XiZang (Tibet) – the reality

A reconstruction of the original Summer Palace totally destroyed by imperialist forces (robbed and burnt down by Anglo-French troops in the 2nd Opium War in 1860). With Walk East ...

In the West, poverty is tolerated; some say even necessary. China, however, aimed to end this once and for all. Today, China is almost at the point of eradicating poverty. Let's take a look at how it was achieved ...

Don't miss it ... 00:06 北京故宫千秋亭 (Beijing Forbidden City, QianQiu Pavilion) 00:12 紫禁城 (Forbidden city) 00:19 甘肃嘉峪关 (Gansu Jiayuguan) 00:29 中国台湾竹林山观音寺 (Guanyin Temple, Zhulin Mountain, Taiwan, China) 00:37 江苏无锡灵山大佛 (Jiangsu Wuxi Lingshan Buddha) 00:46 四川稻城白塔 (Sichuan Daocheng Baita) 00:50 山西太原蒙山大佛 (Mengshan Buddha, Taiyuan, Shanxi) 01:11 四川巴塘措普湖 (Sichuan Batang Thomp Lake) 01:20 云南泸沽湖里格半岛 (Yunnan Lihu Peninsula) 01:29 西藏羊卓雍措 (Tibet Yangzhuo) 01:37 河南王屋山 (Henan Wangwushan) 01:42 江西庐山 (Jiangxi Lushan) 01:47 江西婺源 (Jiangxi Wuyuan) 01:51 湖南张家界 (Zhangjiajie, Hunan) 01:59 四川那玛峰 (Naama Peak, Sichuan) 02:13 乌鲁木齐天格尔峰 (Urumqi Tiangle Peak) 02:22 四川雅哈垭口 (Sichuan Yaha Pass) 02:34 杭州西湖曲院风荷 (Hangzhou West Lake Quyuan Fenghe) 02:43 江西新余 (Jiangxi Xinyu) 02:47 广西桂林 (Guilin) 02:58 湖北武汉东湖 (Wuhan East Lake, Hubei) 03:03 海南三亚海上观音 (Hainan Sanya Sea Goddess of Mercy) 03:07 贵州千户苗寨 (Guizhou Qianhu Miao Village) 03:12 浙江宁波 (Ningbo, Zhejiang) 03:16 南京美龄宫 (Nanjing Meiling Palace) 03:20 上海 (Shanghai) 03:24 江苏苏州 (Suzhou, Jiangsu) 03:28 广东广州 (Guangzhou, Guangdong) 03:33 中国香港 (Hong Kong, China) 03:38 中国澳门 (Macao, China) 03:40 北京三里屯 (Beijing Sanlitun) 03:41 宁夏银川鼓楼 (Ningxia Yinchuan Drum Tower) 03:44 黑龙江哈尔滨大教堂 (Harbin Cathedral, Heilongjiang Province) 03:46 云南昆明官渡古镇 (Guandu Ancient Town, Kunming, Yunnan) 03:48 广东广州中山纪念堂 (Zhongshan Memorial Hall, Guangzhou, Guangdong) 03:51 天津小白楼 (Tianjin Xiaobai Building) 03:53 湖北襄阳唐城 (Tangyang City, Hubei Province) 03:55 安徽歙县 (Yixian County, Anhui Province) 03:59 吉林长白山天池 (Jilin Changbai Mountain Tianchi) 04:04 湖南张家界武陵源 (Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie, Hunan) 04:12 重庆潼南 (Chongqing Weinan) 04:15 北京大兴机场 (Beijing Daxing Airport) 04:17 青海昆仑眼 (Qinghai Kunlun Eye) 04:19 南海三沙蓝洞 (Nansha Sansha Blue Cave) 04:21 上海陆家嘴环路 (Shanghai Lujiazui Ring Road) 04:23 陕西西安钟楼 (Xi'an Bell Tower, Shaanxi) 04:25 重庆洪崖洞 (Chongqing Hongyadong) 