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Q: As foreigner, what can you do to make a better China?
I would love to make China better but that is the government and the people of China to make it better for themselves. As more Chinese go abroad for study, work, and travel they get to see how other countries work and how it could work in China. This generation will be the next leaders of China who will pave the way for a better China and best for us to stay out of the way and let China discover its own path.
Even if one barbaric foreign devil could help a country of 1.3 billion+ people, why would I or should I? They can have the country they deserve.
It's not like they've done anything to endear themselves to me, or make me sympathetic to their points of view. Rarely a day goes by where a complete stranger doesn't insult or demean me just for a laugh. Why would I even want to help those people if I could.
I'm leaving very soon. They can have their beautiful glorious country and I'll return to barbarian inferior Canada, where no proud Chinese man would ever step. Then I'll be helping them by not contaminating China with foreign culture, as I've been accused of doing.
Absolutely nothing. This is their house and their rules. Nothing we do will change anything.
jleav14782:
I would humbly add that, because China is commonly recognized as the oldest surviving civilization on Earth, perhaps we who are foreigners therein ought to allow ourselves to be edified by it rather than strive to remold it in the images of our own respected countries. For us to assume a position of cultural or social superiority simply on the basis of argumentum ad novitatem would be a bit arrogant, wouldn't you agree? Should we not let the elders lead and encourage the children to follow, especially in the elders' own country?
Xpat.John:
While I agree with you in theory, the practical application of your supposition requires perspective.
Around a hundred years ago, the elders agreed that the best way to heal someone was with leaches and/or draining of blood. I propose that age alone does not generate wisdom or truth. Exploration, mental expansion and healthy cynicism are the tools of growth. Blind adherence to a given rule promotes nothing but stagnation.
We should indeed honor our elders and show them the respect that is deserved. But, we should keep in mind statements like "just because something is different, doesn't mean it is wrong" works for both sides of the cultural divide.
GuilinRaf:
jleav:
Um, no. While I do believe that as a foreigner here my job is NOT to "teach" anything to the locals except English I dont necessarily believe that just because a culture is older means it should be followed.
Some older cultures which have been around for thousands of years still treat women as second class citizens (or worse) children are "things" that can be bought and sold, education is for a small, select few, etc.
General consensus would be - leave! (preferably after giving them your money).
I'm trying just by teaching - no, not the language - but the culture. And thinking skills. And the ability to look beyond the here and now.
Small, but it's my bit!
(oh, and maybe a couple of dirty looks to the spitters on the streets 
)
For me, cleanliness is something I would like to see more of. Maybe not as important as human rights, but it is something any foreigner can do to make it a better place to be. Little things to do to help would be to grab a shovel, some garden tools and a garbage can and a couple of friends, and go clean up a city park that is dirty with litter and run down. Pick up litter when you see it walking down the streets and make sure others watch you do something good. Help neighbors and friends rebuild or repair their broken windows, or help do some painting or cleaning to make the old look new again. If you have money, invest it in some projects that the community would embrace. You aren't going to make a lasting impression on everyone, but a few here and there will come a long way to the country picking up good habits. Personally, my dream with my gf is to open a small coffee shop in town with no smoking atmosphere, and make it clean and quiet, not the smoky, loud and busy feeling you get elsewhere. There are a lot of Chinese much like Americans who can't stand people who smoke and would make this kind of place their home away from home. The trend of no smoking in America was significant, and I know China will get there in time.
teach them new good things and do those thing by my self
For God's sake, obey the Prime Directive:
"As the right of each sentient species to live in accordance with its normal cultural evolution is considered sacred, no Star Fleet personnel may interfere with the normal and healthy development of alien life and culture. Such interference includes introducing superior knowledge, strength, or technology to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely. Star Fleet personnel may not violate this Prime Directive, even to save their lives and/or their ship, unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental contamination of said culture. This directive takes precedence over any and all other considerations, and carries with it the highest moral obligation."
—Prime Directive, Starfleet's General Order #1
"The Prime Directive is not just a set of rules. It is a philosophy, and a very correct one. History has proven again and again that whenever mankind interferes with a less developed civilization, no matter how well intentioned that interference may be, the results are invariably disastrous."
—Jean-Luc Picard
GuilinRaf:
Lt Commander Letus Vexem, Starfleet JAG Corps:
The Prime Directive only applies to Starfleet personnel.
As civilians, you may do as you please so long as you do not break any local laws.
4999.99 years of history, Perfect People,Perfect Country. Why would you want to downgrade it to better.
No country or culture is perfect and all of them can change. Change takes time.
I would like to see China improve the safety of food in their country. If companies continue to put industrial chemicals into food so that they can make a little more money then it shows a lack of respect for the people of their own country.
If the political will is there then it will change. If it does not change then there is no will to change it and protect their own citizens from dangerous food.
Any suggestions on how to encourage them to make their food safe?
According to most Chinese, close the door to the west again, force HK, Taiwan and Maccau back to one China, and have a regime like North Korea with an economy that is larger than the west, and I have heard this time and time again from government people and common people alike.
GuilinRaf:
In Guilin a few years ago, one of my students was very sad. When I asked him why, he told me that his grandfather had advised him not to be too friendly with me, because when the war between China and America came, it would be harder for him to shoot me.
For a moment I actually thought he was joking...
As a foreigner you can do things to help yourself live more comfortably in China, but after all you are living in a different country with a different culture that has developed over thousands of years. We should respect these cultural differences and allow the Chinese people to live the way they wish.
Guilian, I know the feeling, but if China went to war with America, it would be a world war, China would have to enlist the help of Middle Eastern Countries, keep an eye on India, South Korea, Phillipines, and every other Asian Country that surrounds China, they would never want a fight with a western country, especially one that would cause the demise of it's economy. That is why I say Chinese are more arrogant than the US
GuilinRaf:
Indeed. We wont know a state of war existed until we find ourselves lined up before St Peter...
