Vicious Rants of an Angry Yellow Man

As promised I am writing an open letter to the president of China after having written an open letter to the protesters in Hong Kong.  Unfortunately since then a protester was shot and in critical condition.  This was predictable and could have been prevented.  As I mentioned before, neither side would likely listen to what I have to say.  But having said my piece to the protesters, I am going to say my piece to the president of China.

Dear President Xi

The display of the celebration of the 70th founding of the PRC was very impressive.  A lot have been accomplished by China during these 70 years.  But most of it has been done since Deng Xiaoping changed the system in China.  I think it is obvious that the old communist system under Mao Zedong was an abject failure.  If China wants to move toward becoming the greatest power on earth, it is essential that the Chinese government continues to open its system toward more democracy and more freedom and do not revert to the past.

President Xi, you said in your speech yesterday that the Chinese people are a great people, the Chinese nation is a great nation and the Chinese civilization is a great civilization.  Well, two out of three ain't bad!  China is not yet a great nation.  Great economic progress have been made but there are still lots of people in poverty.  But worse, are the policies in Xinjiang and Tibet.  I understand your desire to keep the country united.  But by putting so many people in internment camps and jails, you lose credibility all over the world.  I am sure most of the people who are detained are not threats to a great military power like China.  Start releasing some of them, it would be good publicity.

In the matter of Hong Kong, I say you must take the young people seriously.  Listen to their concerns both politically and economically.  Give the Hong Kong people the freedom to vote for their chief executive.  What have you got to lose?  Whoever is voted in cannot declare independence.  Hong Kong depends on China for so many things, it cannot stand alone.  But China also needs Hong Kong for its business know how and connection to the Western world.  If you let them choose their leader, you would have outdone the British over their entire colonial rule of Hong Kong as they never let Hong Kong choose their leader.  Again, it would make China look like a great nation.

President Xi, you have done a great job with the Belt and Road Initiative.  A great use of soft power.  You are right to say that "China used to send people all over the world because it was weak, but we send aid all over the world today because we are strong."  But the policies closer at home make people all over the world question your motives in sending the aid.  By making changes in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong, China can look like a benevolent power that a great nation should be.

During the Ming Dynasty, Admiral Zheng He took the greatest navy the world had known up to that time and for couple centuries after that on seven voyages.  Zheng went south and then west across the Indian Ocean all the way to Africa.  Along the way they were attacked a few times but easily defeated their attackers each time.  Zheng showed off the brilliance of the Chinese civilization and nation.  But unlike the Europeans later, the Chinese did not take any slaves nor did they take treasures from other countries.  Many countries paid tributes to the Chinese emperor after that.

I think it is possible for China to become that great military power again.  But can it be a kind power like it was in the days of Zheng He?  Mr. President, you have the power to point China in that direction.  You can start that by being more kind at home.  I believe your legacy will be enhanced if you change some of your stances regarding Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong.  As you know soft power is much better than hard power in the 21st century. 

AYM