How do Pakistanis feel about China (merged)

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
61

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

I saw a news about many Indians learning Chinese, and Chinese interested in India.

More than 50 students study at the Centre for India studies at Beijing University, the only full-fledged Indian language department at a Chinese university.

Other than Sanskrit, Hindi and Bengali, courses in Indian religions, culture and history are also taught here. In recent years, the Centre has seen a sharp rise in interest amongst students.

"Five or ten year ago people in China knew nothing about India and only focused on western countries like Japan, America and Europe.

“Then I don’t know what happened but it was like people woke up having discovered India. They knew that it is a big country with a strong economy and business,” said Professor Jiang Jingkui, Vice Director, Centre for India Studies.

Improving ties

Improving bilateral ties and growing economic linkages are persuading a growing number of students to study Hindi.

“My parents thought if I learn Hindi my future will be a bright,” said Wang Feng, second year student, Center for India Studies.

“I want to work for a Chinese company in India,” said Li Jian, fourth year student. But the average Chinese still knows next to nothing about his southern neighbour.

"The average Chinese knows very little about India. For example, if you ask an ordinary Chinese what India’s national religion is, they would probably say Buddhism.

“They don’t know anything about Hinduism,” said Professor Guo Tong, Hindi Professor, Centre for India Studies.

NDTV spoke to Shanti Di Yi Feng, a second year student at the Centre.

NDTV: Did you know anything about Hinduism?
Feng: No. Before coming here I didn’t know what Hinduism was.

The Centre is jointly funded by the Chinese Ministry for Education and the Indian government which provides Rs 10 lakh to the department every year for a period of five years.

Cross-cultural links

Professors from India are also invited to come and teach for a semester or two. Cultural differences though make it tough to teach Hindi to Chinese students.

“There is no such thing as a coolie here, so I have to explain to them what a coolie is,” said Professor Ravi Ranjan, Visiting Professor, Centre for India Studies.

NDTV: Is Hindi tougher than English?
Jian: Yes.
NDTV: Why?
Jian: [Because of] tense[s].

After struggling for four years to master the language, many students are disappointed that English is often the preferred language of business in India.

"India is to be found in Indian languages, not English. The Mahabharata, Ramayana, Rig Veda and so on can’t be found in English, but in Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil and Bengali.

“If Indians only pay attention to English it will be a big challenge for your culture,” said Professor Jingkui.

If interest in the Centre is any indication, many students believe that learning Hindi will help them in their future careers.

The Center has seen demand for its courses double in the last couple of years and next year, it plans to offer up to 150 seats for certain courses.

http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Interest+in+Hindi+at+Beijing+University&id=95547&category=National

62

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

I misread something you wrote then. Never mind.

63

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

We love China. :k:

64

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

Best neighbour Pakistan could ask for( China). By the way, recently, Pakistan and India have been pretty friendly, so I hope one day the three of us can be a force to be reckoned with. :D

65

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

How much in this article is true, cyberana

Indian soft power sways China

Venkatesan Vembu
Saturday, November 11, 2006 22:11 IST

From films to food to fashion, Indianness is gradually acquiring brand equity

HONG KONG: “You Indian?” asked the old man in Beijing, who had only minutes earlier invited me — a passing stranger — into his courtyard home to give me shelter from the rain. “I know Indian song.”

Here it comes, I told myself: given his age, I figured I was in for yet another rendition of the title number from Awara, an old — and abiding — favourite among the Chinese for unfathomable reasons. If you’re an Indian in China, sooner or later someone, typically over age 60, wants to croon “Awa-la hu” to do their bit for “Zhongua-Indu pangyau” (China-Indian friendship).

But this time I was in for a surprise. The gloriously wrinkled old man, who must have been 70 if a day, swayed his septuagenarian hips and belted out a pulsating disco tune from Kal Ho Na Ho. “I’ve seen the movie three times,” he said, grinning toothlessly.

That Bollywood ‘soft power’ is winning hearts and minds in China isn’t really a surprise: after all, it’s hugely popular all over the world. But today, India is gaining visibility in China across the entire cultural spectrum. From films to food to fashion, Indianness is gradually acquiring brand equity in China.

“In China, there’s a heightened interest in all things Indian,” says NIIT (China) president Prakash Menon, one of the ‘old China hands’ in Shanghai. “Today, if you go to an Indian restaurant in Beijing or Shanghai — and even in Tier 2 cities — at least a third of the customers will be Chinese people. And if you go to a club or a discotheque, you’ll hear AR Rahman for sure.”

Sensing a growing market for Indian culture, Anita Garg and Jyoti Ramesh, who run Jade Group International, an event management firm in Hong Kong, plan to take more events to Shanghai and Shenzhen.

One Indian who has profited hugely by promoting Brand India is Munuswamy ‘Antony’ Gnanavelu, who runs a $70 million food empire in China, including 22 franchises of the Indian Kitchen chain of restaurants. “I want Chinese people to get addicted to the curry,” says Antony. “And then I want to promote Indian cuisine all over the world.”

