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Lin ZhaoDavisonThis program deepens my understanding of China, Chinese history, cultures and the Sino-American relation especially in the following aspects. I would incorporate these points in my Chinese language and cultural instruction and tutoring.
As far as I know, there are 7 major dialects spoken in China: 北方方言、吴方言、湘方言、赣方言、客家方言、粤方言、闽方言 whereas Mandarin is the official language. There are also subdivisions of these 7 major dialects. Emperor Qing united the written language across the China around 200 BC when he also standardized the currency and measures. People could read the same language although speaking different dialects. It was Emperor Qing's significant contribution to China because it helped unity of such a big country. When I teach Chinese, I focus on Mandarin in simplified Chinese, but introduce Cantonese in traditional Chinese and let students be aware of the dialects. The four tones in the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation are very important because variation of tones changes meaning of words. I would encourage students to explore the differences and similarities between Mandarin and another dialect through talk shows and TV programs.
China has evolved from a highly centralized and state-controlled society to a semi-capitalized society. Individuals enjoy more freedom in pursuit of personal aspirations and marriage as well as other things. For example, many women’s marriages were arranged by parents and their personal happiness depended on the luck in old Chinese society. And females were expected to get married when passing certain age threshold; otherwise, parents might intervene to find a husband for them. Marriage was more of a duty than love. Today, Chinese women enjoy much more freedom in choose their own partners and husbands. They have the same educational opportunities as their male counterparts at least in the primary education, and they can decide what they want to do after graduation from college or high school. As one of the girls said in an interview about her attitude towards marriage, “ I will not bow to the outside pressure.” She will not get married until she finds her love. The “Left Over Park” is a dating system helping unmarried women to find partners. And contemporary Chinese women have other channels to pursue their desire for love.
Entrepreneurship is another impressive progress made in the recent Chinese history. Contrasting to the traditional state owned enterprises, young Chinese people today have the courage to open their own businesses to sell their products or ideas. An outstanding Chinese entrepreneur is Jack Ma, who was an English teacher in China. He started the company, Alibaba, which is now a well-known brand in America and the world, and he becomes one of the richest people in the world.
The pursuit of individual freedom is one of the characteristics of modern Chinese people against the backdrop of the traditional collectivism. I would encourage students to write essays about the individualism in China with life examples in the modern Chinese history. They would have group debates on the pros and cons of individualism vs collectivism.
Lin ZhaoDavisonIt's interesting to learn from the Lecture 8 that China has media control over social media like Facebook and Twitter while the state uses them as media tools. It's an exmaple showing the areas needing improvements. On the other hand, China wants to expand soft powers by exporting films, teaching Chinese language abroad and hosting Olympic Games, etc. These conflicting governmental behaviors may spur or hinder the country's growth. Deng Xiaoping initialed an "Open-Door" policy that contributed to China's rapid development and capitalization of certain economic zones in China. If current government makes some "screened" doors to let in limited information, will it slowed down the Chinese growth?
Lin ZhaoDavisonThis lecture covers lots of US-China relation issues, including economics, security, envrironment, human rights, media, trade, etc. It's quite informative and insightful, prompting us to think about the positive and negative aspects the Sino-American relation.
It's interesting to note that US tends to export cultures to China, such as movies, whereas China exports goods to the U.S. Both Americans and Chinese visit each other's countries although there are more Chinese tourists in America than the counterparts in China. I believe that cultural exchange and international tourism enhances understanding and relations in the world. Both countries and the world will suffer from a trade war.
China has emerged the 2nd largest economy Deng Xiaoping launched the major economic reform in China. Deng was the most important figure in the recent half century as stated in the lecture. He spearheaded capitalism in China and made some special economic zones as testing areas of the 1st Chinese capitalism, which included Shenzhen. Young Chinese people embraced his capitalism notion and left their hometowns to migrate to Shenzhen and other special economic zones, which became the wealthiest cities in China. During Deng's tenure, Chinese capitalists enjoyed policies that encouraged them to get rich first as the country aimed to get rid of the poverty. Deng also helped establish US-China diplomatic relations. He encouraged Chinese youth to go out and study abroad as he was a student in France when he was young. Since then, China has made remarkable progress in many areas, of course including economy. Deng was a living example illustrating that student exchanges, tourism exchanges and cutural exchanges make positive changes on a country and the world.
Lin ZhaoDavisonOn Oct. 11, 2018, Bloomberg published an article entitled "China's view of Japan improves - but the feeling is hardly mutua. <https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/China-s-view-of-Japan-improves-but-the-feeling-13300074.php>
This article briefs tells Chinese and Japanese's views on each other and why. An opion poll published by Genron NPO showed that 42% of Chinese had positive image of Japan because of its high standard of living, well-mannered cultures and beautiful environment, but they think Japan is the most serious military threat to China. On the other hand, Japanese are concerned about Chinese military expansion, and they think that the dispute over the East China Sea Islands is the biggest reason for their negative impression of China. Overall, the China-Japan relationship is the worst since World War II.
This article suggests that the China-Japan relation is not so good now, compounding by the worsening China-US relations. Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, realize the situation and the urge to have dialogue with Beijing to improve the relations. It's a good practice to ask students to research and read articles about China from various perspectives and understand the relations among US, China and other countries. The students may have a global view of complex international relations and hopefully will take roles to improve them.
Lin ZhaoDavison
What do you think of the U.S.-China relationship? The America-China relationship is pretty good, especially because their economies are so intertwined. America is a big client of China's, and many Chinese products are exported to America.
