China impressed with Obama but feeling proud

By Brian Liou (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-19 08:15

The giggling eyes of Zhang Yiqun gave it away, but her lips pursed. Something held her back. The freshman student at the University of International Business and Economics deflected the attention on her by diving a nervous laugh into the arms of a friend. It was a simple question: What would you ask United States President Barack Obama if you had the opportunity?

China impressed with Obama but feeling proud

"I want to know if he wants to be a movie star after he retires (from politics)," the 17-year-old finally said, adding with an intent gaze, "because he is so good looking." More giggles followed.

Much has been made about the staid "town hall" meeting Obama held at the Museum of Science and Technology in Shanghai with 500 polite students from the city's universities.

Critics claim that the meeting was staged by the Communist Party of China. Questions were indeed soft but it was one of the rare occasions where a US president hosted a town hall in the nation, an accomplishment in itself.

Still, one can't help but think: What would a completely open forum with Obama in China resemble? It clearly would not be as fiery as debates are in the states of Iowa or New Hampshire, but what else do the Chinese youths want to know about him?

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The responses I received from students and teachers at the Beijing university in Chaoyang district were poignant, political and surprisingly personal. English teacher Tom Fu, 24, raised his voice and his heavy-coated arms a bit higher with each question that sought answers to the US' occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I would ask Obama: If the US claims to want a peaceful path in the Middle East, why don't you leave Iraq and Afghanistan alone?" Fu said.

Yang Lidong, 18, was more interested in Obama's upbringing. "I want to know how life in a single-parent family affected him psychologically," said the financial engineering student.

China impressed with Obama but feeling proud

His friend, Zheng Kangtai would ask Obama: "Would you like your daughters to learn Chinese?"

From the question "What do you do when you're homesick?" from 26-year-old teacher He Wenxin to "Will you really cooperate with China?" from doubtful 21-year-old student Ma Yanfei, Obama is on the minds of many. Students complained that they couldn't find a video of the town hall. Some wanted to read the full transcript.

The difference, however, is that those I spoke with are not in awe of him and fully know that China is once again one of the leading world powers. Many said that they doubt the US will cooperate with China. Some asked if he really wants peace with their nation. Or as Fu put it: "China's power is rising. Obama showed that the US is worried about the rise."

brianliou@chinadaily.com.cn

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