Mass culture an overlooked gem in Middle Kingdom’s newly potent dreams

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Mass culture an overlooked gem in Middle Kingdom’s newly potent dreams

By Zhang Yiwu (Global Times) 09:29, August 14, 2013

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Over the past decades, China has taken on incredible changes and become the second largest economy in the world. With its rapid economic growth, improved livelihood for its people, increasing international competitiveness and a rising middle class, the Chinese dream carries new implications.

Ushering in an era of globalized cooperation, the Chinese dream in the new age offers countless possibilities for shared growth and diversified cultures.

While China has been enjoying smooth economic growth and collaboration with the rest of the world, it lags behind in cultural development.

Promoting mass culture constitutes one effective way to bring us closer to realizing the Chinese dream. The values and psychology of the general public can be reflected through mass culture, so it now seems pressing to create a vibrant cultural system to promote our sense of identity.

The authorities, society and media should adopt a tolerant attitude toward mass culture, as long as the fundamental values it conveys are positive.

Chinese elites should avoid scorning mass culture, which they often tend to regard as vulgar and boring. They have a responsibility to make our culture more inclusive and diversified.

We have something to learn from the US here. Hollywood filmmakers who are active, inclusive and innovative always have a good grasp of the needs of audiences. They grasp the essence of mass culture.

The Chinese dream has not attracted as much foreign talent as desired.

China still remains a developing country, and its values and spiritual elements have limited pull in the developed world.

But there is no denying that China's cultural elements and values have been transmitted to emerging countries.

Several African communities have taken shape in Guangzhou, many Vietnamese women have chosen to marry Chinese men, and the popular Chinese TV series A Beautiful Daughter-in-Law Era was well received in Tanzania.

All those facts demonstrate that the Chinese dream has brought enlightenment to the third world.

This Chinese dream has also endowed these emerging countries with more confidence in and expectations of the prospects of this rising power.

As China becomes more attractive for foreign talent, we should pay attention to our tangible policies and measures to lure more immigrants. The Chinese authorities should abide by laws and regulations as well as deliver fair and just verdicts when handling cases involving foreigners.

For example, we have abundant economic opportunities for foreign "experts" in most first-tier cities where they can have a very good career path. But for ordinary foreigners, it is not easy to seek employment in the world's second largest economy.

A certain number of foreigners from both the Western world and developing countries are still facing barriers while looking for employment or immigration in the vast territory of China.

The Chinese government should make immigration and talent-attracting policies more flexible to cater to divergent social needs.

Besides, more communication and mutual understanding between local Chinese residents and foreign neighbors are needed in the wake of differences in culture and lifestyle.

Despite a total of 56 ethnic groups, China still seems to lack dynamic diversity.

Environmental protection and social security improvement should also be made over as part of efforts to build soft power that helps lure more overseas talent.

At the present stage, China should attach equal importance to economic growth and cultural development, making the Chinese dream more attainable to the general public as well as resident foreigners.

The author is a professor with the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Peking University.