I used to have a Chinese national assistant who was contemptuous of Remembrance Sunday as he saw this a typical of the English being superior to other nations and oblivious to the negative impression much of the world has to England and our military in particular. I believe his view was typical in China and he explained that the Chinese deeply resented the perception presented by Uk and that this was reflected through our involvement in the Opium Wars which are viewed akin to the Holocaust in China. Given the demand for English football in China, i can guarantee that this is received as being extremely cynical especially in the light of the treatment of Chinese soldiers in WW1. I suggest that you research this. Football is supposed to be inclusive. It is a global sport where clubs are often owned by foreign companies including Southampton. I just feel having clubs fielding players from around the globe sends out a far more positive message than celebrating personnel killed in both world wars or later , more morally ambiguous conflicts.
Yes, let's have the Chinese guide our moral sense. That really checks out, Ian... It sounds to me more like you needed to talk to your Chinese assistant and educate them about how Remembrance Sunday has nothing to do with any "superiority" complex instead of just nodding along and tugging your forelock.
Again, just because he was offended/upset by it that doesn't mean he was right. It's an opinion not a fact. For example I find the word the chav extremely offensive. That doesn't mean it's a fact that it is or that everyone should, it's my opinion on it. As for your final sentence why can't it both? Also why do you keep using the world celebrate? It's a commemoration, not a celebration.
Well, in light of not much to complain about on the football front today ... let's complain about one of our countries finest traditions instead.
If china isn’t happy with a minute’s silence to honour thousands of people who died in WW1 and WW2 then they don’t have to watch it. It’s not exclusive to remember the dead, if people don’t like it they can **** off as far as I’m concerned. It’s not the same as saying the crusades were great and Blair’s war of terror was justified.
Oh well. If your Chinese national assistant wasn't happy, we should totally change our traditions, heritage and observances. I'm totally up for just completely abandoning our culture and acts of Remembrance if it increases the brand awareness of the PL in mainland China.
Spoke to one Chinese person and decided his opinion is typical of over a billion people I'd be willing to bet that the vast majority of Chinese people literally couldn't give a ****e about us commemorating remembrance day at football or even know about it.
If you want to commemorate the futility of war, why not invite Amnesty International , The Red Cross , Medicins sans frontierres as opposed to the army ?
Nobody is celebrating anything it is a solemn remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice of many people, how can anyone be offended by that?
A level of self-loathing that would put a sixth form politics club to shame. It's actually quite impressive
None of those mentioned have any relevance to a game of football, they all, may, however be represented at the Cenotaph on Sunday.
I didn't think Thumwood could get anymore detestable. Maybe he could emigrate to a far more progressive country like Qatar or even better, keep his disgusting opinions to himself.
