by Candace Gawler
Professor Colin Mackerras, an expert on China from Griffith University in Australia, recently presented a seminar entitled 'Western images of China since the 1990s' at the School of Journalism and Media studies.
Professor Mackerras argued that Western images of China have been "unnecessarily negative" and that the Beijing massacre on 4 June 1989 played a significant role in shaping these images.
Professor Mackerras, who has been regularly visiting China since 1965, feels that China is a country with great culture, a strong economy and nice people although many believe that it is a "rather nasty and fearsome state with many human rights abuses". He does believe that China is concerned about the well-being of the majority even if there are individuals who suffer as a result. Professor Mackerras argued that Western images are not all nonsense; however they do present a very critical view of China. He further added that although the Chinese economy boosts the country's image, there is a clash with Western democratic ideologies and China’s apparent disregard for these.
Interesting discussions arose with regards to Africa's perception of China.