Following Seoul leg of torch relay, threat of anti-Chinese backlash

Posted on : 2008-04-30 13:01 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Chinese nationals cite pride and passion for Olympics, Korean netizens flood Internet with hostile comments
 Jongno-gu
Jongno-gu

South Korean citizens and Internet users have strongly criticized some of the Chinese nationals living here for holding violent demonstrations during the South Korea leg of the Olympic torch relay on April 27. However, some are calling for a calm response, saying that any nationalistic overreaction could ignite the spread of the anti-Chinese backlash.

After the Seoul relay, a flood of harsh, anti-China commentary flooded Internet bulletin boards in South Korea. On a public debate bulletin board located on the Internet portal site Daum, an Internet user with the nickname Jesus wrote, “The Olympics, despite its reputation as a global stage for peace, turned into a public relations site for Chinese nationalism and Sino-centrism.”

Another Internet user with the nickname Yena, who said she was at Seoul City Hall when some of the violent demonstrations were held, wrote on the bulletin board: “I saw a group of young Chinese people surrounding a foreigner with an English-language banner on his chest and threatened him. Were such distorted nationalism and frantic patriotism really representative of their Sino-centric pride?”

Some angry Internet users have displayed signs of extremism. On one Internet bulletin board, a list containing the personal information of some of the Chinese nationals whose faces were made public via television footage of the demonstration, was posted. The information included names, schools and mobile-phone numbers. The board also contained such hostile commentary as: “Let’s protest against Chinese students” or “Find the leaders at each university.”

On the same day, overwhelming traffic forced the Web site of the Chinese Students Association in Korea to shut down. In addition, an Internet community site was set up with the motto of punishing the Chinese nationals. The site drew some 1,000 Internet users who went through the procedure of signing up as members, a requirement of many Internet sites in Korea for access to the bulk of the information on any given Web site.

As the violent street demonstrations and clashes marred the South Korean leg of the Olympic torch relay, most Chinese nationals here have expressed their regret. However, they have also claimed that some of the South Korean demonstrators insulted their national pride, by removing Chinese national flags and publicly demanding the independence of Tibetans.

A 30-year-old Chinese student, who attends a university in North Jeolla Province and was only identified by the surname Wang, said, “

There was no spotlight on many of the Chinese nationals who were injured. I would like to ask you to understand our passion for the preparations for the Olympics.”

It has been said that the Seoul torch relay was met with violent demonstrations mainly because of the pride displayed by the Chinese nationals. In South Korea, Wang said people viewed the Chinese “as weak and feeble, but our pride is strong.” He went on to say, “In particular, I think (some of the Chinese demonstrators) felt insulted after they saw the Chinese flag had been pulled down and damaged. I also believe there has been an anti-Korean sentiment because some Koreans have looked down on Chinese nationals here by asking, ‘Do you have a television or refrigerator?’”

Another Chinese national who is only identified by the surname Hong and lives in Busan, said, “With the level of education rising, young Chinese have strong pride in their country. The Olympics is a symbol of that pride and (young Chinese people) have been sensitive because that pride has been undermined worldwide due to the Tibet issue.”

Han Seok-hee, a professor of Yonsei University Graduate School of International Relations, said, “The law violations were wrong because the laws on the back of Chinese nationalism. Many Koreans may have been more generous if (the Chinese demonstrators) had shown a spirit of friendship by coming out with both the Korean and Chinese national flags.”

However, Han said that the violent demonstrations were a “response by the Chinese nationals” to the problems that have followed the flame on its round-the-world journey, which began a month ago amid pro-Tibet protests. “The matter should end with punishment by the police against demonstrators who were violent. Things will be more complicated if Internet users take action on their own.”

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

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