What misconceptions do you think Americans have about China? There are many areas where China isn't well-developed, but Americans hope that China will handle everything well in one step. America itself has been through the many struggles—including the black liberation movement. Thus China should be understood and given a chance to develop over time.
Lin ZhaoDavisonThanks to Professor Dube for pointing out the parent-child relationship embedded in the Chinese word, 孝. In Chinese tradition, children have filial duties on parents, and they are expected to take care of parents when they become old. It's a widely held value in China that younger generation should respect the elder, and children should take care of parents; otherwise, they are “不孝” （not filial). I agree to the traditional Chinese values; however, I think some traditional values have bound Chinese women to enjoy freedom and the life they want.
Here is a vido clip presenting how children's attitutes towards their father change and how they domonstrate some filial duties through a Family Reunion Dinner during a Chinese New Year Festival.
Lin ZhaoDavisonPriscilla Chan, Facebook Qeen, is trying to change the fate of an entire generation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbM2MAepv0M
Lin ZhaoDavisonAir pollution impacts health. I'm glad that Chinese government is concious about the negative impacts of air pollution on health and other social factors and is taking measures to reduce air pollution, such as opting for enviromentally friendly energies like solar system. I hear China intends to import electrical cars to combat with air pollution. Air pollution is a global issue. I hope a global taskforce will take place to fight air pollution and improve lives on earth.
Lin ZhaoDavisonIt's interesting that Latinos and Chinese parents share similar attitute towards children's marriage. They participat in finding partners for their children and try to do some match-making work. The single women beyond normal marriage age, probabley above the age of 25, are considered "leftovers". This "leftover" concept prompts me to think of food leftovers, which means the food no one wants any more. Even more intereting, lots of leftovers are the single women with higher education. The higher education a woman posses, the more difficult it's for her to find an ideal husband in China. This phenomenon projects a social bias towards females in China. Traditionally, women are expected to care for husband, raise children and take care of extended family. Those women who break expected gender role, seeking higher education and take part in social roles are perceived "abnormal", therefore, are not "desirable wives and mothers". So men tend not to select educated women to be their wives. Parents have to step in to find a partner for their daughter. As women's freedom for education, life, and marriage advances, hopefully they will not feel pressured to get married and have more freedom to choose the life style they want in the Latino and Asian countries.
Lin ZhaoDavisonThank you.
Lin ZhaoDavisonHi, I posted a link of Shikumen images, but the link is not contained inside the message frame. I did not want to break the link into parts, then images may not be viewed well. Anybody know how to fix it?
Lin ZhaoDavisonShikumen was first built in the 19th century as I read. They were architect with western influence although they had the typical symmetric structures in Chinese buildings. As houses and apartments were built for wealthier families, the Shikumen became houses for the poor. Many families lived in one single Shikumen because they could not afford houses and apartments. But I found these Shikumen buildings with traditional charms.
Here is a link with images of Shikumen:
Lin ZhaoDavisonAs Professor Dube stated in the video lecture that China has gone through many social transformations, including women's dresses. During the cultural revolution, women wore very dull clothes mostly in dark grey and black. Modeled by Jiangqing, Mao Zhedong's wife, Chinese women wore men's suits. Skirts and colorful dresses were rarely seen then. Today, Chinese girls and women can ware whatever clothes they want and show female beauties as shown by the high school proms in the video lecture. The women's "uniform" during the Cultural Revolution not only limit their choice of clothes but bound their thoughts and freedom. Women can have male qualities and strengths without male suits. There are many beautiful female leaders in the world, such as Margaret Hilda Thatcher, who often wore very bright colors, but known as an iron woman.
Here are a few of Jiangqing's images:
Lin ZhaoDavisonSince China adopted "open-door" policy led by Deng Xiaoping after the Cultural Revolution, more and more foreign enterprises entered into the Chinese marketplaces. Among them are Kodak, McDonal, KFC and Starbucks, to name a few. I think international businesses and trades are beneficial to both China and America and their people. Many businesses like Ford and McDonal often sell more in China than in the U.S. This reflects demands of American goods in China that either improve or supplement Chinese people's lives. Conversely, a trade war is detrimental to both countries and their poeple as well as to the world. Fox Business identified 10 most vunlerable American companies that have the most market shares in China. I wish the world leaders would listen to Dalai Lama's talks about creating and mainting harmony in society and peace in the world.
Lin ZhaoDavisonThe conflicts between Tibetans and non-Tibetans have never ceased. While the Chinese government blamed Dalai Lama for the tension, the world regarded him as a peace-maker. Dalai Lama was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. He has travelled around the world to promote peace on earth. He visited USC in 2011 and gave a speech, discussing secular ethics, human values and society. The video can be accessed at https://dalailama.usc.edu/.
In his speech he expressed that "Happiness – the basic human goal – depends upon good ethical conduct, regardless of one’s religious beliefs." Dalai Lama said, “An open heart helps us become aware of our potential. An open heart knows no fear, has no jealousy or hatred. " In his view, to pursue individual and family happiness, one needs to do good deeds and has an open heart, embracing others, and there is no room for hatred. He also discussed levels of human compassions and consent. He tells that one can exercise compassion for enemies. His preach of happiness and human compassion is very important for people with dissenting views in a divided. We do need to open our hearts to tolerate others to achieve hamony in our society and peace in the world.
