From Chinese Press

Message for overseas Chinese

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-30 08:19

Valuing modesty as an essential virtue, the Chinese people tend to remain silent on many occasions. But in modern society, everyone has to speak for his interests, says an article on Thefirst. Excerpts:

Chinese living in France held a peaceful march in Paris, to which the French government responded on June 22, promising to pass new regulations to provide them better security.

Chinese consider modesty an essential virtue, and often prefer suffering quietly to speaking out for their rights or voicing their grievances.

But while facing Western governments which insist on individualism, silence is often mistaken as tacit acceptance of prevailing situations.

That many Chinese living abroad do not enjoy their rightful political status is a testimony to this fact.

Western culture values tolerance and fraternity, too. But then in Western culture an individual is expected to fight for his rights. There is also a sense of personal responsibility in that.

Only by speaking for their own rights can Chinese win more respect abroad, and better defend their interests.

(China Daily 06/30/2010 page9)