Wu Guangqiang

    CHINA, like all emerging powers, is experiencing “growing pains.” Confronted by a blend of eulogy, envy, skepticism and suspicions from foreign countries — neighbors in particular — over China’s rapid emergence, Chinese people are sometimes at a loss over their global identity. Although recent years have seen books such as “The Rise of China” and “When China Rules the World,” there is also much talk about “The Chinese threat” and the “new red peril.”

    Many Chinese are sensitive to criticism of their country because they have both a large-country mindset and a weak-nation psychology. Deep down, the problem is a lack of self-confidence.

    The unease and agitation was derived from hundreds of years of being physically large but politically and economically small.

    The decline of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) set off a series of misfortunes for China, of which the worst was the humiliation of being invaded by Western powers and forced to sign numerous unequal treaties. This was the first time in Chinese history that the weak-nation psychology set in. China was agonized to find itself bullied by nations as small as Japan. Since China’s defeat in the Opium War (1839-1842), the country had suffered invasions or threats of invasion one after another until the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949. But over 60 years later, China has failed to overcome its victim complex.

    Symptoms of this victim complex include: constantly suspecting that foreigners are targeting us; letting emotion overcome reason; preferring to act as bystander or critic rather than take due responsibility.

    The other side of the coin is a large-country mindset. The prospect of overtaking America as the largest economy and all other thrilling news about China’s great strides on many fronts have aroused national pride and united the Chinese people. This was reflected in several grand and sophisticated events, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2010 Shanghai Expo, and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. Even provincial and municipal governments are competing to hold the most spectacular parties. Pride has turned into something of a mania. And, complacency and bigotry have been inevitable side effects of this pride.

    Some books with alarming titles such as “China Can Say No,” and “China Is Unhappy” have been published. Why is China unhappy? This group of elites believes that power is worth little if it is not used and a strong China should flex its muscles. They even assert that China should retaliate against countries that have wronged China.

    Such hubris has also been exported. Some Chinese have displayed their spending power ostentatiously, as if to say “Look, we Chinese are wealthier than you. It’s time we came to save you.”

    Some even sincerely believe that everything about China is the best and they begin looking down on all things foreign.

    This is unwise and dangerous. China’s past decline was in part the consequence of a large-country mindset and its re-emergence has been the result of openness and inclusiveness.

    As an emerging power, China — thanks to its past vicissitudes — exhibits too much ambition and too little confidence. It will take time for us to mature.

    To be a responsible and respectable power, China needs self-esteem, self-confidence, self-reliance and the desire for self-improvement. It should embrace other nations’ strong points and tolerate criticism and opposition. Above all, China should shoulder the responsibilities that come with being a superpower.

    (The author is an English tutor and a freelance writer. He can be reached at jw368@163.com.)