| Former Chinese President Jiang ZeMin （江泽民) scolding Hong Kong journalists when they asked him a question he didn't like. The whole thing happened during a live broadcast. The phase he used, "too simple, sometimes naive", became an instant hit on internet. I believe this video revealed a human side of Jiang that's rarely shown on China's state controlled media. It showed he's not the glorious, always right demigod the party mouthpiece made out to be, but he's also not the evil Doctor who lives in a fallout bunker in Beijing with a black cat on his lap, as the western media often implies. He's just a normal person with flawed characters, just like an average grandpa on streets. Because top officials are sheltered from public scrutiny in China, he's sorely unprepared to deal with an independent press. Note only he lacked the practice, he also doesn't have the usual slick image and eloquence you often find in western politicians. He's unpolished and unsophisticated enough to be easily rattled by a mildly challenging question; He's also vain enough to pull out his "Mike Wallace" experience in a desperate attempt to salvage his image after he already lost his temper. He's also a bit arrogant, but for good reason. After all, he was the President of China at that time. He can be forgiven for speaking with a chip on shoulder. For all his flaws, he's a seasoned politician, a competent one actually. Even during his emotional outburst, he held the ground on principle matters. He ... |
