OPINION> FROM THE CHINESE PRESS
Many ways to love New China
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-29 08:18

As the 60th anniversary day nears, young Chinese netizens cordially express their patriotism online in various ways. The criticism, by some conservatives, of the younger generation's unconventional display of patriotism indicates the necessity to expand social space to better realize the citizen's freedom of individual expression, says an article in Qilu Evening News. Excerpts:

Recently, a post-1990 generation girl raised a controversy over what constitutes proper expression of patriotism because she had her back adorned with several paintings showing the historical achievements of New China and displayed it naked online.

Although she sincerely expected her creativity to inspire more patriotic expressions characteristic of the post-'90 generation, a number of conservatives scathingly criticized her behavior as "flamboyant advertising" and "pornographic performance", which deserves to be banned.

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Some experts in education call on society to understand and respect the individualized expressions of patriotism of the post-'90 generation, which they think are normal and typical for this generation.

Every citizen has the right to think and express freely. Since the themes of the pictures on the girl's back -"the foundation of PRC", "reform and opening", "Beijing Olympics" etc - are undoubtedly patriotic, it is unjust to deny the earnestness of her individualized behavior just because it is non-traditional.

In the process of ideological liberation, liberating individual expressions should be the first step towards a solid foundation for freedom.

Further, different expressions should be not only tolerated, but also encouraged, which would promote development of political democracy and social harmony.

There are all kinds of patriots in the world and we don't have to stick to one pattern. Participating and watching National Day parade is one expression of patriotism, while painting patriotic theme pictures on the body is another expression of patriotism. As people's expressions of patriotism gradually diversify, and individual freedom is more and more respected by society, our nation will become greater and better.

(China Daily 09/29/2009 page9)