China is not a popular country these days in the Australian media. Nearly every political article and opinion published over the past few years have been critical, denigrating or just down right condescending.
Yesterday, Michael Sainsbury brought the criticism to a new height (or was it new low?). (“For China, Burma is a thorny territory”, The Australian 8 Sep 2009 http://wl.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26039367-7583,00.html) In commenting on the disturbances in Burma close to the Chinese border, he commented not just about China trading with Burma but extended his general comments to all Chinese living in the region.
If one takes Sainsbury’s comments literary, then all mining of Burmese jades and rubies are carried out by Burmese generals, Chinese are hated all over Southeast Asia, and Singapore is an enclave set up for Chinese like Israel was for the Jews.
Perhaps he will one day propose a new Final Solution for the Chinese?
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Media support for Rebiya Kadeer
The Australian media has a romance with freedom fighters. Perhaps it descended from our worshopping of our folklore heroes such as Ned Kelly.
It explains easily, the fascination with Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer during her recent visit. When it comes to Kadeer versus China, a David and Goliath tussle, the media easily took on the side of David. Of course China is an easy target for criticisms; there are lots of issues that one could find fault with.
However, if only the media would look deeper into Kadeer’s background, especially in relation to her claims that she was no separatist, a claim that the local media seemed to swallow so readily. For China, separatism is a threat akin to treason.
The respected New York Times had no reason to hide her background. It published a photo of her in her Washington office with the flag of East Turkistan Independence movement prominently displayed behind her (NYT, 9 July 2009). (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/world/asia/09kadeer.html?_r=1&scp=10&sq=rebiya%20kadeer&st=cse)
It explains easily, the fascination with Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer during her recent visit. When it comes to Kadeer versus China, a David and Goliath tussle, the media easily took on the side of David. Of course China is an easy target for criticisms; there are lots of issues that one could find fault with.
However, if only the media would look deeper into Kadeer’s background, especially in relation to her claims that she was no separatist, a claim that the local media seemed to swallow so readily. For China, separatism is a threat akin to treason.
The respected New York Times had no reason to hide her background. It published a photo of her in her Washington office with the flag of East Turkistan Independence movement prominently displayed behind her (NYT, 9 July 2009). (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/world/asia/09kadeer.html?_r=1&scp=10&sq=rebiya%20kadeer&st=cse)
It also reported that according to Rohan Gunaratna, an expert on international terrorism, the ETIM is linked to the Al Qaida and had members fighting for them on both sides of the Chinese border. (http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/what-should-china-do-about-the-uighurs/?scp=3&sq=Uighurs&st=cse)
Gunaratna is no stranger to the local Australian media and yet when it comes to comments on Kadeer, they chose to ignore him.
Gunaratna is no stranger to the local Australian media and yet when it comes to comments on Kadeer, they chose to ignore him.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Defending China
It is amazing how common it is for one to set one standard for others and another for oneself. Gerald Henderson criticised Prof Don Russell ('No Need to be concerned about China's feelings" 25 Aug 09 http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/no-need-to-be-concerned-about-hurting-chinas-feelings-20090824-ewg6.html?page=-1) for asserting, apparently without evidence, that China's arrest of Stern Hu was justifiable for he engaged in bribery.
Henderson conveniently forgets he was also asserting that China had arrested Hu without reasons.
Prof Russell can rest on his past records, can Henderson, knowing his past biases ?
Henderson conveniently forgets he was also asserting that China had arrested Hu without reasons.
Prof Russell can rest on his past records, can Henderson, knowing his past biases ?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Aussies in Trouble
Once again an Australian is in trouble overseas, this time it’s Stern Hu in China. As had happened each time in the past, there is anger about the unfair treatment given to one of us and demands that the government immediately take actions to secure their release.
Why is it that there is always such a hue and cry when one of us runs into trouble with other countries’ laws? Is it just because the world is full of unjust systems? Or is it because we have ingrained in many of us an attitude of superiority we cannot accept that an Australian could possibly break any law anywhere?
Since we demand that only we should decide who comes to Australia and the circumstances under which they be allowed here, is it not only fair that the other countries demand the same?
Why is it that there is always such a hue and cry when one of us runs into trouble with other countries’ laws? Is it just because the world is full of unjust systems? Or is it because we have ingrained in many of us an attitude of superiority we cannot accept that an Australian could possibly break any law anywhere?
Since we demand that only we should decide who comes to Australia and the circumstances under which they be allowed here, is it not only fair that the other countries demand the same?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Manly another Cronulla ?
The story about what happened in Manly had been largely kept out of front pages. There were denials by the local mayor that there was anything racist about groups of youths parading in Aussie flags and shouting slogans. Now it seems there were more than just youths shouting "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi"
"Fuck off we're full" it said on their bare tummies. Even the Daily Telegraph was too embarrassed to spell it out.
An angry migrant might say that their tummies did not have enough space to finish the sentence . . .
Full of what ? Of S**t ?
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