Tiananmen

Do these readings complicate your original reaction to Deng's crackdown on the protests?

My first reaction to Deng's crackdown on the protests were quite justified. Even though many people were killed, and I thought that was the only way to pacify the protest. But after reading those two articles, especially the interview with Singapore's former president, Lee Kuan Yew, I was even more confused, and realized there were many other ways to stop the protest.
For example, Lee Kuan Yew stated that the object in the East is a well-ordered society that everyone have a maximum enjoyment of his freedom. This contradicts to China during the protest in Tiananmen. First of all, it shows that China isn't a well-ordered society, and also the fact that the Chinese elites were fighting for more freedom shows that they don't have a 'maximum enjoyment of their freedom'. Since China is included in the Eastern countries, then why didn't Deng agree upon more freedom for his people? At least that could prevent less loss of life.
Also, Lee Kwan Yew mentioned that "all governments that succeeded got fundamental right-- ... providing high-quality education". From my point of view, I think he's trying to mention that education and educators allow a country's economic to rise. If that's the case, then I don't understand why Deng killed the Chinese elites. They are the successors of China's economic.
Lastly, Lee Kuan Yew mentioned that "culture is the key". That means, cultures allow a certain country to have its own uniqueness. China has confucianism, which has different view points from the capitalist/nationalist. The elite's protest for more freedom probably led Deng to think of them wanting democracy. Then instead of putting down the protest, why didn't he bring Confucius values back to live? In fact, Confucianism is what makes China a unique country.
In conclusion, I feel that Deng's actions aren't justified, and he should've come up with a better solution.

"To Live" -2

In page 38-41 of the book, it mentions about how schools and colleges were shut down, and Red Guards were formed. Red Guards were students in Beijing, and they were really into communism, and political activities. Also, they talked about how the Red Guards would spend much of their time reading and memorizing the Little Red Book.
It seems as though life would be hard for the Chinese as they go through several reformations made by Mao. But in the evenings, Chinese civilians were watching plays, enjoying themselves. It shows that the Chinese still had a little bit of leisure, and life under Mao wasn't that bad.
You Qing sister got married to a Red Guard, and her husband would come over to her house to paint a portrait of Mao on her wall etc. This shows how the Red Guards were active in their role to promote communism. Furthermore, during their wedding, when they were about to take their wedding picture, all of them had to hold on to the Red Book. This shows how the Red Book is really popular, and reading the book is part of their life.
Also, I noticed how the people were extremely communist and supportive in Mao. They would hang propaganda pictures on their wall, draw pictures of Mao on their wall and such. It shows how Mao is extremely popular back then, and people had a lot of trust in him.
Even parents such as You Qing's Dad, feel that contributions to the country is more important than sleep. This shows how the view of 'contributing to your country' will then be respected by the children, and slowly as they grow up, they will help China become a more prosperous communist state.
Finally, it was a little weird how they made the children do the work. For example, melting of steels/iron. It shows how EVERYONE is really contributing to the country somehow.

"To Live"

The movie “To Live” used three methods to clearly show the history of live under Mao in the ‘50s. It was through the villagers’ contribution to the country, their daily life, and the social hierarchy in China.
First of all, he ensured that every villager were to donate all their steel to the government. This can seen by how several men came into the main actor’s house, to collect steels, and checking off their names once they have donated something. This shows how strict Mao Zedong was when he came to contributing to the government and the country.
Secondly, every villager was working really hard. Before Mao Zedong came in, there were a lot of people drinking wine, hanging out with their friends, and playing cards. After Mao Zedong came in, there was rarely any villager seen not working. People even had to go to a place to have their breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was to make sure the villagers won’t spend much of their time cooking, and allow them to concentrate on working hard. Also, drinking water wasn’t available anywhere. People had to order in order to get water.
Thirdly, in the movie, several villagers were happy to be classified as poor, as those who were rich were arrested or executed. This shows how Mao Zedong was strict when it came to social hierarchy, and maintaining an equal society throughout China.

TANG SONG

Level of interest:
1. (most) Pictures and Art




http://www.gardenplus.com.hk/eshop/index.php?cPath=73_87&osCsid=jqhmhvucnamftv
http://gemssty.com/2006/09/06/beijing-olympics-2008-pictograms/

At first, I thought chinese art was just like mountains, lakes, and old men with weird looking hats, wearing their traditional clothes; however, I was fascinated by how Chinese art emerged from merely simple drawings, with lines and circles representing the sun, river, fish and all sorts. But later on, people started to draw the mountains with different textures, and sceneries and such. Maybe it was because of the Daoist and Confucius values which changed the chinese people's view towards life of peacefulness, and the beauty of art.

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/east-asian-art/chinese-painters.htm#tang
http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jcarpent/chinese_painting_1.htm


2. Great Inventions


http://www.absolutechinatours.com/china-travel/Four-Inventions.html


Currently, Japan is leading the world in technological wise; however, it was actually the Chinese who first invented things that was useful and helped further development. Those inventions made in China are: compass, Gun powder, Paper Making, Printing. All these great inventions are something the Chinese people are always really proud of, and I feel that it is the Chinese who helped China, and other country to improve in their economy.

http://www.absolutechinatours.com/china-travel/Four-Inventions.html
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/focus/inventions.htm


3. Chinese Kung Fu



http://www.shifuyanlei.co.uk/qigongkungfu.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaJzuEWVvX4&feature=player_embedded

Sometimes it makes me wonder why Kung Fu was 'invented'. At first, I thought it was simply a form of dance/exercise, but it is surprising to know that sometimes Kung Fu helps relieve stress, preserve health and prolong life. It helps enhance the flow of one's qi (energy). I've done a little bit of Kung Fu during my PE course, and it's fun, but strange. Still, it's interesting! It requires a lot of focus etc... Kung Fu can also be related to the Confucian concept of cultivating one's spirit and Taoist's concept of maintaining peacefulness. Overall, it's unique and fun.

http://www.kungfu-zuerich.ch/e/kung_fu/kung-fu-abc.html
http://www.shifuyanlei.co.uk/qigongkungfu.html

4. Calligraphy


http://www.xabusiness.com/chinese-calligraphy/cc-0009-chinese-paintings.htm


http://www.ursispaltenstein.ch/blog/weblog.php?/weblog/2005/07/


Chinese calligraphy is really unique, and it's different from any other forms of writing you can find in the world. There are many different types of writings in calligraphy, but the most interesting and special one is the pictograms. Using pictures to write characters, then later forming the characters we see today; thus, I would call calligraphy a form of art. Calligraphy is also a way of showing one's emotions and creativity. The equipments needed are the xuan papers, brushes, and so on-- it is told that the emotion of the painting can depend on the thickness of the brush. I found that really interesting.

http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_artqa/2004-02/04/content_45863.htm
http://www.chinavoc.com/arts/calligraphy/origin.asp
http://www.asianartmall.com/calligraphyarticle.htm




5. (least)

Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj13KU3SAvE&feature=player_embedded


http://www.goodorient.com/blog/?tag=gu-zheng

Knowing that China invented several different string instruments, such as the lute, suona (an instrument used to show joy or sadness), drums (large drum, small drum) and all sorts. Most of the instruments are known to be able to convey one's emotion, and if all of the instruments are joined together to form a performance, the variety of those instruments makes the sound rich and beautiful.

http://www.goodorient.com/blog/?tag=gu-zheng