Customer Reviews

Jan Wong's China : Reports from a Not-So-Foreign Correspondent

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The book reflects the opinion of China and Chinese people
in the eyes a Canadian reporter (although she has Chinese
breed, she grows up in Canada and received the western
education) The facts are mostly objective. As Chinese, I
experienced and heard many ugly things similar to what
happens in this book in China, although I did not have
opportunities to complain there. In contrast to what the
other reviewer says, the author does not hide the
accomplishment in the current China in the book. Of course,
she also indicates many social problems, which the Chinese
government can not avoid. As a Chinese reader, I
think the author overemphasize the democratic movements
and homosexual phenomena, to which not much attention is
paid by common Chinese people. But as a western reporter,
it is totally understandable. Moreover, the report on Tibet
is also unbiased in that the author acknowledge the
contribution by Chinese government to improve the living
standard there.

Well, if the reader wants to read something that fits
the Chinese official specification for media: 90% for
sheer acclaiming, 10% for superficial muckraking, please
do not read this book but subscribe a English version
of "China Daily" or "People's Daily", the sound of Chinese
authority, directly. Otherwise, Jan's book is well worth
reading.

Not as good as RCB, but intriguing none-the-less. As a foriegner living in China, one of the hardest thngs to do is blend in & really get to know Chinese people (Chinese like to put their best foot forward w/ foriegners). Jan Wong has the advantages of not only blending in, but also approaching China with a critical, Western mindset. This is a great anecdotal book, one that is very revealing about China's present, from someone who has been through significant parts of its past. If you want to know about modern day China, pick this up.

The book reflects the opinion of China and Chinese people
in the eyes a Canadian reporter (although she has Chinese
breed, she grows up in Canada and received the western
education) The facts are mostly objective. As Chinese, I
experienced and heard many ugly things similar to what
happens in this book in China, although I did not have
opportunities to complain there. In contrast to what the
other reviewer says, the author does not hide the
accomplishment in the current China in the book. Of course,
she also indicates many social problems, which the Chinese
government can not avoid. As a Chinese reader, I
think the author overemphasize the democratic movements
and homosexual phenomena, to which not much attention is
paid by common Chinese people. But as a western reporter,
it is totally understandable. Moreover, the report on Tibet
is also unbiased in that the author acknowledge the
contribution by Chinese government to improve the living
standard there.

Well, if the reader wants to read something that fits
the Chinese official specification for media: 90% for
sheer acclaiming, 10% for superficial muckraking, please
do not read this book but subscribe a English version
of "China Daily" or "People's Daily", the sound of Chinese
authority, directly. Otherwise, Jan's book is well worth
reading.

The other reviewer suggest people who want to know China better
to go to China for it, I bet they will well share the feeling
of the author there, if they have opportunities to know
sufficient facts. I even doubt whether the other reviewer has
experience in the civilizations out of China.

The book reflects the opinion of China and Chinese people
in the eyes a Canadian reporter (although she has Chinese
breed, she grows up in Canada and received the western
education) The facts are mostly objective. As Chinese, I
experienced and heard many ugly things similar to what
happens in this book in China, although I did not have
opportunities to complain there. In contrast to what the
other reviewer says, the author does not hide the
accomplishment in the current China in the book. Of course,
she also indicates many social problems, which the Chinese
government can not avoid. As a Chinese reader, I
think the author overemphasize the democratic movements
and homosexual phenomena, to which not much attention is
paid by common Chinese people. But as a western reporter,
it is totally understandable. Moreover, the report on Tibet
is also unbiased in that the author acknowledge the
contribution by Chinese government to improve the living
standard there.

Well, if the reader wants to read something that fits
the Chinese official specification for media: 90% for
sheer acclaiming, 10% for superficial muckraking, please
do not read this book but subscribe a English version
of "China Daily" or "People's Daily", the sound of Chinese
authority, directly. Otherwise, Jan's book is well worth
reading.

The other reviewer suggest people who want to know China better
to go to China for it, I bet they will well share the feeling
of the author there, if they have opportunities to know
sufficient facts.

