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When I sent “Happy 4th of July” to my friend Dr. Craig M Wax, he replied: “Always say happy Independence Day because it’s not the Fourth of July. We are celebrating our independence. It’s important to remind everyone that the reason for this holiday, and our freedom and liberty, is that people with guts and guns against tyrannical English rule.” I appreciate his attitude, which makes me consider the differences between American National Day and Chinese National Day.
I asked Sillylego, my guest on this episode, what was the most impressive thing for him about Independence Day when he moved to the US from China around 20 years ago. He said it is the different patriotism. There is no celebration of how powerful the government and military are or how much money the US owns. Instead, people feel blessed for freedom during this holiday.
Americans believe that freedom is an intrinsic right, so the sacrifices that have been made for freedom should be memorized and inspire people to defend it. Back in China, freedom has never been born on that soil, while stifling the aspiration for freedom is a timeless topic for the rulers in China.
In Chinese culture, red is a festive color and the color of communism, bloody revolutions, and harsh governance. In my memories, the national day means eulogizing the greatness of Communist China in a red ocean. We were organized by teachers to celebrate the birthday of “our Mother and Country” under the red flags in school, acting in unison and wearing uniforms with the same white shoes. We were trained to be grateful for the happy life given by the CCP and bear in mind that without the CCP, there would be no country, no home, no future, but only a miserable life. As every student sings,
“We are the successors of communism,
Along the glorious path set by revolutionary precursors.
Loving homeland, loving people,
Young pioneer is the name whereof we are proud.
Always ready to render meritorious service,
We must eradicate all the enemies,
Towards ideal we march with gallantry.”
However, we are never allowed to pursue freedom or independence in China. Americans tell kids that freedom is not free. While Chinese doctrine is that freedom is useless and worthless compared to food. If you try to challenge it in China, the first thing you receive from the dear-mother-like Party would be life threats and punishment. For example, the upcoming Law of Patriotic Education will be a new tool for CCP to solve such problems (https://www.americaoutloud.news/law-of-patriotic-education-will-be-a-new-tool-to-advance-ccps-fascism/).
Brainwashing and intimidation are not exclusive to the CCP in Chinese history. As the core of Chinese culture, Confucianism has been promoted by emperors for over 2500 years because of its functions of domesticating people under dictatorship. CCP’s political theories are developed in combination with Confucianism and Communism, which is the basis of modern cognitive interference in manipulating Chinese people. Meanwhile, maintaining the stability of the regime is the CCP’s priority, which requires intensive surveillance systems composed of high-tech and huge manpower, along with cruel suppression.
I was very naive. After 7-years of hard work at the University of Hong Kong, I finally obtained Hong Kong citizenship in the summer of 2019. At that time, I thought I could eliminate CCP’s control and embrace a free world. However, to impose the draconian National Security Law in Hong Kong demonstrated that CCP can not allow any freedom in its land (https://www.hrw.org/feature/2021/06/25/dismantling-free-society/hong-kong-one-year-after-national-security-law). Although millions of people protested and fought, the fall of Hong Kong is unchangeable. Numerous brave HK people were killed or disappeared by CCP, turning into “affordable costs” in ruthless propaganda.
CCP’s aggression is still escalating. Xi Jinping and his followers believe that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the world order has been destabilized. The rise and rejuvenation of Communist China are inexorable, while the fall of the US is inevitable (http://paper.people.com.cn/mszk/html/2023-01/16/content_25961738.htm). For that sake, on the one hand, it’s essential to induce or force overseas Chinese to serve CCP via United Front work, overseas police stations, or other methods. On the other hand, it’s necessary to cheat and neutralize Americans using strategic deception and covert actions to achieve a multiplier effect in unrestricted war. The best conquest for them is the death of American freedom.
Americans are so blessed. In 1776, the 56 signatures on the Declaration of Independence created a nation founded on freedom. Freedom is not taken for granted; people are saluted for being vigilant and courageous in defending freedom. However, after the termination of communism and authoritarianism, it will be lengthy progress for Chinese people to understand freedom. By then, it will be essential to change that land by learning from Americans.
God bless America, the land of the free and the home of the brave!
SillyLego (Twitter: @LegoSilly) is currently a high-tech industry professional, previously an entrepreneur, serving global customers with state-of-art technologies and high-tech products. SillyLego closed his entrepreneurial business with China years ago after observing the CCP’s systematic infiltration and stealing of IPs from the US.
The Voice of Dr. Yan can be heard on Saturday and Sunday at 4 pm. Listen on iHeart Radio, our world-class media player, or our free apps on Apple, Android, or Alexa. All episodes can be found on podcast networks worldwide the day after airing on talk radio.
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👍thank you Dr.Yan
Appreciate the reminder that our American freedom requires vigilance, exercise and practice.Thank you Dr. Yan.