Is that really the case? Some people glorified Lin Zexu in order to publicize this national hero, which not only belittled the contribution of Manchu in the war, but also covered up some things of Qing Dynasty. Lin Zexu is patriotic, but not so great. Opium did not originate in England. China had its own opium for a long time, but the chemical level in China was very poor. Therefore, the quality of opium in China is not as good as that in Britain, so the opium trade is damaged. When dealing with westernization disputes, Lin Zexu handled opium smuggling with businessmen who were not involved in opium smuggling. Lin Zexu completely banned business contacts between China and Britain. The British are wrong, but so is Lin Zexu. Lin Zexu is excellent, but not as great as advertised.
For the sake of national interests, Lin Zexu, who dared to say "no" to westerners, won the sincere respect of Americans. They believe that drug control needs Lin Zexu's spirit.
America is a country that worships heroes. Statues of various characters can often be seen in public places such as streets, parks and campuses, and they are their heroes. Among these heroes, there are many people from China.
The first one I saw was a full-length bronze statue of Mao Yisheng on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University. Mao Yisheng is the first China doctor trained by Carnegie Mellon University. 19 19 After graduation, he was a "sea returnee" and devoted himself to the construction of China. In recognition of his outstanding contribution in China, Carnegie Mellon University plans to make a statue for him. At the beginning, it was controversial. The focus of the debate is that Carnegie Mellon University has not had any statues since it was founded a hundred years ago. Its two founders are famous figures: Carnegie is the world's steel king, Mellon is a famous American banker and three finance ministers. They have been dead for many years, but they have never been able to stand on campus. Can the "first prize" be from China?
However, the president believes that heroes should not ask the source, regardless of race, universities should be inclusive and global. This opinion finally prevailed.
When it comes to the inclusiveness of Americans, the statue of Lin Zexu on Broadway in new york is more representative. Lin Zexu was a national hero who opened his eyes to see the world in modern China, and "No Smoking in Humen" made him famous. He burned the opium of westerners, but in the end he became a hero in the eyes of Americans, who held him in high esteem. In the bustling downtown area of new york, there are "Lin Zexu Square" and "Lin Zexu Street" around the statue, which has the posture of "a famous forest in one scene"!
Lin Zexu's statue also fully embodies American pragmatism. The proliferation of drugs in the United States has become an urgent social problem, and the American government is in chaos and disorder, and the more it is banned, the more it is banned! At this time, for the sake of national interests, Lin Zexu, who dared to say "no" to westerners, won the sincere respect of Americans. They believe that drug control needs Lin Zexu's spirit.
China heroes Dr. Mao and Mr. Lin Qincha, who stood on American soil, established traditions, attached importance to science and technology, promoted education, pleaded for the people and worked wholeheartedly for the public. Their statues in the United States reflect the values of the American people and their openness to learning. This attitude determines that they are particularly good at absorbing good things from other cultures and using them. Seeing these statues, I often wonder whether the rising Chinese nation needs such an open mind and attitude.