"Chinese Universities’ First Course Is Nationalism 101" Topic

"The aggressive counterprotests led by mainland Chinese students against Hong Kongers have stirred worries on campuses from Australia to the United States. As ever with China, it's hard to distinguish authentic feeling from political performance. But at home, there's no doubt that university study and military indoctrination coincide. Every university student in China is required to complete a military training program (junxun) ranging from two weeks to a month as part of their matriculation.

Although the training was introduced nationally for propaganda purposes following the student movements of the 1980s, for most of the past 25 years, the public has generally seen it as a physical fitness program. But state ideology has come to the fore in recent years, stressing civilian participation in military defense and passionate feelings for displays of martial power and nationalism…"
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Amicalement
Armand

I remember when "nationalist" China was referred to as Taiwan. As in: "The nationalists led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek fled to Formosa after losing the Chinese civil war to the communist peasant army of Mao Zedong."

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Yes, there's been some clashes here over HK: some quite violent.

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The Smart Money has the pro-mainland Chinese students acting under orders.

Yea, common knowledge that in line with most tyrannies China leans on its scholars and students abroad to ensure their 'loyalty'.

Glup!….

Amicalement
Armand

On the other hand, fanatics supporting nationalism and authoritarianism is nothing new. Let's not forget that's how many of these regimes come to power in the first place.

The article is interesting in several ways. Two jumped out to me. First, how China is struggling on how to indoctrinate youth- especially educated youth. Second, how the US is a model for them. The article specifically gives a quote that talks about being impressed by the US in the Gulf War as an example of international power through military might.

Also:"As ever with China, it's hard to distinguish authentic feeling from political performance."
All politics is performance, whether heart felt or not. Doesn't matter where. The more relevant question is whether the performance leads to violence (and what the target will be).

Glad you enjoyed the article my friend!.

Amicalement
Armand