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The O-China Dialogues

November 16, 2009 5:38 PM

Some conversations from the Shanghai town meeting.

Tapper: So what did you think of the town hall meeting?

Male Student 1: That’s a great speech. It touches upon almost all important aspects of China-US relationship and, you know, issues around the globe.”

Tapper: It seemed to be that the students didn’t really ask any tough questions though, it seemed like the questions were very flattering.

Male Student 1: Well I think you have to understand this phenomenon from the cultural aspects because Chinese people are generally speaking very friendly. And well they are very humble so basically you know they want to pay their compliments to the President and its also because you know Chinese students they want to know more about the things about their life.

Tapper: What did you think about when President Obama was asked about the internet and the fact that the Chinese government doesn’t let Chinese people use some of the social networks like Facebook and Twitter – what did you think of President Obama’s answer that the more communication and technology – the more openness– the stronger society is?

Male Student 1: I think he, he made it very clear that the US position, the American citizens situation.

Tapper: Do you agree with it, should China be more open about that sort of thing?

Male Student 1: Ah, that’s ah – well we have to you know deal with it from different positions. Because we – it’s – every government has its own reasons to do ..

Tapper: That’s OK, man, I don’t want to get you in trouble.

Male Student 1: (laughs)

**

Tapper: So what did you think?

Male Student 2: The speech firstly is very good. Okay. And what I want to speak is that he is very smart. He is very smart man and very kind man. And so I think this speech is very smooth – so we can talk freely with him. This is a good chance for Chinese student because maybe in China we not have many chance to speak with high level government leader.

Tapper: What did you think when he said it makes a country stronger for there to  be more openness with the internet, did you agree with that?

Male Student 2: I agree with that but like Obama said every country has different, different trend and different. That’s different. So I think China maybe has its own way to this free internet.

**

Tapper: What do you think of President Obama?

Female Student: Well I think quite charming, powerful and energetic, passionate. Just like what we have. That’s what I found. Maybe he is a little nervous today.

Tapper: He’s a little nervous today?

Female Student: Yeah, because I hoped he can give a more excellent speech.

Tapper: you wanted a better speech

Female Student: I want to say – I want he ask more questions and maybe give most excellent answers

Tapper: So you liked it but you wanted more?

Female Student: Yeah, I think the answers to the questions –to more --  I think he could give us more time to ask questions. Actually I have prepared but I have no answers.

Tapper: What was your question?

Female Student: I just because he has just  emphasized importance of the communication between our young generations. So just want to know what specific he have in the future to house this kind of communication.

**

Government Official: You have to stop.

Tapper: We can’t talk to anymore students?

Government Official: Um…Sorry.

Tapper: Why?

Government Official: No why. Just my boss told us to stop you….I didn’t try to interrupt you. So.

Tapper: I know but why – I want to talk to the students, I can’t interview any of the students?

Government Official: You can talk but don’t stop to interview.

Tapper: I can talk but not interview. Why not?

Government Official: Okay.

Tapper: Who are you with, are you with the government?

Government Official: Yeah, yeah. Foreign Affairs office.

Tapper: Foreign Affairs Office, and we’re not allowed to talk to the students? Why not?

Government Official: Just stop here okay.

Tapper But why cant we talk to them?

Government Official: If you want to talk – time to go. Finished.

-jpt

November 16, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (4)

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Of course the questions were flattering. He is a guest.

------------------------------

If the press won't ask the difficult questions, why expect an audience of of students to carry the load?

Posted by: Terry | Nov 17, 2009 12:33:49 AM

Of course the questions were flattering. He is a guest.

Posted by: Terry | Nov 17, 2009 12:28:55 AM

ABC, I challenge you to broadcast my comment here!! my english might not be perfect. Pls bear with me.

First of all, I am very disappointed in ABC's tone in reporting President's trip in China. And some of the reportings are outright false! for example, you said in china, one can't find clips about the town-hall meeting with students. However, I did find a line-line description of the meeting, a few clips. Even you guys didn't post a video of the WHOLE meeting on internet, did you? Additionaly you guys always finish your China reporting on the negative incedents--arrest of the dissidents, restriction of internet access, or restriction of media access, etc. No wonder the Chinese goverment want to block you! because you are not being fair and balanced!

Please! Americans always think they have freedom of speech, or freedom of action,i.e. they can do or say whatever they want. you guys are content with this that you have lost in your own fantacy. I want to ask you a few questions here for you to ponder:

Does anyone in America dare to openly make any anti-gay, anti-Jews, or pro-communism statement even some are in their heart? you can say bad things about your government, but do you dare to argue/fight with your own boss?

Americans need to understand every polical systems has its drawbacks. Were elected official automaticly better ones? Seriously, can you tell me of how many Presidents you are really proud right now? maybe not even a handful! You are pround of Lincoln, right? Why would he delare war on the South? Could he not leave it alone at its own will to be independent? How many soldiers from both the south and north died in the Civil War? Did anyone call him evil? Why do Americans call our great Leader, Mao ze-dong, evil and blood-thirsty? isn't that double standards?

Freedom has its pros and cons. Look arond us, all the mass killing, campus shooting, sex predators...the news is endless. What is causing all these? One of the reasons is that parents let the kids run their free will. they don't want to or have the time to descipline and guide their kids to the proper growing path.

Another phenomenon--so many americans are advocating for human rights. It's ideal. It's not wrong. but has anyone thought about why the US justice and probation system are failing? why is the over-population in prison and people outside are whining about the high health cost while inmates are still wanting more? In the anthony sowell case, Why did the system ignore all the victims' human rights and were protecting sowell's human right? I find it ironic!

An old Chinese proverb: no square or circle can be formed without rulers or compass. American friends, you need to think about it and then you might start to understand what the chinese goverment is doing. I, as a chinese living in the US, didn't feel oppression growing up in China at all. After all, we need lawns, not weeds, don't we? in china, or in America!

I urge ABC to learn from President Obama. he wants to engage, not readily criticize china. even when he is saying that china is falling short of doing something in American standards, he doesn't take a negative tone. he looks forward; he looks for coopration. That's why a lot of chinese hold positive view toward Obama.

Posted by: Karen | Nov 17, 2009 12:02:10 AM

*groan*

Worse than the NY Post

Posted by: Ryan C | Nov 16, 2009 6:15:45 PM

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