Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Nina L. Khrushcheva — The Queen’s Chinese Guests from Hell


Nina Krushcheva gets it, almost.
At a spring garden party on the grounds of Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II recently criticized the "rude" behavior of Chinese President Xi Jinping's entourage during his 2015 state visit. But, given China's hierarchical conception of world order, Britain merely received the treatment a second-rate power merits.
What she doesn't say is that "face" is very important in Chinese culture and Asian culture in general. In Japan sufficient lose of face can require seppuku to ensure one's family or country's honor.

The British humiliated China in many ways, and now the US is doing so. The Chinese are not about to commit seppuku over this. They will remember it though and culturally they have long memories.

As China (and Asia) rise versus the West, some Western countries are going to learn this the hard way. Payback time is coming.

Project Syndicate
The Queen’s Chinese Guests from Hell
Nina L. Khrushcheva | Professor of International Affairs and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at The New School and a senior fellow at the World Policy Institute
(yes, that Kruschchev)

7 comments:

Random said...

So whose side are you on? The Chinese government has no democracy and is an authoritarian capitalist state. Look at what they have done in Tibet for instance. But yes, punish people not born during that time for British imperialism.

Tom Hickey said...

Not taking sides. Just sayin'.

Peter Pan said...

When will that old biddy drop dead already??
Hows that for rude?

Ryan Harris said...

I think Communists viewed politeness as bourgeois and some of that may remain. The Confucian idea that "cultivated persons seek harmony but not sameness" (Analects) is more consistent with the approach Xi has been stressing since taking the reins. That's why I don't think the insults were intended. The Chinese are known for their rigid planning of social events, even more rigid that the Brits and their royals. Placement of chairs, colors, plants and all sorts of things unimportant or overlooked to westerners are symbolic and carefully controlled. If you even look at their conflict with the US, they are very respectful in their criticism at an ideological level. They never hurl insults at Obama. They say China has valid territorial claims, US naval operations threaten stability and peace and violate international law.

Matt Franko said...

Ive witnessed them hitting other people in meetings... if they disagree... then there are brawls in their legislature all the time...

Tom Hickey said...

there are brawls in their legislature all the time...

Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei.

Peter Pan said...

It's comical to see politicians in business suits fighting.