Louder, Laowai! Expats Heartily Sing Praises of China's Progress

As an expat living in China, you may not be particularly interested in the Two Sessions parliamentary meetings that resulted in the passing of a constitutional amendment this weekend. And yet, you'd be wrong to think that your opinion doesn't matter.

China's expat community has been prominently featured in online interviews in which they overwhelmingly show their unequivocal support for their new home. In addition to a rap video made by the People's Daily, expats can be heard giving messages of support as the country reflects upon its future during the legislative sessions.

READ: "Banned" Rap Music Finds New Life in a Two Sessions Expat-Endorsed Propaganda Video

Street interviews conducted by CRI Online trying to determine the foreign reaction to the Two Sessions feature numerous expats saying nothing but praise for their hosts. Conducted in Beijing's expat enclaves of Wudaokou and Sanlitun, the interviewees praise China's progress as an indicator of support for its leadership.

Australian: "That's why so many foreigners come here to work"

One unnamed Australian expat said the economy of China's "new era" has already "surpassed that of our Western developed countries," explaining, "that's why so many foreigners come here to work" (shown above). Meanwhile, an Italian expat can be heard gushing: "You (China) will reach everything you want to reach, and I think you will do amazing" (shown below). 

Italian: "China will reach its goal"

As representatives of their home countries, the expats provide international insight. One unnamed American expat says "(China) has become a role model for other countries in the world" while another assures the listener that China will "continue to internationalize," calling it "forward progress."

American: "China is a model for other countries"

Sometimes, an expat's own home country doesn't come off favorably when directly compared with a country as great as China.

READ: Foreigners Making it Big in China

In a People's Daily video titled "Straight-Talk from Australian Laowai About China", Chinese online personality Amy Lyons said living in China is much more convenient than her home country of Australia due to online dining services. "If it's after 9pm in Australian and you happen to be hungry, you will starve," said Lyons, who is seen covering her face in shame as she mutters "Australia" as the video provides a "whomp-whomp" sound effect (shown below).

Lyons: "Australia..." (sweat.emoji); center text: "China welcomes you"

But even if Lyons wasn't embarrassed of her home country, as she is when describing Australia's lack of mobile phone apps, the expat view of China is exclusively positive. And if you don't identify with the People's Daily use of the Chinese colloquial term "laowai" (basically meaning "foreigner") to describe the expat community, there are others who do it for you.

Specifically introducing themselves as "laowai", a Haiwainet video shows an international group of expats throwing their support behind China's leadership responsible for the country's economic success.

Having only lived in China for six months, the sky's the limit for Tommy's future

"I hope China's economy is getting better and better, then my life in Beijing will also get better and better," says Tommy from Ireland, using the same talking point featured in other Two Sessions information campaigns. Meanwhile, Bethan from the UK explains that its high time for China to change its fundamental laws because "it has been 14 years since the last constitutional amendment."

Bethan then explained that "China's economy has dazzled the world" in front of a background with oversized 100 RMB bills

Given that all these opinions are true, you may think that these opinions have nothing to do with you since they don't necessarily reflect your own. Unfortunately for the expat community in China, the use of the term "laowai" has a greater scope than you may think.

READ: US Starlet Prefers "Sexy" Beijing Losers Instead of "Over-Liberated" Western Men in Viral Video

Not only has the People's Daily reported that "laowai" are "all fans of China," but the country's politicians think so as well. Even though he doesn't say it directly, the Worker's Daily reported CPC representative Ma Huiteng as saying laowai are completely in awe of China's "four new inventions," providing as proof a number of unrelated interviews of foreigners praising China's progress.

The Two Sessions wraps up this week on Mar 15.

More stories from this author here.

E-Mail: charlesliu1 (at) qq (dot) com
Twitter: @Sinopath

Photo: Weibo (1, 2, 3, 4)