When this country moves daily into expansive lies about another country, I make sure to go there and see for myself, not because I don't already know they are lying, but to tell other people, who do sponge up propaganda, the reality. Headed to China soon. Caitlin, you are amazing in your ability to pinpoint clearly the depths of the evils perpetuated by the US and its sycophants.
Same. ENJOY, trip to China... and travel out a little; but go to Russian and Iran as well - you will be amazed regards friendship ofthe people, culture, heritage, history, "service", security... everything. Enjoy !.
I think I'm repeating here, maybe not. I have been to Russia and Iran and loved them both. If I could live anywhere else, it would be St. Petersburg, the most beautiful city I've ever seen. People in all countries have been warm and welcoming, except Israel. The people I loved there were Palestinians who were warm and welcoming, not the Jews who were cold and arrogant. It was so odd. I have close Jewish friends here in the States whom I love and they are not like Israelis. All the best. Rob
AGREED. But for me, replace "The" Lebanon with Palestine (as I have never visited the Country Palestine) yet. But Christ, they can talk hey ? ... lol. They reminded me of the Spanish ... ffs; I just wanted to eat my glorious food; they made and plated for me... !!!
PS Repeats are good for me at my age, so keep them up.
If you really want to learn about the REAL China (and not the pro-China propaganda that many in Caitlin's substack seem to be susceptible to), visit non-tourist places, North-East China, North West China, non-major cities, and more.
Here are some provinces that might counteract your illusions (and narratives) about China -> Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Gansu, and Qinghai.
Most people that go to China never see the REAL China but only parts of it - the touristy and major cities (and whatever else the Govt. allows).
You'll be surprised by what you find out if you are allowed (and manage) to go spend some time in any of the above provinces that I listed.
I spent several weeks in Liaoning in the North East - had an amazing time and the people there could not have been more friendly. I'd visit again in a heartbeat if I got a chance. Far rather visit China than the US: despite China constantly being painted as an enemy force of terrible evil, they haven't been constantly starting wars or colonising the world with military installations. The US government and its backers are the world's aggressor and the decades long propaganda campaign to paint the US as the 'good guys' in any situation is running out of steam.
My point is that most people (in the West) are in two camps about China -> those that have bought U.S. anti-China propaganda, and those that have bought Chinese pro-China propaganda. And that is the problem - this black-and-white thinking. There is a decided lack of nuance and objective thinking when it comes to analyzing geopolitics.
In terms of what you say about "traveling to China" -> it is one thing/experience to travel and visit the many places I mentioned, but it is quite another to actually live your whole life in many of those provinces. Western audiences rarely get to experience (or hear about) these other regions in China and how challenging (and different) life has been for many there (in comparison to life in the largest cities of China and Southern China).
China is a vast country with a huge range of different geographical (and cultural) conditions and people. It is not as homogeneous as many in the West imagine.
Absolutely. I have relatives who have lived (happily!) in China for many years. They are based in Liaoning so I know that area the best, but I've visited Beijing, Sichuan, Guangzhong and Hainan too. They are distinct in terms of culture and lifestyle from my experience and all very far from the western perception of state oppression and uniformity. Chinese communism is much more free market in the modern era with many industrialists and innovative companies that aren't state controlled while in the US we're constantly told it's the beacon of freedom and free markets while free speech is being repressed, the military is used to protect corporate assets overseas making them wards of the state in effect, and now the state is setting up protectionist economic policies (so not a free market at all), while discussing imprisoning citizens overseas for holding the wrong opinions about government policies. The polarity has reversed!!
PS: I'm not saying that the Chinese government has no issues in terms of human rights in some cases, but these seem to me to be far less substantial than those of the 'west' i.e. the US and its vasal states like the UK. Obviously our media absolves these of obvious crimes against humanity by massaging the narrative that these crimes are necessary for the greater good. Who's good exactly is never established...
