China Moves to Raze Old Kashgar

[Koppo]

To be fair lot of Japanese and European cities even non eastern bloc cities suffered same fate as Chinese cities now (Athens, most cities that have existed since or before medieval times, most Japanese cities etc. to name few big places) and i don't mean world war induced redevolepments. But those cases should be used as warning for Chinese. Then again Chinese need more space for people in cities, but perhaps they should seek to build elsewhere.

[hskywalker]

My mother can make this.This is popular in China.
I grew up in an era of profound transformations. I understand and agree with many of your points. But the matter is complicated, I tried to type many words, still founding not enough. So I make it simple:
1. The national pursuit of China is a scientific-industrial-military powerhouse, it has reasons. This kind of modernization generally fits the goal. May not perfectly fits, but generally fits in most places.
2. The are different kind of lifestyles. One more "natural and healthy", one more "modern" with all kinds of fashions. More people in China loves the second way.
3.Chinese society emphasizes collectivism, the government want to standalize everything. And they want control, standalization helps control.

[King of the Grey]

ok, earthquake concerns...i dunno, but as an architecturally-trained person, low mud built structures can stand earthquakes much more easily than shoddy concrete beams and columns.

i can understand redevelopment as a key issue, but i would expect a detailed development plan as well as calls for designs that would match the officials' wishes of preserving an interesting culture within China while providing a modernised environment for the Uighurs. The cadres should've utilised this chance to boost another 'tourist gem', the same way Beijing officials have done by taking their chances with the CCTV tower and the National Theater.

But...yeah, when its dealing with Uighurs or ethnic minorities, CCP are likely to disregard them,

[Ordie]

But...yeah, when its dealing with Uighurs or ethnic minorities, CCP are likely to disregard them,

Patronizing to say the least.

Beijing police were shaking them down along with the Tibetians and laborers while I was there.

But at the same time, the authorities like to brag about that China has 56 minorities. I told my guide that if the United States has over 200 minorities including our president perhaps China might have a Tibetian president one day.

She shook her head fearful of the thought.

[King of the Grey]

Ordie
perhaps China might have a Tibetian president one day.

man thats scary, y'know, like, we Han people have so much culture, y'know, like, we invented paper, compass,, gunpowder, and waterboarding techniques 3000 years ago. We can't be ruled by 'outsiders'! It'll be like those Mongols and Manchus overrunning us and ruining our glorious culture!

I mean, look at them! They're so simple! They worship the Great Heaven, and lets vultures devour their corspes thinking thats how souls go back to the Sky, thats gross! The proper way is to bury it in the ground and let bugs to slowly rot it out and hope no one will dig it before it finishes rotting.

Han Chinese has never been accepted foreigners, theres a reason for the literal translation of 'Middle Kingdom' right? Center of the Universe anyone? The only time in history when cultural and ethnic diversity was respected was in Tang dynasty, records show African and Arab merchants/sailors dwell near port cities in the east, Turkics mingle in the west, some even making into the Imperial Court, Japs/Koreans trade not only in terms of money, but also sends in monks and scholars to learn.

Thats, what i call a real harmonious society, so what if its a monarchy!
Bah, too much ranting haha

[TheMiddlePath]

Patronizing to say the least.

Beijing police were shaking them down along with the Tibetians and laborers while I was there.

But at the same time, the authorities like to brag about that China has 56 minorities. I told my guide that if the United States has over 200 minorities including our president perhaps China might have a Tibetian president one day.

She shook her head fearful of the thought.

Sadly after only 200 years, the original inhabitant, the American Indians were slaughter, their culture, language totally destroy. Their land, their forest bulldozed, their animals like the bison all shot sometimes for fun. Outnumbered and living in 3rd world conditions in their resevations.
And constantly reminded how lucky they are.

[King of the Grey]

same with the Aborginals of Australia!

except the difference with China and US/Aus is the ethnic minorities have always co-existed with Han Chinese for as long as there was people living in that part of Asia. Coexistence is not a new and strange concept to either parties, unlike the vast cultural differences between Frontiersmen/Indians or Colonials/Aboriginals.

It just saddens me when the CCP is actively instigating cultural hate when there had been none in the first place.

[ASAT]

Here are two examples I saw in China.

China's future?

here are more example photos for your reference

Today's Beijing

[BloodyTalon]

You guys did it hundreds of years ago, which means it's perfectly alright for us to do it now!

I knew you were going to argue that.

Here's the difference; unlike China, the US actually goes out of its way to preserve native and older cities and towns rather than destroy them for the sake of progress. Just lookup the Anasazi ruins that have been preserved or the current Hopi and Pueblo communities in Arizona and New Mexico as an example.

[Ordie]

Han Chinese has never been accepted foreigners, theres a reason for the literal translation of 'Middle Kingdom' right? Center of the Universe anyone? The only time in history when cultural and ethnic diversity was respected was in Tang dynasty, records show African and Arab merchants/sailors dwell near port cities in the east, Turkics mingle in the west, some even making into the Imperial Court, Japs/Koreans trade not only in terms of money, but also sends in monks and scholars to learn.

Ironically the Tang period is considered the pinnacle of Chinese Civilization. Ever since then it has stagnated.

Keep this in mind when President Obama arrives in Beijing this Summer. As he walks with President Hu Jintao in ceremonial review of the PLA honor guard, there's a young Chinese citizen of Tibetian, Uighur, Mongolian, Dai and other backgrounds who will say to him/herself while watching the news:

"if a minority person such as myself can be president of the most powerful country in the United States, there is no reason why I can't be president of China"

[balalaika-san]

here are more example photos for your reference

Today's Beijing

All those photos are taken in Beijing's CBD, an area no larger then 4 sq. miles.
How about you post some photos from Fengtai District (丰台区) or Shijingshan District (石景山区)?

[Ordie]

here are more example photos for your reference

Today's Beijing

Instead of cut and paste postcards, why not post your own photos.

Here's the Beijing I saw on a more human scale.


Forbidden City on a typical hazy day (Compared with postcards above)



Burned hotel next to CCTV building caused by fireworks and ignored by CCTV newscast. Locals like to mock it as an excess of greed.


Beijing on a more human scale. Everything that you need can be found at the Hutong without the need for a car. This is the type of urban development we should consider in the US as a means to mitigate our need for foreign oil.



General store within the local community.



An example for Kashgar to follow? 2,000 year old town of Pingyao.

[Henry's Fork]

Patronizing to say the least.

Beijing police were shaking them down along with the Tibetians and laborers while I was there.

But at the same time, the authorities like to brag about that China has 56 minorities. I told my guide that if the United States has over 200 minorities including our president perhaps China might have a Tibetian president one day.

She shook her head fearful of the thought.

Of course it scared her. Karmas a mother****er.

[ren0312]

All those photos are taken in Beijing's CBD, an area no larger then 4 sq. miles.
How about you post some photos from Fengtai District (丰台区) or Shijingshan District (石景山区)?

Data mining anyone?

[ren0312]

Of course it scared her. Karmas a mother****er.

A lot of Sunnis are less than happy that the Shiites are now in charge right?