Locke's "Shabby Low-Key" Arrival

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• published: 16 Aug 2011
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Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/cnforbiddennews Like us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/chinaforbiddennews U.S. Ambassador to China Gary F. Locke, arrived in China. He is the first ethnic Chinese in this position. Locke's position and his Chinese background attracted wide attention from the media. Locke appeared in Beijing Airport as an ordinary person, and was referred to by media as "shabby and low-key." Netizens think this is a "wonderful lesson" to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) senior officials. Around 10p.m. on August 12, Locke, his wife and three kids appeared together on an escalator at the Beijing Airport. Locke wore a pair of casual shoes, carried a backpack and a bulging briefcase. Every family member carried luggage, except the youngest kid. There was no large number of followers or guards. This surprised the reporters, who were waiting onsite, and has provoked many thoughts amongst China's netizens. Netizens praised him: "Locke took office. His first appearance gave CCP officials a lesson. This lesson is excellent!" Jiang Qisheng (VP, Independent Chinese PEN Association): "He carried a backpack and came out with his children. This is unthinkable in China. We are far from it. Chinese officials are so ugly and hypocritical compared to him." Some media joked that this scene "looked like an ordinary Chinese returning from vacation with his family members." On the same day, U.S. Embassy's extended Cadillac could only take Locke and his wife, so the family took the Ford. HK's Oriental Daily wrote, today's Chinese officials do whatever they want, competing for power and luxury. This U.S. Ambassador is as simple as an ordinary person, a contrast to CCP's officials' arrogance and extravagance. An article online called "provincial-level officials to follow Locke's standards, as they are on the same level with Locke." "Why can Locke do it, but not the CCP officials?" Jiang Qisheng: "We should learn many things from this. Firstly, we should learn to be a real person without acting. Where did we get the acting idea from? - Former SU films. You see the films about Lenin. Mao Zedong began to learn. Officials speak with high voice and travel with followers and with drums, like the operas of olden times." Jiang Qishen thinks 60-year-old Locke reflects China's traditional cultural virtues. They started disappearing in China 60 years ago when CCP took power. China's traditional culture has been damaged by the CCP and this is terrible for both the people and the nation. Although Locke and his family all have Asian background, Locke stressed on August 14 during the news conference at the U.S. embassy that he and his family are representatives of the U.S. values ​​of freedom and equality. He also said he pays attention to Chinese people's lives through blogs, and will pay attention to Ai Weiwei's case. Jiang Qisheng: "In his country, he does not conceal his view on national interests, culture and values. He tells the truth. Chinese officials say formulated statements, not saying what they think. In China telling the truth needs courage, it's rare." Board member of App Factory Tang Hui posted a message on sina.com: "When Locke took his daughter to buy coffee at the Seattle airport, his coupons were refused. He was not angry and took out his credit card." Netizens exclaimed: "Americans are smart. They do not need to waste money on promoting 'the national image.' An ambassador's arrival showcases the image of the country -- endless charm." Oriental Daily commented that the Americans do not feel ashamed of the U.S. Ambassador's so called "shabby" look. Chinese people do not feel better because a Chinese village official looks more powerful than Locke. Locke won with his appearance in China and taught the CCP officials a valuable lesson. NTD reporters Liu Hui, Wang Ziqi and Guo Jing 《神韵》2011世界巡演新亮点 http://www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org/