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Q: China's recent promotion of culture, an admission?
China's CP has recently been engaging in a campaign to promote Chinese culture and the notion of "soft power." They've gone so far as to develop the framework for what Chinese culture is specifically. My question, does anyone else see this as a gov't attempt to brainwash by actually defining the scope of what Chinese culture is. I'm sure that the list will include all of the anti establishment and civil rights movements throughout China. I'm sure that the list will not be bias and will celebrate all the diversity. Or maybe it will stop at Chinese gauche paintings and f*cking paper cutting. What really makes this sad is the fact that the gov't needs to play a leading role in defining Chinese culture. A true measure of a powerful culture is in the fact that its influence doesn't need government assistance. How pathetic it really is that the gov't needs to play such a leadership role. The very act is, in my opinion, an admission of a weak culture without substance. "Don't let the people define culture through just living in it, instead let's define it for them!" Ha! Sad day for China.
Nothing new here, really.
History is written by the winners, and truth is all about perception, especially if enforced at gunpoint.
What's really appalling is that despite all the government support, what they're trying to promote from the ashes of what they call "Chinese culture" looks so goddamn weak. The only writings I respect from the old days are those of Zhuangzi. The rest is unimaginative fraud. Maybe if they destroyed less of their legacy back in the days, there would be more to discover. Too bad it's already gone to oblivion.
The government has to play a leadership role in everything In case you haven't noticed, Chinese are helpless without someone telling them how to do, think, and say. The CP is their perpetual mother while the citizens are forever toddlers. From cradle to the grave, they are told how to do. They never need to "think too much."
It's really hard for a society to have it both ways, both tightly controlled AND outwardly interesting.
Look at chinese TV, it's mostly just ww2 propaganda shows and silly ancient china soap operas. Basically of zero interest outside china and seemingly pretty marginal interest domestically.
Shining_brow:
You forgot all the Japanese anime, and Korean soapies...
expatlife26:
yeah but those are foreign shows, they are ON chinese TV but aren't produced domestically.
Korea and Japan are examples of countries that produce things of global interest...though I question the artistic merit of korean soaps!
