CHINA RIGHT BEFORE MIDNIGHT
When this article emerges the Olympic Games will be taking place in Beijing. It undoubtedly is this August's most frequently discussed topic. The Olympics, meant to be a sports event, this time gave way to a plethora of political commentaries. In accordance with the main theme of the holiday issue of “Znak” (7-8/2008) – the world is looking at China. On one hand this is positive, as thanks to this increased media attention we are able to take a closer look at this self-isolating country. On the other hand, this situation reveals western inability to oppose totalitarianism. The ideals of democracy, such as the right to freedom, had to give way to the power of the “Asian tiger”. China does not only ignore the requirement to comply with human rights set upon the country because of the Olympics. Ironically, the state's control over its citizens has been expanded precisely because of the Olympic Games.
If we realise the cost of organising this show, we will feel unease instead of sports emotions. In the case of the article titled Szok i bezradność, czyli co począć z Chinami? (Shock And Helplessness or What to Do With China?) by Krzysztof Łoziński, it is precisely that unease, which seems to determine the author's point of view. He sees China as an “Evil Empire reaching to rule the world”. The West cannot bring itself to oppose it without losing a trade partner and is afraid of its 1.5 million-strong army. One must agree with Łoziński when he condemns China's disregard towards the conditions on which the country was granted the right to organise the Olympics. However, it is difficult to agree with the way the author presents the conflict between Beijing and the free world. According to him, it would be a clash between “a universal, worldwide system of basic values and the elite of authorities that respects only one value: violence”. This radical division sets the west as a signatory and protector of all values, and yet it is impossible, however, to forget Guantanamo, or the war in Iraq. Democracy is not a system as crystal clear as Łoziński would like it to be.
The one advantage of Łoziński’s piece is his apparent concern for the future of China. He analyses the obstacles, which make it impossible for any political opposition to emerge in this country. People of other nationalities, especially the ever-rebelling Poles, can ask themselves how is it possible, that in a country, where human rights are constantly broken, no organised opposition has emerged. The number of inhabitants turns out to be a serious obstacle. It may be hard to imagine, but a rebellion of ten thousand people is just a drop of water in a sea of 1.3 billion citizens. A simple calculation shows how many Chinese remain passive. Several million Chinese died in different rebellions in the course of time and “the powerful have never changed”. No wonder that lately people have chosen a quiet life and relative prosperity instead of mass protests.
Krzysztof Gawlikowski’s observations (interview by Marcin Żyła titled Chiński optymizm / Chinese optimism) constitute a counterbalance to the dark China shown by Łoziński. Łoziński sees the lack of reforms in China as the biggest threat for the free world. However, he limits the need for reform to the political system and sees the country’s backwardness as a direct consequence of communism. Gawliński does not restrict himself to sheer theory – he supports his conclusions by personal observations. He had been to China for the first time before the Cultural Revolution. He compares the past and the present and sees huge progress. He even speaks of a “jump” into modern civilisation. If we take into consideration that all this has been achieved in about 30 years and that the starting point was an agrarian civilization, we are able to appreciate the scope of this development. Since the death of Mao, a process of ongoing reforms has begun, of which even the Chinese themselves have grown tired.
To contradict the popular picture, Gawlikowski claims that China had its “reconciliation with communism”. He reminds that Maoist communist dignitaries were tried and sentenced and that murdered members of the opposition – vindicated. At the same time he also points out that communism as such has not been denounced. He calls the present day system a “chaotic” authoritarianism, for which the ever-developing nationalism may be a threat.
Gawlikowski expresses other interesting and unpopular views. According to him, one of the foundations of the Chinese international policy is the defense “of the oppressed from imperialists”. The actions of the Chinese in Africa are meant to support this opinion. Chinese investments are not only supposed to benefit both sides, but also to strengthen the economies of the Third World countries. More interesting is the fact that Chinese developers adjust to African living conditions, not the other way round. Just as the local people, they live in tents, without air-conditioning and running water.
Another unusual opinion of Gawlikowski concerns the authority system the Middle Kingdom. While we still call it communism, Gawlikowski speaks of the successful introduction of democracy in China (though still a people's democracy). Finally, the researcher pays attention to crucial differences in the Confucian mentality of the Chinese that for centuries have been raised in obedience towards the hierarchy and power of the authorities. Chinese rulers used to decide about the humanity of their subjects (we cannot find such a phenomenon in western culture). Man, just as an animal, was said to be born only with biological soul. Development of a moral soul capable of living after death depended on the instruction of an emperor-minister.
The interview by Marcin Żyła presents us with a picture of an unusual diversity of contemporary China, a diversity difficult to embrace and describe. Agnieszka Szatkowska-Malak could see it for herself during her six-week journey (Państwo Środka od środka / The Middle Kingdom From the Middle), which was an encounter with a different mentality and a strange landscape. The dissimilarity was often disturbing but the will to meet the new was stronger. The author approaches all differences with prepossessing humour. While describing successive kilometers, she informs potential tourists that guides books do not necessarily show the actual state. However, everybody who dares to reach places described as podunk villages can be pleasantly surprised.
China can be looked at through the prism of its economic miracle, military threat or imperialistic inclinations. We can also look deep inside and discover differences in mentality, the beauty of the landscape and monuments of the centuries-long tradition. One should not forget that China has many faces. The country deserves our greater interest regardless if we choose to support the “Chinese exception” or “Chinese threat” theory (Erping Zhang, Prawa człowieka w państwie neokomunistycznym / Human Rights in a Neo-Communist Country). We definitely cannot be indifferent when it comes to today's China. For at least one reason – the Olympics are taking place in Beijing. Thanks to that fact China not only avoids dangerous isolation, but the West is forced to find new ways of communication and understanding with the Middle Kingdom. Finding that understanding can turn out to be a major problem of the present day international relations, both on the level of global politics as well as in relations between normal people.
Marta Chmielewska
Translated by Agnieszka Wąsowska
Discussed journals: Znak