Te-Ping Chen — Land of Big Number

For me this book is a revelation on general situation in China. Chen made 10 different stories to create a general picture for us outside to understand China better.

From “Lulu”, we learned that the China Communist Party will take action to those violate government’s regulations.

From “New Fruit”, we learned that the Party can make or delete things overnight. It is that easy for them. We had seen how China built a fully constructed Hospital for corona, in only 7 days.

From “Flying Machine”, we learned that there are people who embrace the Party and really try their best to be included or recognized by the government. Even until today, there are young people in China who doing extra effort like watching nationalist video everyday or involve in Party event, to increase their chances of becoming Party member.

Of all the stories told by Chen, “Gubeiko Spirit” is the one that sums up the relationship between Chinese Communist Party and its people.

It became understandable why (most) Chinese people are really embracing the Party. The Party gave them food, house, work — all the basic necessities. Their lives are accommodated by the Party, so why would (most) Chineses rebel against them?

It is an eye opening, another perspective to see. Because how the world see China is (most probably) from Western point of view, while China doing things in China way.