"A Silent Chinese"

"A Silent Chinese"
April 21, 2008

"A Silent Chinese" writes on an anti-CNN website launched in China since the Tibet unrest began in mid-March and that has attracted a large number of hits:

When we were called the sick man of Asia, we were called The Peril.

When we are billed to be the next superpower, we are called The Threat.

When we closed our doors, you smuggled drugs to open markets.

When we embrace free trade, you blame us for taking away your jobs.
When we were falling apart, you marched in your troops and wanted your "fair share".

When we were putting the broken pieces together again, "Free Tibet," you screamed, "it was an invasion!"

So, we tried communism; you hated us for being communists.

When we embrace capitalism, you hate us for being capitalist.
When we have a billion people, you said we were destroying the planet.

When we tried to limit our numbers, you said it was human rights abuse.

When we were poor, you thought we were dogs.

When we (lend) you cash, you blame us for your debts.
When we build our industries, you call us polluters.

When we sell you goods, you blame us for global warming.
When we buy oil, you call that exploitation and genocide.

When you fight for oil, you call that liberation.

When we were silent, you said you want us to have free speech.

When we are silent no more, you say we are brainwashed xenophobics.

Why do you hate us so much? We ask. "No," you answer. "We don't hate you."

We don't hate you, either, but do you understand us?
What do you really want from us?