Not surprised mainland student appreciated genuine freedom in the US
Last month a Chinese graduate of the University of Maryland, Yang Shuping, praised the freedom and fresh air in the US in contrast to her own country. Following her graduation speech many pro-Beijing, pro-Communist Party netizens attacked her.
Some critics advised her to adopt more critical thinking when describing the US. Well, I’ve used my critical thinking skills and support about 90 per cent of what she said. The internet in China faces censorship from what is known as the Great Firewall. Citizens and the press cannot freely express their views and dissidents face persecution. Despite this, many people continue to blindly trust what the regime says.
What was wrong with Yang’s speech? If like her I went from the mainland to study in the US, I too would appreciate the freedoms enjoyed by people in America. The only reason for the Chinese netizens’ anger is that Yang did not follow the line of the standard patriot, because she did not kowtow to the regime.
Her critics accused her of bad-mouthing the motherland. That kind of stubborn attitude is one of the greatest obstacles to change in the nation and slows its progress towards ensuring justice and democracy for all Chinese citizens. In China it cannot be denied that dissidents continue to suffer.
Yang was right when she said, “Freedom is oxygen. Freedom is passion. Freedom is love.” Freedom gave her the opportunity to think critically and express different opinions. Even if her compatriots cannot agree with her, they had no right [as the Global Times did] to call her a “traitor”. China needs women and men who dare to criticise the regime and express diverse views. The motherland will face a better future if people stop blindly obeying the central government.