PHHOW DO YOU MAKE CHINA LOOK BAD EVEN THOUGH ITS CITIZEN DIED FOR OTHERS?
The Financial Times is a classic example. I know this story because I read on Chinese media. It was a moment faith in humanity restored, specially if you know the bitter history between China and Japan.
China had a public stabbing last month, in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. A man tried to attack kids in a school bus full of Japanese kids. Hu Youping, the bus attendant, bravely stoped the attacked, and was killed in the process.
Ms Hu's heroism flooded Chinese social media with deep admiration for her bravery. The Japanese embassy in Bejing and consulate in Shanghai lowere their flag half-mast to salute her. Authorities in Suzhou, honored her with "Righteous and Courageous Role Model" award, and created the "Youping Fund for Righteous and Courageous Deeds."
In desperation, the Financial Times dampened this commemoration by saying: "But Chinese authorities omitted any mention of the Japanese victims." The Financial Times said the motive behind this omission was to prevent "ruining a charm offensive launched this year to lure back international tourists and students, which has included visa-free access for an increasing number of countries."
What a preposterous claim. How exactly were the mention of the Japanese victims ommitted? In every Chinese media it is mentioned that Hu was trying to protect the Japanese children?
Xinhua reported: "Japanese woman injured in the incident said Hu attempted to restrain the assailant targeting women and children, allowing the Japanese woman's son to escape. The attacker then turned to Hu and stabbed her before being subdued by passers-by and police patrol who rushed to the scene."
China Daily wrote a tribute: "Woman who sacrificed herself to save Japanese mother and son mourned, lauded by millions"
It was known all over China that target victims of the knife attacker are Japanese. How, exactly was this omitted. to prevent China's charm offensive???
Besides this mind boggling slant, the Financial Times also failed to mention that Hu's family refused to accept donations for her heroism, saying: "We have received care and condolences from all sides and appreciate the sentiments and thank everyone. In such circumstances, we believe that anyone with justice and compassion would make the same choice...After unanimous family discussions, we have decided not to accept donations and hope to not be disturbed further," the family added. "We only wish for the deceased to rest in peace and for the family to return to a peaceful life as soon as possible. If kindhearted individuals wish to donate to spread positive energy, we suggest they donate to righteous foundations in various places."
That even made Hu's heroism deeply appreciate more because not just of her selflessness but of her family's selflessness.
China Daily quotes a very touching tribute from, Ryo Takeuchi, a documentary filmmaker from Japan living in Nanjing, Jiangsu, also posted a statement on Weibo on June 28 to mourn Hu. "Hu is a great person because she saved the people, no matter what nationality they are. Many of my Japanese friends were worried about her (after the incident happened)... I adore her, and will remember her."
Travel writer Arnaud Bertrand reacted to the Financial Times alarm over the stabbing in China:
"This is actually hilarious. China has 2 stabbings attacks recently - two - and the FT is doing a whole piece on the "crime wave" that's overtaking the country, how that reveals deep issues in China, bla bla bla.
Meanwhile in London alone last year there were 12,786 stabbings. A subject, I checked, that the FT hasn't written a single article about in 6 years (even though it's their own country)..."
Read China Daily's touching memorial on Hu and a balance reporting on a more socially comprehensive analysis of the stabbing:
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The Financial Times is a classic example. I know this story because I read on Chinese media. It was a moment faith in humanity restored, specially if you know the bitter history between China and Japan.
China had a public stabbing last month, in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. A man tried to attack kids in a school bus full of Japanese kids. Hu Youping, the bus attendant, bravely stoped the attacked, and was killed in the process.
Ms Hu's heroism flooded Chinese social media with deep admiration for her bravery. The Japanese embassy in Bejing and consulate in Shanghai lowere their flag half-mast to salute her. Authorities in Suzhou, honored her with "Righteous and Courageous Role Model" award, and created the "Youping Fund for Righteous and Courageous Deeds."
In desperation, the Financial Times dampened this commemoration by saying: "But Chinese authorities omitted any mention of the Japanese victims." The Financial Times said the motive behind this omission was to prevent "ruining a charm offensive launched this year to lure back international tourists and students, which has included visa-free access for an increasing number of countries."
What a preposterous claim. How exactly were the mention of the Japanese victims ommitted? In every Chinese media it is mentioned that Hu was trying to protect the Japanese children?
Xinhua reported: "Japanese woman injured in the incident said Hu attempted to restrain the assailant targeting women and children, allowing the Japanese woman's son to escape. The attacker then turned to Hu and stabbed her before being subdued by passers-by and police patrol who rushed to the scene."
China Daily wrote a tribute: "Woman who sacrificed herself to save Japanese mother and son mourned, lauded by millions"
It was known all over China that target victims of the knife attacker are Japanese. How, exactly was this omitted. to prevent China's charm offensive???
Besides this mind boggling slant, the Financial Times also failed to mention that Hu's family refused to accept donations for her heroism, saying: "We have received care and condolences from all sides and appreciate the sentiments and thank everyone. In such circumstances, we believe that anyone with justice and compassion would make the same choice...After unanimous family discussions, we have decided not to accept donations and hope to not be disturbed further," the family added. "We only wish for the deceased to rest in peace and for the family to return to a peaceful life as soon as possible. If kindhearted individuals wish to donate to spread positive energy, we suggest they donate to righteous foundations in various places."
That even made Hu's heroism deeply appreciate more because not just of her selflessness but of her family's selflessness.
China Daily quotes a very touching tribute from, Ryo Takeuchi, a documentary filmmaker from Japan living in Nanjing, Jiangsu, also posted a statement on Weibo on June 28 to mourn Hu. "Hu is a great person because she saved the people, no matter what nationality they are. Many of my Japanese friends were worried about her (after the incident happened)... I adore her, and will remember her."
Travel writer Arnaud Bertrand reacted to the Financial Times alarm over the stabbing in China:
"This is actually hilarious. China has 2 stabbings attacks recently - two - and the FT is doing a whole piece on the "crime wave" that's overtaking the country, how that reveals deep issues in China, bla bla bla.
Meanwhile in London alone last year there were 12,786 stabbings. A subject, I checked, that the FT hasn't written a single article about in 6 years (even though it's their own country)..."
Read China Daily's touching memorial on Hu and a balance reporting on a more socially comprehensive analysis of the stabbing:
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
