Racism Towards UK Chinese People - A Sensible Debate Please

BBC1 · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 14

Looking at the various discussions on the Dim Sum website, I think that for many UK Chinese racism is a problem or at least an issue with which they feel is not addresses - both by those that are in the Chinese community and the wider UK community. So lets have a meaningful discussion... For those who are of the opinion that this is all just 'political
correctness gone mad', I would have to say that if the issues affect people so much that they feel a need to write about it then that argument is invalid. Why? Because the verbal comment or incident has obviously caused upset to those who are writing about. If you are a reasonable person then if somebody tells you that something you have said or done offends them, would you say or do that thing again and cause further upset to that person?

These are just some of my personal observations and views on the topic of racism against people of Chinese / Oriental ethnicity. I may stray from topic occasionally but I hope it makes some sense.

Increase in Racism Against Chinese/Oriental People in the UK?
=============================================================

Some people have commented that they have noticed an increase in racism towards Chinese people in the UK. I too 'feel' an increase in racism against Chinese people in recent times.

There was a period back say about 5 years ago when I felt that racism appeared to have been less obvious (and I was glad about this). It seems to have increased somewhat now.

I myself have experienced some racist comments at work in recent times - although not directed at me personally it was none the less directed at Chinese people. I let it slide (may be I should have challenged, I don't know) thinking that it was better in the long run as I have to work with these people. There are for sure one or two people at my work I believe hold some very racist views but usually don't bring it to the fore at work but on more than one occasion those racist views have come out. The issue of race comes up a lot more often at my current work place compared to my previous place of work. It is usually disguised as a funny comment or some kind of comment about political correctness gone mad.

I believe that the increase in racism towards Chinese people is partially to do with the economic downturn and partially to do with the increasing political and economic power of China. Somebody at work commented that they think that the economic crisis at the moment is worse because most of the UK manufacturing jobs have gone to China. He had no solid proof to back it up or able to say which economics/business programme he saw this on. I would actually argue that the opposite is true but I am not an economist or business consultant so will not attempt to argue the point here. Anyway, I think it does demonstrate that there is some unfounded / irrational hostility towards China in general. I have also heard other irrational similar anti-China comments but they would take a long while to go through.

I live in London but was brought up in a smaller town up north. I don't hang out with big groups of Chinese people. This isn't intentional but is just the way it is. My experience is that I am more likely to encounter racism if I am on my own. If I am with a group of friends it is less likely. Luckily I have not as yet experienced any physical threats or abuse as some people have described here. But I do look like I can look after myself so that may have something to do with it.

To sum up, I do feel that there has been an increase in racism towards Chinese people in at least the last year or so (but perhaps it has crept up over a longer period).

It would be interesting to hear if others have noticed a difference.

How to Tackle Racism?
=====================

I think that many people would like to know the answer to this question. I think that there are individuals in the UK Chinese community that do take a stand when they experience racism themselves. However, there are many situations where challenging the racist incident may not be in the best interest of oneself in the long run and consequently many people choose to let it slide. This is fair enough in my view but it does allow the racism to become 'acceptable' since the culprits don't get any come back or demonstration that the particular racist comment / abuse will not be tolerated.

There have been various government/other organisations that were supposed to tackle racism in society. In my opinion, none of these have ever represented or served the needs of the UK Chinese community very well (if at all). It seems to me that some of these anti-racism organisations are setup and initially there is a big thing about it and then they seem to just disappear from the spot light. More importantly they appear to achieve very little in tackling the racism issue.

I think that somehow a new anti-racism organisation which is independent from the government or political parties has to be setup. The Chinese community must be well represented in this. The organisation would need leaders who have the drive, ambition, and vision to create long lasting changes in the whole of the UK society.

As individuals we can do our part by registering our objections to racist comments (directed at Chinese people or any other ethinic community) whenever we feel able to - as long as it does not put your life in immediate danger or create a difficult situation for yourself.

