Chinese people need to be controlled

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

Sounds like prejudice (Jackie) against mainlanders.

 

In the context of the rest of the article, it doesn't seem that way. In fact, the title isn't necessarily a fair representation of the article itself.

 

In many ways, it sounds to me like Jackie was simply towing the line. Speaking to a Chinese audience, he basically said that he thinks the mainland way is better, not Taiwan or Hong Kong - giving the people what they wanted to hear, to an extent.

 

On the other hand, he DID have the guts to speak up about the quality of Chinese goods, even given the possibility that it might rub some people the wrong way.

I essentially agree... but he had the guts to say something historically and philosophically profound.

 

We've gotten to a point in history where you cannot say anything without some group taking some offense... instead of seeing if there is something to learn from the comment.

 

Which do you agree to ... that the chinese people need to be controlled, that the quality of chinese goods is poor or that he was towing the line?

 

I really do not see anything of historic or philosophic nature inthe comments.

 

I am now sitting at home waiting for my chinese tv to explode wishing I had brought a japanese one

 

Interesting. What model Chinese TV do you have?

[whome?]

whome? - for the longest of time, items produced for export to USA had higher quality control than items built for the local china market.

 

This has been changing, slowly at first, and in the last 18 months has had a big turn-around.

 

Ford and GM quality is still marginal to slightly better than average. I just don't agree with the statement that chinese quality is bad. You get what you pay for. If you buy the top quality Chinese TV brands you get a good TV. If you buy some cheap low level knockout maybe it will explode. Again this is true all over the world not just to China.

 

Of course maybe Jackie has never heard of Haier, TCL, SVA, or Hisense brands ...

[Sebastian]

whome? - yup - you've listed TV brands with 'better' quality control.

 

Did this shift to cars somehow? I wasn't paying attention - can we please not talk about the auto manufacturers? (I'll feel compelled to complain about Ford's South America Plant, if that's the case).

[david_dawei]

Sounds like prejudice (Jackie) against mainlanders.

 

In the context of the rest of the article, it doesn't seem that way. In fact, the title isn't necessarily a fair representation of the article itself.

 

In many ways, it sounds to me like Jackie was simply towing the line. Speaking to a Chinese audience, he basically said that he thinks the mainland way is better, not Taiwan or Hong Kong - giving the people what they wanted to hear, to an extent.

 

On the other hand, he DID have the guts to speak up about the quality of Chinese goods, even given the possibility that it might rub some people the wrong way.

I essentially agree... but he had the guts to say something historically and philosophically profound.

 

We've gotten to a point in history where you cannot say anything without some group taking some offense... instead of seeing if there is something to learn from the comment.

 

Which do you agree to ... that the chinese people need to be controlled, that the quality of chinese goods is poor or that he was towing the line?

 

I really do not see anything of historic or philosophic nature inthe comments.

 

I am now sitting at home waiting for my chinese tv to explode wishing I had brought a japanese one

I agree that he delivered a line which would probably be more acceptable by this audience than another... so, he understood his audience; and he had the guts to speak openly about a difficult subject.

 

The comments are in the story.. see the original link:

 

Action star Jackie Chan said Saturday he's not sure if a free society is a good thing for China and that he's starting to think "we Chinese need to be controlled."

 

Chan's comments drew applause from a predominantly Chinese audience of business leaders in China's southern island province of Hainan.

 

The 55-year-old Hong Kong actor was participating in a panel at the annual Boao Forum when he was asked to discuss censorship and restrictions on filmmakers in China. He expanded his comments to include society.

 

"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not," Chan said. "I'm really confused now. If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic."

 

Chan added: "I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want."

[whome?]

whome? - yup - you've listed TV brands with 'better' quality control.

 

Did this shift to cars somehow? I wasn't paying attention - can we please not talk about the auto manufacturers? (I'll feel compelled to complain about Ford's South America Plant, if that's the case).

 

Just point out that USA has quality problems too ....

 

Yes those TV brands quality level is as good as any in the globe. So I still am confused about what Jackie said and the reason behind it especially since "discuss censorship and restrictions on filmmakers in China. He expanded his comments to include society."

[Randy W]

Sounds like prejudice (Jackie) against mainlanders.

 

In the context of the rest of the article, it doesn't seem that way. In fact, the title isn't necessarily a fair representation of the article itself.

 

In many ways, it sounds to me like Jackie was simply towing the line. Speaking to a Chinese audience, he basically said that he thinks the mainland way is better, not Taiwan or Hong Kong - giving the people what they wanted to hear, to an extent.

 

On the other hand, he DID have the guts to speak up about the quality of Chinese goods, even given the possibility that it might rub some people the wrong way.

I essentially agree... but he had the guts to say something historically and philosophically profound.

 

We've gotten to a point in history where you cannot say anything without some group taking some offense... instead of seeing if there is something to learn from the comment.

