Daniel A. Bell: The Confucian Party

From the NY Times opinions page:

Those looking for another explosion of political demonstrations like Tiananmen are likely to be disappointed. At the conference in Qufu, the Confucian critics were careful to tell government officials that they favor change on a stable basis.

If the Confucians get their way, political change will come slowly and peacefully. Since Deng Xiaoping opened the doors to economic reform over 30 years ago, various economic experiments have been carried out at different levels of government, with the central government taking what works and implementing the reforms in the whole country. That’s also likely to be the model for educational and political reform over the next 30 years. It may be starting right now in towns like Qufu.

I'm glad that some people from the West hold such open opinions about China. Read the rest here.

One Walks Before He Can Run

This is a basic Chinese notion about how things should be done in a gradual order: you don't teach a baby to run if he could not even walk (less true with Forrest Gump though). But too often the civilized West becomes impatient with the 'barbarian Asians' and ask them to jump without knowing where they originally stood.

This impatience is again manifest in the New York Times' editorial, where Afghanistan and Pakistan for violation of human rights and regressing into Islamic war control. I cannot speak for the Pakistan authority which let happen the beating of a woman for refusing a marriage, because it is an extreme case of human rights violation. I cannot speak for Mr. Karzai of Afghanistan, either, as the new law does sanction marital rape. But condemnation does not work.

The very idea that passing a marital rape law could boost Mr. Karzai's re-election campion shows that the law has popular support among the Afghan voters. Now I don't really know if women can vote in Afganistan or not (and given the newly passed law, it seems that they can't), but clearly Mr. Karzai is making a calculated decision. Find him another viable way, or stop telling him that he's doing the immoral thing. You can't condemn him into another presidency.

The popular support for Islamic law, as I understand it (or am unable to understand it), has many complex levels. Scolding Mr. Karzai isn't likely to work; telling them to respect the rights of women overnight isn't either (while telling them to respect the rights of women the Western way is entirely another matter.) The way to do it is to induce the Islamic society (and any other non-Western compliant societies) to form globally acceptable moral codes on friendly terms. The Japanese and the Indians once treated foreigners (Europeans) like dogs, but are now good world citizens (at least in this current world order), and it took them a couple of centuries to get there. Why can't we give other people some time so convergence in value can take place, unless some of us are actively seeking possible enemies to divert attention on local matters?

I don't believe that the word 'befriend' means beat someone repetitively untill they are submissive enough to agree to everything you say. Realize the difference and be tolerant. Since it's always easier said than done, stop condemnation and try to do some real friendly work patiently. Please.

Sakura + Kimono: Still Problematic in China

---

It is spring time and sakura, not only in Tokyo, but in China too, is flowering. A mother with her daughter dressed up in kimono (Japanese traditional clothing) and took photos under some flowering cherry trees the other day in Wuhan University, and they were, unfortunately but almost inevitably, ill-received by the passers-by.

The on-lookers felt especially offended by the wearing of kimono, which may be too "Japanese" for the liking of most of Chinese. It is not perhaps as offensive as a few Japanese military uniforms reminiscent of WWII, but it is still too much.

The media is almost uniformly opposed to the on-lookers, saying that it is only excessive and unnecessary patriotism. Neither sakura nor kimono are related the WWII crimes, and should be given considerations as such.

I am, of course, in support of the media on this issue, but I, too, find this sakura/kimono combination too much for me. I do not hate the Japanese, especially not the current generation; I am learning the Japanese language in the hope that I can view the civilization in a more educated manner. However, at this stage I still have some "nerves" against the Japanese; I wish that it could go away, but it is there. Similarly, I believe that none of the on-lookers in Wuhan University are really that anti-Japanese as to get themselves completely insulate from the Japanese culture. In this age it is too hard. We buy Japanese electronics, use Japanese cosmetics, view Japanese TV series, and read Japanese comic books. Tension still exists, but understanding is growing, and tolerance brewing. Therefore, no one will likely to scold you for viewing sakura, for taking photos of sakura with Canon cameras, or for similar activities related to Japan. However, unfortunately, wearing kimono to the scene is still not quite accepted, and with a little understanding of the opinions of the Chinese people at large, such embarrassment can be avoided.

The mother and daughter said that they had no special intentions. They just thought that wearing kimono under sakura trees was beautiful. So indeed, it is avoidable, as the kimono served no particular important purpose. The mother and daughter did not do anything "wrong"; just that they should have known better.

Now I am writing to the Westerners' dismay, because my suggestion is so undemocratic. But remember: China has always been a collective society (and Japan too), and collective opinions are not to be taken lightly. Just as the US youth do not understand the sadness in someone traveling alone (according to the experience of Haruki Murakami, if I remember correctly), it is OK for the West not to understand the Chinese emphasis on the collective over the individual.

But NOW is a good time to start to understand.

And believe me, just as it is now nothing big to talk about Takuya Kimura in adoration, it will be acceptable to wear kimono to "hanami" in China as well, sooner or later. It is happening. Just wait.

P.S.
Just came across this piece on IHT. Some Westerners do seem to understand collectivism and hold it rather high. Also, this Britannica Blog entry on loneliness by Peter Augustine Lawler is distantly related. I'm amazed how quickly related articles got my attention after this post.