Cultural History With Chinese Characteristics

China still lags behind in its development of the cultural industry. Looking at the cultural development paths of other countries we can find ways to advance our cultural industry with Chinese characteristics.

"Advance our cultural history with Chinese characteristics". What does that mean? How about just advance and promote Chinese cultural history or Chinese history? Everyone is so pscyched to use the phrase "with Chinese characteristics" that it often makes no sense in the context in which it's used.

The Chinese government is making significant improvements in this area. They struggle with the same issues that any fast growing nation fights. Keeping pace with the growth is almost impossible. It must modernize quickly and cost effectively and that often means tearing down old housing with no electrical or plumbing. Yes it is quaint, but people's basic needs must be met.

Then all the sudden at the end of the article is this:

Last but not least, legislation is needed to protect the national spirit and economic value of our cultural heritage. An international vision is needed. The cartoon movie Mulan of Walt Disney was created on the basis of a Chinese legendary story. The blockbuster has made nearly $400 million for the company but China, where the legend originated, has gained very little.

Another case that deserves vigilance: a Japanese company has made a game based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo Yanyi), one of China's four major classical novels, but depicts the Chinese heroes in an absurd and pornographic way. We should use our laws to protect our cultural heritage so that national pride will not be harmed.

Bad news China. No matter what legislation you pass, Walt Disney isn't going to pay over any portion of Mulan or their next movie about Chinese history to you. Can you imagine if every country had to be paid off anytime a reference was made about that country's past. You've got to come up with the idea first and then produce it.

Unfortunately the article ends with the victimization of China worried that its "national pride has been harmed." It hasn't; you're fine. Thicken up that skin and stick out your chest. You're doing extraordinarily well on the national scene and have no reason to feel inferior. Besides, it is just Japan. You hate them anyway.