Shanghai is a very international city, and therefore I have the exciting opportunity to interact with people from all over the world. As well as interacting with Chinese people every day, the international community in Shanghai makes it very easy for us “foreigners” to meet and share experiences. On one hand, these interactions have mainly been positive. On the other hand, I have gotten many mixed reactions to my being American. Most Mexicans I have met here have come off very offensive until I told them I didn’t vote for Trump. A lot of Europeans just shake their heads when they hear I am from the United States and proceed to emphasize their intellectual and moral superiority.
Chinese people have a broad spectrum of views on Americans. Government propaganda, over the years, has worked to highlight the worst of US life, which sadly now they have a lot of material to work with. For example, Trump’s whirlwind election and subsequent first 100 days in China are widely broadcasted in China, whereas Obama’s wasn’t. In addition, news of racial prejudice and violence against minorities is also present in China, to the point where I even had a Chinese person tell me he hated African Americans because he wanted to be welcoming and thought I did too because I was American. Some other weird conceptions of Americans include: we work out too much. Our staple food is McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Every person is in a fraternity. We think we are the best in the world.
Chinese people are also fascinated by some of the knowledge we have about China. When I was in Beijing last summer, my teacher was shocked to find out we had any idea that the Tiananmen Protests occurred. Many Chinese are also stupefied to learn that I am really interested in learning their language. Most younger people in China have had more exposure to the international world and are less surprised by the things that Americans do. A lot of them use VPNs, have very liberal values, and easily laugh and mingle among foreigners.
Overall, Chinese people seem to have a very positive viewpoint of the states, and Chinese society clearly shows the powerful effects of American soft power. Movies played in cinemas include Chinese and American movies, restaurants and shops try to cook and sell a likeliness to American food, and people walk around wearing US flags and American slang on their shirts. In some ways, although this effect is a little stronger in Beijing, many Chinese people are trying to emulate an American way of life. The “American Dream”, or hope of moving to the United States for school, making money, and a better life, is very present in the minds of many Chinese. However, many of these people seem to not have any ideas of the problems that the United States faces domestically. Shanghai has a larger global presence, with food and culture from all around the world, but the same theme is present – American life is influential.
However, this comes in conflict with the vision the Chinese government has for its people. After decades of turmoil in the last century, the Chinese government has worked to strengthen China’s image, both in the minds of Chinese at home and of those abroad. It has worked to remind China of its long history, strong economy, and powerful position abroad. Xi Jinping is trying to perpetuate “the Chinese Dream” to overtake hopes of an American Dream. Interestingly, these messages are not very anti-America, instead emphasize America as a friend. And as a result, the negative opinion that Chinese may have had of America in the past century largely does not exist on the mainland today.