I also think there’s room for insider stuff on the Time blog, as its plain to anyone that lives here that there are so many odd, quirky and surprising things that happen here everyday (does anyone remember the 70-day 烧饼 craze that swept the nation?).

But then again, man, someone needs to be putting out serious, well-written criticism of what’s going on here. Perspective and education is even a problem telling our own history and news. So what, we shouldn’t criticize to such a degree that it may give the uninitiated the wrong idea?

What I am getting it, is that you would think that looking at somebody’s qualifications, you could determine their ability to “understand” (I wish I had a better word) China. The fact is, you can’t. ”

I agree with Ben’s opinion. Very coincident to find this blog,and very surprised that the writer was my college english teacher.

Have a nice day !

Those C-c- Su–er Bao Fa Hu! (暴发户)

I also concur with Ben that if one is going to criticize China, one must put it in perspective. Not every time, but much of the time. I think this is particularly important for Time to do because it does draw in many readers who are not terribly knowledgeable about China and, unfortunately, not terribly knowledgeable about US history. I oftentimes get revelations about how things are in China from the television show Deadwood and from old Westerns. I am not kidding. China is not unique. It is going through a phase of development similar to that which the United States, Korea, and Japan underwent and similar to that which Russia is presently undergoing. Time need not put China into perspective every time, but why not do so in order to enlighten?

You’re absolutely right about various foreigners ending up being bitter and hateful toward China, and anyone who has been here long enough knows examples of the genre.

But from my reading of the Time blog, they just don’t seem to fall into that category. Their criticisms of the Chinese government all seem fairly valid to me, and they refrain from petty swipes at China like certain other bloggers and blog commenters.

What does concern me is that there’s a perception that every criticism of China has to be tempered with a “yeah, but…” analysis of why the Chinese or the Chinese government is the way it is. There’s a third category of foreigners- the China apologists- who reflexively defend every aspect of their adopted home until they’re blue in the face.

I don’t mean to intimate that Ben, Chris, or anyone else is an apologist, but I think foreigner-written blogs critical of China should be encouraged rather than disparaged. After all, the Chinese government is repressive and authoritarian, dissent is not tolerated, censorship of the internet and media is sophisticated and broad, the environmental problems are real, and China’s behavior in foreign affairs (in particular with countries like Zimbabwe, Uzbekistan, and Burma) is not always benign and helpful.

There are of course legitimate explanations for all of this, but one should be able to point out the flaws without being attacked for bias or ethnocentrism.

And just as such, the Chinese should be able to criticize the US without having to be lectured about our context and history.

Apologies for the long comment

Very well said. Thanks.

Ditto here. And I agree, agree, and agree.

On the other hand, I understand Ben’s point and his problem with Time bloggers’s take on China. I think it’s because of exactly what Ben has observed that dinstinguishes comments posted on his blogs vs. theirs. You don’t have any fengqins here posting inflammatory remarks. That was what I was trying to say in my botched sarcasm above.

Personally, I think a lot of the points here are valid, even if they are seemingly contradictory at the surface. I think it is very important to always give a narrative its proper context, to be open-minded, and to be able to look at things from different angles and other people’s perspectives, instead of coming in with a pre-conceived notion. I really enjoyed reading Matt, Ben, chriswaugh_bj, handan, and a lot of other people’s comments.

I also agree that there are some ignorant and mis-guided fenqings, who could use their anger and energy in more productive ways. I am a Chinese living in the US. China is a huge country with many, many problems and challenges, but I think overall, it is moving in the right direction. I’ve learned over the years that there is no need to be defensive about people’s comments and observations, which Fenqings tend to be. Take people’s comments and observations with a pinch of salt, Time magazine’s PROFESSIONAL bloggers included. If they are right, learn from it. If they are wrong but not that important, laugh it off or ignore. If they are wrong and grossly misleading, it is important to provide a different view to counter it in an objective, analytical, and, gasp, even humorous way.

I have to say that I agree with Matt more. I am a Chinese living in the States. I consider myself still in grasp of things going on in China. I visited my folks in Beijing every year and called them at least once a week. If I compared what Mom told me about things at home lately and the events listed on the Time blog, believe it or not, the correlation is actually high. Just make sure you know that Mom does not read English at all.

As a Chinese, I am not really pissed off by the Time blog: if our Chinese brethren did not do things right at home, it should be all right that someone pointed them out. What saddened me the most is the ridiculous, illogic, discriminatory comments left by those fengqings (愤青).