The book reflects the opinion of China and Chinese people
in the eyes a Canadian reporter (although she has Chinese
breed, she grows up in Canada and received the western
education) The facts are mostly objective. As Chinese, I
experienced and heard many ugly things similar to what
happen in this book in China, although I did not have
opportunities to complain there. In contrast to what the
other reviewer says, the author does not hide the new
economic accomplishment in China in the past decade in
the book. Of course, she also indicates many social
problems, which the Chinese government can not avoid.
As a Chinese reader, I think the author overemphasize
the democratic movements and homosexual phenomena, to
which not much attention are paid by common Chinese
people. But as a western reporter,it is totally
understandable. Moreover, the report on Tibet
is also unbiased in that the author acknowledge the
contribution by Chinese government to improve the living
standard there.

Well, if the reader wants to read something that fits
the Chinese official specification for media: 90% for
sheer acclaiming, 10% for superficial muckraking, please
do not read this book but subscribe a English version
of "China Daily" or "People's Daily", the sound of Chinese
authority, directly. Otherwise, Jan's book is well worth
reading.

Jan Wong's book on China is an interesting read about the transition in China in the 1990s and how economics and money talk matters more to the common population than ideology or politics. In the rapidly changing landscape of China, the Communist Party is losing its relevance and consequently, its hold over the people. In terms of content, Wong's book is an illuminating read, and delves into not-often-seen segments of Chinese society (homosexuals, prostitutes and village communities). However in terms of writing style, we are left with more to hope for. Some of the conclusions Wong draws appear illogical. In trying to portray the new callous Chinese society, she speaks of how they are unwilling to step forth and donate blood. However, in the same breath, she admits the ignorance of the Chinese population in relation to blood donation which is seen as something seriously detrimental to their health. In this respect, how could she have drawn the conclusion that they are selfish? You can't be selfish or callous if you're acting based on false information or lack of education can you? Coming from the Western perspective, she also gives the typical impression that Communism was disastrous and there was nothing good in it, when there was liberation of women, equality, a sense of community and basic securities. These were some of the virtues that Communist rule provided not only for China, but the other Communist countries like Russia. Communism wasn't fallacious as an ideology, it was just too much of an utopia for human beings, being materialistic, corrupt and selfish, to achieve. Entertaining read, but I look forward to reading more on China by someone who writes better and gives his/ her subject more credence and respect.

Jan Wong's book on China is an interesting read about the transition in China in the 1990s and how economics and money talk matters more to the common population than ideology or politics. In the rapidly changing landscape of China, the Communist Party is losing its relevance and consequently, its hold over the people. In terms of content, Wong's book is an illuminating read, and delves into not-often-seen segments of Chinese society (homosexuals, prostitutes and village communities). However in terms of writing style, we are left with more to hope for. Some of the conclusions Wong draws appear illogical. In trying to portray the new callous Chinese society, she speaks of how they are unwilling to step forth and donate blood. However, in the same breath, she admits the ignorance of the Chinese population in relation to blood donation which is seen as something seriously detrimental to their health. In this respect, how could she have drawn the conclusion that they are selfish? You can't be selfish or callous if you're acting based on false information or lack of education can you? Coming from the Western perspective, she also gives the typical impression that Communism was disastrous and there was nothing good in it, when there was liberation of women, equality, a sense of community and basic securities. These were some of the virtues that Communist rule provided not only for China, but the other Communist countries like Russia. Communism wasn't fallacious as an ideology, it was just too much of an utopia for human beings, being materialistic, corrupt and selfish, to achieve. Entertaining read, but I look forward to reading more on China by someone who writes better and gives his/ her subject more credence and respect.

Jan Wong's China is nothing but a bunch of petty complains and ignorance on the Chinese culture. It is basically a book of finger pointing and complains, criticizing anything and everything, written by someone who has been pampered in the west. There is not one bit of ownership of what does not work, and not one bit of appreciation of what has been accomplished. Anyone interested in China should go there, and see for oneself how much the chinese and its government, though not perfect, never the less have improved. I know. I live there.