The Role of Chinese Community Centres
=====================================

There are Chinese community centres up and down the country. Many of them provide services / events which many of our elderly (and not so elderly) friends / relatives enjoy (e.g. a place to play Ma Jong or exercise classes). These are all commendable but I think that many could put more effort into reaching out to the local areas and people in which they operate.

Connecting with people from all parts of the local society is an important part of these community centres. Just inviting the local mayor and his/her friends and family to the yearly Chinese New Year festival does not really make the cut in my opinion. They should be making more efforts to encourage the normal folk of the local communities to participate in events / social gatherings. I don't believe this is happening really.

There are a lot of UK Chinese who work in 'professional' occupations and are often not very involved with the local Chinese community centres (myself included). Many of them do good work that people in the wider community should know about. Perhaps more efforts could be made to make it easier for them to become involved.

Dim Sum & Other Community Websites
==================================

If there were no forums such as those on Dim Sum I think that many of us would have nowhere and no one to approach with these issues. Therefore, it's a big thumbs up to Dim Sum and I hope that they continue their good work.

Racism is a difficult issue and we all need to discuss it in a sensible manner and not resort to slagging each off.

My personal view is that racism will always exist. What I would like to see happen is that it becomes less acceptable in society. I for one would be pleased if at least blatant racism against Chinese people becomes unacceptable and a taboo. Nobody seems to respond (in my experience) to racism against Chinese people when in public view (e.g. on a bus) - even in a cosmopolitan city like London. In future, it would be good if members of the general public
would be disgusted enough to at least gasp in disbelief and comment "he did not just say that!".

At the present time, racism towards Chinese people still appears to be relatively acceptable and often goes unnoticed. It's about time that changes!!!

Ideas and SENSIBLE discussions please...

Adee · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 44

I haven't felt much difference round where I live. The anti-China sentiment in the media has always been around but got pretty bad last year with the Tibetan riots and Beijing Olympics. Though I'm not sure whether that has anything to do with it. However I don't think the increase in racism is only towards Chinese but also to other ethnic minorities as well. I think it has to do with the credit crunch and the increase in immigrants.

The Chinese population is scattered through out the UK and often amongst the white community, and this make us vulnerable and easy target by racists. A lot of recent immigrants are not very fluent in English and doesn't know who to turn to for help when problems arise. It doesn't help that the police isn't always quick enough to respond to harassment.

I think we need to have a stronger voice to heighten the awareness of discrimination towards the Chinese society in the public.

BBC1 · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 14

Adee, I think you are most likely correct when you say that racism towards other ethnic minorities have probably increased as well. As a ethnically Chinese person I am more concerned about racism towards Chinese / oriental people as it affects me personally (though I am sure that there is some correlation with racism towards other groups as well).

I am not sure that the language barrier is the thing that is stopping people from being able to raise their concerns or awareness of the issue. I was born and bred in England and speak fluent English. I don't really know where to turn to help me tackle racism in my everyday life. Of course there is the police but unless it is racial violence or you feel your life is immediate danger then there is very little they can do (or are willing to do?).

There seems to be a desperate lack of a strong organisation which can effectively represent the concerns of the UK Chinese community on a national level and actually make a difference.

Andy Yu · Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 9

Having had people making monkey noise and asking me for DVDs yesterday, I would like add my 2p worth.

Perhaps one of the reasons why racism towards the Chinese has increased is because of the increasing number of illegal immigrants in the UK. Unable to work legally, they are either exploited (e.g. Morecambe Bay, illegals in takeaways) or turn to crime (e.g. the Newcastle couple who were murdered last year were involved in illegal betting).

In general, the Chinese are seen as law-abiding, but this image is being eroded by the influx of illegal immigrants. Solving this issue (either by deporting them effectively or allowing them to become legal) will remove this cause.