 

Which do you agree to ... that the chinese people need to be controlled, that the quality of chinese goods is poor or that he was towing the line?

 

I really do not see anything of historic or philosophic nature inthe comments.

 

I am now sitting at home waiting for my chinese tv to explode wishing I had brought a japanese one

 

Interesting. What model Chinese TV do you have?

 

Ask Jackie -

Speaking fast with his voice rising, Chan said, "If I need to buy a TV, I'll definitely buy a Japanese TV. A Chinese TV might explode."

 

I think his point was that that was hardly of a historical nature

 

That's why I'm thinking there's prejudice involved here.

[whome?]

Sounds like prejudice (Jackie) against mainlanders.

 

In the context of the rest of the article, it doesn't seem that way. In fact, the title isn't necessarily a fair representation of the article itself.

 

In many ways, it sounds to me like Jackie was simply towing the line. Speaking to a Chinese audience, he basically said that he thinks the mainland way is better, not Taiwan or Hong Kong - giving the people what they wanted to hear, to an extent.

 

On the other hand, he DID have the guts to speak up about the quality of Chinese goods, even given the possibility that it might rub some people the wrong way.

I essentially agree... but he had the guts to say something historically and philosophically profound.

 

We've gotten to a point in history where you cannot say anything without some group taking some offense... instead of seeing if there is something to learn from the comment.

 

Which do you agree to ... that the chinese people need to be controlled, that the quality of chinese goods is poor or that he was towing the line?

 

I really do not see anything of historic or philosophic nature inthe comments.

 

I am now sitting at home waiting for my chinese tv to explode wishing I had brought a japanese one

 

Interesting. What model Chinese TV do you have?

 

 

47" Hisense Flat Screen ... in 2 years no explosions .. knock on wood

[whome?]

Sounds like prejudice (Jackie) against mainlanders.

 

In the context of the rest of the article, it doesn't seem that way. In fact, the title isn't necessarily a fair representation of the article itself.

 

In many ways, it sounds to me like Jackie was simply towing the line. Speaking to a Chinese audience, he basically said that he thinks the mainland way is better, not Taiwan or Hong Kong - giving the people what they wanted to hear, to an extent.

 

On the other hand, he DID have the guts to speak up about the quality of Chinese goods, even given the possibility that it might rub some people the wrong way.

I essentially agree... but he had the guts to say something historically and philosophically profound.

 

We've gotten to a point in history where you cannot say anything without some group taking some offense... instead of seeing if there is something to learn from the comment.

 

Which do you agree to ... that the chinese people need to be controlled, that the quality of chinese goods is poor or that he was towing the line?

 

I really do not see anything of historic or philosophic nature inthe comments.

 

I am now sitting at home waiting for my chinese tv to explode wishing I had brought a japanese one

I agree that he delivered a line which would probably be more acceptable by this audience than another... so, he understood his audience; and he had the guts to speak openly about a difficult subject.

 

The comments are in the story.. see the original link:

 

Action star Jackie Chan said Saturday he's not sure if a free society is a good thing for China and that he's starting to think "we Chinese need to be controlled."

 

Chan's comments drew applause from a predominantly Chinese audience of business leaders in China's southern island province of Hainan.

 

The 55-year-old Hong Kong actor was participating in a panel at the annual Boao Forum when he was asked to discuss censorship and restrictions on filmmakers in China. He expanded his comments to include society.

 

"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not," Chan said. "I'm really confused now. If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic."

 

Chan added: "I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want."

 

I doubt he would be so successful if he was mainland Chinese and had been controlled .... You see a historical statement .. I see an unorganized rambling that did not address the topic he was invited to discuss ..

 

Of course he did not release his last film in mainland China for fear of censorship.....

[Sebastian]

whome? - yup - you've listed TV brands with 'better' quality control.

 

Did this shift to cars somehow? I wasn't paying attention - can we please not talk about the auto manufacturers? (I'll feel compelled to complain about Ford's South America Plant, if that's the case).

 

Just point out that USA has quality problems too ....

 

Yes those TV brands quality level is as good as any in the globe. So I still am confused about what Jackie said and the reason behind it especially since "discuss censorship and restrictions on filmmakers in China. He expanded his comments to include society."

 

Alright. I'll stand by my original posit - things made in China for local consumption have had less quality control than things produced in China for export.

 

Fortunately, this has been changing the last 18 months (I'm repeating myself here, do note, yes?) so that currently, is not as bad as it was 18 months ago.

 

The thing that is 'funny' to me - really, is that Mr. Chan is a Hong Kong Person, and said 'We chinese need to be controlled'. I feel he incensed his loyal HKG devotees, and it's been 'showing up' to be true in the hkg press and blogs the last 24 hours. As noted elsewhere, he has a history of NOT being vocal about hkg government issues..

