Opinion | If the Chinese leader were a 'dictator,' he's a 'benevolent dictator'

By Augustus K. Yeung

INTRODUCTION

Just two days after Blinken's visit to Beijing for talks, a powerful buzzword, "dictator," a term Biden casually dubbed in California while he was campaigning, is "kicking up a storm."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry was quick to accuse the U.S. side for "committing three serious offenses…" reported an American anchor woman.

While Western news can be so annoying or irritating, historical facts about human-in-distress can be heart-warming. The following story is ours to present.

The sinking of a cargo ship carrying fallen Britons has resulted in the memorable building of friendship between Britain and China: In October 1942, "Lisbon Maru", a cargo vessel, requisitioned by the invading Japanese army to carry British prisoners of war (POWs) from Hong Kong to Japan was sunk by the U.S. army off the Zhoushan Islands.

Of the 18,00 POWs, 843 died. Only 384 were rescued by local Chinese fishermen.

The British officers, soldiers and the British government were deeply grateful to the Chinese for their help.

During his visit to Britain in 2015, President Xi Jinping told this touching human story, strengthening Chinese-British bilateral ties.

The Chinese president and the first lady were warmly hosted by then Queen Elizabeth II who invited them to live in Buckingham Palace.

The daughter of a survivor, Dennis Morley wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping registering her gratitude recently. Mr. Xi replied promptly and responded very positively.

I have found this letter-writing very inspiring, hoping that this historical event now activated can serve as a lesson, or even a campaign or a movement for China's younger generation – which I dub the p-LA (pupils-Liberation Army) to acknowledge their feelings of gratitude to their foreign professors and friends.

The following is an excerpt of a newspaper reporting, detailing the event and the Chinese president's highlights of its historical significance.

Xi replies to letter from families of 'Lisbon Maru' survivors

President Xi Jinping (on Monday, August 29, 2022) replied to a letter from the families of the survivors of the "Lisbon Maru."

In the letter, Xi encouraged them to continue to actively commit to the China-Britain friendship and looked forward to more British friends making contributions to bilateral relations.

In October 1942, "Lisbon Maru," a cargo vessel, requisitioned by the Japanese army to carry more than 1,800 British prisoners of war (POWs) from Hong Kong to Japan, was hit by the US army off the Zhoushan Islands, China's Zhejiang province.

A total of 843 POWs died, while 384 were rescued by local fishermen. The British officers and soldiers and the British government were deeply grateful for their help.

Referring to the moving human story of the heroic rescue back in 1942, Xi pointed out that it bears important witness to China and Britain fighting side by side as allies during World War II – against fascist aggression and has left tales of the profound friendship between the people of the two countries.

Xi noted that he is very familiar with this piece of history and told the story during his visit to Britain in 2015.

The Chinese president stressed that year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level between China and Britain, adding that over the past half a century, bilateral ties have been able to keep moving forward – thanks to the hard work of friendly people from both countries.

Xi also expressed the hope that the families of the survivors will continue to stay committed to the China-Britain friendship – and that more British people will make positive contributions to the development of China-Britain relations.

President Xi took as an example the rescue of POWs on "Lisbon Maru" to stress that the friendship forged between the Chinese and British people during the war will never fade and has become a valuable asset in bilateral relations.

The daughter of Dennis Morley, a survivor of the "Lisbon Maru," wrote a letter to Xi recently. She recalled China's rescue with gratitude, expressing solid support for an everlasting friendship between the British and Chinese people. (Source: XINHUA)

CONCLUSION

While I find this incident inspiring, that term "dictator" is intriguing: The Chinese president is the nation's leader, a benevolent "dictator", the chairman of the CPC as well as the CMC.

For this, the Party has been accused of one party dictatorship and military belligerence, leading to the illogical and ill-founded accusations of China "threat".

It is high time China unleash its soft power. For example, China can and should encourage its army of university students now studying abroad in English-speaking countries to learn from the daughter of Dennis Morley and show their feelings of gratitude to their foreign teachers and friends during Christmas, Thanksgiving Day, International Teachers' Day, and even the New Year, etc.

Through these voice and letter-writing campaigns – the creation of what I'd call the culture of acknowledgement – Chinese students' English proficiency can be further developed and popularized.

How else can we bridge the great language-culture divide, except by expanding English in Chinese culture?!

As I see it, China's development is weak and wanting in this area, which needs to be carefully reconsidered and greatly developed: The emphasis on STEM, the four subject areas that contemporary university students are encouraged to abide by and to select for their academic goals or career developments, is good for future scientific research and development, but one-sided emphasis will lead to the neglect of certain essential subjects such as language and culture.

China now should emphasize the proliferation of the English language, adding millions more young Chinese nationals better able "to tell the China story", as President Xi has emphatically encouraged his patriotic followers.

Facing U.S. hegemony, powered by the U.S. military industrial complex, China must fashion an international image – by resorting to soft power development, (encouraging its overseas university students to be respectful of professors and authority figures) forging a perennial Chinese culture of acknowledgements.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

 

Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:

Opinion | As U.S. sets out terms for ceasefire, China's peace initiative is gathering momentum

Opinion | Why Beijing should roll out red carpet for Blinken