On the other hand, the Chinese are seen as passive and submissive. We are scattered all over the country and easy to distinguish from our appearance. This makes us an easy target for dissatisfied people to "let off steam". I am sure that they will not do the same to blacks as they believe blacks are more likely to react to provocation.

At work, I have not come across ouvert racism. OK " some of it may be hidden, but I am HKBC, earning more money than I would in HK, and do not plan to stay here permanently. As long as it is not the "in my face" type of racism, I am happy to put up with it. BBCs who feel that they 100% belong to this country may feel differently.

I think that in general, the Chinese have it better off than Muslims, say. Nobody is getting so fed up with us that they want to deport or gas us en masse, and we are not the first target of the BNP. We may be subject to more "street level" racism, but "sticks and stones may break my bones" and all that. I am happy not to look the gift horse in the mouth and put up with the occasional snide as a price to pay for living in this country. Again, you may not agree if you are BBC but I think worse can happen to me if I live in China.

At the same time, please also remember that we are not immune to group violence. From anecdotal evidence, the threatening behaviour (if not violence) by the Chinese students last May during the Olympic flame rally has alienated a lot of British people. Some are starting to see the younger Chinese as a bunch of brainwashed jingoists who will not brook any criticism of their country, and hypocrites who will try anything to stay in this country but will remain loyal to China even if they have obtained British citizens (and losing their Chinese nationality by default as China does not allow dual nationality). I fear that things may turn nasty very quickly if the Sino-British relation deteriorates, and this is the only risk I can think of for the Chinese community in the UK.

joybetluck · Joined: 25 Aug 2007 Posts: 203

The Elephant in the room for chinese abroad is that the PRC system of government and much of Asia does not or is not seen by foreigners to recognise human rights and individual freedom. There is also no opposition parties to speak of and in accordance with the principle of yin and yan foreign power becomes unpaid and righteous opposition parties!
Currently I think the chinese state is perceived to be purely materialistic. They allows interference so long as it does not hurt their pocket.
KATE ADIE: Twenty years after Tiananmen Square, blood is still on the hands of China's leaders
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1189702/KATE-ADIE-Blood-Chin as-hands-20-years-Tiananmen-Square-massacre.html
If you want to be perceived as a hero have a go at the Chinese!
In contrast, the Indian have Ghandi and the Indian government speaks to uphold her citizen’s rights.
Race' attacks spark Indian rally
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8075855.stm

zombiehellmonkey · Joined: 27 Sep 2008 Posts: 195

Australian "CURRY BASHINGS"
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10575 897

Attacks on Indians turning into big diplomatic row

4:00AM Tuesday Jun 02, 2009
By Greg Ansley

A series of unprovoked attacks on Indians in Australian cities - including stabbings and a fire-bombing - is ballooning into a serious diplomatic issue that has now involved the prime ministers of both countries.

The beatings have been reported extensively by the Indian media and have the potential to damage Australia's standing in Asia, where the racism of the former White Australia immigration policy has never been forgotten.

They have also triggered violence in the streets of Melbourne during a protest that shut down a key city intersection until early yesterday morning.

The sudden eruption has taken Australia by surprise, although reports of racism and "curry-bashing" have been circulating for months and have led to internet warnings to students not to study in Australian schools and universities.

The warnings and the spate of attacks have alarmed officials who have overseen the growth of education to become Australia's third-biggest source of export income, with the number of Indian students doubling in the past three years to become a A$2 billion-a-year industry.

Politicians and police have tried to play down allegations of racism, but the anger that has followed the beatings also has the potential to create its own momentum.

Australia had previously infuriated New Delhi with its treatment of Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef, who was falsely accused of terrorism and deported after charges were dropped.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told Parliament yesterday the federal Government would work with the states and territories to improve the safety of international students.

He has spoken to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after talks between Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and counterpart S.N. Krishna, whose department had earlier summonsed Australian Ambassador John McCarthy to express New Delhi's concern.

