Editorials

No fake praises needed

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-30 07:50

The People's Daily reported yesterday that it is enlightening to those who realized that not all artists who performed at the Vienna Golden Hall are truly excellent. So is the discovery that not all "international prizes" are worth the acclaimed respect.

While this should be common sense, our countrymen have been too thirsty for international recognition to be sane for a while.

So we thank those who have taken the trouble to point that out and wake people up. And we share their sorrow for the nation's curious craze for overseas acknowledgements.

It would have been a lot more understandable if this had happened three decades ago. Since the opening-up of China to the outside world 30 years ago, we thought our compatriots should have been more attuned to the dynamics of foreign affairs in an increasingly globalized world.

Obviously we were wrong. For one thing, this nation remains sadly addicted to cheap compliments from foreigners. We know it lends additional credibility to cite third party testimonials. But we also know when others said something is OK, it is OK. At least not as great as our countrymen would like to believe.

We cannot but be in awe of those foreigners who have seen the gold mine beneath the Chinese enthusiasm for overseas compliments. Those fabricating "international awards" tailored specifically to Chinese appetites are the real commercial geniuses.

We share some critics' laments over our citizen's blind obsession with overseas praises, and agree that it is more or less a reflection of our lack of self-confidence.

Even more sorrowful to us is the authorities' unexplainable endorsement to all things that carry foreign recognition. Their consistent special treatment to overseas talents, and de facto discrimination against local talent, is a sad example.

Such discriminatory acts have created a pervasive distrust of similar honors awarded by domestic authorities and non-authorities. And there is a vicious cycle at work: Considering the hidden corruption in various rankings in the country and the subsequent erosion of public confidence in those awards and titles, some resort to overseas recognition as evidence of excellence. Attractive profits in businesses have in turn cultivated an environment that feeds on otherwise useless "awards" and "honors" for Chinese consumption.

The complete food chain would not have taken shape were it not for the near-zero cost of cheating in present-day China. In a culture where honesty is now the most mocking personal quality, cheating is a convenient shortcut to fame and fortune.

While complaining about people's ignorance and society's shamelessness, everyone of us should blush - After all, we have contributed to the situation.

(China Daily 12/30/2009 page8)