A Chinese poem on Western bias: "What do you really want from us?"

A poem originally written in Chinese and called "What do you really want from us" has recently been making the rounds on the internet, both in Chinese and in its English translation, and it has caused much debate. Although its authorship has not been confirmed, it is rumoured to have been written by a retired Chinese professor of physics in an American university.

The poem is directed at Westerners and complains about the double standards they employ when they view China. Although I don't think all the points raised in the poem make sense, I feel at least some of them really hit home. It certainly gives voice to the general feeling among many Chinese that Westerners are basically biased towards them and unwilling to accept China becoming a great power which is able to compete with them on its own terms. Here is the poem itself, in both English and Chinese:


The Poem (in English)


What Do You Really Want from Us?

When we were the Sick Man of Asia, we were called The Yellow Peril.
When we are billed to be the next Superpower, we are called The Threat.

When we closed our doors, you smuggled drugs to open markets.
When we embrace Free Trade, You blame us for taking away your jobs.


When we were falling apart, You marched in your troops and wanted your fair share.
When we tried to put the broken pieces back together again, Free Tibet you screamed, It Was an Invasion!

When tried Communism, you hated us for being Communist.
When we embrace Capitalism, you hate us for being Capitalist.

When we have a billion people, you said we were destroying the planet.
When we tried limiting our numbers, you said we abused human rights.

When we were poor, you thought we were dogs.
When we loan you cash, you blame us for your national debts.

When we build our industries, you call us Polluters.
When we you goods, you blame us for global warming.

When we buy oil, you call it exploitation and genocide.
When you go to war for oil, you call it liberation.

When we were lost in chaos and rampage, you demanded rules of law.
When we uphold law and order against violence, you call it violating human rights.

When we were silent, you said you wanted us to have free speech.
When we are silent no more, you say we are brainwashed-xenophobes.

“Why do you hate us so much”we asked.
“No,” you answered, “we don't hate you.”

We don't hate you either, But, do you understand us?
“Of course we do, ”you said, “We have AFP, CNN and BBC's.”

What do you really want from us?
Think hard first, then answer. Because you only get so many chances.

Enough is Enough, Enough Hypocrisy for This One World.
We want One World, One Dream, and Peace on Earth.


This Big Blue Earth is Big Enough for all of Us.




The Poem (in Chinese)


　　给西方的诗〈你究竟要我们怎样生存？〉


　　我们是东亚病夫时，我们被说是黄祸；


　　我们被预言是下一个超级大国了，我们被指是主要威胁。


　　那时我们闭关自守，你走私鸦片来强开门户；


　　我们拥抱自由贸易了，你责骂我们抢走你的饭碗。


　　那时我们风雨飘摇，你铁蹄犯境要求机会均等；


　　我们要整合破碎的山河，你说我们“入侵”…… 叫喊“给西藏自由”。


　　我们试行马列救国，你痛恨我们成为共党分子；


　　我们拥抱资本主义了，你又恨我们当了资本家。


　　当我们的人口到达十亿，你说我们在摧毁地球；


　　我们要限制人口了，你说我们践踏人权。


　　那时我们一贫如洗，你视我们贱如狗；


　　我们有钞票借给你了，你怨我们令你国债。


　　我们发展工业了，你说我们是污染者；


　　我们有货品卖给你了，你说我们是地球暖化的因由。


　　我们购买石油，你说我们取兼灭族；


　　你们为石油开战，你说是为了解救生灵。


　　那时我们动乱无序，你说我们没有法治；


　　现在我们要依法平暴，你说我们违反人权。


　　我们静默无声时，你说我们欠缺言论自由；


　　我们不再缄默了，你说我们是被洗了脑的仇外暴民。


　　为甚麽你这样憎恨我们？我们想知道。


　　“不”，你说，“我不恨你们。”


　　我们也不恨你；只是，你了解我们吗？


　　“当然了解”，你说。“我们消息多的是，有 AFP、CNN、还有BBC……”


　　其实你究竟要我们怎样生存？


　　回答之前，请仔细的想一想…… 因为你的机会不是无限的。


　　已经够多了……这个世界容不下更多的伪善了。


　　我们要的是同一个世界，同一个梦想，靖世太平。


　　这个宽广、辽阔的蓝地球, 容得下你们，容得下我们。