"I speak on behalf of all Australians when I say we deplore and condemn these attacks," Rudd told Parliament. "I said to Prime Minister Singh that the more than 90,000 Indian students are welcome guests in our country."

In the past month:

Student Sourabh Sharma, 21, was beaten by seven men on a Melbourne train, fracturing a cheek and breaking his teeth, before A$450 in rent and tuition fees and his ph0ne were stolen.

Balinder Singh, 25, was stabbed in the abdomen with a screwdriver as he handed over his wallet to two thugs.

Shravan Kumar, 25, and three friends were attacked by a teenage gang armed with screwdrivers. Shravan was stabbed in the head and may not fully recover.

Rajesh Kumar, 25, suffered burns to 30 per cent of his body when a petrol bomb was hurled through his window in Sydney. He was saved by his flatmate, who stifled the flames by wrapping him in a blanket.

Indian community leaders said violence had been escalating for the past four years, with more than 100 attacks in the past year and 30 assaults in Sydney alone in the past 30 days.

Reports of the beatings have flooded the Indian media and the internet, including an interview with Baljinder Singh in which he urged compatriots to stay away from Australia. He told CNN-IBN: "I want to advise every student planning to come to Australia not to come here. There is no life here."

Bloggers have been lashing the nation. "Australia as everyone knows is back again to its ancestral savage nature," said one. Another website ran lists of survival tips from Indians living in Australia.

In Melbourne about 2000 protesters blocked the key intersection outside Flinders St Station on Sunday, at one stage erupting into violence as mounted police pushed back demonstrators hurling stones and bottles.

Copyright ©2009, APN Holdings NZ Limited
_________________
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Jeff Minter · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 335

You have to understand the history of anti-Chinese sentiment to understand the current mindset of whites, mainly Western Europeans and Americans, today.

Read up literature on phrases like Yellow Peril, Sinophobia, Chinese Exclusion Act, White Australia Policy and my favourite... Title 8 of the United States Code, which Chapter 7 contains the only piece of legislation to prevent a certain ethnic group from the country. Guess which one - it's not the Muslims or Africans. It's us. Chinese people have always been on the backfoot.

Our greatest flaw is the community not being vocal enough - and to be frank - not breeding enough. The black population in the US now stands at ~15% - they may have been poor, but they knew that every one of them counted. They would stand up and make their cause heard. They were ridiculed, attacked and their message ignored during the Civil Rights movement by many whites, but they got their message heard. White opinion began to change. Blacks began to be respected - and look now. Everyone, even the white supremacists, know that nigger is a offensive word. I have no doubt that even they pause a fraction just before saying it - they know the heaviness of the world. Unlike our equivalent, chink, which to the non-chinese community is just some throwaway word where most people don't see as any harm. What a difference.

Look at the Asian communities here - you notice key figures here and there, becoming MPs, owners of businesses THAT MATTER (no, your takeaway does not hold any political leverage). And most importantly, a VOCAL COMMUNITY. To the whites, they're an annoyance - get rid of them, send them back to where they came etc - but to asians, they are making a stand. They are changing opinion, and making their side heard. That, in any situation, is something to be respected.

The most common excuse is that most of the (foreign born) Chinese can't speak English, or speak it flawlessly, so they can't make any leeway in politics, business, a simple argument between 2 people/a group. Well, read up on the case of Tidjane Thiam, the new CEO of the Pru. Or Baroness Uddin, who was exposed in the recent expenses scandal (before all the MPs) - she came from Bangladesh just over a decade ago, yet somehow she's a Baroness? Yeah, I doubt they can speak English without an accent.

