Preface to the Revised Edition
What are the basic issues most relevant to China today ? In September 2015, I published a book entitled 70 Questions about China, which was later reprinted with the addition of ten more questions as 80 Questions about China. Now, four years later, I am taking the two previous versions of the book as a foundation,removing some issues that are no longer relevant and adding some new issues and explanations that have cropped in recent years, I have now produced this book 50 Questions about China.
The number of questions actually is a reflection of the number of issues facing China today.
The reasons behind my writing this book are twofold.First, I feel that certain scholars in the West and in Taiwan are misleading many people with their misinterpretations of China. Second, I hope to reach all of those who care deeply about China's future development. Through this book, I hope to clarify our understanding of China.
1.
Let us first start with the China scholars.
In recent years, whether we examine economists from some Western countries, including some Nobel laureates in economics, or the so-called China experts in Taiwan, we find they have consistently presented an idyllic picture of prosperity on the mainland. This image is based on China's long-term rapid economic growth, its role as a global economic leader,the idea that it has become the manufacturing factory of the world, and the near-mythical portrayal of the power of Chinese consumption, along with images of the towering skyscrapers in Chinese cities.
Many scholars truly excel in this art of merely praising the
positive.
Of course, we cannot say that everything these scholars are saying is wrong. In fact, most of their arguments can be corroborated with real-world evidence and with various data that support their views. However, the problem is that this tells only one-half of China's development story and it completely ignores the other half. There is much talk about prosperity but little mention of issues such as the erosion of labor rights. These
commentators applaud the speed of construction in China but they are unwilling to mention the number of casualties due to shoddy projects. They acknowledge the economic achievements of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) but they remain blind to its numerous political shortcomings. Although such descriptions are accurate, the methodology of these observers is flawed
because only one side is presented.
Moreover, whether intentionally or unintentionally, these analysts avoid one very critical question: to what extent is what we are seeing in China genuine? This question is crucial, perhaps too crucial, which may be why it is rarely considered.
The purpose of the book is to reveal some things about China that are often overlooked due to "self-censorship." Of course, I am not claiming that what is presented here constitutes the entire truth about China, but I hope that this discussion of 50 issues related to China will serve as a necessary supplement to our thinking about China. At the very least, both positive and negative opinions should be heard, and just because our stance is one of opposition, our voices should not be ignored.
2:
Next, let us consider the students:
Young students today are becoming increasingly interested in China-related issues. After all, China is becoming closer to all of us, and it is impossible today not to care about what happens there . However, our discussions in university classrooms and in the media have traditionally been too narrow-minded when it comes to issues related to China. Our discussions about China have either focused on the relationship between Xi Jinping and the Crown Prince Party and/or his relationship with the factionalists, or about whether the "new normal" of economic growth will bring about a new Chinese “miracle” or will result in a "hard landing," and so on.
As a result: Current discussions about China mainly focus on only two perspectives: politics and economics. I believe this is the source of our biggest misunderstanding about China.
Why do I say this? Although China may be a “normal” country, Chinese society is definitely not a “normal” society. In Chinese society, there are political as well as economic distortions. If we only look at China from a political or economic perspective and ignore issues such as the collective mentality, the moral standards, the psychological issues related to the single-child generation, the historical memory of state violence, the overall prevalence of lies and deceptions, and so forth, we will never truly understand China. We would only be touching the surface and the true nature of the regime would remain obscured. No country can be truly understood by solely looking at its political and economic features, and in this respect China is certainly no different.
My goal here is to present China not only based on its political and economic qualities but also to examine issues such as culture, ethics, national characteristics, family relationships,historical memory, major events, among others, This picture of China, combined with its current political and economic features, will present a more complete representation of the country. Only with a complete picture of China can we possibly come to understand the real China today.
I must admit that deeply understanding China is a particularly challenging task because China's development has been unique and complex. I actually agree with formulation of the concept of "Chinese characteristics" proposed by the CCP. Indeed, China has its own peculiarities, making it difficult to draw simple inferences based solely on its historical experiences. I cannot claim that the 50 questions presented here necessarily encompass the entire picture about China, but I hope that through the discussion in this book, I have gone beyond the existing discourse and presented a fuller and more accurate description of China.
I know some may argue that I am only critical of the CCP, and thus I am too "radical" or simply "irrational." But, in fact, I do not accept academic statements that demand only "rationality, objectivity, and neutrality" because such viewpoints that are lacking in emotion obscure the true nature of any society, Chinese society included.
3.
I want to express here my gratitude to those many online friends who have silently supported me. Their encouragement on Facebook has been a tremendous driving force for me to continue moving forward. In particular, the earnest words from many young students in China have deeply moved and inspired me, letting me know that there is still hope for China.
