Knowing Your Roots: In the Wake of the New Xiong-Nus at China’s Gate

Before Donald Trump declared trade war on China, most Chinese were happy to accept the US as the lǎo-dà (老大)—not exactly the ‘big boss’ in its usual intended meaning, but more a status accorded to someone out of an air of resignation and light contempt. Since he wants to be number one, let him be! But we know his true colours!

China was not quite perturbed by Trump’s trade war. They knew who the ultimate losers would be. But the fact that the coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan killed Chinese self-confidence. All fingers were pointing at China and many Chinese, including the author, felt guilty about the pandemic because of the love for wildlife meats and the belief in their medicinal values.

And Western leaders like Australia’s Scott Morrison’s insistence that China be investigated like a criminal inflamed Chinese all over the world. Although the source of the virus has yet to be fully established, it has become increasingly clear that there might be something more sinister to its origin. China may not be the ‘culprit’ after all! Whatever happened in China in the first instance was certainly not a result of incompetence. The way the Chinese managed the pandemic saved millions, a fact that few in the Western world would acknowledge with admiration.

Many Chinese thought Joe Biden would be a more enlightened US president. Alas, their hope soon went down the drain. Biden is one who does not believe in his own words. He says one thing, but does the opposite as soon as he walks out of the room. And he and his team are determined to retard China at all costs. Besides their traditional vassals, they have also roped in Japan, Korea, the Philippines and India to press ahead.

This has also caused civilisationalism to flare up amongst Chinese all over the world. We are not nationalist in that sese, since most of us are loyal citizens of our adopted countries. Fortunately, China has long been guided by its history. Even though they were happy to acknowledge the US as the lao-da, they knew that this lao-da could hardly be trusted. And they are now militarily ready!

A mentor of the author, the late Tan Sri Frank W K Tsao, once said, ‘Don’t trust the Americans’. That was in the early 2000s. How wise this man was!

Many Chinese still continue to look up to the West or suffer an inferiority complex for being Chinese. This is perfectly understandable since they (like the author) live a predominantly Western-influenced world where its brand of democracy has long been accepted. But given the anti-China and anti-Chinese stances that are now being perpetrated by the US and its allies, is it not time for them to wake up and know about our history, culture and above all, resilience?