New Ambassador to China

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

The topic is the ambassador, not religion.

And getting back to the ambassador. The family business http://www.huntsman.com/china/ has a large presence in China so he's familiar with the business climate as well.

 

I don't think it would be a fun job at all. If you think about it, anyone with that job will be constantly stuck in the middle attempting to clarify the intentions and culture between two countries that couldn't be more different.

But couldn't that be said of many ambassadors around the world? And this is one reason why I think his background will be an asset. I mean somebody's got to do it right? Why not somebody who at least has some knowledge of the country and the region?

 

Let's face it, that job would be a huge challenge for anybody in this day and age. There's no guarantee he'll succeed just as there wouldn't be for anybody else. But I think he has a better chance of hitting the ground running than a lot of others would've had.

 

Yes, of course that can not only be said, but it's an absolute prerequisite. It would be a difficult challenge to be an ambassador in a country where many Americans consider to be a poor model to its people. It remains to be seen, whether this new appointee has the metal to walk the thin narrow line of working right smack in the middle of our two countries, at one of the most critical periods in the history of the world. On the surface, his resume is quite impressive, but it will take time to review what sort of history he has when it comes to bridging gaps and overcoming differences.

[warpedbored]

First of all, most know that I'm probably the least religious person here so I didn't include the missionary part of his resume to boost his creds. Personally I think missionaries of all religions have done more harm than good in most of the places they've invaded. But that's a different discussion.

 

Your statement is actually not a discussion at all, but rather an attack upon people of faith, who wish to bring hope, help, and a better life to remote regions of the world. It seems you strongly disagree with the message they bring along with it.

Bullshit, it was an oppinon, nothing more. One I happen to share but I don't feel I am attacking anyone by saying so.

[chilton747]

First of all, most know that I'm probably the least religious person here so I didn't include the missionary part of his resume to boost his creds. Personally I think missionaries of all religions have done more harm than good in most of the places they've invaded. But that's a different discussion.

 

Your statement is actually not a discussion at all, but rather an attack upon people of faith, who wish to bring hope, help, and a better life to remote regions of the world. It seems you strongly disagree with the message they bring along with it.

Bullshit, it was an oppinon, nothing more. One I happen to share but I don't feel I am attacking anyone by saying so.

 

Carl, the topic has changed back to ambassador and away from religion.

[chilton747]

The topic is the ambassador, not religion.

[2mike&jin]

It would appear that President Obama is looking to appoint the Republican Governor of Utah as the ambassador to China.

 

I heard about this on the way home, and the news blurb seemed to imply that it made sense, since he is fluent in Mandarin from when he did his missionary work in China.

 

Google news agregation

 

What say you guys?

 

Appears to be a good choice from among those that were available for the job. His qualifications....

 

1. Speaks mandarin - lived 2 years in Taiwan.

2. Previously Ambassador to Singapore - I think they speak Mandarin, albeit some form of Minnan Hua.

3. Has an affinity for Chinese, and has an adopted daughter that is now Chinese American.

4. Has deep rooted family values.

5. Has been vetted - repeatedly for Governor, Positions within his party, and for previous Foreign Service Positions.

6. His acceptance of the nomination...proved to me, he knows a little Chinese....Hu Xiang Bang Mang ...Hu Xiang Xue Xi....a Chinese Idiom that protends his position as a facilitator, however difficult - and sent a strong message to the Chinese!

7. Color me crazy....I think a perfect fit and someone who will represent our Nation at a difficult time.

 

PS. Ate dinner in SLC, last night (during my whirlwind trip to Tulsa etc) and the ladies at the Chinese Resturant (Hong Kong Tea & Eat...Shang Kong Wu Cha) couldn't say enough good about he and his family. Seems he used to come all the time...but he hasn't been there for awhile...they imagined that the security people found it too hard based on their location and that he has gotten very very popular as of late.

Edited May 18, 2009 by 2mike&jin (see edit history)

[warpedbored]

The topic is the ambassador, not religion.

Gentlemen I stand corrected.

[rogerinca]

I'm sorry that you feel some religions aren't a historical farce. For those who are from the area where a certain religion was formed and are familiar with the real history (not to mention NY State felony conviction records), the truth has not been muddled with marketing.

Like I said earlier, I'm related to Brigham. The primary issue, however, is the guidelines prohibit badmouthing religions; if not, it could be added very easily.

 

Although I'm agnostic or atheist, I do respect those who profess their religion and adhere to its principles. A Mormon principle is to take care of your self, your family and other members - kinda like Chinese. If more people followed their principle of self-reliance this country would be in a much better place.

 

I'm old enough to recall that Jack Kennedy wasn't a suitable candidate because he was a Catholic and the Pope would actually run the country.

 

It doesn't matter what religion the ambassador is. Let's just hope he has a moral compass.

 

 

Don, I agree with you 100%.

 

In fact, I was going to use the Jack Kennedy cite, as an example, but figured most here are too young to recall all that was in the media at that time in 1959/60/61, so it would not resonate.

[Guest Pommey]

i think its a clever choice both domestically and internationaly

[knloregon]

The current US Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, is hardly chopped liver.

 

Clark Randt Jr. is the US's longest serving Ambassador to PRC, and is also fluent in Mandarin. As a corporate lawyer specializing in Chinese law, he lived 18 year in HK, and on different assignments, several in Beijing as well. He was also the first VP of the American Chamber of Commerce in HK, and has traveled to China for more than 30 years.

