So what may seem like a normal way of communicating to me may be considered shocking and politically incorrect in America or very rude in China. We can’t expect the average blogger to be aware of that so it is clear that bloggers will insult each other without understanding how or why.

A blogger conference like this one is an excellent way of opening eyes to those factors, to the difference in the way we communicate, the way we see normality, the way we see human rights. Some people think their view is the right one and everybody else’s is the wrong one. This may help bloggers in both east and west understand that what is right for one doesn’t have to be right for another. They don’t have to understand why or how, just accepting this fact will be a great step.

I’m not an expert in this field, but as both an anthropologist and an international blogger this topic is of great interest to me.

I don’t think these bloggers you refer to are likely to ‘grow up a bit and mature” without actually experiencing China and the Chinese people first hand.

I agree that business people and students may have more vested interests in “getting” China than bloggers who have become media personalities with a vested interest in catering to their audiences. That’s one reason why adex360 exists, to bring young people to experience China in ways relevant to them. Still, encouraging businesses and students doesn’t mean we should exclude bloggers. In asking these bloggers to avoid presumptions about China, we should avoid presumptions about them.

@ Paul Denlinger #23:

Who said anything about 5-star hotels? Motel 168 would be a much more intereting experience! I actually do firmly suggest that we avoid pampering the bloggers participating on this tour, as it would actually be counterproductive for understanding the diversity of circumstance, and thus perception, within China and its populace.

Now, I do think it is important for everyone to understand that bringing these bloggers over to China (and how their experience is shaped) does present a significant amount of risk. Several people on this thread have shared such and I agree. But, as Christine and Elliott have expressed, doing so also presents a significant opportunity. No risk, no reward. These people have influence and whatever they eventually do in response to their experiences in China could either help or harm.

And we can never escape that conundrum.

So yes, I do think involving some experienced expat personalities in this might help, but sooner or later we’re going to have to accept that there are certain things we cannot hope to prevent. Sooner or later, we have to accept that the mere chance to experience brings us one step closer to a better understanding. We can’t plan away the potential for misunderstanding and the consequences of idiocy. I hate to use cliches but international engagement with China has probably yieleded more benefits than problems. Of course, we’ll never run out of problems to nitpick, but what’s the alternative, really?

Every day, hundreds of Chinese travel companies bus about sardine cans of foreign tourists, herding them to tourist traps in the middle of nowhere to fleece ungodly kickbacks and commissions off the unsuspecting. Do you have any idea how much negative publicity this vicious cycle generates for China? The seemingly endless hordes of gullible foreign tourists make such a scheme continually profitable. If it isn’t sanitized tourist sights, it’s the tired guilt-trip that Westerners should be generous to the poor barbaric Chinese villagers with condescending tips and handouts. In light of this alternative, I’d much rather these bloggers come see China via Christine and Elliott’s vision than otherwise, where there is a chance (yes, a chance) that they might engage in some enlightening discourse with both normal and influencial Chinese from various walks of life. Yeah, there will be language barriers, but what’re you going to do about it?

John, Paul, Dan, etc. each of you are the products of countless foreigners who took the risk to come here and somehow came out of it with an understanding that you’re putting to work for (hopefully) positive ends. What about all the others who didn’t end up like you guys? Feng37 gets plenty of flak amongst the native Chinese crowd, but he’s still doing something contributory towards greater understanding of the Chinese (or, just highlighting all of the nationalistic news that gets foreign panties in a mad-comment-posting twist). Each of you very likely had to learn as you went, and I’m pretty certain it all began with the simple decision to just come here.

That’s what Christine and Elliott, amongst others, are doing. Should they crash a party they’re not invited to? No, but I think they’ve firmly established the goal that its a tour for bridging gaps, for keeping your eyes and ears open with the patience to think before judging. Hopefully…just hopefully, it’ll result in more informed blogging to their readership in the future. And at the very least, Christine, Elliott, those of us at CNR, and elsewhere…well, we will have tried.

Motel 168, man, I’m telling you…

@ cerebus:

Interesting comments.

Like I said in a comment on Paul Denlinger’s site, which was apparently “harmonized” out of existence: Blogging is a new kind of advertising. Consultants can afford to spend 12 hours a day SEO-ing their blogs — the very service most of them offer to prospective clients. These people are getting a very disproportionate “market-share” of the readership and therefore of the opinions of “ignorant” Westerners. Again: nothing wrong with advertising, but don’t dress it up in sheeps clothing.

And yes, I know I should learn more about China and its history.

May I offer a little advice? I’m all for warm and fuzzy and I really dig lots of bloggers in both Putonghua and English. However, you cannot expect everyone who reads blogs to be fully plugged-in and engaged about China. Its unfair (and a bit self-important) to expect everyone to have the same level of understanding that you’ll do per China.

That’s not to say that ill-informed, inflamatory or loaded posts by bloggers is okay. I would just like to point out that most readers are not going to be fluent in the language AND the culture, but readers still expect insightful comments. I think a lot of western bloggers view anyone who hasn’t been there and done that (as they have) as someone they need to educate and “filter” China for. Thats the kind of paternal attitude that does no one any good.

If I read a blog about France, Suiza, Austrailia, I don’t expect the blogger to constantly behave as if he were writing about a petulant drama queen who cannot handle a bit of scrutiny. So why do you all feel so motherly towards the motherland? Criticism, examination, pointed remarks - it happens to Kenya, England, Germany, etc. Certainly China, one of the world’s biggest economies and host to the Olympics, can be discussed by those other than the “experts” with some degree of intelligence, no?

I say this because I’ve noticed a strong tendency for China bloggers to write things along the lines of “westerners who don’t understand China must tread carefully and not bruise this precious newcomer to the world scene”. What is this, a sweet sixteen party? Again, I’m all for sharp and informed blogging on China, but you guys get too carried away in mystifying China (so you can thus demystify it).

As for the Chinese side, toughen up a little. Instead of expecting no one to criticize you, try expecting them to at least not be racist and unfair in their criticisms. I mean, what will happen if the Dutch criticize Chinese policy on X or Y, will you boycott tulips, windmills and clogs?

Cheers,

MGL

@feng37, I appreciate both the warnings and the support.

@SheilaS, I already know your blog and that you are emblematic of the kind of blogger that has consistently sought out a global and cosmopolitan point of view, and I’m confident that we will be working together in the days to come!

@John, I am thinking about your advice and warnings. I am hopeful that thoughtful bloggers *can* make a big difference.

We’ll take these comments and do some thinking offline and how to best proceed based on this great feedback! I’m committed to the objectives above and look forward to exploring the best way to achieve those objectives.