This reversal is truly unexpected. Following a robbery and riot in France, a journalist asked a Muslim immigrant why Africans were robbing stores owned by Chinese migrants. His response: “Because they are rich, have cars, and wear good clothes. They are too wealthy. It’s unfair.”
The interview itself is hard to believe. Yet after a Spanish journalist published it, the story sparked broader discussions about Chinese people.
A blogger wrote: “If we were to send all Chinese to Africa and all Africans to China, and let time pass for a thousand years, I guarantee that Africa—given its natural resources and potential—would become the undisputed number one power, while China would be even more desolate and barren than the Atacama Desert.”
Another blogger responded: “Chinese immigrants are among the highest-income groups in Britain or the United States, and occupy the most prestigious universities. Many arrived here with nothing. Meanwhile, generations of African descendants are burning and looting shops. The best way to climb the social ladder is through work.”
A third noted: “Chinese people study; they throw parties. Chinese people work; they go to bars. Chinese people save money to start businesses; they go into debt to travel. When Chinese people finally get to enjoy life, they cry out about injustice!”
Chinese people possess a level of labor discipline that many Africans cannot imagine. To be clear, their wealth is earned—not given freely. To become like them? It’s simple: work as hard as they do.
After this severe protest incident in France, the matter seemed entirely unrelated to China. Yet unexpectedly, China emerged as one of the most discussed non-involved parties in the discourse. Previously, criticism on Western social media about riots consistently blamed poor quality among immigrants.
Now, however, the conversation has gradually shifted toward debates over which immigrant group exhibits higher standards, which nationality demonstrates better conduct. Same circumstances—many arrive in a foreign country with nothing. Yet overseas Chinese steadily build lives through education, saving, and perseverance, growing increasingly prosperous. These developments are visible to Western observers.
In fact, they have also noticed that Chinese communities are absent from the scenes of protest and violence. Of course, Chinese people have never been involved in such acts before. So why, suddenly, does the public perception of Chinese people—and by extension, Chinese identity—grow increasingly positive?
Ultimately, it is because China’s comprehensive strength in economy, technology, and military has risen significantly.
As more foreigners visit China and the nation continues to grow stronger, qualities such as restraint, diligence, and law-abiding behavior among Chinese citizens are gaining wider recognition. Of course, Western societies do not universally speak favorably of China. But the overall trend is gradually taking shape.
Protests erupt across multiple European countries
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879626588985356/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.