The Oba-Mao T-Shirt flap - somewhat dated now that the president has left the country, but still a hot topic on some websites and BBS boards in China.
"Obama’s father was a card-carrying Marxist and his mother was a communist sympathizer in the 1950s back when it was not very cool. Obama’s childhood was immersed in the communist philosophy of his parents which served as a springboard for all that followed."
One might, based on the above quote, believe that Beijing wanted these consumer goods off the market and out of sight so that they would not prematurely reveal the depth of their penetration into the American government. That's a joke, okay?
The Media will be the Media. Right?
The truth of the matter is this: Too much is at stake for China - and America - and the World - to take even the smallest chance of committing a faux pas, therefore Beijing will take, and in this instance did, any measure, regardless of how seemingly trivial, to prevent her guests from being offended.
Two powers that are coming closer and closer together, albeit approaching their now common goal from different points, one on the rise and the other in decline, when the world, more now than ever, needs them to strike an accord.
Perhaps, Beijing was/is too careful - but this is China. Also, it is becoming increasingly late in the game for either China or America to use tactics that will delay the inevitable outcome - the future of the globe is in their hands. Posthaste and Godspeed, gentlemen.
this photo is from Yiyi Lu: To Ban or Not to Ban the Obama t-shirt
“If one does more, then one is more likely to make mistakes. If one does less, then one is less likely to make mistakes. If one does nothing, then one won’t make any mistakes.”
“the emperor is unconcerned, but the eunuch worries himself to death.”
“it is an instance of how what might appear respectful to the Chinese government appears as evidence of frightening state control over thought and society to an American.”
The Chinese government should consider several questions after the Obama T-Shirt saga. First, is it worth inconveniencing its own people in order to be nice to foreign guests? More importantly, should it take responsibility for controlling the private actions of Chinese citizens that may displease foreign countries or leaders? Even if it wants to, its ability to control such actions will be increasingly limited, so it may be wise to wash its hands of such responsibilities now.
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