I am reading the history of the Opium Wars. Selling opium had been prohibited in the Chinese Empire since the 17th Century. The British merchants were introducing contraband while corrupting the functionaries in Canton. The Chinese Emperor sent a very polite letter to the English Queen protesting the actions of her subjects. Something like: " Imagine that foreigners come to your country to sell contraband, isn't that objectionable? The stink rises to Heaven, distressing the spirits." The whole argument of the Celestial Emperor was formulated in moral terms, trying to shame the British.
Today, the Chinese government says: "Western politicians often talk about how literature and art transcend borders, and the same goes for music. They also say “private property is inviolable.” So, what have these writers and musicians done wrong? Meanwhile, the private property of so many Russians has been frozen or confiscated. Let’s hope that Western politicians will reflect on these principles..."
Hahaha! "Let's hope they will reflect on these principles..." That's good! Of course, the Chinese were not naive then or now. They know that Western Barbarians are shameless and unshameable pirates, but they try and try again to teach them Confucian ethics and seize a lofty moral position.
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