Saturday, April 22, 2006

Google China Leader Speaks

This article reveals a very passionate and idealistic Chinese entrepreneur who sees the power of the internet changing peoples' lives, and society, in China.

However, they are not necessarily the kind of changes Americans would imagine.

Which reminds us that what we want for others, and what we think is best for them, is not always the same as what they want for themselves, and may not be the best solution for their situation.

"But as Lee and I talked about how the Internet was transforming China, he offered one opinion that seemed telling: the Chinese students he meets and employs, Lee said, do not hunger for democracy. 'People are actually quite free to talk about the subject,' he added, meaning democracy and human rights in China. 'I don't think they care that much. I think people would say: 'Hey, U.S. democracy, that's a good form of government. Chinese government, good and stable, that's a good form of government. Whatever, as long as I get to go to my favorite Web site, see my friends, live happily.' ' Certainly, he said, the idea of personal expression, of speaking out publicly, had become vastly more popular among young Chinese as the Internet had grown and as blogging and online chat had become widespread. 'But I don't think of this as a political statement at all,' Lee said. 'I think it's more people finding that they can express themselves and be heard, and they love to keep doing that.'"

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