As Li Ning was raised to the air by wire, “walked” along the inner wall of the Bird’s Nest stadium, and finally lighted up the Olympics flame, we who watched the opening ceremony from mamak stall were so moved.
Just 100 years ago, the semi-colonized China under the Qing dynasty was ravaged by wars and problems. They were then the “sick people in the east” (东亚病夫). But now the Chinese people have stood up (中国人站起来了)!
The opening ceremony has shown the world what China can do. I have no doubt that they will emerge as the champion this time. The country is commandeering attention from all around the world now. But how about after the Olympics?
Many think China is emerging as a superpower in this century. Economically, they can produce the cheapest products around the world at comparable quality. What the rest of the world can produce, most probably it can be made in China too, at cheaper price. May not be now, but sooner or later!
With over 1.3 billion of population, they possess all kinds of talents and skills you can imagine. I was involved in a software project years ago and knew one China young girl could pick up the PHP programming language in just 2 days! It made me wonder if we were to work in China, what can we do?
Can we say that we have an advantage over them with our English language proficiency? But never underestimate their English. They have many very good young people whose English can be better than you and me!
Talking about language, perhaps it’s time for those of us who don’t speak Mandarin to pick up their language. We can be forgiven if our parents did not send us to Chinese school. But now as adults we have a choice and we can choose to learn more about their language, people and culture. At least we should be able to communicate with them. One English-speaking corporate friend went to China for a business tour and came back to tell us he felt so out of touch with their people.
And don’t ever despise the Chinese people and their language. I know some Malaysian Chinese who refuse to learn Chinese. But when they come to learning Japanese, they are willing to learn the language including its Chinese characters! (The Japanese incorporated many Chinese characters into their language and call them kanji)
Unlike many other countries, Malaysia is smart that we don’t consider China a threat but a partner. Instead of competing, we work towards common opportunities and capitalize on China’s emerging market. With a pro-China policy and large number of Malaysian Chinese who can communicate with the Chinese in China, we as a country stand well to be benefited from the emerging China.
But how about us as individuals? Where do we stand? How do we position ourselves?