When this country moves daily into expansive lies about another country, I make sure to go there and see for myself, not because I don't already know they are lying, but to tell other people, who do sponge up propaganda, the reality. Headed to China soon. Caitlin, you are amazing in your ability to pinpoint clearly the depths of the evils perpetuated by the US and its sycophants.
China is a beautiful and amazing country. I hope to get back one day.
Same. ENJOY, trip to China... and travel out a little; but go to Russian and Iran as well - you will be amazed regards friendship ofthe people, culture, heritage, history, "service", security... everything. Enjoy !.
I think I'm repeating here, maybe not. I have been to Russia and Iran and loved them both. If I could live anywhere else, it would be St. Petersburg, the most beautiful city I've ever seen. People in all countries have been warm and welcoming, except Israel. The people I loved there were Palestinians who were warm and welcoming, not the Jews who were cold and arrogant. It was so odd. I have close Jewish friends here in the States whom I love and they are not like Israelis. All the best. Rob
Israel -the only country where I was strip-searched on entering (with a Jewish girl-friend). I'm Scottish
AGREED. But for me, replace "The" Lebanon with Palestine (as I have never visited the Country Palestine) yet. But Christ, they can talk hey ? ... lol. They reminded me of the Spanish ... ffs; I just wanted to eat my glorious food; they made and plated for me... !!!
PS Repeats are good for me at my age, so keep them up.
If you really want to learn about the REAL China (and not the pro-China propaganda that many in Caitlin's substack seem to be susceptible to), visit non-tourist places, North-East China, North West China, non-major cities, and more.
Here are some provinces that might counteract your illusions (and narratives) about China -> Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Gansu, and Qinghai.
Most people that go to China never see the REAL China but only parts of it - the touristy and major cities (and whatever else the Govt. allows).
You'll be surprised by what you find out if you are allowed (and manage) to go spend some time in any of the above provinces that I listed.
I spent several weeks in Liaoning in the North East - had an amazing time and the people there could not have been more friendly. I'd visit again in a heartbeat if I got a chance. Far rather visit China than the US: despite China constantly being painted as an enemy force of terrible evil, they haven't been constantly starting wars or colonising the world with military installations. The US government and its backers are the world's aggressor and the decades long propaganda campaign to paint the US as the 'good guys' in any situation is running out of steam.
I agree on EVERYTHING you say about the U.S.
My point is that most people (in the West) are in two camps about China -> those that have bought U.S. anti-China propaganda, and those that have bought Chinese pro-China propaganda. And that is the problem - this black-and-white thinking. There is a decided lack of nuance and objective thinking when it comes to analyzing geopolitics.
In terms of what you say about "traveling to China" -> it is one thing/experience to travel and visit the many places I mentioned, but it is quite another to actually live your whole life in many of those provinces. Western audiences rarely get to experience (or hear about) these other regions in China and how challenging (and different) life has been for many there (in comparison to life in the largest cities of China and Southern China).
China is a vast country with a huge range of different geographical (and cultural) conditions and people. It is not as homogeneous as many in the West imagine.
Absolutely. I have relatives who have lived (happily!) in China for many years. They are based in Liaoning so I know that area the best, but I've visited Beijing, Sichuan, Guangzhong and Hainan too. They are distinct in terms of culture and lifestyle from my experience and all very far from the western perception of state oppression and uniformity. Chinese communism is much more free market in the modern era with many industrialists and innovative companies that aren't state controlled while in the US we're constantly told it's the beacon of freedom and free markets while free speech is being repressed, the military is used to protect corporate assets overseas making them wards of the state in effect, and now the state is setting up protectionist economic policies (so not a free market at all), while discussing imprisoning citizens overseas for holding the wrong opinions about government policies. The polarity has reversed!!
PS: I'm not saying that the Chinese government has no issues in terms of human rights in some cases, but these seem to me to be far less substantial than those of the 'west' i.e. the US and its vasal states like the UK. Obviously our media absolves these of obvious crimes against humanity by massaging the narrative that these crimes are necessary for the greater good. Who's good exactly is never established...
Completely agree with you!