Editor’s Note
Comment on India in the Chinese official/quasi-official press, especially its policy approaches in foreign and strategic affairs, is always of interest in the country. Excerpts from translations of some recent commentaries are featured in this column. (Full texts available at www.niasindiainchina.in.)
The translations are of value for the clues they provide to Chinese (Communist Party elite) thinking on India and the world. The contents of these commentaries in Chinese published in the official/quasi-official Chinese newspapers are meant for domestic audiences, unlike the editorials, opinion pieces etc. put out on the English language media platforms of China (which are aimed at external audiences). They therefore represent authentic perceptions of the Party. The material put out on English language news platforms of China, in contrast, is content that the Chinese Party/State organs wish to project externally (as their take on contemporary developments). Therefore it is sheer propaganda and, as such, deserves to be ignored.
Regrettably, however, the English language output of the Chinese media is taken seriously in the country. It is swallowed unexamined as the authentic view and voice of official China. In fact, the entire public discourse on China in India is based on those hand-outs in English, without inclination or diligence to see them for what they are — prime vehicles for propaganda bluff and bluster. And unmindful, at the same time, of the vulnerability of assessments made within that basic limitation (of not being based on any authentic content in Chinese) to manipulation — to the time-honoured stratagems of mind control and (psychological) domination of the adversary through deception and disinformation (and diversion of attention in desired directions, away from the true action centres) that are known to be essential instruments in the armoury of Chinese ruling classes schooled in ‘the art of war’ by a tradition going back all the way to Sun Tzu. Such a basic gap in the study of China is in dire need of correction, obviously.
The “From the Chinese Press’ column is a modest attempt in that direction in collaboration with the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru. NIAS’ “India in the Chinese Media” project monitors the coverage of India (and its neighbouring countries) on a daily basis. Any queries can be addressed to Ambassador Saurabh Kumar, Adjunct Professor, who anchors the project, at saurabhkumar1610@gmail.com
Global Times (Chinese) June 8, 2017 : India’s build up of “Buddhist holy sites” suffers from many failings
Recent news of China South China Sea Buddhist College 2017 enrolment (figures) has touched some raw nerves in India’s media. ...China’s Buddhist development and interaction with the countries concerned is seen by India as “a major victory of China’s soft power diplomacy.” Because India’s ...Nalanda University …made no progress, …Indian public opinion began to allege that India’s efforts to revitalize Buddhism had come to nought. In fact, Modi’s introduction of “Buddhist diplomacy” …has fetched India considerable dividends ...China and India should be happy to see each other utilise “Buddhist soft power” to make positive contributions in the field of diplomacy.
India wants to develop “Buddhist corridor”
Japan and India to develop “Buddhist diplomacy”
New Nalanda University not up to expectations
“Indian Buddhism vs Chinese Buddhism”
...there are several reasons hindering India’s success ...In addition, the Bhartiya Janta Party’s roots lie in Hinduism; Yoga is part of the core content of Hinduism. The BJP intends to use Yoga to supplant Buddhism, and has launched the “International Yoga Day”. That notwithstanding, BJP is still happy to see India’s “Buddhist soft power” develop. In general, international scholars are not optimistic about the development of Indian Buddhism, and aver that Buddhism’s “past was (in) India, (but) the future (belongs to) China.” …China has the largest number of Buddhist believers out of all countries, and it is China that has, in the main, the right to speak for Buddhism now, not India. …Though it is something that originated in India, China helped to make it flourish, and India should be happy …to see it so; it should not speak sarcastically.