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Posted on 11/21/2001 6:50:24 PM PST by Jean S

In a speech at the Seattle Sheraton earlier this year, China's U.S. ambassador, Yang Jiechi, gave mucky-mucks some tips on advancing trade between his nation and Washington state. Among other things, he said critics of China should be persuaded to abandon their "Cold War mentality."

Yang's stand — against suspicion and polarization between superpowers — came to mind when I read a story by Asia correspondent Damien McElroy in the Nov. 4 (London) Sunday Telegraph headlined, "Beijing produces videos glorifying terrorist attacks on 'arrogant' U.S."

To "dramatic opera music and even the theme from Jaws," McElroy writes, "scenes from Hollywood films have been spliced between shots of the events of Sept. 11, including footage from the 1998 remake of Godzilla, in which a monster destroys New York buildings."

The story notes, "disc after disc bear the imprimatur of the Communist Party-controlled media. ... Xinhua Information Agency, Beijing Television, and China Central Television." Scenes include "rescue workers pick(ing) through the rubble of the twin towers, (as) the commentator ... (says), 'this is the America the whole world wanted to see. Blood debts have been repaid in blood. ... Who until now has dared to avenge the hurts inflicted by unaccountable Americans?'"

Along with pirated versions containing even nastier commentary, they're selling like hotcakes in Beijing, McElroy reports.

Of course, China certainly knows about "hurts inflicted" by "unaccountable" authorities. Twentieth-century Chinese Communists killed an estimated 65 million countrymen through famine, imprisonment and assassination in a failed bid for Marxist-Leninist utopia. But somehow, that's in the past.

As for Western concerns on Chinese human rights? According to news reports, Yang told his Seattle audience on May 4, "It's better to let people in their own country handle their own affairs."

Ya sure, ya betcha. Remember the 39 children killed earlier this year in an explosion at a Chinese school-turned-fireworks-factory? Then there's China's publishing ban on books by expatriate Nobel Prize literature winner Gao Xingjian. And the imprisonment without trial of Zhang Xueling. She challenged authorities on the brutal killing by police of her mother, who wouldn't renounce ties to the outlawed Falun Gong spiritual movement. There's plenty more.

Still, not to worry. Yang also told Seattle's movers and shakers the Chinese government is "one of the most effective in the world." Perhaps he has since read a scathing report issued this year by the ruling Communist Party. The New York Times said it "describes mounting public anger" in China "over inequality, corruption and official aloofness and ... paints a picture of seething unrest almost as bleak as any drawn by the dissidents abroad."

Overall, Yang's Seattle speech — simultaneously upbeat and tough — was justifiably received as useful intelligence, even if occasionally flawed by hyperbole. Like Yang, Chinese President Jiang Zemin also underscored finding common ground when U.S. President George W. Bush came calling in October. Concurrently, China trumpeted its signing of international accords against terrorism.

So here's China, joining the WTO, using the global stage to highlight cooperation with the U.S., but unable to resist America-bashing for the home crowd. And using the gruesome horror of Sept. 11 as fodder. (Reporter McElroy is no amateur, by the way, filing informative pieces almost daily from Beijing, Shanghai, Uzbekistan and other locales for numerous United Kingdom and North American dailies).

For another perspective, I turned to Elisabeth Montgomery in Shenzen City. That's a bustling, Western-friendly metropolis of more than five million people in southern China's Guangdong Province. She's a professor at a major university, and a cross-cultural trainer at a business college.

In an e-mail interview, Montgomery acknowledges "hawkish" state media, human-rights violations and censorship are certainly present in China. She also concedes, "China is extraordinarily inefficient, corrupt and mismanaged." However, she emphasizes, "Most of the people I meet (are) very peace-loving, kind and highly intelligent.

"The young Chinese ... feel great pride in China. ... They believe 'democracy' will take at least 50 years to enter into the rank and file, but ... Chinese expect things to take time. (They feel) it's not a problem as long as they continue to prosper."

Montgomery also observes, "Before 9/11, the Chinese people viewed (the U.S.) as a powerful, innovative and rather invulnerable nation — something they would like to be. Many people cried when they saw the bombed buildings ... they are worried about their relatives and business deals in the USA, and some are genuinely worried about the longevity of America's ideals."

I thanked Beth for the crucial reminder. There is humanity, openness and much warmth toward the U.S. among China's 1.3 billion people. Plus, support for growing economic ties that the West hopes will bring democracy to China (and yes, a lasting boon to Western corporate interests) long before 50 years pass.

All this makes the government-produced DVDs celebrating the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks a great stain upon China's so-called leadership. Barring unlikely evidence disproving McElroy's report, the assertive Yang Jiechi should repair the breach on behalf of his administration and apologize to America.

Matt Rosenberg is a Seattle writer. He can be reached at oudist@nwlink.com.

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