Imagine, if you will, flipping through channels and coming to a rest on this: a Chinese, an Arab, and an African man are facing off in a contest of English.  The next question: “A _____ by any other name would smell as sweet?”  *BZZT* “Frower!” says the Chinese guy.  The audience groans in disappointment. Next up: the talent portion.  The African announces proudly that he will sing the classic American ballad, “Love me Tender” by Elvis Presley.  Thunderous applause follows his rendition, despite being slightly off-key.  The Chinese follows up with an enthusiastic, if not entirely professional, banjo ditty.  Not to be outdone, the Arab launches into a comedic routine with a passable southern accent, featuring words like “varmint” and “hightail.”  The camera pans to a packed audience of white faces, grinning broadly and applauding madly.

Does this show sound surreal to you?  Well, frequently in the evening, that’s exactly the kind of show that’s on prime-time Chinese television—foreigners paraded on television for all to watch, showing off their skills in Chinese.

I’m sure the Chinese don’t mean to be condescending, but that’s often how these shows come across.  Chinese watch raptly and laugh, pointing and marveling at how these foreigners have gotten so good at Chinese.  ”Amazing, look, their accent is pretty good!  Where did they learn that idiom?  My, how clever they are.”

For all the supposed openness in the culture, despite having now had decades of contact with the outside world, Chinese culture remains insular in many of the most critical ways.  Smug and prideful of their cultural history and the difficulty of their language, Chinese people are incredulous that others who look and sound so strange could ever understand the subtleties of Chinese thought and expression.

If China wants to be taken more seriously in the world, they must adjust these attitudes of cultural superiority.  I am reminded of the stories about the White Man civilizing the Red Indians into living a Civilized Life, and how amazing it was that the Savage could be taught proper language and manners.  We in the West understand that cultural assimilation is not as difficult as it might seem on the surface, and one day the Chinese must also come to this realization if they are to fully open up.