I also want to thank the many teachers and mentors in Taiwan who have offered their help, especially Mr. Chen Hongzheng, who has consistently encouraged and supported me in my research and writing on China. I must give special thanks to the "Summer Star Historical Research Fund" based in the United States for sponsoring this writing project. Without this assistance, I would not have had the leisure time to engage in the extensive reading and contemplation that became the basis for this book.
I am also grateful to my colleague and good friend at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, Yao Renduo, for writing the preface . His comments have stimulated many of my thoughts, so in this new edition, I have retained his original preface unchanged word for word.
I want to thank my late mother, Ms. Wang Lingyun. During her short visit to Taiwan, although she was suffering from pneumonia, she carefully proofread the Chinese version of this book. There is no support that warms and encourages me more than the practical help I received from my mother throughout my life.
Finally, I also want to express my gratitude to all those who continuously smear, spread rumors about, and slander me, including the so-called "50 cent army" (the internet trolls).
Regardless of their motives, such despicable behavior only serves one purpose for me – it motivates me to strive for greater achievements and to make more efforts to respond to their negative attacks with positive energy.
Wang Dan
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圖書名稱：The fifty questions on China
In recent years, China has been making frequent moves, both domestically and internationally. Not only is there internal political instability, but these actions are also affecting political, economic, and even the delicate dynamics between China and the United States on the global stage. To address these challenges, a profound understanding of China and the Chinese Communist Party is essential. In this book, the author will unveil the lesser-known aspects of China for you!
近年來，中國在國內和國際上動作頻頻。這些行為不僅存在內部政治不穩定，也影響政治、經濟，甚至全球舞台上中美之間的微妙動態。為了應對這些挑戰，對中國和中國共產黨的深刻理解至關重要。在本書中，作者將為您揭開中國鮮為人知的一面！
作者簡介：
Wang Dan | 王丹
Leader of the Chinese democracy movement.
He was one of the student leaders in the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and the No. 1 of the most wanted list issued by CCP after Tiananmen Massacre. He holds a PhD in history from Harvard University in 2008. From 2009, Wang taught PRC history at National Tsing Hua University and other universities in Taiwan.
Wang is the Founder of the think tank Dialogue China, based in Washington D.C., and the Chairman of the Board of June 4th Memorial Museum.
六四天安門事件首號政治犯。
曾於台灣清大、政大、東吳與成大任教。
三次被提名諾貝爾和平獎，並獲美國民主基金會人權獎，民主教育基金會「傑出民主人士」獎等。
2011年與民主人士共同創辦華人民主書院，擔任講師及董事會主席。
現任美國華府智庫Dialogue China, inc.所長，並於Youtube、Facebook開設「王丹學堂」。
著有《給台灣的八個建議》、《六四備忘錄》、《六四百人談》、《中華人民共和國史十五講》等專書二十餘冊。
Twitter | wangdan1989
Facebook | 王丹網站
Youtube | 王丹學堂
作者序
Preface to the Revised Edition
What are the basic issues most relevant to China today ? In September 2015, I published a book entitled 70 Questions about China, which was later reprinted with the addition of ten more questions as 80 Questions about China. Now, four years later, I am taking the two previous versions of the book as a foundation,removing some issues that are no longer relevant and adding some new issues and explanations that have cropped in recent years, I have now produced this b...
What are the basic issues most relevant to China today ? In September 2015, I published a book entitled 70 Questions about China, which was later reprinted with the addition of ten more questions as 80 Questions about China. Now, four years later, I am taking the two previous versions of the book as a foundation,removing some issues that are no longer relevant and adding some new issues and explanations that have cropped in recent years, I have now produced this b...
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目錄
Preface to the Revised Edition
About China
Question 1: Why must we differentiate between the "Chinese Communist Party" (CCP) and "China"?
為何一定要區分「中共」和「中國」？
Question 2: The most certain thing about China is its uncertainty.
中國最確定的一件事就是「不確定性」
Question 3：Rule by Profit, Die by Profit
以利益治國者必亡於利益
Question4: China’s Political Situation in the Next Five Years
關於習近平二十大報告，中國未來五年政治形勢
Question5: Three Misunderstandings about Ch...
About China
Question 1: Why must we differentiate between the "Chinese Communist Party" (CCP) and "China"?
為何一定要區分「中共」和「中國」？
Question 2: The most certain thing about China is its uncertainty.
中國最確定的一件事就是「不確定性」
Question 3：Rule by Profit, Die by Profit
以利益治國者必亡於利益
Question4: China’s Political Situation in the Next Five Years
關於習近平二十大報告，中國未來五年政治形勢
Question5: Three Misunderstandings about Ch...
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