Google – the Internet Giant – took a shot at Beijing last week. Whether that shot will start a war is doubtful. One thing is certain: It has brought out all the pundits – the China haters and detractors vs. the China defenders – around the world. Main stream media opinions and editorials abound with everyone attempting to offer their ‘expert opinions.’ Bloggers went to work immediately tossing in their informed and uninformed two cents worth.
Knowing China and knowing about China are two different things. Those who know about China have gotten the majority of their information from the Western main stream media, which has a bias against China and from human rights activists who, without a doubt, have a bone to pick with China.
Those who know China are in a different basket. They have lived and worked in China. They have chosen to set aside their preconceived notions about China and experience the true China. I am one of those people, arriving in China after experiencing Asian culture in other countries for 7 years, in August, 2007.
Google got their ‘corporate panties in a wad’ when someone or some entity allegedly hacked into alleged dissenters e-mail accounts. The Western inference is that the Beijing is either directly or indirectly responsible for the hacking’s. My university students came up with a list of other suspects as well – which everyone else seems to be ignoring. “They could have been sponsored by America wanting to embarrass China” said one student. “Google people could have done it for business reasons or to try to put pressure on the government” said another student. Another student posited that “Tibet and Dali Lama could have done it to put focus on their stupid complaints.” Yet another student posited that “some dissidents could have done it to make them look good for America and bring attention to what they see as problems.” (more…)
