Controversy over historical terms not necessary

Source:Global Times Published: 2014-7-29 0:43:01

The Nanjing Tourism Committee recently issued a notice that asked the city's tourism industry to modify certain historical terms when receiving Taiwanese visitors, in order to cater to their feelings. For example, the notice said the term used in the Chinese mainland, "post-liberation" should be replaced with "after 1949," and "Huaihai Campaign" should be replaced with "Xu-Beng Campaign."

But on Sunday the committee said it would withdraw the notice because it was issued without formal approval, and said it would punish people responsible. The public then mocked the committee's behavior.

Obviously, the Nanjing Tourism Committee dealt with this matter in an inappropriate way. Modifying historical terms is not appropriate.

Meanwhile, the committee's explanations show that some officials were too eager to shirk their responsibilities.

The Internet is powerful enough to integrate relevant information. Small local affairs can be made into public events with political significance.

Nanjing tourism authorities have attached too much importance to the feelings of Taiwanese people. But when they met with opposition voices online, they also felt uneasy. They lacked confidence when dealing with the Taiwanese and public opinion.

But is the mainland public confident enough? Not necessarily. We have always stressed principles and our bottom line, and have been particularly sensitive about tiny events in society. Online opinion often becomes frenzied by the improper behavior of officials at local levels.

Adjusting historical terms is just a way of cutting corners and should not be encouraged. But the motives for doing so had nothing to do with politics. The mainland public would rather tell Nanjing's tourism authorities how to deal with such troubles than criticizing them. When tour guides explain the "Huaihai Campaign" to Taiwanese compatriots, they can explain that Taiwanese people may refer to it as the "Xu-Beng Campaign." We need extensive momentum when it comes to historical and cultural products to spread the mainland's historical values, and receiving Taiwanese visitors can be an opportunity. But such an opportunity should not transform into conflict.

When the mainland and Taiwan talk about history and politics, we will insist on our principles and stance. When we get along with ordinary Taiwanese people, we will try to minimize confrontations over values or political issues. Such tactics applies all over the world. They should be flexible and create a win-win situation. We don't have to advocate opposition between the two and make rigid principles dominate cross-Straits relations.



Posted in: Observer

blog comments powered by Disqus