Whilst we take up the lower rungs of professional careers (and it's always the junior positions, just look at the lack of Chinese on the board of directors/senior management especially on FTSE100 companies, where they don't exist!) and get stuck under the titanium-enforced ceiling, we see asians and blacks (of both african and caribbean descent) making it big. Frankly, we lot are just rubbish in status penetration. Doing great at school is fine, but it's just a stepping stone. What use is that if we're stuck in non-relevancy and insignificance forever? People assume that once school is finished, great - no more childish racism (welcome to adult, more violent racism!), I can just get a job, settle down and live it out til I retire. Nope, sorry but that's wrong. Minorities throughout the 60s, and at present day, are still fighting the fight. Every encounter, every argument that is linked with your race, matters. Because without your voice being heard, their minds will never change. Nor will they respect you, or realise that their thoughts will go unchallenged. If you make a big fuss about their racism, about their ideas, their prejudice, in the majority of cases it won't stop them being a racist - but it will give them pause for thought for next time - "Hmmm, maybe I won't say that, this chink will give me a hard time over it." Excellent. You're making progress, just like the african americans before you. But if we stay as we are now, then our children will suffer just as much as we have. The racist words will never be taboo, our status as irrelevant nobodies will never change. It took 30 years to see the results of the Civil Rights movement. It was a long, hard fought battle, with minimal progress. Many Chinese will say it's not worth it. And that is the reason why we have minimal respect compared to other races.

Of course, "white" media doesn't help. 4 of the 5 main broadsheets (Times, Daily Mail, Independent and Telegraph) all have a "Urgh, the Chinese, beware" sort of atmosphere to their Chinese related articles. I have no doubt that every time a journo needs to report a Chinese linked article, they have this underlying hatred or inherent critique of the Chinese, that they somehow need to dispel in an article about Dim Sum food, or Jackie Chan donating to Earthquake victims in China. Most of the people in Britain take no time to look beyond the article or news report, they just absorb what's given to them, in the way it's been presented to them. So if there is an element of hate/disgust towards a group in the report, they are more likely to take that in and pass it off as their opinion, rather than take a step back and think, "Hmmm, is this really right? What do the other side have to say about this?" American media outlets are even worse, but that goes without saying. They have better support groups there, but they also have a more entrenched mindset of anti-chinese than even the british. What other country has a code that is titled, "Exclusion of Chinese"?

The best example of how anti-chinese feeling is different from anti-"other races" is the constant "rising superpower" tag that China has been given. Anyone notice how often newspapers and news stations have done this, compared to doing to same for India, despite India being primed to takeover more advanced areas of formerly British and American industries? China getting manufacturing jobs at the expense of white working class, HORRIBLE. India getting IT jobs at the expense of white professionals, it's bad. Don't see any protests, outrage about it. Just a solitary BBC article about it.

Another thought is that the British, or more accurately Western public, don't see other forms of ethic groups and their country of origins as threats, at least not in the conventional sense. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Carribean, Africa, they all see mass immigration from there as a threat, of course - but they don't see them as threats in the political sense. Britain (and America) will always be superior to those countries, militarily, economically or otherwise. So while the immigration problem strains the country, it will not affect people at the family level - jobs, food, fuel levels will all be fine. With China though, it's different - every week you hear stories of outsourcing production, increasing consumption etc. in China - that is a fundamental threat to Western society, as it knows full well that another country consuming like they have done for the past 200 years is not sustainable. So in effect, you could say the Chinese are threatening the Westerner's way of life - all by having a malnourished kid piecing toys together for 5p a day so he could go home and - heaven forbid - watch TV, and - OMG - eat more.

I'm getting bored now, but all you have to understand is that due to inactivity of the community, compliance, the "rising" influence of their country of origin, the media and the Chinese' own willingness to let go rather than take a stand, we are in this position now where our race is more ridiculed, less respected and less significant than other minorities in the British, and also Western community.

pensggs · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 333

Jeff,

I do not often agree with your 'extreme' views, however, your recent submission has many grains of 'truth'.

Yesterday, I read an article not only of Chinese bashing but bashing of anyone and anything 'foreign'. In these extreme times, it is fashionable and acceptable to be 'racist' openly.

