By Liu Yang

A poll for the 10 most notorious hanjian (”traitors to China”) in modern times was launched at the beginning of this year by Utopia, a well-known left-wing forum. 

Organizers of the website nominated 18 people they thought match their definition of traitor, and then elected 10 of the worst. Thus, the fairness of the poll is questionable. But the reason I find that I cannot agree with Utopia’s move is its definition of ”traitor.”

I think a person can only be called a traitor if he sells his country out to a hostile state. This also implies that a prerequisite condition that countries involved in the deal must be in a relationship of clear hostility, yet China doesn’t have this kind of relation with any other countries at present.

However, the emotional hatred to traitors can penetrate through this boundary, and the emotions involved are stronger in China than elsewhere. For instance, accusations of people being ”traitors” are rarely heard in India, because India was too weak to prevent its social structure from completely falling to foreign hands when the country was colonized by the West a few centuries ago. Indians were directly ruled by Westerners, and their only choice was to rebel or to succumb.

China is different. The country has been invaded by foreigners several times before, but foreign invaders had to rely on locals to rule the country. These collaborators gave birth to the idea of the hanjian.

While China’s status has dramatically risen in the world and its relations with the West improved, the ideological conflict persists. Chinese who carry out the mission of promoting the Western ideology will continue their work. We should be aware of them, but they and the people who speak for them are not traitors. China is not at war with any country at the moment, nor has its law found them guilty.

Yet from another perspective, the poll by Utopia has been perceived as a taunt by the left against the right. I believe we should avoid categorizing people in this way, because both camps can breed traitors to our country as well as faithful patriots.

Both camps should strive for mutual understanding and cooperation in 2012, rather than waste time and energy for factional wars that will only stir social confusion.

The author is a freelance writer based in Beijing. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn

By Zhang Ming

To be frank, I think those put on the list of ”traitors to China” will feel ashamed about it, not over being labeled as ”traitors” but over the very low turnout. The top ”traitor” only got 193 votes, which shows only a few netizens participated. So this is hardly a popular vote.

But the low turnout could be regarded as a good thing, because it at least demonstrates that more people are becoming more rational on the Internet, particularly when faced with such irritation. Overall, it indicates society is getting more sensible.

At present, particularly on the Internet, we often see the left and right swear at each other over their opinions on various events and topics. The far left and far right also attack others with different views. I have been criticized by both sides. The phenomenon is also normal in other countries.

The present discussion in China divides people simply into two groups, the left and the right. I think it is a serious problem. Such a division itself is a manifestation of extremity. In discussion, the participant’s stance matters more than the facts and people mostly judge him more from his stance than his argument. Such simple labeling is not good for a thorough and sensible exchange of views.

In addition, I don’t think there is any logic in saying that the left is overwhelming the right. Some even say my leaving Sina Weibo is a sign of this. It is ridiculous. I just don’t like the communication environment on that platform.

There is no sign of left’s victory in the debate over historical problems, reality, human rights, democracy, and so on. They don’t even have a systematic narrative discourse. It is just mental comfort by some young leftists. I think it shows they lack confidence.

But even though there is verbal abuse on Internet discussion and illogical name-calling and I have been personally slandered sometimes, I still think it is good for us to have the freedom to voice our opinions.

The present problem is that some people don’t talk sense at all, or they casually shift the topic to avoid deeper discussion. I just hope that the discussion can be based more on reason and logic and that there will be more sense and freedom in online platforms like Weibo. 

The author is a professor at Renmin University. The article is compiled by Global Times reporter Xu Ming based on an interview. xuming@globaltimes.com.cn Extremists benefit from brutal insults

By Xiao Shu

An online forum perceived to be a major base for the Chinese left has been cheering its ”victory” recently, because its poll of 10 modern ”traitors” got a lot of publicity. But only a few hundred people voted in this poll, so this pathetic victory is actually more of a humiliation.

As for the people who topped the poll, they really don’t care about this label as they have already become used to this type of political harassment. They will continue to do what they believe is right, say whatever they believe is true, and nothing will change this.

The instigators of the poll know their move is merely noise that can be easily ignored. But why do they still carry on, even risking humiliating themselves? The answer is simple: They want to sell their political mindset to the public. While this sensational self-display is a cheap scam, it is deliberately planned to satisfy the appetite of the political market.

However, this tactic isn’t solely adopted by the left. The extreme left has been calling for a second Cultural Revolution over the past years, but this proposal somehow won support from zealots at the opposite end of the political spectrum. This phenomenon implies that the two end of the political balance actually share a common mindset.

Thus, conflicts of policies and political opinions between the two camps are not necessarily triggered by their opposing ideologies. Their powerful expressions of their political mindsets, often seen on microblogs and online forums, are actually staged performances deliberately plotted to win over an audience.

Trying to sell one’s  political mindset to the public is perfectly normal in countries where the marketplace of ideas operates with firm rules. But a certain bottom line shouldn’t be crossed. People’s rights and dignity should be respected.

Sadly, this ideal situation is nowhere to be found in China. This poll is a classic example. The creators just wanted to slander their opponents. We must end such vicious tricks, before the marketplace of ideas turns into a bloody dog fight.

The author is a member of the editorial board of Yanhuang Chunqiu magazine and a former editorial writer for Southern Weekend newspaper. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn