Navigating Western perceptions of China in a 'very Chinese time'
In a SCMP opinion piece, the author reflects on a sociology seminar at the University of Bristol where students were asked to list associations with China, Japan, and South Korea. As the only Chinese student, the author challenged the group's biased perceptions, but one classmate deflected by noting the UK's extensive use of CCTV. The article argues that the key issue is not whether outsiders misunderstand China or Chinese culture, but how Chinese people choose to respond to that attention.
Key facts
- The question 'What comes to mind when you think of China, Japan and South Korea?' was posed in a second-year sociology seminar at Bristol.
- Students were split into three groups and given 10 minutes to create posters of immediate associations.
- The author was the only Chinese student in the room.
- The author asked classmates if they saw how biased their thinking was.
- One classmate acknowledged the bias but added 'The UK has a lot of CCTVs as well.'
- The article is published in the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
- The piece argues that the focus should be on how Chinese people respond to outsiders' attention.
- The article title references a 'very Chinese time' in Western lives.
Entities
Institutions
- University of Bristol
- South China Morning Post
Locations
- China
- Japan
- South Korea
- United Kingdom