The article by Daily Mail; effectively illustrated this search for scrap goats.

The first sentence, quote

'CHICKEN sold in Indian and Chinese restaurants and some cafe is being secretly pumped up with a water and chemical mix containing pork or beef.' unquote

If this is not openly racist I could not find a finer example.

Translated and implied

(ALL) Chinese and Indian restaurants ( all restaurants run by the two biggest restaurant categories and owned and run by these foreigners)are secretly pumped up with foreign stuff. However, only some (White)cafes or does 'Daily Mail' also intended to imply that these cafes are probably 'foreign' owned; as the race operating these cafes are not identified; are using these 'CHICKEN containing FOREIGN CHEMICAL MIX'

If this statement is not openly 'RACIST', then I could not find a finer example.

SO WHAT ARE OUR CHINESE LAWYERS, CHINESE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATIONS, TAKE AWAY ASSOCIATIONS, AND ALL CHINESE BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT THIS 'OPENLY RACIST STATEMENT' and the many CHINESE ASSOCIATIONS across the nation doing about this OPENLY RACIST STATEMENT.

Having studied the 'hospitality' industry, I can certainily say that many 'NATIONALLY BRANDED RESTAURANTS OPERATED BY PUBLICLY LISTED COMPAMIES, OWNED AND OPERATED BY WHITE BRITISH MANAGEMENT' USE the 'CHICKEN......pumped up with a water and chemical mix containing pork and beef'; including the 'MSG' only ever associated with CHINESE RESTAURANTS.

To establish whether DAILY MAIL'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS EDITOR is openly racist, why are our many CHINESE REPRESENTIVES not taking up this gaunTlet, and referred this article of his to the EQUALITY BOARD.

Maybe the EQUALITY BORD do not have any 'CHINESE' representative?????

kang dàyé · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject:

just want to knock the spammers off the front page.哈哈哈

lionlady · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 1

I would like to relate one of the many incidents of subtle racism I encountered in London last week via this letter that I just sent to Godiva.

"To Godiva Customer Service,

I would like to relate to you what happened on the 11th June 2009 at the Godiva store at 141 Regent Street London, United Kingdom, around 4:30pm to 5:00pm.

I walked into the Godiva shop intending to purchase one of your drinks.

The very moment I stepped in, the gentleman at the counter looked right at me & started looking at me from head to toe & repeated it again, in a very obvious manner. So much so that another lady customer who was in front of me turned around to see what could have elicited such a reaction from a Godiva staff.

I was not dressed outlandishly, nor was I dressed too casually, which leads me to the disconcerting conclusion that the staff was assessing me based purely on race. (I am of East Asian descent).

I have been to Godiva stores in both Paris & New York, where I have been treated very decently but this Regent street store was a real shocker as the staff’s prejudice was very blatant.

My question to Godiva will be, what corrective action it will take with regards to the Regent Street store with regards to staff blatant displays of racial prejudice.

I am not the sort who normally feels compelled to write-in about good/bad service but I thought that you might appreciate some customer feedback from the ground up"

Anyone else has similar incidents to share?

Pinkerton · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7

I know racism exists in the UK and everywhere else for that matter, but let me give an alternative - perhaps overly positive - view.

From what i can see, in the UK increasing numbers of adults and children are learning Mandarin. Here in Shanghai, I see increasing numbers of Westerners here to work and study. Also, I'm sure we'll be seeing Chinese companies buying UK and European firms.

So, imagine that you're child's favourite teacher is Miss Li, who teaches Mandarin. You work for a Chinese owned firm and your colleage, Mr Wang, is as nice a person as you'll meet. Ok, you hate the boss - Mr Zhang - but do so all the Chinese! Bit more difficult to believe the Daily Mail's headline about the yellow peril isn't it?

