My last column commented on some people's arguments for safeguarding passengers' privacy in their opposition to surveillance cameras being installed in taxis. After its publication in China Daily's web edition, quite a number of readers wrote online comments.
Interestingly, the numbers of those for and against were nearly equal. While the comments in favor included a couple by Chinese nationals, those opposing the cameras appeared to be exclusively made by expats, judging by their IDs and language style.
I seldom respond to online comments, especially critical ones, attached to my column. But I would like to say a few words this time, because I feel the mindsets behind these comments show the stark differences between Chinese and Western thinking.
Most of the foreign commentators expressed the concern that installing surveillance cameras inside taxis would herald more government intrusion into people's private lives. This worry is understandable, because Westerners treasure personal privacy and freedom of expression as the most essential part of human rights.
"Is the use of video cameras inside taxis to monitor morals or conversations?" commented one.
"How can we be sure the technology will be used for crime-prevention and not for some other nefarious purpose? The answer is - we can't," wrote another.
I believe, and appreciate, the sincerity of these commentators in their concern for Chinese people's human rights. I fully respect these friends for their concern. But I have to point out that this typically reflects a prejudiced understanding of China, which stems from a stereotyped Cold War image of the country.
My study of history has been too limited for me to conclude whether a ubiquitous monitoring of citizens' conversations and behavior ever existed, or to what extent it was practiced in China in the times before I became an adult in the early 1960s. However, during the period from my early adulthood till the end of the 1970s when China embarked on the reform drive, I have memories of being required to report my thoughts to "organizations" and of my schoolmates or work unit colleagues having their "wrong-doings" exposed by their pals.
In those days, people were cautious indeed if they wanted to voice opinions contradicting the dominant ideology. There were definitely restrictions on "freedom of speech". But even then, I never saw or knew of any technological means being used to monitor people's private lives.
Things have changed dramatically during the past three decades and the practice of "reporting to the organizations" has been abandoned forever. Citizens now enjoy considerably more freedom in saying what they want.
Log on to any Chinese website and you will see all sorts of remarks posted in chat rooms, forums and blogs, ranging from criticism of the government to discussions of sexual experiences. Even printed media frequently carry articles criticizing government decisions. Though, it should be said, such freedom of speech is still different with that defined in the West.
Ordinary Chinese citizens do harbor a number of grievances against the government at different levels on certain issues. But if somebody told them that the government is taking technological measures to peep into their private lives, they would not believe it.
So, let's return to the taxi camera controversy; our foreign friends, such as those mentioned above, may find it hard to believe that most Chinese readers supported the decision to install surveillance cameras in taxis. No doubt they are puzzled as to why so many Chinese people would willingly surrender their privacy in such a situation.
But such is the case.
There are two reasons that account for this:
First, sacrificing individual interests for the sake of the public, or communal, interests is still inherent in Chinese culture. People do not find it particularly irksome to be exposed before a gazing lens during a relatively short ride, when doing so is part of one's duty to society. Second, the current social conditions are not orderly and safe enough for people to disregard what has proven to be an effective means of protection from possible dangers or crimes.
The right to privacy is certainly valuable, but in China there are things that need to be more urgently protected, for instance, the right to enjoy a safe life.
上一篇: At large?
下一篇: Racial profiling
国际英语资讯:British army contingent arrives to BiH for EUFOR-led exercise
国内英语资讯:Three Gorges reservoir braces for flood
如何应对消极情绪?
小牛队中文名为啥说改就改?这些球队译名可以说非常不按套路出牌了
Quora精选:美国人最烦人的习惯是什么?
国内英语资讯:Search underway for cargo vessel missing off northern Taiwan
国内英语资讯:China publishes book of Xis remarks on construction of socialist society
国际英语资讯:U.S. approves possible 15-bln-USD sale of THAAD missiles to Saudi Arabia
体坛英语资讯:World records expected to be set in Asian Games: OCA
蕾哈娜揭秘其美妆品牌Fenty的黄金法则
国际英语资讯:Spanish govt makes it easier for companies to leave Catalonia
这才是真的《权游》前传!新剧将以龙母家族为中心
国内英语资讯:Chinas economic shift creates opportunities for other emerging markets: report
国内英语资讯:Chinas Hong Kong to launch road safety campaign targeting public service vehicles
国内英语资讯:China hosts 67 mln tourists on sixth day of National Day holiday
体坛英语资讯:Chinese pair win gold at Finlandia Trophy International Figure Skating
My Favorite Olympics Sport 我最喜欢的奥运会运动
国内英语资讯:CPC punishes 1.343 mln grassroots officials in 5 years: watchdog
国内英语资讯:Chinese naval escort fleet concludes friendly visit to Britain
国际英语资讯:NAFTA talks could extend weakness of Mexican pesos, say analysts
体坛英语资讯:Nadal into quarter-finals, Peng Shuai retires at China Open
国际英语资讯:Ice maiden or robot? UK PM relives her disaster conference
国际英语资讯:Over 3,000 people evacuated due to market fire on Moscow outskirts
国际英语资讯:Hardship for Iraqi displaced continues during Hawija military operation: IOM
《战狼2》代表中国内地角逐奥斯卡最佳外语片
基因检测结果呈阴性可能是"虚假的安慰"
国际英语资讯:Turkey, Venezuela seek to boost cooperation
国际英语资讯:2 dead, at least 32 missing after boat capsizal in river dividing Bangladesh, Myanmar
外国人餐桌上常见的十道中国美食
catti是什么考试