Iran’s election, as seen from China
Shanghaiist has a terrific roundup of Chinese bloggers’ reactions to the Iranian elections and their aftermath. It appears that the sentiment there is somewhat different than in the American blogosphere:
As always, the curiosity of democracy evoked a strong reaction within the Chinese netizen community, especially when it seems to have failed. And after scouring the web for what was being said, it looks like a pretty huge proportion are in agreement that not only is Iran flawed, democracy is as well.
One example of a Chinese blogger:
“Use the army. Whoever fights against the government should be killed. There are so many people in Iran so killing several hundreds of thousands is not a big deal. What does the army do? Foolish (Iranian government).”
Guess there probably aren’t many people wearing green in China.
via Chinese netizen reactions to Iranian election – Shanghaiist. (via Global Voices Online)
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I wonder if there is an instinct in places that actually have major systemic problems, to not immediately fall into hysteria when another nation starts experiencing problems.
I don’t know anything about being oppressed, or fearing for my life, like most talking about the situation in Iran. I would value the opinions of a Chinese blogger who has potentially experienced similar situations over the the opinions of an American blogger who has probably not experienced a similar situation.
I think the Chinese would have a more tainted view of democracy, and see that the line between democracy and mob rule and anarchy can be blurred pretty quickly under the right circumstances.
I also think we in the U.S. have forgotten what damage a revolution, or civil war, can cause to a nation. It has been hundreds of years, and we have forgotten all the death, and ravaging, and loss that can happen. I think if it were here, close to home, we wouldn’t be so fired up.
My guess is that Chinese people are more likely to view this through the lens of western interference in their affairs: the protesters in Tehran probably look like the students protesting in Tiananmen Square in 1989, or Tibetans protesting last year. And those protests against China are associated with western interference in their country, given what sympathy anti-government protesters get in the west. But you raise a good question, and I would love it if someone who knows more about China than I do could give their $0.02.