Should I go to China ?

[vajraroshana]

I'm 'anglo-scotch-appalachian-redneck', and I've been invited to go to China by my aunt/uncle who are now working for the state department there...

Part of me wants to go, but the bigger part of me wants to say "wtf"?!! What the friggin' hell were they thinkin'?

They've invited me to come, *knowing* I've been a Tibetan rights' activist? What's up with that? Don't they know that China has abused rights all over the place; not just Tibetans, but all over the place? Don't they know that China has imprisoned a youngster, the Panchen Lama, and refuse to even admit his innocent imprisonment?!!!!

I love my aunt and uncle and would do nothing to place them in peril, but I want so much to tell them about the dire human rights abuses that are going on and that they are helping to support by their acceptance of their jobs. But I'm conflicted because it would be a great way to see China.

I'm in contact with them through email and would like to tell them my real reasons for not accepting their invitations (I've been told I just need to tell the Chinese consulates' my name and I'll get a swift clearance for my passport!!).

Should I go anyway? I really love China (not their government).

I've got a good opportunity to see the country without having to rely on "tourist" packages...

I want to go, but my conscience says NO...

It's probably a moot point anyway; I've been so active in Tibetan rights/ Dalai Lama issues and they are public.....I might not even be granted a Visa.

Then again?....

What do y'all think? (this would be next spring when I can go, so I have a long time to think about it).

[Mizmoon]

1. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance

and afterwards you can blab all about the human rights violations you saw with your own eyes.

My "favorite" Chinese atrocity in the last 50 years is imprisoning dissidents as psych patients and forcing shock and anti-psychotic drugs on them. Now THAT'S a dictatorship!

*edited for punctuation*

[vajraroshana]

4. That's what I'm thinking....

...deal with my conscience later....

Take this chance, while I've got it, and GO...

I don't have to save up really big bucks because, I've got a place...
I can just take off a couple of weeks and GO...

I'm really thinking I may do this...

I've never been out of the US, except for a day trip into Tijuana...

I'm thinking I may do this.

Of course I'm nervous, and a little scared... but I really want to see more of the world.

[Richard D]

2. Well . . .

I spent 4 months in China 20 years ago. It remains one of the great experiences of my life. You'll meet a lot of good people there. The Tibet issue is real. I don't buy stuff from China if I can help it. But the chance to actually be there is priceless. Like here, the people are not necessarily the government. I'd jump on the opportunity if I were you.

[WMliberal]

3. yes, my friend tara is having a blast in Beijing right now

How many more times will you have this chance again?
If your aunt/uncle work for the state dept. you will NOT be denied a visa. shit, you could get a license to deal drugs with an aunt and uncle in the foreign service!
Seriously, I'm jealous of your opportunity.

[vajraroshana]

5. you know what,... I think I may go

Of course I have the whole winter to think it over...

But I'm thinking that I may really go....

[K rock]

6. My bro was just there.

He and his wife went with Penn State. I was soooo jealous when I looked at the pictures. The big cities are pretty polluted, but beautiful also. Just being in a totally different culture makes the risk worth it. My brother said it was totally safe, and the people are very friendly to Americans.

[vajraroshana]

7. that's what I heard also...

totally polluted big cities, but you don't have to be worried about getting mugged... unlike some other big cities in other countries...I'm not worried about that part....

Beijing was just issued a pollution alert. It didn't make the mainstream news though.

[DrWeird]

8. Go, dammit.

You're in the United States even though we've done pretty much the same thing to Iraq that China did to Tibet.

[vajraroshana]

9. I think I may just do it....

and thanks to all the DU'ers that have encouraged me...

I think I may be going to China this spring (it'll take me that long to arrange it)

I really, really want to see China; even though I oppose so much of their government...

I think I'm going to take this chance and see it first hand....

Got a lot of prep to do!!

[Pert_UK]

10. I was in China from Feb to May last year.......

It's certainly worth visiting if you can, especially if you get the chance (like I did) to do it with local contacts and outside the normal tourist environments.

Although I loathe and despise the Chinese government and its attitude to Human Rights, the people of China can be welcoming, intelligent, and all too aware of the corruption and appalling behaviour of their own government - just don't expect them to be too vocal about it.

Of course, you'll also meet people with no idea that their TV and newspapers are totally government controlled and who will claim that Tianneman Square never happened (it's a Western lie apparently)...but you can ignore them and get to see more of the country and its culture.

China is stupendously huge and incredibly diverse - don't boycott the country simply because you disagree with the government; a lot of Chinese people do too!

Whereabouts would you be going?

[wickerwoman]

11. Absolutely.

I live in Shanghai now, feel free to drop by. :-)

Worst case scenario is you'll have a more informed critique with the weight of personal experience to throw behind your arguments.

The best case scenario is indescribably great.

[theoceansnerves]

12. just go.

for the reasons already stated- the chinese people aren't necessarily representative of their government.

[Gore1FL]

13. Only Nixon can go to China

n/t