Yes and
no. Today is May 4. In 1919, the student
movement in Peking (Beijing) had helped to change modern China in many ways:
political, social, cultural and even the government. For more information,
please visit
However,
as compared to more than 5,000 years of Chinese history, what are the real
significant changes over the past 100 years after the fall of Qing dynasty.
From dynasty to no dynasty, from one man rule to one party rule, what really
have changed?
Many
attribute the Chinese achievement to economic development. For this, we are only
looking at the recent history. China is
now the number two economy in the world. Not to forget, she used to be number one
for several hundred if not thousand years in history. Even the military weak Song dynasty, its
economy could be as big as one-third of the world economy.
This is
why people mentioned (and emphasised) about the Chinese century in 21st
century. If history is to repeat itself,
then not only China will be number one economy in the world, a substantial percentage
of world economic activities will also in the hand of Chinese. No wonder Obama has to adopt practical
diplomacy towards China.
To have a
better understanding of Chinese civilisation and achievements in the past, you
may visit the following website for a 10-part series that took 8 years to
produce.
Economic
performance is the most important and significant KPI for China so far. Besides economy, it seems there is nothing
China can show off to the world. However, based on historical data, China has a
huge potential to grow and has many unexposed values. It is an under value ‘share’ and commends a
potential growth that is beyond our imagination, especially as suggested by Wen
Jia Bao - economic restructure has to come with political restructure.
To China
as a whole, the past 100 years as compared to Chinese history, the achievements
so far are not that fantastic after all.
The political development has not achieved any breakthrough. Even though one man rule has gone, the DNA of
this practise still remains as the case of Bo Xilai and many others.
Corruptions, suppression, inequality, cultural achievements and many other
developments are no better than before.
It is not the golden era of China.
Chinese
are used to be proud of their culture, literature, arts and music. However, we
don’t see great writers, artists, or musicians after 1949. There were some
famous ones in the first half of last century.
However, comparing to those great writers, artists, and even scientists,
the last century as well as the 19th century were really the dark
days in Chinese history.
Ironically,
Chinese believe in the turn of fortune（风水轮流转）.
If you are down by 200 years, then you will be up for the next 200
years. That is why even fenshui also predicts the coming of Chinese century.
On the
positive and optimistic side, China will under go changes. Change and adoption
of changes, comprises are part of the Chinese philosophy and history. Politically,
after so many bad practises of the Communists’ Party, it will be hard for
Chinese people to see the same CPC again. We have seen in Taiwan the changes of
the Nationalists. Perhaps, Taiwan can serve as a mirror to China – a step to
modern China.
Many of
the officials and party leaders in China today have power and authority even
more than that of Qing and other dynasties and their ethics, however, is much worst
and lower. This certainly is not the
condition for a golden era of China.
Chinese, inside and outside of China, are witnessing this and demand a
change openly or quietly.
May Fourth
is also a new cultural movement.
Unfortunately,
we see only the destruction caused by the Cultural Revolution. The introduction
of simplified Chinese and Hanyu Pinyin may have helped more people to learn
Chinese but it also creates a distance from learning the ancient wisdom. And
the Confucius Institute has yet to produce any significant result.
Judging from
the historical perspective, the current achievements of China or the ruling CPC
is normal. The country (not necessary
the party) is on course towards a better tomorrow. It may face another setback, like June 4, or
cultural revolution, but the long term perspective is still positive.
In years
to come, the new norm for China is to see more and more achievements and
influences in cultural, social, economic and even political developments.
The May
Fourth Movement is just a beginning of a long march – in Chinese history we may
not see significant changes in 100 years. But how many of us can live more than
100 years! For this to happen, we will have
to born at the right time. （生要逢时）
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