Who needs a hundred flowers when we've got CNN? I did a double-take this morning when I read that a Wave of unity and patriotism sweeps China; I had to make sure I wasn't reading Xinhua or some other propaganda organ of the Chinese Communist Party. But no, this blatant bit of, well, propaganda, was indeed going out under CNN's byline, accompanied by a photo of massed youths who had traded in their little red books for quiet determined frowns.

When millions of Chinese paused for three minutes of silence Monday, they personified the surge in patriotism and charity that has swept this country...chants of "Go, China, Go!" broke out in Tiananmen Square..."As Chinese we must be united," said a student who marched on the square nearly 19 years ago. "We Chinese can do it!"... Analysts say this unprecedented display of charity is partly in response to the quick action already taken by Chinese officials to the emergency.

The Chinese media have repeatedly shown Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao comforting survivors. Many believe this has inspired Chinese residents to do what they can to help.

Ah yes, kindly fatherly leaders, showing the masses the way. Good for them! Let's all cheer!

Then we wrap up with a bit of wishful thinking:

Meantime, a new image of China is emerging around the world.

"The earthquake changed China's international image from an oppressor or an authoritarian government to a victim of natural disaster and human tragedy," said Wenfang Tang, professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh.

The Chinese, at least for now, are more united as a people and more charitable, as citizens pull together in the wake of a massive earthquake.

But there's no reason China can't be both "victim" and "oppressor" all at the same time, though I s'pose there are many whose pin-headed little minds have trouble attaching more than one category to an object at any given time.

Meanwhile, in news CNN seems to be studiously ignoring, it looks like China has, despite the best efforts of South African dockworkers, successfully replenished Robert Mugabe's arms stockpiles. How nice of those charitable Chinese!

Posted by David Fleck at 20 May 2008 06:57 AM