Like many, I read the article, “China Orders U.S. to Shut Chengdu Consulate, Retaliating for Houston” in the New York Times today.
My reaction?
It makes me sad. A bitter sadness I cannot even begin to describe. For one, Chengdu is such a great city. I remember visiting a friend there back in May 2016 and seeing the U.S. embassy – it seems so much more real when you begin to grasp that people lived and worked here, calling Chengdu their home away from home.
It’s very hard for me to see any reasoning in this back and forth retaliation. And I’m afraid we are already in the midst of a new Cold War.
As someone who grew up learning Chinese—living, exploring, and experiencing Chinese culture and society, I embraced it all because I wholeheartedly think there are a lot of great people, places, and lessons to learn from them, and a very rich cultural history to examine intellectually. Through these experiences, I have developed lasting relationships, friendships which I hold very close. Every single one of these connections increase intercultural understanding and dialogue to prevent these rifts from emerging.
The blind nationalism in both the U.S. and China over the last decade has only gotten worse. These escalations really concern me and I worry for all the people who have become collateral damage in the struggle between the two countries. It only benefits those who have power who are using this to advance their agenda.