| 当代中国政治研究所 | ||||||||||
| Http://www.ccpri.com | ||||||||||
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Time for Hongkongers to abandon outdated Cold War brainwashing fears |
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Time for Hongkongers to abandon outdated Cold War brainwashing fears By Zhang Dinghuai “Brainwashing,” a highly ideological word derived from the Cold War, reflects an outdated mentality. However, when the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region planned to offer a national education course, opposition groups dubbed it a “brainwashing course,” and launched a fierce denouncement, including a threatened students’ strike to counter it. The focus of this controversy lies on the textbook entitled National Education Brochure-a Chinese model. After carefully reading the book, I did not find any language hinting at so-called “brainwashing” or ideological indoctrination. From my observation, the contents are all objective description, without any exaggeration, modification or value judgments. The book adopts an outside tone in its whole discourse which is different from the current discourse in the Chinese mainland system. In addition, the text is not only without any complimentary remarks, but raises two questions on the Chinese issues from both positive and negative angles at the end of each chapter, such as, “Does China have any democratic concepts?”, “What are the features of China’s ruling party?”, “Compared to the Western political system you know, what advantage or disadvantage does China have?” and “China respects the sovereignty of other countries and does not interfere with other nations’ internal affairs, but it is often criticized for turning a blind eye to its inner violation of human rights. What’s your opinion? ” Furthermore, the text book explains problems or incidents during China’s development, such as the compulsory acquisition of land by local governments, the Green Dam software fiasco, “My dad is Li Gang” (a notorious car incident in which a young, intoxicated driver struck two female students and labeled himself as a son of a high-ranking official), the powdered milk scandal and the high-speed train collision at Wenzhou. I am deeply worried that such an objectively-written textbook, which helps inspire students’ analytical thinking, was considered “brainwashing” by the opposition. I cannot help wondering if there is any far-reaching conspiracy behind it. Since Hong Kong returned to China, more than 15 years have passed. As a special administrative region, Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy. Shouldn’t its residents have a basic understanding of their motherland? That’s the most important question deserving Hongkonger’s reflection. As part of China, residents in Hong Kong must build a greater awareness of and identification with the country, unless they do not want to become the country’s nationals. However, there is a difference between awareness and identification. National awareness requires the Hong Kong people objectively grasp Chinese history and its current situation. This is a gradual process, while identification refers to Hongkongers identifying themselves with the nation. National education aims to build up a sense of closeness and belonging with the motherland. The extreme opposition may refute my views, arguing, “Isn’t the ‘two systems’ in the principle ‘one country, two systems’ supposed to maintain the difference between the two sides?” It is definitely an inclusive and tolerant concept that respects the differences and finds common grounds. But we need to point out that “maintaining the differences” is realized under the premise of “one country,” along with the greatest sincerity in tolerating differences in ideology, lifestyle, and institutions. These differences should not hinder Hongkongers from acquiring an objective knowledge of China’s status quo and history. Under the “one country, two systems,” the people of Hong Kong are supposed to be actively promoting their awareness and identification with the nation. Hong Kong is no longer a British colony, but a special administrative region of the China. It is not surprising to hear different voices in Hong Kong. But it drew people’s attention that the extreme opposition threatened a students’ strike on the matter. As for those who labeled the move to strengthen national awareness and identification as “brainwashing,” I have to advise them to abandon this Cold War mentality. The author is deputy director of Contemporary Chinese Politics Research Institute in Shenzhen University. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn 待传…… |
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