Under the microscope, China shows courage
- Source: Global Times
- [09:00 September 07 2009]
- Comments
The 60th anniversary of the founding of the PRC is less than a month away. It won't be the first time China has been under the microscope. But being under the microscope implies the magnification of every detail, regardless of its size.
Obviously China sees the anniversary as an excellent chance to showcase itself as a nation riding the wave of unprecedented economic and social development in the past 60 years. That is why it is going to hold a "warm but frugal and cost-effective" celebration, with a grand military parade and a mass pageant featuring 200,000 people.
It is still unknown how many Western media outlets will come to cover the big celebration, but there is no doubt China's great courage in putting itself under the microscope again.
But what is magnified under the microscope is not always what China is eager to display. To the Western media, it is far from enough to scrutinize and interpret the 60-year-old New China only on Tiananmen Square, where the parade and pageant will be held. And to some, the anniversary is just the perfect opportunity to stage a protest that might take center stage and catch the attention of the Western world.
What happened last week in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is a good example. Protests broke out after hundreds of Urumqi residents reported they were stabbed with syringes. Five people were dead and at least 14 hospitalized.
Wide Western media attention has been drawn to the incident, saying it "happened at a highly sensitive time for China" before the anniversary and "caused panic among the public" of Urumqi. It is even misinterpreted as a symbol of the unstable situation in the whole country.
While indicating the pains of the Chinese government to restore order in Xinjiang after the July 5 riots, the incident is an attempt by the pro-independence forces to cause panic and to magnify the devastating effect during the "sensitive" period before the 60th birthday of New China.
That's a cheap trick, though. Such incidents often happen when China celebrates an important anniversary. Needless to say, pro-Tibet independence forces were trying to disrupt the torch relay of the 2008 Olympics.
Whether the anniversary ceremonies or the Olympic Games, let's keep in mind now it is China that has put itself under the microscope. Experiencing the ups and downs of the past 60 years, especially the rapid economic growth since 1978 and the Beijing Olympics, China has learned more about itself and about the world. With maturity and an open mind, today's China is more prepared than ever for scrutiny anytime, from anyone.
Details determine history. With every detail magnified and tested, China is making progress. After the syringe attack incident in Urumqi, information was released and the death toll was updated for the public quickly. Not only is the government trying to be as open and transparent as possible, but also it is courageous and confident enough to deal with any potential emergency or crisis in the near future.
Under the microscope again, China is ready to have a safe and happy National Day.
