|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
For Chinese, a Shift in Mood, From Hospitable to Hostile
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Container
|
| Contributor | ArmyDem |
| Last Edited | ArmyDem Apr 29, 2008 09:18pm |
| Logged |
1
[Older]
|
| Category | News |
| Media | Newspaper - Washington Post |
| News Date | Wednesday, April 30, 2008 03:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Foreign Protests, Media Coverage Lead Many to Regard Outsiders as Adversaries
By Edward Cody
Washington Post Foreign Service
Tuesday, April 29, 2008; Page A10
BEIJING, April 28 -- At an airport in northeast China, a young security guard recently spotted a foreign airline passenger with shaving cream in his carry-on bag. "No," he said sternly, wagging his finger like a cross schoolteacher. "No, no, no."
In a country where airport security is unfailingly polite and efficient, the guard's stiff attitude spoke volumes.
Just weeks ago, most Chinese were welcoming foreigners as Olympic guests and partners in the country's meteoric economic development. But as the country enters the final 100 days before the Olympic Games in Beijing, the mood has changed. Many Chinese have begun to regard foreigners as adversaries interfering in domestic affairs or, at worst, bigots unwilling to accept China's emergence as a great power.
The Olympic torch left China only a month ago on what was billed as "a journey of harmony." Instead, the torch became a moving target for protesters worldwide. The focus of most demonstrations was China's crackdown against the Tibetans who rioted March 14 in Lhasa. Other protesters criticized China's role in the Darfur conflict. By the time the torch was paraded Sunday in Seoul, poor treatment of North Korean refugees was added to Beijing's list of sins.
The government's reaction to the unexpected avalanche of criticism was shrill. It described the protesters as "separatist elements" and asserted that they were seeking the breakup of the country, perhaps as part of a conspiracy. It railed at foreign media coverage, accusing reporters and editors of unspecified "ulterior motives." |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