MH Pastakia, who owns Taj Pavilion, an Indian-cuisine restaurant in Beijing’s business district, says that Chinese food preferences, like those of Indians’, is deep-seated. Which is why he considers it his crowning glory that in 2004 the Taj Pavilion was adjudged Beijing’s best by readers of a city magazine.

Indian fashion designers too are gaining a foothold in China. A while ago, Ritu Beri presented her designs in Beijing, and Menon recalls that it had a huge impact. “You couldn’t go to a high-end party in Shanghai without seeing her label,” he says.

In 2004, Koshish Ek Aasha, a popular 24-episode TV serial produced by Balaji Telefilms, debuted in China, courtesy of Shanxi TV station and Beijing Nuerhong advertising company. The soap-operatic tale of a marriage that goes horribly wrong when the protagonist realises on her wedding night that husband has a mental illness proved uncharacteristically popular.

Tragic as the new-bride’s experience is, it also means that “Indian culture” in China today stands for much more than just infinite renditions of “Awa-la hu”. For that, I give many thanks. And not just on rainy evenings in Beijing.

66

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

^^ Man, how desperately these indians [on this board and otherwise] wanna jump onto the friends-with-China bandwagon :hehe: Shabaash, charhtay sooraj ki puja karna is the way it goes :slight_smile:

67

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

Indians hate china in real life, but they put on a fake cover. They are also under the finger of america and cannot be trusted entirely by anyone in that region...

68

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

China and Pakistan share a glorious history of civilizational contact which spans through aboriginal to ashraf rule. The Chinese are an honest and truth seeking people, infact I know several Chinese that have converted to Islam. This demonstrates that the Chinese, who are a fair minded people, are open to debate and dialogue. As Confucius say 'The superior man is firm in the right way, and not merely firm'.

The Chinese assist Pakistan in many ways including economical and militarily. Economic development in Gwadar, which is set to be the next Dubai, is being constructed with Chinese assistance at a rapid rate. Militarily, the Chinese have assisted us in unnumerable ways, which we Pakistanis could spend a life time bestwoing a multitude of thanks on the great Chinese people and still would not be able to express our gratitude, to help defend ourselves against the devious and imperial land grabbing pagan hindus of India. Infact, this is another thing we two peoples share in common, the pagan hindus of India have initiated wars and stolen land from both China and Pakistan. After all is said and done, I wish that we Pakistanis could give something in return to the great Chinese people, but seeing as we are a humble people with not alot of material wealth the only thing we can offer, which is probably the greatest wealth of all, is Islam, the one true faith.

Cyberena, I can tell by the way you write that you are an intelligent and tolerant individual, a person who should be respected by any decent person, which is a reflection of the Chinese people as a whole. Cyberena, what do you perceive is the great Chinese peoples' view of Islam, and do you think that the Chinese would adopt this as their faith? Have you ever read about Islam? If you are interested, which I'm sure you are, we at this forum can help you learn about Islam, the one true faith, which would be our humble way of paying back the Chinese people for all their assistance. Maybe you will revert(long story) to Islam, and maybe bring your family and other Chinese people into the fold once you see the greatness that is Islam! I hope to hear your response soon.

69

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

My opinion? Most Chinese are very pragamatic when it comes to India. In Shanghai, I did occasionally see Bollywood movies on TV, all of course in Chinese:D . I think this article exaggrerate the Indian culture influence a little bit in China. The Chinese do not mix their opinion of Indian people and Indian government together. In other words, the Chinese in general have positive opinion of Indian culture and people. But, yea, if India open up more, I won't be surprise that the Chinese start to learn about Indian culture and business environment. Like I said before, the Chinese are very pragamatic, they don't let politics stay in their way. This applies even to their attitude to the Japanese. That's why the Chinese don't restrict the Indians from investing in China.

I think a lot of Chinese will be very surprise that some Indians hate them.

But I am glad this author see that the Chinese can accept the Indian culture.

70

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

Thanks for your praise for my people. I am kind of tired of so many bashings of China from from other people. It is kind of refreshing to hear something positive.
First of all, I like to make this very clear. The Chinese government DOES NOT persecute any faith. Of course, a lot of people will disagree with me on this. The Chinese government tolerate religions to a a degree most people dont recognize. And the Chinese in general are very tolerant of religion, because this is not their piority. You probably will see some Chinese kids bashing Christians or Muslims, but the Chinese people don't kill or rape them.

I live in Saudi Arabia for quite sometime, so I not quite against Muslims as many Americans. I think the Chinese in general don't really know Islamic culture that well. To them, Islam is a very distant thing. They are probably more familar with Christianity. Honestly, I don't see Islam has that much attraction to the Chinese people because the Chinese culture are very secular right now. This might change as more Chinese are thirsty for faith.

