations?
a. Yes
7. Do you believe Tibetans in China today experience human rights violations?
b. No
8. Do you believe Canada has a role to play in promoting human rights in China?
b. No
9. China is a sovereign nation. Is this important to consider when looking at their human rights issues?
b. No
10. Are issues regarding human rights in Tibet an international issue or a national (Chinese) issue?
b. National (Chinese) issue
11. Do Chinese negatively affect the livelihoods of Tibetans or do Tibetans negatively affect the livelihoods of Chinese?
d. None of the above
12. Is the 2008 Beijing Olympics a good venue to stage protests in support of Tibetans?
b. No
13. If you have any comments or opinions, please write them below.
Money is always the answer to all the questions above. especially you're living in a 1.3 billion ppl country. you can't ask for more cause there just don't have so much money and resource to give what you want.
My suggestion is: go do some human right reasearch in Iraq, if you ever consider human right as a international issue.
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