China V-Day parade 2015 a force for protection, or something else?

a reply to: paraphi

When I lived in china, I saw first hand the censorship. Try typing tianninmum square massicre on the internet, and you will get nothing. Same with BBC news and social sits like Facebook.

They are walking a very fine line with this, and they are terrified of some kind of revolt.

Saying that, china is a completely different place to what it was 30 years ago, and it is slowly getting better, and the Chinese people are being influenced by western ways, and that can't be stopped.

One thing I will say. When I lived in Beijing, I did feel safe. I had no problems at all. In fact, when I came back to the UK, I was nervous walking the streets for a little while.

One of the main differences is respect. Teens and young people are getting worse and worse in the UK. No respect at all. This is not the case when I was in Beijing. I never felt safer.

But like I said, the government is terrified of losing the people, and that's why they do what they do. But it will backfire. Only a matter of time.

a reply to: Gravelbone

I don't question your points at all. However, last night I was talking to a guy I've known for a while who has just returned from Germany where he worked in some military capacity. It appears he has retired but he is clearly very up to date with what he claims to know.

He gobsmacked me by making the remark that this last explosion in china was caused by a tactical nuke delivered by the CIA. Well, after I had picked myself up off the floor and gaped at him, he asked why I was so shocked? "Well' isn't that a declaration of war and why haven't the Chinese responded?" He replied "They will wait but just look at where their Navy is and they will respond". The conversation ended with others coming up but I am still shocked - is he right - he is not?

If he is, we are certainly now in very deep water, no matter how far head the USA is its highly vulnerable because its so close to China via the Bering Sea. It also makes sense as to why a refugee situation which has been ongoing for some time is so emotive and taking up front pages across Europe, are we being kept in the dark? (I actually hoping for feedback that this guy is nuts - he's not in actual fact - or he's mistaken etc because this is so serious if its true and I'd like my mind put at rest).

It reminded me of the old Red Square military processions, sending out the message "Look how powerful we are! Don't mess with us or we'll kick your ass."

Not quite the right sort of spirit for such an occasion, in my view, which should have been solely about commemorating the 20 million odd Chinese who perished and reflecting on the horrors of war. The fact that few people were surprised tells us all we need to know about Chinese evolution.

Still, I can't think it very wise for the West to 'snub' the ceremony, mainly because Russia did not. It just emphasises the age-old distrust between East and West.

Man.. these guys can move like a Swiss watch. A few years ago I watched a YT vid about the preperations these soldiers make for such a parade. Very impressive and dedicated. Maybe it is in these peoples culture to perform on such high levels with such things. They have contests doing such synchronisation stuff.. Everybody got to do whatever they want with their spare time....sure there must be fun in there somewhere.

The japaneese have the same tradition when it comes to perfection, dedication and dicipline...look at this one