Here’s a little ditty making the rounds about China’s evolution over the decades:
Mao Zedong and the first-generation leaders decided to learn from the Soviet Union – and the Soviet Union collapsed.
Deng Xiaoping and the second-generation leaders decided to learn from Japan (East Asia miracle) – and Japan has been in stagnation.
Jiang Zemin and the third-generation leaders decided to learn from the United States (market economy) – and the United States is virtually bankrupt.
Hu Jintao and the fourth-generation leaders decided to learn from ... who's next?
Quote from Al-Quran, "To seek knowledge, go to China".
Posted by: Janman | April 01, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Now it's time to learn from the Chinese, from Confucius to Mencius to Mozi to Xunzi to Han Feizi to Sun Bing to Wu Qi to Gongsun Long... You get the idea. We Chinese believe in cyclic history and adaptability of old wisdom and pragmatism of old wisdom.
Posted by: HJG | April 01, 2009 at 02:14 PM
US... of course... learn from the mistakes... As long as people still make mistakes, other people can learn from them.
Posted by: Sparkle | April 01, 2009 at 07:51 PM
Learn from the truth...forever
Posted by: chromelocust | April 01, 2009 at 08:05 PM
HJG, Whilst I agree with you in theory, you'll have to go a very very long way to find someone in China who knows the remotest thing about any of the true Chinese wisdom.
Most of it is just platitudes learned from teachers and the TV and rarely do people have real study into the classics.
But I agree with you, yes people all over the world should learn from the great works of Chinese philospophy.
Posted by: Christopher Stevens | April 01, 2009 at 10:59 PM
China is turning inward after so many years of looking out.
The slogan of Harmonious Society has strong flavors in Confucianism and Socialism.
Now that the US and West are in rapid decline and decay, there is much less incentive and glory in driving for westernization in China.
Posted by: tom | April 02, 2009 at 02:19 PM
Seems that it does be a ditty.
Well, this means China is moderate in its heart, the culture of China has always been inclusive and absorptive, it learns but not a slave.
Posted by: posters@Anti-CNN | April 05, 2009 at 05:00 PM
China should next learn from the Middle East OPEC so when it collapses the world can really
start developing GREEN ENERGY!
hahahaha
To Laff is to Levitate in
Enlightenment !!!
Posted by: The Laffing Buddha Woo 69 | April 05, 2009 at 05:43 PM
http://www1.anti-cnn.com/forum/cn/thread-154602-1-1.html
Posted by: china | April 05, 2009 at 09:59 PM
learn form india next
Posted by: aaa | April 06, 2009 at 07:18 AM
it seems more like a political joke.
The most favorable model for Chinese people, since when they began to learn from a model, is US. Chinese people have an naturally born admiration for US. That is why they leave US president free to meet Dhalai Lama, but anyone else doing that will be punished.
Posted by: anyone | April 06, 2009 at 10:05 AM
@ anyone,
Haha, that's wishful thinking. China leaves US president free because China doesn't want to pick a row with US (not quite strong enough to do that yet). As for France, it is a better whipping boy because one can get the message across the world without really damaging China's interests. Chinese say, "you have to squeeze the soft parsimon", haha. So, it's just realpolitiking. US is more regarded as this annoying ass of a rival more than anything else.
Posted by: HJG | April 06, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Hello Tim, here are some comments translated into English from Chinese netizens@Anti-CNN, if you are interested in their Chinese orignial version, pls check here: http://www.anti-cnn.com/forum/cn/thread-154602-1-1.html
daguoguomin: This reminds me of some line from a movie "whats the toughest for someone to exceed is very himself". Why is China learning from others all the way? China should find her own characteristics and others come to learn from her.
fanancai: We learn if there was some, or we go on our own route.
sam712: China should keep up with the times. There are different problems at different stages accordingly.
bluesea: China doesnt need to find someone to learn from deliberately, it may get a combination of different opinions. Wherever, whenever it comes, we learn as long as good enough to fit us. We can make use of those with ease, either the advanced science and technology and the modern management methods from the West, or those from the East, such as Confucian aspirations of "self-cultivation, regulating the family, governing the country and establishing peace throughout the world", Taoism of "human life being in a highly harmony with nature&rule under nature", legists'rules, strategy from military strategist in Ancient China, including Buddhism' sympathetic feelings. Of course, others' mistakes are our lessons too.
ajian1234: Here is an old Chinese saying "Church apprentice starved to death master".
Posted by: posts@Anti-CNN | April 06, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Learn from themselves and evaluate their beliefs. From US, try watching how they're going to cope from economic turndown and from there start a new strategy.
Posted by: warcraft gold | April 08, 2009 at 07:17 AM
Ago, It used to be a joke. I am Chinese. And today I find it English Edition...
Posted by: realgen | April 10, 2009 at 08:07 AM
it's time for china to forge its own path once again :)
Posted by: Huang Jingshan | April 11, 2009 at 03:21 PM
@anyone and HJG
I think CCP offical statement about why US president can meet Dalai while France can't is reasonable: France was a friend while US is a rival of China, a rival is reasonable to do some unpleasant things to you while a friend is not allowed.
Posted by: simon | April 15, 2009 at 06:06 AM
A possible answer is the Chinese leadership is learning from History. Did you notice that the CCTV documentary "The Rise of Super Power"(大国崛起)?
Posted by: Fiona | July 13, 2009 at 05:24 AM
With a great workforce and dedicated citizens -- If China gives up secrecy and treats its citizens as humans -- then China do not have to learn from other countries, but other countries will start to follow china. When someone is admiring you doesnt necessarily mean that you are a hero -- it could be of fear, deal or something.
Posted by: chinesepeopleadmirer | October 15, 2009 at 07:16 PM