04:27 山西临汾华门 (Linyi Huamen, Shanxi) 04:30 陕西雨岔大陕谷 (Shaanxi Rainy Dashan Valley) 04:32 新疆开都河 (Kaidu River, Xinjiang) 04:34 新疆伊犁新源 (Xinjiang Yili Xinyuan) 04:36 云南文山普者黑 (Yunnan Wenshan Puzhehei) 04:39 新疆昌吉江布拉克 (Xinjiang Changji River Braque) 04:41 浙江台州大陈岛荧光海 (Fluorescent Sea, Dachen Island, Taizhou, Zhejiang) 04:43 新疆禾木 (Xinjiang Hemu) 04:46 安徽黄山 (Anhui Huangshan) 04:48 安徽休宁县 (Xiuning County, Anhui Province) 04:49 江西武功山 (Jiangxi Wugong Mountain) 04:50 福建厦门 (Fujian Xiamen) 04:51 福建土楼 (Fujian Tulou) 04:52 甘肃七彩丹霞 (Gansu colorful Danxia) 04:53 甘肃敦煌月牙泉 (Gansu Dunhuang Crescent Spring) 04:54 贵州黄果树瀑布 (Guizhou Huangguoshu Waterfall) 04:55 贵州贵阳 (Guiyang, Guizhou) 04:56 贵州FAST天眼望远镜 (Guizhou FAST sky telescope) 04:58 广东汕尾凤山妈祖像 (Guangdong Shanwei Fengshan Mazu statue) 04:59 广东惠州汉月湾 (Huizhou Hanyue Bay, Guangdong) 05:00 广东南沙大桥 (Guangdong Nansha Bridge) 05:01 广东广州中轴线 (Guangdong Guangzhou Central axis) 05:02 广东深圳华润总部 (Guangdong Shenzhen China Resources Headquarters) 05:03 广东深圳机场 (Guangdong Shenzhen Airport) 05:04 湖北武汉长江 (Wuhan Yangtze River, Hubei) 05:05 湖北武汉黄鹤楼 (Yellow Crane Tower, Wuhan, Hubei) 05:06 湖北武汉东湖樱园 (Wuhan East Lake Sakura Garden, Hubei) 05:07 湖北长阳天柱山 (Tianzhu Mountain, Changyang, Hubei) 05:08 湖北荆州古城 (Ancient city of Jingzhou, Hubei) 05:10 宁夏中华黄河楼 (Ningxia Zhonghua Yellow River Building) 05:11 河南老君山 (Laojun Mountain, Henan) 05:12 河南龙门石窟 (Longmen Grottoes, Henan) 05:13 黑龙江哈尔滨冰雪大世界 (Harbin Ice and Snow World in Heilongjiang Province) 05:14 黑龙江大庆芍药花海 (Heilongjiang Daqing peony flower sea) 05:15 湖南长沙大剧院 (Hunan Changsha Grand Theatre) 05:16 湖南凤凰古镇 (Fenghuang Ancient Town, Hunan) 05:17 吉林集安 (Jilin Ji'an) 05:18 辽宁沈阳 (Shenyang, Liaoning) 05:20 辽宁大连星海湾大桥 (Dalian Xinghai Bay Bridge, Liaoning) 05:21 辽宁大连长兴岛 (Changxing Island, Dalian, Liaoning) 05:22 江苏扬州瘦西湖 (Slender West Lake, Yangzhou, Jiangsu) 05:23 江苏苏州十里斜塘 (Suzhou Shili Liantang) 05:24 江苏南京灵谷寺萤火虫 (Fireflies in Linggu Temple, Nanjing, Jiangsu) 05:25 江苏南京平流雾 (Nanjing Nanjing River) 05:26 广西柳州 (Liuzhou, Guangxi) 05:27 广西桂林相公山 (Xianggong Mountain, Guilin, Guangxi) 05:28 广西德天瀑布 (Guangxi Detian Waterfall) 05:29 广西百色福禄河 (Guangxi Baise Fulu River) 05:30 青海格尔木河 (Qinghai Golmud River) 05:32 青海俄博梁 (Qinghai Russian Boliang) 05:33 青海哈拉湖 (Qinghai Lake Hala) 05:34 青海湖 (Qinghai Lake)

Victoria Park, Causeway Bay. This film is from 2015 ...