@Lionlady
I had a snooty reaction from a Godiva shop assistant when they had a store in Bluewater, so you're not alone! However, they were fine in the one near Monument.

Jeff Minter · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 335

Obama!

Peneggs, I'm a product of my environment. My parents, apparently, have never suffered from racism in their lives. They probably wouldn't be so "extreme" (though being blunt is quite different from extreme) in their views. In a way, I envy the Chinese can't understand a word of English, who just go about their business in the Chinese community with zero interaction with whites, other than the occassional delivery man or the always smiling Government official.

But you need to venture wayyyyy out there - essentially live in a white world - to know the true extent of things (though I am quite sure that group meetings that don't include me will add something new to the growing pile of racist incidents). Gauging other white people's reactions to Chinese related things is key - would there be the same reaction if the roles were reversed, if it was to another ethnic minority, to a Taiwanese as opposed to Chinese, etc.?

When a white person expresses anger, you may see a difference in opinion, whereas I see intolerance and reluctance on the sole basis of our race. You only need look at the comments page of any British newspaper article referring to a Chinese event - a small percentage may be genuinely concerned about the human rights, the corruption of a one party Government - but many will be hiding under that veneer (I love that word) just so they can have their "F&*&*$ Chinese" rant. Some will forego that altogether, and just put out blatantly "THE CHINESE MUST BE STOPPED, THEY ARE EVIL" comments. I suppose you are a more tolerant, lenient person - good for you - but our race is in danger of becoming such a walkover, simply because we let others make their ill thought out insults without a stern response, that one day they won't give a damn what we say - they'll just do it anyway.

Pinkerton, the Chinese>Western countries movement is far more significant than vice-versa; the youth of today are seeing the West as more dominant, not the East - and forget any thoughts of them being equal. I know some people who have moved to work in China - because they see it as a stabler, long term job (the credit bubble hysteria obviously shook them a bit) than if they stayed. It's also easier for them to get a job, and be welcomed there, than vice-versa; I see Chinese recruitment sites giving them generous remuneration packages and benefits, but only to those from abroad i.e. not home grown Chinese.

As for Chinese firms buying UK and US ones - look at the outrage with companies like Rio Tinto, MG Rover... all way one I'm afraid... the colonial mindset is alive and kicking.

lionlady, what did the "gentleman" (you can't seriously be thinking that, can you?) look like? Skinhead, unshaven spotty youth? What was the woman's reaction after? At least he didn't ask for you number, eh.

Hope you get some free chocolate. They do make really good stuff.

pensggs · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 333

A Taiwanese is ethnically 'Chinese' - no difference

Fear and paranoia about someone different from us is an instinct of self preservation. As an instinctive response it is understandable. Using it as an excuse for our own failure or going out of the way to harm another because we have unreasonable fear of the unknown is racism.

denimparkerxs · Joined: 10 Jul 2009 Posts: 1

yeah its true racism is unhealthy for everyone....

i am strongly against it

Pinkerton · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7

@ Jeff Minter

I work in China. If people are coming here for a longer-term job (the employment laws here offer much less protection than in the UK), more stable environment (maybe not in Xinjiang province), then good luck to them. I guess they don't work for Rio Tinto.

Being a BBC, I looked at as some freak who for some reason best known to Heaven, doesn't speak Mandarin; feeling as if i'm welcomed isn't something that i've experenced too much outside of posh hotels. Those on expatriate packages (hence why they are not available to Chinese Nationals) are well remunerated but that would be the same anywhere.

I don't recall any fuss about the Chinese buying MG but then again, my memory is like Swiss cheese. As for buying Rio Tinto, well there was something similar when the Arabs tried to buy the Port State Control in America - is that a colonialist attitude too?

From what i can gather, many of the youth are strongly nationalistic but look as much toward Hong Kong, Korea and Japan as they do to the West. You should have seen the huge posters advertising Eason Chen concerts and adverts for Andy Lau's latest film are everywhere.

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