I am planning to go to China with some family and friends between June 15th and 21st. We will only be in Beijing. Am I crazy to think that by then this issue between the U.S. and China will be cooled down? Should I make other travel arrangements? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
Buck
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Please dont come here!!
i am in china now and i am australian but the tension and hate here is terrible..
i dont think you will enjoy your holiday at all if you come here..
You'll be arriving a couple weeks after the June 4th
anniversary and over a month after this unfortunate turn of
events. I simply can't see how the Chinese government can
afford to let this issue fester internally and allow
relations to deteriorate between it and the West.
Hopefully, the U.S. and NATO will make some sort of
conciliatory gestures towards China and the government here
will publically accept them. Until then (I can't believe
that people's opinion that this was a deliberate act of
agression against China will really change until the
government says to change it), yes, there's a lot of anger,
confusion, mistrust, and hurt on the streets, but no, I
don't believe there will be a lingering presence of menace
or danger to travelers. I wouldn't change your plans to see
Beijing (although there's a lot to see around Beijing as
well and the Square, from what I've read elsewhere, will
still be closed off) based on what has happened to now; the
reaction is certainly understandable, but probably
short-lived. On the other hand, no one can can presume to
have all the answers, so if you are very worried, wait a
little to see how events unfold and then make up your mind.
I'm in the same position and will probably be arriving on
June 20th. I think the best course of action is to wait and
see what unfolds. If it doesn't get any better, you can
always check out SE Asia. My best friend is currently in
Beijing and he says that even as a Frenchman, when he walks
down the street, he is getting sworn at ... (He speaks
Mandarin.)
This will all boil over - today (Tuesday) AFP reported that
protests have turned into a trickle.
They don't really hate Americans - I guess the Chinese
have a sense of insecurity over US hegemony in Europe, which
I suppose is saving more Kosovan lives than taking Serbian
lives.
There is a political dimension too. When thousands of
Chinese were victimised, raped and killed last year in
Indonesia, the Chinese government hardly raised a murmur
against a fellow authoritarian regime (let alone allow mobs
to assult the Indonesian embassy). This time youthful
protest can be turned into virolent nationalism - the best
friend of fascism - and providing a distraction for what
students should be remembering- the 10th anniversary of
Tienanmien.
Anyhow, I am an optimist, and foresee Chinese heading back
to McDonalds, Jonny Walker, the Star Wars movies and the
soon-to-be-released Tellytubbies.
Why bother? Why spend money in a country where you know you
won't have a peace of mind? Go have your vacation somewhere
else.
Dear Buck,
Just came back from Beijing May 11,99. No problems. I go
regularly to China 5-6 times a year. I have a factory
there. Just keep your nose clean & you'll be fine. Have a
wonderful trip. Visit all the famous spots. Take your
camera & enjoy.
Hey, Jackal, is that you ? Following the trail on the web ?
On-on !!!