China Friend or Foe was written by Hugo De Burgh, who is a Professor of Journalism at the University of Westminster and Director of the China Media Center. He was first in China at the end of the Cultural Revolution and I found his book was quit interesting. Actually I was amazed by his good knowledge about China and neutral perspective on China’s rapid growth. He well described China’s politics, Business, Culture, and society. I just went through the political part so far, which surprised me that a foreigner could figure out china’s complicated political system, which is far different from western world and what’s more, he can describe it thoroughly and make objective comments on a few hot political issues, including the Sino-US relationships.

However, there are still several points I could not agree. For example, the author mentioned “ In fact, innumerable foreigners, admiring China, in the hundreds years before 1949, contributed hugely to the development of China’s schools, universities, welfare institutional and government. Unfortunately, theses contributions have been forgotten as historical memory has been poisoned.”

I admit that foreigners did contribute somehow to the development of Chinese democracy and capitalization. Without these intruders, China could hardly step into the process of capitalization and probably stayed in feudalistic society much longer. However, as a foreigner, he could hardly experience the pain the Chinese had during those crude wares. And he did not see the crude behaviors those invaders did to Chinese people and how many families were destroyed, how many people were killed, how many women were raped. Moreover, he did not see how much valuable cultural bequests were stolen or ruined. As a scholar, I can understand his calmness and objective approach. But as a human being, how can I refrain feeling hurt, and myself from being angry when some told me these invaders contributed to our country.

The author also criticized Chinese nationalism, which made us overact to Japanese history textbook issues and 1999 “when the US accidentally bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade”. In my personal opinion, western world and USA are kind of feared by Chinese nationalism in the sense that they can hardly solidify their people like China, since in democratic countries; people can have their own opinion on government and war. Thus, I am kind of pro nationalism and I even think we are still lacking this spiritual, because China is still in its construction and needs several generations of Chinese people to contribute to their country. However, at the same time, we can see many Chinese young people who chase for material life and neglect of the responsibility to our country and society. Therefore, the reaction to Japan and US was not too much, on the contrary, was not even enough, for there were so many people did not even care about that.

Even though I am kind of support nationalism, I do not mean to use military power and be hard to other nations. I like the author’s idea that China is now using soft power to influence the world. We Chinese will be well educated and act as responsible world residents in the world. I like the new generation of Chinese leaders and I am quite confident of their leadership. I feel that , Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao are both pragmatic persons and they will lead China develop herself rationally. And, me , will try my best to contribute to my country.

Female Columbus

I read several pages of my new book yesterday and I really enjoyed it. The author compared his own experience to Columbus', which made me laugh but also provoked my thoughts. I did not want to talk about the context of the book; instead, I am more interested in the writer’s approach. Although there’s no new continent in this planet for us to detect, we are still in need of the spirit of him and having an open mind.
When I was little,I could hardly imagine that I could be at another end of the ocean and maybe go even further. While now, the world is just in my hand and I got more opportunities to go to different parts in the world and experience various cultures. In the near future, I can do more fancy things and live an exciting life. My children then can have even more opportunities to realize all that their crazy ideas and dreams.
As the writer of The World Is Flat states that the world is flat, we can live more free lives now. I wish I could be one the Columbus in the modern society and inherit the adventure genes from my processors.

To my future kids(although I do not know when can I have them)

I want my life colorful and vigorous. Whatever how old I am, I could be someone always brings joy to this world.
I wish I were a mother fashionable and cool, who is the proud of her son and daughter, who could provide great opportunities for her kids to do a lot of crazy stuffs like her mother!
This is kind of destiny of me, my life won’t be plain and dull, instead, some miracles will happen to me and something will lead me to different places in the world, experience unusual things and make great contributions to the world. Thus, I will live meaningful and happy life. My kids will be proud of having an ever-young mother like me and live more fantastic life than their mother.

Early this morning , the whole family gathered together under the Christmas tree waiting for the openning of our Christmas gifts. I was really excited, since for one thing it's my first Christmas in US and for another, I got three pretty boxes!!!
As my aunt started, everyone scraped the pretty papers outside the box. And , my gifts are: one pretty purse (from family), one snowman cup (from family)and one book: best seller----- The world is flat!(from Shan and Susan)I could not help dancing and singing , which scared my dear uncle ,aunt and cousins!But that's me , that's typical Joyce!!

With a whole lot of joy , I went to sleep again until 12:30 pm!!!You can never imagine a sweet dream with so many gifts in hand . haha.

I like the book most , since I have been searching for one best seller in US for a long time. What I want to do is reading something Americans really read and learn the society more.I asked several professors for advice , but i could not find those book in library. But today, i just got it!!!And not borrow it but own it.


It is a wonderful day today and I love Christmas.