From the Readers

Is image really that important?

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-10 07:53

Comment on "How to improve China's image" (China Daily, April 23)

Is image really that important? Does it matter? Why has China to examine and improve its image constantly for others, especially for the West, to see? Isn't it enough to do just the right things for your people and ignore what others think of you?

I would suggest that there is really no need for China to be excessively concerned about how the outside world sees it. Take China to be a person, for example. Isn't how this person looks from the outside largely unimportant and irrelevant? Isn't inner beauty that counts as the real person?

Now imagine this person to be a coal miner who is the main bread winner of the family with six young kids. He works extremely hard to support his family, often comes home late with dirty clothes, disheveled hair and coal dust on his face. Is he a lesser person because he is not wearing a smart suit and tie and driving a fancy car to show off to his neighbors?

No, of course not, on the contrary, he should be proud of his "real image", the image that truly matters to his family - "our dad worked hard and selflessly to give us a better life and the chance to go to university".

All China needs to do is to keep up with its good work, that is among other things, continue to build upon its economic success and improve the well being of its people.

China should understand that, since everything it does is for the benefit of the Chinese people, it doesn't need to take the "China image" very seriously and definitely not lose any sleep over it.

China, you do not have to put on any fancy dress for others such as the West to see (you don't need any superficial Hollywood looks/treatments to succeed), just be yourself and continue with your strong resolve and excellent progress!

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(China Daily 05/10/2010 page9)