On Fri, 12 Jun 1998, Hunter Kid wrote:
(These are questions regarding foreigners/different ethnicities in mainland
China, specifically, around the Shanghai and/or Tsingtao areas. I need
these facts for Ryoga 1/2, book two. ^_^)
1. How do the Chinese view foreigners in general?
Umm...well...how do Americans view foreigners in general? Depends on
where you go, I suppose. Some people like them, and some don't.
2. How do the Chinese view Japanese foreigners specifically?
Many have a low opinion of them. The grandmother of a family across the
street won't purchase Japanese products, because her family was some of
the many Nanking victums. (Know that book 'The Rape of Nanking?' Read it
if interested, because discussion about that is outside the scope of this
question, or the ML) Also, the recent actions of the Japanese government
involving the Fishing Islands (uninhabited islands in Taiwan) did not
endear them to the Chinese in general.
Now, does this mean that a Japanese tourist will get lynched? Of course
not. But expecting a 'Great Union of Asian Brotherly Love' towards the
Japanese is very unrealistic.
Don't forget that there are -always- exceptions. China's a pretty big
place.
3. How do the Chinese view American foreigners specifically?
Rich. Lucky. Full of Pop Icons. If I see another Mickey Mouse shirt
next time I go to Taiwan, I'm gonna scream. And they think we eat steak
every day.
Word of advice. Don't eat at the 'American' resturaunts there, unless
they seem like a branch of one over here. My cousins encouraged me to go
to a steak house, where my salad consisted of vinegar soaked lettuce, my
steak was marinated in soy sauce, and I recieved a side of fried eggs.
(Hey, it's American food, right? Who cares if we were eating supper?)
4. How would the Chinese view someone who was half-Chinese, half-American,
but had been born in China? (Note, this person is female, looks mostly
Chinese, but has blond hair.)
Well, he wouldn't become an instant parah, if that's what you're asking.
Now, if he were English, there might be a little more resentment (opium
wars, and such), but he's not going to he attacked by mobs of angry
people.
13. How much effect has communism had on the western provinces?
(Tsinghai, Tibet, Sinkiang, etc.)
14. How much effect has communism had on the eastern provinces? Are
people free to enter and leave the cities as they please? Is a 'travel
permit' required? And so on.
Communism has had an effect on all of these provinces. Know the
propaganda that the 'Free Tibet' movement shouts about religious
oppression? Not really that much different in other places, though I've
heard that many restrictions have lessened as economic realities have set
in. Not having lived under the yoke of Communist religious and economic
oppression, I couldn't tell you to what degree they've swerved from a
hard-line Communist stance.
Some analysts also feel that Hong Kong's recent return may prompt
lessening of more restrictions in order to keep the money flowing...
15. Do most people in China dislike the communists?
What do you think?
If so, are they vocal, or more tacit about it?
Remember the Tienaman Square riots? I have footage somewhere of a guy
getting rolled over by a tank, though I've misplaced it.
Also, are there any 'secret society' type organizations that fight the
communists?
Unknown (after all, if we knew about them, they wouldn't be a secret).
However, there are those who continue to worship religion in secret,
despite laws against doing so. To my knowledge, there isn't a PLO
equivilent in China.
One last pet peeve. Ladies and gents, 'aiya' is an interjection
that is equivilent to 'oh, no!'. Thus, Shampoo would not say 'Aiya,
Shampoo is so happy Ranma take her on date' unless she's trying to learn
the Shi Shi Hokoudan.
-Natsume Ranma Ranma
-------
The sardines weren't worth the trouble. A few more shots, then
Ryoga-san would overheat and explode. Ducking around a corner,
I managed to lose him as I entered the ramshackle residence of
my Anime supplier.
One look at his face and I knew that I was betrayed. "Tell me."
I insisted. He refused, so I slammed him against the wall.
"Last chance. Where can Ranma-Ranma find good fanfics?"
"Try Jason Liao." he whispered, before he slumped to the floor.
I heard the sounds of a door splintering as I left through the
window, one step ahead of Tendo Heavy Industries...