Letter to Tsinghua Grad Students
Some laugh at me for taking my role as a teacher in China so seriously, but I feel it’s my duty to instruct and demonstrate for the students that one must accept responsibility for one’s actions.
That and because I genuinely care about these people.
Below is an email I’ve sent to my Graduate students from Tsinghua. A condensed version I plan to send to my respected superiors at the university’s Foreign Languages department, but with a Mandarin translation.
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Hello everyone,
Just wanted to follow up on something I mentioned near the last week of class: the Chinese “hacking” of American businesses and networks.
Current events have revealed claims of the United States spying on China, Tsinghua University and others. While the United States was seemingly claiming to be the victim, it may have actually been acting to victimize others. Although I can’t officially comment on more than what the local and foreign news agencies have reported, if the current revelations are indeed entirely true, then as an American I want to apologize for such hypocritical behavior. I must make clear that my apology is not for the defense and protection of my country, but for the unethical and un-American methods and sub-American standards. From my heart of hearts I am disappointed because I believe one must lead by example, and because I owe more and better to you as a guest in your country.
From private and public education, military service, work and my relationships with others I was taught that my country is great–a beacon of hope and promise for anyone that wishes to call her home. But from my parents I was taught that trust and respect are not given freely; it is through thinking and effort and acts that trust is built and respect is earned.
I hope to continue to have the opportunity, in my small and personal way, to build trust and earn the respect of everyone in our international family.
—
:)rickymay
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To be fare, the “unite against the US oppressors” strategy is not uncommon with the Chinese government and so it’s likely to milk this for all the public support it can get, and in turn likely cause the opposite intended effect.
