Why I Feel Threatened by China

The towering red tsunami of Chinese nationalism that has recently swept across the world has been a matter of the gravest concern for me, occupying much of my time and energy as I consume every piece of news and analysis on the matter. It is not an unfamiliar phenomenon to me, as I lived through a clone of this flurry of hysteria and irrationality during the anti-Japanese protests in Beijing in April, 2005 (it must be the Spring that excites the mobs). I decided to turn the question inward for a change, and ask myself, "Why does the surging Chinese nationalism bother me so tremendously on such a deeply personal level?" That is when I realized that modern-day authoritarian China threatens my core values and identity. The possibility of authoritarian China extending its influence across the globe could destroy everything I cherish and strive for.

• China stands for censoring information, I stand for acquiring all kinds of knowledge.
• China stands for tightly controlling the behavior of its citizens, I stand for unlimited possibilities of living.
• China stands for muzzling voices of dissent, I stand for freely speaking my opinions.
  
• China stands for uniformity of opinion, I stand for new ways of thinking.
• China stands for accepting dogma, I stand for the pursuit of truth.
  
• China stands for submission ("obey and tremble"), I stand for independent thought and action.
• China stands for raw power over truth, I stand for the power of raw truth.