|
Chinese optimistic with future amid rife complaints
By LII HAIBO (Beijing Review)
Updated: 2005-12-30 14:11 According to a survey by the Pew Research Center,
a Washington-based independent opinion research organization, Chinese people are
feeling good about themselves and the world, and China has emerged as "the world
leader in hope for the future."
The survey, conducted in May and released last month, indicates that many
Chinese people feel they have made substantial progress in the past five years,
believe they錕斤拷ll be better in another five years and are satisfied with the state
of the nation.
Of respondents in major cities in China錕斤拷s mainland, 76 percent tended to be
optimistic about improving their living standard within five years. In the
United States, by contrast, only 48 percent of those surveyed expected life to
get better. This ranked the Chinese at the top of 17 countries in which the
global attitudes survey was carried out.
Well, there are reasons for the Chinese, especially urban citizens, to rest
content with the circumstances around them. Thanks to a robust national economy,
many are enjoying a rather comfortable life with more freedom, job opportunities
and rising incomes. And the country錕斤拷s overseas image has by and large improved.
With national and personal wealth ramping up, there even grows a smug
disposition among people.
But still the Pew survey surprises many Chinese. It has become an everyday
occurrence for them to hear people fret and gripe about almost everything around
them--from the high price of medicine, big income gap and corrupt bureaucrats to
the worsening environment, as well as inequity between urban residents and
farmers. In addition, it seems hard to understand that many respondents in
developed countries are less optimistic about the present situation and future
than the Chinese, whose country has a huge population to feed, a deteriorating
ecosystem to mend and lots of problems to solve.
Although many doubt that the picture depicted in the Pew report truly
reflects the whole situation and national mentality of China, the survey, which
itself is considered authentic, has been widely cited as an indicator of current
public opinion, and a prism through which world observers view this country.
Maybe we錕斤拷ll never know exactly how many Chinese are optimistic and how many
people pessimistic. But that doesn錕斤拷t prevent us from asking ourselves: Just how
come the horizon looks rosy to so many Chinese? Why does China, a nation with a
legion of complainers, still show greater confidence than those developed
countries, which ought to be more sanguine about our world? I intend to approach
the matter on empirical grounds.
From a cultural point of view, the Chinese are more disposed to feel content
than Westerners. 錕斤拷He who is content with his lot is always happy.錕斤拷 This age-old
motto has been constantly on everybody錕斤拷s lips and has actually become a guiding
philosophical creed for almost every household. In Chinese classical philosophy
and literature, as well as folk tales, terms similar to 錕斤拷the end of the world錕斤拷
or 錕斤拷Armageddon錕斤拷 have never been the mainstream of social ethos. While holding
that bitterness, hardship and miseries are part of their life, the Chinese have
long been upbeat. Their doctrine always is: Enjoy life, now.
It錕斤拷s true there are more complaints than before, which may be a spin-off of
the social advance. As China opens its door to the whole world, it also opens
the door, more or less, to free expression for its citizens. It was unimaginable
and even dangerous to grumble or carp at government in the 1960s. Now this is a
common practice. Of course, more needs to be done to greatly promote freedom of
speech. Complaint in this country, like elsewhere, shows the obligation of
citizens and their expectation of a better future. A society without complaint
is abnormal and unhealthy. Quite often, those who complain a lot are the same
people who are confident about the world.
Foreign visitors often find that the Chinese like to say their personal
situation is better than before. Maybe this is another key source of the upbeat
mood--the proper way of comparison. Many Chinese are apt to compare the present
with the past. So they always feel satisfied. For them it錕斤拷s unrealistic to
compare China with Finland, Switzerland, Canada or the United States. What
inspires them is the belief that future Chinese people will enjoy as decent a
life as the citizens of the most developed countries. A nation that harbors a
magnificent dream is always optimistic.
The fact that the present situation of social stability was gradually gained
after the country had bitterly experienced the chaotic Cultural Revolution
(1966-76) is a reason, too. That chaos represents the darkest period in the
history of the People錕斤拷s Republic and no one wants to repeat the historical
tragedy. This context undoubtedly renders the present relative stability even
more precious and convinces people that the country is basically on the right
track and a brighter prospect is not only possible but also attainable.
The past two centuries have found China a nation frequently plagued by
disasters. From 1840 to 1976, for example, not a single decade passed without
wars, political movements or massive famines. Since the late 1970s, this country
has been free from human-made national devastations and the longtime economic
and social anemia is gone. Now the national performance is bracing and the facts
cogent. People have gradually rebuilt their confidence, which had long been at a
low ebb as the country was disturbed by invasions from outside and convulsions
within.
Finally, a genial global atmosphere also helps nurture an upbeat national
mentality. The world is willing to see an open, prosperous and responsible
China, which can錕斤拷t be a promising nation without the help of others. Being
steeped in a culture that features magnanimity, tolerance and engagement, the
Chinese as a whole have a healthy attitude toward Western culture and
civilization. Instead of being jealous of Western achievements, most Chinese
would rather tap their own potential. Their conclusion: If Westerners can do an
excellent job, why can錕斤拷t we?
While the Chinese are generally optimistic about the fate of their country
and the world, they are well aware that it won錕斤拷t be easy to reach their goal of
building an ideal society. They must be careful and patient as any mistake and
radical reform may spoil their cause.
|
