<p>Sorry for acting like an average Chinese citizen, butterbattle. We know that we don’t possess the upright moral elevation that you have. We simply don’t have the time or luxury at the present moment to engage in idealistic crusades on democracy or freedom. Unlike the relative stability and peace America has enjoyed, China has had too much turmoil and unrest and periods of chaos and humiliation in the past two centuries. In World War II alone, over 20 million Chinese civilians were killed in the fight against Japanese invasion. Another 2.5 million perished during the civil war between 1945 and 1949. During the 1970s, disastrous campaigns and purges such as the “Great Leap Forward” and the Cultural Revolution claimed millions of more lives, mostly from poverty, famine, and starvation. Currently, we simply cannot afford another risky experiment that would jeoprodize the economic well-being and social stability of our citizens. Just like how Europeans emerged from the ashes of World War II eager for peace and stability, China is in a similar situation right now. </p>
<p>What Americans want to see happening in China makes perfect sense. Why shouldn’t every human being enjoy universal human rights, right of expression, and the right to fully participate in civil and political arenas? However, when we look at what “freedom” has done to other parts of the world, many us would rather prefer to post-pone till a later date. After the establishment of a democratic government in Iraq, unemployment there has rocketed to over 60%. After the swift dismantling of the former USSR, many people formerly depedent on government welfare are now jobless and homeless. Nowadays, it is a common sight to see senior citizens on the icy streets of St. Petersberg selling vintage possessions, nearly on the verge of begging for a living. India, often acclaimed us the largest democracy in the world, has also one of the lowest literacy rate in the world, with less than 61% of its vast population able to read and write. Nearly a third of India’s population is currently still below the international poverty line. If you ask the average Indian peasant, he’d rather spend his time buying an extra cow, some pigs, a TV, and growing some more rice for his family than participate in a democratic debate. Indeed, democracy and freedom looks great in theory. The reality, unfortunately, is quite a different story in the developing countries around the world. </p>
<p>What I would like to convey is that it is often easy and tempting to judge and tell what other people should and should not do. Because America is already in a state of highly advanced political and economic stability, most people here don’t really have a solid grasp of many of the hardships and immediate needs of people on the other side of the globe. Many Americans may want to see an immediate establishment of democracy in China (a "free China). Most Chinese, on the other hand, may have something else in mind.</p>