 

I guess the other 'thing' that some might miss - is that there are many japanese-branded manufacturing facilities in China, with the product leaving china for export, under one of the various 'japanese' brands - which goes back to my comment about higher quality control for export goods.

 

Ford's SA manufacturing plant has a higher level of quality control than it's USA plants - and that was by design and specification. The cars they export to Europe are better made and have less problems than the USA cars (which were not designed for export, so an apples to apples comparison here is quite hard).

 

and that, was exactly what I meant for not trying to compare Ford's SA automotive plant to anything else - it's stellar, top notch, there is not another plant like it in the world - is impossible to make the comparisons.

Edited April 20, 2009 by Sebastian (see edit history)

[david_dawei]

I doubt he would be so successful if he was mainland Chinese and had been controlled ....

mainlander or not, his upbringing was probably harsher than most mainlanders.

[whome?]

whome? - yup - you've listed TV brands with 'better' quality control.

 

Did this shift to cars somehow? I wasn't paying attention - can we please not talk about the auto manufacturers? (I'll feel compelled to complain about Ford's South America Plant, if that's the case).

 

Just point out that USA has quality problems too ....

 

Yes those TV brands quality level is as good as any in the globe. So I still am confused about what Jackie said and the reason behind it especially since "discuss censorship and restrictions on filmmakers in China. He expanded his comments to include society."

 

Alright. I'll stand by my original posit - things made in China for local consumption have had less quality control than things produced in China for export.

 

Fortunately, this has been changing the last 18 months (I'm repeating myself here, do note, yes?) so that currently, is not as bad as it was 18 months ago.

 

The thing that is 'funny' to me - really, is that Mr. Chan is a Hong Kong Person, and said 'We chinese need to be controlled'. I feel he incensed his loyal HKG devotees, and it's been 'showing up' to be true in the hkg press and blogs the last 24 hours. As noted elsewhere, he has a history of NOT being vocal about hkg government issues..

 

I guess the other 'thing' that some might miss - is that there are many japanese-branded manufacturing facilities in China, with the product leaving china for export, under one of the various 'japanese' brands - which goes back to my comment about higher quality control for export goods.

 

Ford's SA manufacturing plant has a higher level of quality control than it's USA plants - and that was by design and specification. The cars they export to Europe are better made and have less problems than the USA cars (which were not designed for export, so an apples to apples comparison here is quite hard).

 

and that, was exactly what I meant for not trying to compare Ford's SA automotive plant to anything else - it's stellar, top notch, there is not another plant like it in the world - is impossible to make the comparisons.

 

I heard you the first time. I am aware that chinese quality was not always so great but in my opinion (as a manufacturing manager in China) it is not as bad today as some people like to say.

 

He did not say that only a chinese tv for domestic use would explode; he said chinese tvs explode. He made a comment that I am surprised the Chinese CEOs of those TV brands do not take some concern/disagreement with. I brought my Chinese TV in China so it was built for domestic usage .... it has not blown up yet.

 

So our own American carmakers made inferior cars for US market (compared to cars sold in Europe) and then wondered why US consumers brought Japanese cars. Interesting though off-topic.

[whome?]

I doubt he would be so successful if he was mainland Chinese and had been controlled ....

mainlander or not, his upbringing was probably harsher than most mainlanders.

 

so what control are talking about ... control of the people by the government or control by the parents. I did not see that he explained what he meant by control.

[Sebastian]

whome? - ya - lets see wot transpires in this upcoming week there in PRC - it might take a few days to get past the government press censors, but surely - someone's gonna write more about Mr. Chan's mention of Chinese-manufactured TVs, I'm guessing by Thursday?

[Sebastian]

I doubt he would be so successful if he was mainland Chinese and had been controlled ....

mainlander or not, his upbringing was probably harsher than most mainlanders.

 

Ya, I concur - he was at a Peking Opera school in HKG for a LONG time, and there were lots of beatings (his own words, in a tv interview about his life, done about 4 years ago).

[david_dawei]

I doubt he would be so successful if he was mainland Chinese and had been controlled ....

mainlander or not, his upbringing was probably harsher than most mainlanders.

 

so what control are talking about ... control of the people by the government or control by the parents. I did not see that he explained what he meant by control.

I think it's a complex comment by JC and an equally complex answer.. maybe not one I can really explain, although I feel the point of it.

 

He only made a comment about 'control' and 'freedom'; it's not as simple as saying, by the government or parents; one would have to add in; culture, history, relationships, medicine, philosophy, ethics, etc... I think he knew that and those that applauded.

 

To me, chinese culture is a web of all these factors which seek to direct people about all aspects of life. The idea of social harmony and balance is about all these aspects rolled up towards the goal.

 

A chinese once said to me, "chinese don't like change".. generalizations aside, I find that to be the essence of JCs comments.