With Max and Jacqueline ...

With Mick Dunford, Michael Hudson and Radhika Desai ... With Wave Media ... With Dialogue Works plus Alex Krainer and Pepe Escobar ... With Stephen Roach ... With Brian Berletic ... With Trip Bitten, on RedNote ... 1. Introduction: The West’s Illusion of Superiority The West has long portrayed itself as the pinnacle of civilization, a beacon of freedom, democracy, and progress. Yet, beneath this self-congratulatory narrative lies a history of exploitation, inequality, and moral decay. From its roots in colonialism and slavery to its modern-day obsession with short-term profits and individualism, the West’s claims to superiority are built on shaky foundations. In contrast, nations like China and many across Asia offer a different vision—one rooted in collective well-being, long-term planning, and a deep respect for cultural heritage. This exploration seeks to uncover the truth behind the West’s facade and highlight the strengths of alternative models. --- 2. The West’s Historical Foundations: Colonialism, Slavery, and Exploitation The West’s rise to global dominance was not achieved through innovation or moral superiority but through the brutal exploitation of others. Colonialism and slavery were not mere historical footnotes—they were the foundation of Western wealth and power. Entire continents were plundered, their resources stolen, and their people subjugated. The transatlantic slave trade, the genocide of indigenous populations, and the exploitation of colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Americas are indelible stains on the West’s conscience. Even today, the West continues to benefit from the structures of inequality established during the colonial era. Global economic systems are still rigged in favor of Western nations, while former colonies are burdened with debt, poverty, and instability. The West’s refusal to confront this history is a testament to its enduring arrogance and hypocrisy. --- 3. The Myth of Democracy and Free Speech: Tools for Regime Change and Hegemony The West’s promotion of “democracy and free speech” is often portrayed as a noble endeavor to spread freedom and human rights. In reality, these ideals have frequently been used as a smokescreen for regime change, economic exploitation, and the maintenance of Western hegemony. Far from empowering people, the West’s version of democracy has often been a backdoor for imposing its will on other nations, destabilizing governments that resist its dominance, and ensuring that the global order remains tilted in its favor. The West’s emphasis on free speech is equally hypocritical. While people are technically free to say what they want, there are significant social and professional consequences for speaking out against the status quo. Dissent is often met with ridicule, ostracism, or even retaliation, particularly when it challenges powerful institutions or entrenched ideologies. --- 4. Poverty as a Tool for Compliance: The West’s Deliberate Inequality Poverty is not an accident or a natural outcome of economic systems—it is a deliberate tool used by the West to maintain compliance and control. By keeping large segments of the population in a state of economic precarity, the West ensures that people are too preoccupied with survival to question the systems that exploit them. Poverty is not just a condition; it is a mechanism of oppression, designed to perpetuate inequality and servitude. The West’s reliance on poverty as a tool of control comes at a tremendous cost—not just for the poor, but for society as a whole. Poverty undermines social cohesion, fuels inequality, and stifles human potential. It is a barrier to progress, a source of suffering, and a stain on the conscience of any society that allows it to persist. --- 5. The Culture of Fear and Conformity: Why the West is Scared to Be Free When visiting the West, one of the most striking observations is the pervasive sense of fear that seems to grip its people. Fear of judgment, fear of failure, fear of standing out—this culture of fear is not an accident but a deliberate outcome of systems designed to keep people compliant, divided, and isolated. In the West, the illusion of freedom masks a reality of constraint, where people are too scared to be themselves, too scared to speak their minds, and too scared to challenge the status quo. This fear of freedom is rooted in the West’s culture of individualism, which isolates people and undermines collective action. In a society where everyone is focused on their own survival and success, there is little room for solidarity or mutual support. People are taught to see themselves as competitors rather than allies, making it difficult to unite against the systems that oppress them. --- 6. The Infantile Culture of the West: Distraction, Instant Gratification, and Ethical Decay The West’s culture is defined by its obsession with instant gratification. From fast food to fast fashion, from social media to sensationalist news, the West