When East Meets West: A Lack of Culture Shock?
The official word is that most Chinese people generally like us:
Two in three Chinese generally like Americans while one in five dislikes them, according to a recent poll.
Those who liked Americans but not particularly and those who like them made up 66 per cent, while 20.9 per cent disliked them and 13 per cent were not sure. Also, about 70 per cent were satisfied with Sino-US relations.
2 in 3 generally like Americans? 70% are satisfied with the diplomatic relationship? That's somewhat surprising to me. I know from speaking to some Chinese people that part of Chinese college curriculum is partly Bush-bashing in some courses.
The survey was conducted by the Global Times a publication of leading Chinese newspaper People's Daily in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan by random house-to-house interviews in February. It collected valid samples from 1,175 people.
Nearly half the respondents regard the United States as a friendly country, an example to emulate and a partner 10.4 per cent, 11.7 per cent and 25.6 per cent respectively.
Encouraging. But here comes the other side of the coin:
However, the US is still seen as a rival by half as 49.2 per cent believe it is a competitor.
About three in five said "yes" to whether the United States is striving to contain China, and the same number believe that the Taiwan question would shape Sino-US relations.
You can't please all of the people all of the time, naturally. But still:
Most interviewees had a positive attitude towards Sino-US trade ties, with two in three saying it stimulated China's economic progress and half believing it promoted reforms in China.
About half the respondents did not discriminate against American products and another 25 per cent who like made-in-US products said they believed trade benefits two countries.
A side-effect of free trade. Maybe globalization and free trade isn't totally a bad thing.
And how did they form their opinions about the United States?
About 63 per cent through mass media and 21 per cent from American movies, with only 4 per cent through direct contact with Americans.
The all-pervasive media is a powerful tool for mass communication.
Personally, I like Chinese people even if I'm not always thrilled with their government. I base my opinions of Chinese people less on movies though and more through direct experience with immigrants, most of whom seem to be very hard-working, polite, and intelligent. Besides, it's a fascinating culture owing to the fact that it's the oldenst continuing civilization on the planet.
Yes China, we generally like you too.
Two in three Chinese generally like Americans while one in five dislikes them, according to a recent poll.
Those who liked Americans but not particularly and those who like them made up 66 per cent, while 20.9 per cent disliked them and 13 per cent were not sure. Also, about 70 per cent were satisfied with Sino-US relations.
2 in 3 generally like Americans? 70% are satisfied with the diplomatic relationship? That's somewhat surprising to me. I know from speaking to some Chinese people that part of Chinese college curriculum is partly Bush-bashing in some courses.
The survey was conducted by the Global Times a publication of leading Chinese newspaper People's Daily in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan by random house-to-house interviews in February. It collected valid samples from 1,175 people.
Nearly half the respondents regard the United States as a friendly country, an example to emulate and a partner 10.4 per cent, 11.7 per cent and 25.6 per cent respectively.
Encouraging. But here comes the other side of the coin:
However, the US is still seen as a rival by half as 49.2 per cent believe it is a competitor.
About three in five said "yes" to whether the United States is striving to contain China, and the same number believe that the Taiwan question would shape Sino-US relations.
You can't please all of the people all of the time, naturally. But still:
Most interviewees had a positive attitude towards Sino-US trade ties, with two in three saying it stimulated China's economic progress and half believing it promoted reforms in China.
About half the respondents did not discriminate against American products and another 25 per cent who like made-in-US products said they believed trade benefits two countries.
A side-effect of free trade. Maybe globalization and free trade isn't totally a bad thing.
And how did they form their opinions about the United States?
About 63 per cent through mass media and 21 per cent from American movies, with only 4 per cent through direct contact with Americans.
The all-pervasive media is a powerful tool for mass communication.
Personally, I like Chinese people even if I'm not always thrilled with their government. I base my opinions of Chinese people less on movies though and more through direct experience with immigrants, most of whom seem to be very hard-working, polite, and intelligent. Besides, it's a fascinating culture owing to the fact that it's the oldenst continuing civilization on the planet.
Yes China, we generally like you too.