Huanqiu, a news portal under People’s Daily, published an article "American Band Issues Album that Viciously Attacks China" on November 24th, describing the "angers" from Chinese people on American rock band Guns and Roses’ release of a new album – "Chinese Democracy." [1]
On November 23, American rock band Guns and Roses plans to release its first new album in seventeen years. This album, entitled “Chinese Democracy,” surprisingly attacks China and immediately became a hot topic in many Western media outlets. This also drew anger from many Chinese and music fans. A web surfer commented that those scandalous, violence-sex-and-drug-bound Western stars seldom come to China, so they couldn’t have any understanding of Chinese democracy. This kind of show can only illustrate that the so-called “democracy” of some Westerners is nothing but their attempt to gain control of and influence the world.
A November 22 article on the Wall Street Journal website said that Guns and Roses’ new album ran into China’s wall. The subject title not only offended the Chinese government, it also drew rage from many Chinese music fans. The report said many Chinese people hope to have even greater freedom of speech, yet the majority of people believed that too much democracy too fast would result in chaos. They were also unsatisfied with the involvement of foreign forces. From the album title, it can be seen that “they don’t understand China,” said a Chinese music fan. It was just to stir up public feelings.
A Reuters report quipped in its title, “Guns and Roses will not Bring Democracy to China.” This report noted that the album couldn’t be released in China because the title song directly questions China’s leadership rights. The article quoted lyrics from the main song, saying that the banned “Falun Gong” “already saw the end and now you cannot hold on.” The album also stated, “Chinese people’s helplessness is governed under an iron fist.”
This album immediately caused rage among Chinese Internet users. One Internet user said that western rock bands often find some hot topics in order to show-off how esoteric they are. They are even a number of bands that go against Christianity and worship Satan, death and violence. In summary, there is a bird of every kind in a large forest. This time its is also creating a stir. Another Internet user said even this kind of people is starting to comment on China. In the West all you have to do to become popular is to criticize China. There is someone who brought a “Free Tibet” flag to protest in China and went back as a “hero.” The wallets of these anti-China buffoons are bulging with sponsorship money. “Democracy” as touted by Western countries was, after all, a pawn used by Western countries in recent times to control and influence the entire world.
In recent years, some foreign entertainers often express criticisms attacking China. For example, Sharon Stone said "the earthquake is China’s retribution," and Mia Farrow attacked China on the Darfur problem. Sometimes, comments from these people echo those China-slandering criticisms made by Western politicians and Western media, making waves. On November 23, British Broadcast Company reported that the last Hong Kong governor, Chris Patten (Peng Dingkang), also attacked China recently, saying that “China is promoting the idea that one could get rich without needing democracy, which in and by itself poses a threat to the West.”
In an interview with The World, research fellow Tao Wenzhao at the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that some foreign stars in Western entertainment circles don’t really understand China and some have never been to China. Based on only their inherent biases and deceptive propaganda, they make thoughtless comments. Although there has been great changes in China and many Westerners who have been to China were deeply impressed by China’s change, politicians’ propaganda and media reports still create bias in many people when it comes to China. As for these people, we hope that they will not be biased. On the other hand, we need to strengthen and improve our propaganda abroad. This is very important in shaping our international image.
Endnote:
[1] Huanqiu, November 24, 2008
http://world.huanqiu.com/roll/2008-11/291372.html