Life and Travel in China

Some would say that China has become "civilized", but I don't like this word - each nation, each tribe has its own way of life, its own habits. This word also reminds me of the drama of colonialism, when white people taught the natives how to behave in a "civilized" way - sometimes by cutting off their hands, sometimes by starting wars (civilization of aggression?). I would say that China has become calmer and more cultured. Specifics: drivers do not honk at passers-by, many people have stopped spitting/snorting in the street, almost no one is pushing to get on the bus/metro anymore, it has also become quiet at railway stations. There are plenty of such examples. This polite behavior can be seen on the streets, in restaurants and shops. China used to be such an urban jungle, you had to fight for survival, for food, for earnings, for a better place, for a customer. Scooter-taxis and motor-rickshaws in the countryside and in the provinces almost drove on people's feet to use their services. On the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border, shopkeepers were trying to convince people to buy water, snacks, etc. On every promenade and almost every major restaurant, beggars were harassing people. Life was just hard and every yuan counted. Now it is completely different and life there is easier for us, "white people". Some young people visiting China do not even know what it was like in the Middle Kingdom 20 years ago, what a huge step China has taken not only in terms of development, technology, but also behavior and culture! I had the opportunity to observe all this and I am impressed.

I like various experts presenting their "wisdom" in the media. A moment ago, an "expert" in PR24 claimed that coal mining in China is 3 times higher (compared to the 1990s), which means 3 times more pollution! Hmm... the pollution was really high, I remember Shanghai, Guangzhou, Ningbo covered with smog (you can see it in my photos), in Shenzhen it was always a little better, because there was more wind, close to the sea, so the air circulation was better. It is possible that coal mining is greater - because it is profitable there and there are many modern technologies. Only no major pollution is visible. First of all, now most cars are electric, many factories have changed their devices, machines and paint booths to newer models. Industry no longer generates as much pollution as it did 15-20 years ago. China has many modern power plants, including over 50 nuclear power plants. The Chinese people's awareness of ecology has also changed. In 2004, they could simply throw food scraps and garbage on the sidewalk, but no one does that now. Another issue is that there were many cleaners and street sweepers and the streets were never particularly dirty. Many people do not know China, do not see these differences, do not see how much the Middle Kingdom has changed. I would suggest such experts go to China and comment later.

I recently read a book about the Orient Express by Torbjorn Faerovik, in which he quoted Hemingway: "If you were lucky enough to live in Paris as a young man, the city will be a part of you for the rest of your life, because it is like an endless celebration." To paraphrase these words, I can say the same about Shenzhen. It was in Shenzhen that I met many friendly people, had fun, attended banquets in large hotels, visited the most interesting places, drank delicious naicha (milk tea), not knowing then that it would be the famous bubble tea. I rode my bicycle like crazy on the busy streets of Shenzhen, and drivers and passers-by were doubly surprised to see a white man on a bicycle. I met many Chinese people, many foreigners with whom I talked on various topics, shared my passions with them; I got to know a world that many people never had the chance to experience. I photographed beautiful models and admired life in a large metropolis. All this will indeed remain with me for the rest of my life.

I think that if the Chinese authorities told their citizens that they had to buy evacuation backpacks, that they had no place for them in shelters and that they generally had to cope on their own in the event of a war, flood, blackout, etc., it would be a slap in the face to the entire society and each individual citizen. There is no such thing in China that the state is unprepared, that it admits its weakness, that it is made of cardboard. Ensuring security is rather the basic obligation of the state towards its citizens. How much money do we pay in taxes and contributions? The problem is that in Poland public money is wasted, it is used like toilet paper. In the Middle Kingdom, where until recently arrangements and corruption were common; nevertheless, a lot has been done for ordinary Chinese people. There is really no sign of public money being wasted, of the state being weak, of the state telling its citizens: "If anything happens, deal with it yourself!" Another issue is that in Poland the media and politicians are threatening war and hysteria because it's about money. After all, in the current situation, a few million this or that "for armaments", purchased by companies linked to politicians, does not change anything. All who are anointed will earn and will not bear any responsibility for wrong decisions, for wasting money. They do it for the good of the homeland, but they don't know what "the good of the homeland" and what "care for citizens" means. Sad, but that's how it is in our country.

While traveling by train from Shanghai to Jinghua, I recently witnessed a strange row. A group of about 6-8 elderly, retired people were sitting in front of us, and in front of them was a young girl. At one point, this young girl moved her seat back. I didn't know if she hit the pensioner from behind or if he was just furious that she had reclined her seat so suddenly and as far as it would go, but in any case it was a spark. The older guy got terribly angry and started shouting at her that she had reclined her seat. Suddenly, for basically no reason, everyone started screaming, especially the "injured" man. Of course, within a few seconds a lady from the train staff (a cleaning lady), a conductor and a security guard appeared. They tried to calm them all down and asked us (foreigners) not to record the situation. Grandpa argued for about 10 minutes until the young girl started crying and the conductor took her to another carriage. A storm about nothing, a fight without any reason or sense. Generally, the Chinese are calm and I rarely see such situations, but when something starts, it can be fierce.