As a political Independent, I’m somewhat dissatisfied by the degree of hostility in the two-party system in the U.S., but I feel like such a whiner when I hear about the Chinese youth being unhappy with their own system.

The comparisons between the Chinese and American youth when it comes to politics are all riveting and even a bit overwhelming, and I wouldn’t even know where to begin to propose any solutions or even back any arguments related to political solutions or theories.

A Chinese youth asked me if we had rights in America. I said we did, and he was so impressed and intrigued. He also said he and many other university students are dissatisfied with the current Chinese government regime.

I told him America is a democracy, and political debate can often be very heated and sometimes hateful.

I asked him if the Chinese debated in this manner.

Apparently, the Chinese only discuss politics among friends or family
— out of reach from the government’s ears. He also told me the people
cannot protest against the government, and the government conceals vital information from the public from national to international affairs.

For example, if 100 people were killed in an accident, the people may hear from the media that only six people died.

The young people smile when we tell them we’re from America, but I can’t be certain if they know the ways of our democracy or if their speculations are distorted due to censorship. Or, perhaps, maybe I am entirely wrong in saying all of this.

I’m still learning about modern and traditional Chinese politics and culture, but I am excited to see how China and other East Asian
countries will evolve in the future.

— Sarah Halter, a senior English major