I bet Ya Weilin never gave serious thought to attacking the Center.
It would not be "approved" violence against others, as it was during the CR. The Red Guard violence against Liu Shaoqi, even though he was president, was approved by Mao. It was "legal."
How much unapproved violence was there during the CR? How much "street crime" is there in the PRC today? I would bet--I would bet a lot of money--there is not as much street crime in the PRC today as there is in America...I see I have no takers for that bet.
Why?
Chinese obey. If the Center gives its approval to other-directed violence then "to kill people is glorious," as Liu Tingting said back in the day. When Deng Xiaoping said "to be rich is glorious" the Reddest "morning suns" became capitalist, as Liu Tingting again did.
When the Center gave its approval to attacks on foreigners, Red Guards sacked the British Embassy during the CR. When the Center prohibits attacks on foreigners (as bad for business) even teaches Chinese to be friendly to foreigners (Say, "Hello. Welcome to Beijing." (2008 Olympics)) Chinese will-do.
Why this obedience to opposite commands? I think part is the legacy of Confucian teaching of obedience over generations and centuries. But Confucianism became a dirty word during the CR, part of the "four olds" to be smashed. That message sunk in too. When the Center installed a statue of Confucius in Tienanmen Square, people objected and it was removed.
A part also, I think a larger part, is race or ethnic unity. China is 92% ethnic Han. "Don't talk to 'white' people," a friend was told. "What's a banana? Yellow on the outside, white on the inside." Unapproved acts of violence by Chinese against the Center, like assassinations or attempts, sabotage, terrorism? Unheard of. Does not happen.
No, Ya Weilin would not have seriously considered violence against the government that killed his son. That would be an attack on all China, on all Han. "Sacrifice yourself for Han-China" is a powerful, powerful appeal. Whatever the sacrifice calls for, that has a great chance of being obeyed. Attack the Center? That is just about unthinkable.
It would not be "approved" violence against others, as it was during the CR. The Red Guard violence against Liu Shaoqi, even though he was president, was approved by Mao. It was "legal."
How much unapproved violence was there during the CR? How much "street crime" is there in the PRC today? I would bet--I would bet a lot of money--there is not as much street crime in the PRC today as there is in America...I see I have no takers for that bet.
Why?
Chinese obey. If the Center gives its approval to other-directed violence then "to kill people is glorious," as Liu Tingting said back in the day. When Deng Xiaoping said "to be rich is glorious" the Reddest "morning suns" became capitalist, as Liu Tingting again did.
When the Center gave its approval to attacks on foreigners, Red Guards sacked the British Embassy during the CR. When the Center prohibits attacks on foreigners (as bad for business) even teaches Chinese to be friendly to foreigners (Say, "Hello. Welcome to Beijing." (2008 Olympics)) Chinese will-do.
Why this obedience to opposite commands? I think part is the legacy of Confucian teaching of obedience over generations and centuries. But Confucianism became a dirty word during the CR, part of the "four olds" to be smashed. That message sunk in too. When the Center installed a statue of Confucius in Tienanmen Square, people objected and it was removed.
A part also, I think a larger part, is race or ethnic unity. China is 92% ethnic Han. "Don't talk to 'white' people," a friend was told. "What's a banana? Yellow on the outside, white on the inside." Unapproved acts of violence by Chinese against the Center, like assassinations or attempts, sabotage, terrorism? Unheard of. Does not happen.
No, Ya Weilin would not have seriously considered violence against the government that killed his son. That would be an attack on all China, on all Han. "Sacrifice yourself for Han-China" is a powerful, powerful appeal. Whatever the sacrifice calls for, that has a great chance of being obeyed. Attack the Center? That is just about unthinkable.
