HN Explorer

Ask HN: Why is there so much anti-China propaganda posted here?

7 points by senttoschool ↗ HN
Can we have some balance? Maybe 50/50 positive/negative news on China here?

Gaining a different perspective is healthy. Don't just drink from one source.

21 comments

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zaktoo2
Because the US is essentially just a war machine.
88913527
Why don't people attempt gaining perspective from their opposing political party? It's tough to break through ego's, for one. But secondarily, what's happening in China isn't directly relevant to many HN readers. One can proselytize to the domestic opposition party with the hope of moving a needle on a relevant current issue. Practically, there's no table stakes or advantages to reading positive pieces about China. And feeling bipartisan about something gives the impression of common ground, even if the parties passionately disagree on other issues.
senttoschool
But secondarily, what's happening in China isn't directly relevant to many HN readers.

My theory is that a lot of tech people here are threaten by China's rise in tech. For example, if TikTok wins, then Meta/Snap/Twitter employees lose. If Xiaomi wins, then Apple employees lose. If SMIC wins, then Intel employees lose. Etc.

It has everything to do with economics and probably social economics too.

kstenerud
Because modern people prefer free, independent nations with free and transparent elections and journalistic freedom and freedom from arbitrary detention, not 50/50 with dictatorships.
senttoschool
A democratic country like the US has invaded countless countries, installed US-friendly dictators, and has committed a ton of human rights violations.

I don't think it's as simple as democratic = benevolent.

The fact is, the CCP is still working for Chinese citizens. Their GDP per capita is still rising. Their lives are still improving every year. Considering how things were for China since the 1800s, don't you think that maybe the CCP was the right government for China?

Perhaps in the future when more Chinese citizens are well educated, informed, then they will demand a more democratic country. Let Chinese citizens decide that. They've been overthrowing governments since before the US was created.

kstenerud
You're not even responding to my comment; this is just parroting the same tired old talking points and whataboutisms.

People have bad things to say about China, Russia, North Korea and Iran's governments for a reason.

senttoschool
But a high number of people/countries in the world hates USA. So what?
sidibe
Notice there are a lot of negative comments about the USA. Most of us find plenty of faults with the United States, but we keep some perspective too, realizing on the Chinese internet such criticisms wouldn't last long before removal.
smoldesu
The "so what" is that effective systems have a breaking point. The CCP can work for some people, but if it comes at the expense of ethic cleansing (the Uighurs) or violent territorial aggression (Taiwan/Hong Kong) then it's not worth it. All of the countries China tries so desperately to woo agree.

In your own words - those people can choose for themselves. The Chinese government does not respect their decision either way. If China's next moves are to follow in Russia's footsteps, they will be rejected as a member of the first-world altogether (as Putin recently found out). If they somehow dominate despite that, then they will rule over nothing but ashes.

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ofalkaed
Considering that most threads about China go uncommented and only get a few votes I think it is safe to say that the majority of HN does not care about what people on HN have to say about China and any propaganda posted here is failing. The front page is more representative of the HN community, don't put much stock in the new postings.
sequoiar68
Media reports can only be used as entertainment gossip and cannot be trusted, especially the media with colored glasses and double standards.
gigel82
Can you share some examples of positive news on China? (as in, actual news, not CCP propaganda)
uejfiweun
Uh, isn't it obvious? This is an English language forum? China is one of the primary adversaries to the English-speaking world?
simonblack
Probably more likely is that HN is an American-oriented website. It's Americans who are the ones more involved in remaining the 'Exceptional' nation.

For the rest of us, it's 'Meh. Who gives a rat's?'

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