Frankly speaking, the average Chinese probably don't even know the China-India-Pakistan relationship that well. So you might come cross with Chinese don't know what they are talking about on the internet.

71

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?category=National&slug=India%3A+As+perceived+on+streets+of+China&id=96378

Ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to India, NDTV tried to get a sense of how the man on the street in China feels about India.

After the 1962 border war, information about India in China was tough to come by. What little was known here came from a handful of Hindi films like Awara and a few media reports on natural disasters.

Religion, earthquakes and Bollywood have been the usual clichés that most Chinese have for long associated India with.

Chinese perception

The very first person who spoke to NDTV gave a startling response when asked about the average Chinese man’s perception of India.

“I’ve heard that your telecommunications market is very good. That its no longer controlled by the government and so now there is a lot of market competition, which has made mobile phone rates some of the most competitive in the world,” he said.

Most people simply broke into a song. Even after fifty years Raj Kapoor really seems to have colonised Chinese hearts.

Buddhism came to China from India and even today it is Buddhism that most Chinese think of when asked what they know about India.

“I know that in India Buddhism is very developed and most people there are Buddhist,” said a local.

When told that Buddhism only exists in pockets in India, many Chinese expressed shock. It is obvious that there is a major lack of awareness despite the two countries being neighbours.

Politics aside

Almost no one had any idea that Hu Jintao would be visiting India in late November.

NDTV: Do you know Hu will be visiting?

Local: Only because you just told us!

But despite this lack of information, India’s software industry does seem to have made a name for itself.

“The software industry in India has developed very fast. It maybe on the same level as European and American countries,” said a student.

Economics aside, when it comes to politics no one amongst the younger generation seemed to have any idea about the 1962 war.

“I know about the China-Vietnam war but not about India-China war. Maybe at that time we felt India was too close to England and maybe we didn’t like that. That must have been the reason for any war,” said a local.

“The war was a historical problem to do with Tibet. That time we were not very confident of our hold over Tibet but that’s no longer a problem,” said a local.

For the average Chinese person, India is seen simply as a friend. “China and India are very friendly and can have a very beautiful future,” said a local.

Hu Jintao’s visit to India will be the first by a Chinese President in a decade and one step forward, perhaps towards that beautiful future that the young Chinese hope for.

72

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

I wonder how the Indians on the street feel about China?

73

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

Most Indians have similar feelings for China (as Chinese about India). Educated Indians are stunned by China’s growth. IT folks are worried that India’s dominance in IT outsourcing would go away with China improving their English skills. Many are worried about cheap Chinese good flooding Indian markets.

74

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

Yea, the Indian IT companies have been hiring tens of thousands of engineerers in China. But that's because China allow Indian companies to invest in China. That's why I think the Indian government is just hurting India by restricting Chinese companies to invest in India.

75

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

India is afraid of the growing Chinese influence in the region. India is completley surrounded by China. Pakistan which is under Chinese influence, Nepal Maoists supported by China, Myanmar dictator is under Chinese influence.

There was talk of talk of ‘Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai’ and everyone thought India and China were friends. Then China attacked in 1962 and India was caught off guard. So there is still a mistrust and a feeling that China may attack India any time.

There is a border dispute between India and China. (Arunachal Pradesh in North East). China doesnt like India having all Tibetan refugees and giving refugee status to Dalai Lama.

But ordinary Indians admire China want to emulate China, learn from Chinese love their hardworking ethic, family values, Chinese food, Chinese tea, Chinese philosophy, Tai Chi, Chinese Architecture etc.

76

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

China is Pakistan's friend. But Chineese are not Pakistanis friends. Go to abroad and see.

MAIN KYA KARUNNN?? :((((((((((((((((((((((
77

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

In US you will find lot of Indians and Chinese together especially in the high tech country. Californinia’s Silicon Valley is called IC country (Indian Chinese).

Even in schools , Indians and Chinese stick together. Mainly because there are separate classes for Gifted and Talented kids and most of these classes are dominated by Indians and Chinese. Go to any Spelling Bee, Math Bee, Geography Bee, Chess competition you will find Indians and Chinese together. Same is the situation in Universities where most of the Graduate and Phd students are Indians and Chinese. Professors are also I & C.

78

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

Have you actually witnessed this or are you just assuming? And btw this IC country thing you say of, i wasn able to find any sources on silsicon valley being called "IC country", and these "gifted and talented classes", i think your talking about AP courses, and no your wrong, most of these classes are still dominated by whites, and no most of the professors in unviversties are not Indian and chinese, most are still white. please dont go around making up crap and facts for which you have absolutely no information on, and dont make biased assumptions too denada created by the hindu propaganda machine.

79

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

And with India having more then 1,000,000,000 people, they better well produce at least a few educated people!

80

Re: How do Pakistanis feel about China

China is a time-tested friend of Pakistan. That is what I believe, personally.