 

Meanwhile, on this side of the Pacific, PRC's Ambassador to the US, Zhou Wenzhong, has, perhaps, an even more impressive resume. As one might expect from the Chinese, their representatives must have not only an interest, but an education in the West. Mr. Zhou is rather old school, receiving an undergraduate degree from Bath University in England, and then on to the London School of Economics for an advanced degree. Apparently, in PRC, the role of Ambassador is a move up through their equivalent of the State Department-----not a political appointment. He has learned the ropes on assignments around the world, including the Consulate in San Francisco.

 

Fei and I have had correspondence with Ambassador Zhou, related to his visit to Portland, a couple of years ago, where the liberal City Government allowed him and his wife to be publicly embarrassed by Tibetan militant protesters----we apologized, and his response was quite gracious, as one expects from world class Ambassadors.

 

Previous posts----ShaQuaNew's point about the Chinese Exclusion act seems entirely appropriate to me---Why not a Chinese American? And does everyone here really think the effects of those acts (1880's and 1920's) ---are gone now? isn't that a large part of what the Candle is all about? Does anyone here really doubt that the hoops we jump through are the same as say, Mexican? (ie.: none),

 

Jin: Westerners stealing babies? I'm not shocked, and have heard that before, but what is your solution? Should all those girl orphans just be left in the orphanage? Shouldn't they have a chance to have a normal childhood and family? ---and Jin---I would ask you: If Chinese believe that Westerners have no right to these girls-----why don't they step up?? Why don't they adopt the daughters of China??

 

Do you really think----as a matter of national pride---its better to let the girls rot in orphanages so that China doesn't lose face to those in the West who will solve this problem? ....But---having said that, I do know that many more Chinese are stepping up to adopt Chinese orphans, and its a very good trend.

 

Another question Jin. isn't it also good that this man is teaching his adopted Chinese daughter----Chinese?? Doesn't that give her the ability to continue on as part of the Red Thread of China? ---

[IllinoisDave]

ShaQuaNew's point about the Chinese Exclusion act seems entirely appropriate to me---Why not a Chinese American?

No one here said it shouldn't be a Chinese-American. Nice straw though. The point was that suggesting it wasn't a Chinese-American because of a 127 year-old law that was repealed in 1943 is, on it's face, a ridicuous suggestion. Just as it would be ridiculous to suggest that it wasn't a Japanese-American because of Pearl Harbor, or an African American because of The Fugitive Slave Act.

 

But then I'm confident anyone posting that suggestion knows that and only did it to take a cheap political shot.

[Smitty]

After reading some of the childish comments, I'm sorry I started this thread.

 

I started this thread to discuss the new Ambassador to China. Not the Mormon Church. Not preexisting policies.

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

After reading some of the childish comments, I'm sorry I started this thread.

 

I started this thread to discuss the new Ambassador to China. Not the Mormon Church. Not preexisting policies.

The problem, Smitty, is we seem to have some folks who react to finding a dried up dog turd in the yard by putting some water on it and stirring it with a stick to make it stink. They only read posts to find something they can pick at and generate an argument.

 

Isn't that being a troll?

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/33xk5r6.jpg

 

A rather appetizing metaphor.....

 

 

It must be mighty fun to just pop in, looking like a troll, carrying a stick and stirring up dried dog turds...

[samsong]

After reading some of the childish comments, I'm sorry I started this thread.

 

I started this thread to discuss the new Ambassador to China. Not the Mormon Church. Not preexisting policies.

The problem, Smitty, is we seem to have some folks who react to finding a dried up dog turd in the yard by putting some water on it and stirring it with a stick to make it stink. They only read posts to find something they can pick at and generate an argument.

 

Isn't that being a troll?

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/33xk5r6.jpg

 

A rather appetizing metaphor.....

 

 

It must be mighty fun to just pop in, looking like a troll, carrying a stick and stirring up dried dog turds...

A good example of "trollism"! Thank you.

[knloregon]

I'd like to not let this subject die on such a negative note--- The Ambassador to China should be a fundamentally important subject to the Candle membership.

 

Illinois Dave---the point I made was that PRC grooms its Ambassador to the US through a lengthy process similar to a US State Department career, while the US still considers it a political appointment. The up side is that apparently, the US now (finally) understands that an Ambassador to China must speak Mandarin, to in some way, be equal to his Chinese counterpart---its the Chinese expectation---that their Ambassador be culturally, and linguistically comfortable with US culture.

 

And since few (here) would dispute that we are in an ever increasing competition with PRC, why not offer an ABC, or Naturalized Chinese as the American face to China? Seems perfectly reasonable to me, as America the Melting Pot----except that of course, we all know----from our own personal experience that Chinese.....are still excluded, in that they don't have equal rights with other immigrants to come to America.

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

I'd like to not let this subject die on such a negative note--- The Ambassador to China should be a fundamentally important subject to the Candle membership.

 

Illinois Dave---the point I made was that PRC grooms its Ambassador to the US through a lengthy process similar to a US State Department career, while the US still considers it a political appointment. The up side is that apparently, the US now (finally) understands that an Ambassador to China must speak Mandarin, to in some way, be equal to his Chinese counterpart---its the Chinese expectation---that their Ambassador be culturally, and linguistically comfortable with US culture.

 

And since few (here) would dispute that we are in an ever increasing competition with PRC, why not offer an ABC, or Naturalized Chinese as the American face to China? Seems perfectly reasonable to me, as America the Melting Pot----except that of course, we all know----from our own personal experience that Chinese.....are still excluded, in that they don't have equal rights with other immigrants to come to America.

 

I agree with you. Seems like a perfect opportunity to put a Chinese face in the Washington spotlight. It would be an excellent opportunity for the Chinese people to become better understood.