Chinese optimistic with future amid rife complaints
By LII HAIBO (Beijing Review)
Updated: 2005-12-30 14:11

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, a Washington-based independent opinion research organization, Chinese people are feeling good about themselves and the world, and China has emerged as "the world leader in hope for the future."

The survey, conducted in May and released last month, indicates that many Chinese people feel they have made substantial progress in the past five years, believe they��ll be better in another five years and are satisfied with the state of the nation.

Of respondents in major cities in China��s mainland, 76 percent tended to be optimistic about improving their living standard within five years. In the United States, by contrast, only 48 percent of those surveyed expected life to get better. This ranked the Chinese at the top of 17 countries in which the global attitudes survey was carried out.

Well, there are reasons for the Chinese, especially urban citizens, to rest content with the circumstances around them. Thanks to a robust national economy, many are enjoying a rather comfortable life with more freedom, job opportunities and rising incomes. And the country��s overseas image has by and large improved. With national and personal wealth ramping up, there even grows a smug disposition among people.

But still the Pew survey surprises many Chinese. It has become an everyday occurrence for them to hear people fret and gripe about almost everything around them--from the high price of medicine, big income gap and corrupt bureaucrats to the worsening environment, as well as inequity between urban residents and farmers. In addition, it seems hard to understand that many respondents in developed countries are less optimistic about the present situation and future than the Chinese, whose country has a huge population to feed, a deteriorating ecosystem to mend and lots of problems to solve.

Although many doubt that the picture depicted in the Pew report truly reflects the whole situation and national mentality of China, the survey, which itself is considered authentic, has been widely cited as an indicator of current public opinion, and a prism through which world observers view this country. Maybe we��ll never know exactly how many Chinese are optimistic and how many people pessimistic. But that doesn��t prevent us from asking ourselves: Just how come the horizon looks rosy to so many Chinese? Why does China, a nation with a legion of complainers, still show greater confidence than those developed countries, which ought to be more sanguine about our world? I intend to approach the matter on empirical grounds.

From a cultural point of view, the Chinese are more disposed to feel content than Westerners. ��He who is content with his lot is always happy.�� This age-old motto has been constantly on everybody��s lips and has actually become a guiding philosophical creed for almost every household. In Chinese classical philosophy and literature, as well as folk tales, terms similar to ��the end of the world�� or ��Armageddon�� have never been the mainstream of social ethos. While holding that bitterness, hardship and miseries are part of their life, the Chinese have long been upbeat. Their doctrine always is: Enjoy life, now.

It��s true there are more complaints than before, which may be a spin-off of the social advance. As China opens its door to the whole world, it also opens the door, more or less, to free expression for its citizens. It was unimaginable and even dangerous to grumble or carp at government in the 1960s. Now this is a common practice. Of course, more needs to be done to greatly promote freedom of speech. Complaint in this country, like elsewhere, shows the obligation of citizens and their expectation of a better future. A society without complaint is abnormal and unhealthy. Quite often, those who complain a lot are the same people who are confident about the world.

Foreign visitors often find that the Chinese like to say their personal situation is better than before. Maybe this is another key source of the upbeat mood--the proper way of comparison. Many Chinese are apt to compare the present with the past. So they always feel satisfied. For them it��s unrealistic to compare China with Finland, Switzerland, Canada or the United States. What inspires them is the belief that future Chinese people will enjoy as decent a life as the citizens of the most developed countries. A nation that harbors a magnificent dream is always optimistic.

The fact that the present situation of social stability was gradually gained after the country had bitterly experienced the chaotic Cultural Revolution (1966-76) is a reason, too. That chaos represents the darkest period in the history of the People��s Republic and no one wants to repeat the historical tragedy. This context undoubtedly renders the present relative stability even more precious and convinces people that the country is basically on the right track and a brighter prospect is not only possible but also attainable.

The past two centuries have found China a nation frequently plagued by disasters. From 1840 to 1976, for example, not a single decade passed without wars, political movements or massive famines. Since the late 1970s, this country has been free from human-made national devastations and the longtime economic and social anemia is gone. Now the national performance is bracing and the facts cogent. People have gradually rebuilt their confidence, which had long been at a low ebb as the country was disturbed by invasions from outside and convulsions within.

Finally, a genial global atmosphere also helps nurture an upbeat national mentality. The world is willing to see an open, prosperous and responsible China, which can��t be a promising nation without the help of others. Being steeped in a culture that features magnanimity, tolerance and engagement, the Chinese as a whole have a healthy attitude toward Western culture and civilization. Instead of being jealous of Western achievements, most Chinese would rather tap their own potential. Their conclusion: If Westerners can do an excellent job, why can��t we?

While the Chinese are generally optimistic about the fate of their country and the world, they are well aware that it won��t be easy to reach their goal of building an ideal society. They must be careful and patient as any mistake and radical reform may spoil their cause.