prioritizes quick fixes and superficial pleasures over meaningful, lasting fulfillment. This culture of distraction is not just a byproduct of modernity—it is a tool of control. By keeping people focused on trivialities and immediate desires, the West’s elites ensure that the population remains disengaged from the deeper issues that affect their lives. This infantilization is evident in the West’s media and entertainment industries, which prioritize spectacle over substance. Blockbuster movies, reality TV, and viral social media trends dominate the cultural landscape, offering escapism rather than enlightenment. The result is a society that is intellectually and emotionally stunted, unable to grapple with complex issues or think critically about the world around them. --- 7. Short-Term Profits vs. Long-Term Planning: The West’s Unsustainable Model One of the most striking differences between China and the West is their approach to time. China’s governance is defined by its commitment to long-term planning, with a focus on sustainable development, infrastructure, and the well-being of future generations. In contrast, the West is dominated by a culture of short-term profits, where immediate gains are prioritized over long-term stability and progress. This obsession with short-term profits has led to a culture of instability and insecurity. In the West, workers are often treated as disposable, with little job security or access to benefits. Corporations prioritize shareholder returns over the well-being of their employees, leading to a cycle of layoffs, outsourcing, and wage stagnation. The result is a society where people are constantly struggling to keep up, with little hope for a stable or prosperous future. --- 8. China’s Alternative: A Civilization Rooted in Harmony, Collective Well-Being, and Progress In contrast to the West’s infantile culture, China represents a mature and grounded civilization, rooted in thousands of years of cultural heritage and philosophical wisdom. China’s approach to governance and society is defined by its commitment to harmony, collective well-being, and long-term thinking. This is not just a matter of policy—it is a reflection of a deep cultural understanding of what it means to build a just and equitable society. China’s emphasis on education, moral values, and social responsibility fosters a culture of maturity and depth. Rather than being distracted by superficial pleasures, the Chinese people are encouraged to contribute to the collective good and to think critically about the future. This sense of purpose and responsibility stands in stark contrast to the West’s culture of distraction and instant gratification. --- 9. Asia’s Distinct Friendliness and Helpfulness: A Culture of Community and Respect In contrast to the West’s ethical decline, many Asian cultures are characterized by a distinct sense of friendliness, helpfulness, and community. This is not just a superficial difference but a reflection of deeper cultural values that prioritize harmony, respect, and collective well-being. For visitors to Asia, this warmth and generosity are often immediately apparent, creating a stark contrast with the individualism and alienation often experienced in the West. This sense of harmony is evident in everyday interactions. In many Asian countries, people go out of their way to assist strangers, whether by giving directions, offering a seat on public transport, or simply sharing a smile. This friendliness is not just a matter of politeness but a reflection of a deeper cultural commitment to creating a positive and supportive social environment. --- 10. Conclusion: A Choice Between Two Paths The West’s ethical decline and Asia’s distinct friendliness and helpfulness represent two very different approaches to society and culture. The West’s focus on individualism, profit, and power has led to a culture of alienation and moral decay, while Asia’s emphasis on harmony, community, and mutual support has created a culture of warmth and resilience. The choice between these two paths is not just a matter of cultural preference but a question of values. The West’s ethical decline is a reminder of the dangers of prioritizing power and profit over people, while Asia’s friendliness and helpfulness offer a vision of a more just and equitable world. In this new era, it is clear that the West has much to learn from Asia’s example—not just about how to treat others, but about how to build a society that truly values harmony, respect, and collective well-being. Quality of life FOR ALL is what we need.

With Li JingJing and Ben Norton ...

JiangSu province. With Walk East ... SuZhou's ancient alleys ... YT comment : I can’t believe this is the country that is portrayed as evil in western media. These people seem so happy, dress nicely, have a smile, and do whatever they want on the street at night. YT comment : Love the old style architecture. its great how they blend in the old historic buildings with modern culture ... Beautiful !