Hello Everyone! I want to thank you all for subscribing to my newsletter when it launched earlier this week. Within the first 48 hours we had over 300 people sign up and I look forward to sharing with you my thoughts. Is Silencing Donald Trump a violation of Free Speech?
I would say that apart from the "insult" to the Chinese Government, the Chinese Government also listens and act. They heard what Jack said about outdated banking regulations and the need for new regulations on fintech, but not on Jack's terms which is more Wall Street jungle rules. So the Chinese government acted immediately. I am sure Jack is very busy with the regulators giving his opinions, being interviewed given a role to scrutinise the regulations. It is good that China shows the world that the common good of all citizens is above the interest of a rich man or some big corporations. China showed the world that they are not even interested to have (the title of) the biggest IPO in history. They just want the best for their people and the country. Imagine if Jack was in another country or an American. He would have been untouchable!
Well said Bill...I couldn't agree with you more and in fact I do feel that Jack Ma will still play a big role in the future of Ant Group as China finds the best way to handle and regulate this company.
Freedom without responsibility and accountability is a formula for disaster. Individuals, families, societies, and nations that understand this principle will always feel free. A Chinese proverb suggests that we start with building individual character, and then radiate outward to make the world a better place, "Develop self, unite family, strengthen nation, peace on earth."
This is an opportunity to understand the true meaning of "freedom of speech". Speech can indeed be a powerful weapon. Making it free is not a simple slogan. Twitter believes Trump's speech will incite violence. In fact, there are many cases that prove that words can kill people too. I remember that after a boy said something offensive to his girlfriend, she jumped off a tall building and died. "Freedom of speech" should be subject to boundaries, laws and governance.
While I agree with you Owen, it opens up a tricky debate....what is the definition of free speech? For example is hate speech free speech? If hate speech is not free speech, than who governs what is right and what is wrong? Lebron James made a good comment about Free Speech....we have free speech but free speech sometimes has consequences, it's a good thing to be aware of
Nice article Cyrus, freedom of speech definitely has its limits and evils, but it’s an important founding principle and now the president of America is being censored?!!! Time for some serious soul searching...
I agree Diane, it is going to take a while for America to recover from this low point, but Americans are resilient, I'm still hopefully for a turnaround. America will sort itself out
To those who say it's "Chinese culture" that is requiring Jack Ma to lay low - one might make the observation that the culture in Taiwan is not the same, at least in this respect, as the culture in China because in Taiwan no one ever has to stay out of the public spotlight due to "sensitivities." So, its it actually Chinese culture or something else? "Living under the Communist Party 'culture'", perhaps?
Chinese culture is obviously balanced and restrained. You said that Jack Ma will not show up at sensitive moments. This is actually a manifestation of Chinese culture, that is, restraint from obeying the public. If you understand Chinese culture, you should know what Confucius once said about "克己复礼（something like self-discipline and Restoring etiquette)". This "礼(etiquette)" can have many meanings. Western culture does not have this element. In fact, freedom of speech is also mentioned in the West. The Chinese have never had this kind of culture. This has nothing to do with the Communist Party. Taiwan now also learns from the West.
I agree with what you say, as a general aspect of Chinese culture, but disagree with your assertion that it has "nothing to do with the Communist Party." The Party is the ultimate authority in China, and has control over everyone's lives, futures, and personal freedom (or lack of it), including Jack Ma. He can not afford to offend the Party, as they can (1) negatively affect his business, as they have done by unilaterally cancelling his IPO; (2) force him to shut his mouth, upon penalty of, perhaps, being charged with a crime against the State, as has happened to many of his peers under similar circumstances. These things have much more to do with the nature and character of the Communist Party of China than Chinese culture. If he felt compelled to restrain his speech and/or visibility by Chinese culture, and made the decision himself to lay low for a while, that would support the argument that this is just culture - however, it's more likely that he did not make this decision himself, but was compelled by outside forces - with the power to follow through on consequences of non-compliance - that are greater than him, and that would mean the Party itself.
People on the outside are always willing to interpret certain events in China as oppression by the Communist Party. For example, the cause of the Hong Kong incident has never been questioned. The halting of the IPO of Ants and the disappearance of Jack Ma from public view are all blamed on the Communist Party. Do you know what ordinary Chinese people think of Jack Ma's speech? It is not offending the Communist Party, he is offending millions of Chinese who believe in him. If Ant IPO goes public, it will be a feast for Jack Ma, and ordinary people will encounter great financial risks. The Communist Party is a responsible government. If the Communist Party is stupid enough to be irritated by Jack Ma’s speech and sanction him, then I really doubt how China has achieved success in the past 40 years.
I would say that apart from the "insult" to the Chinese Government, the Chinese Government also listens and act. They heard what Jack said about outdated banking regulations and the need for new regulations on fintech, but not on Jack's terms which is more Wall Street jungle rules. So the Chinese government acted immediately. I am sure Jack is very busy with the regulators giving his opinions, being interviewed given a role to scrutinise the regulations. It is good that China shows the world that the common good of all citizens is above the interest of a rich man or some big corporations. China showed the world that they are not even interested to have (the title of) the biggest IPO in history. They just want the best for their people and the country. Imagine if Jack was in another country or an American. He would have been untouchable!
Well said Bill...I couldn't agree with you more and in fact I do feel that Jack Ma will still play a big role in the future of Ant Group as China finds the best way to handle and regulate this company.
Freedom without responsibility and accountability is a formula for disaster. Individuals, families, societies, and nations that understand this principle will always feel free. A Chinese proverb suggests that we start with building individual character, and then radiate outward to make the world a better place, "Develop self, unite family, strengthen nation, peace on earth."
Love your insights Tom and love that proverb! So much wisdom
Thank you Cyrus, for your kind words.
This is an opportunity to understand the true meaning of "freedom of speech". Speech can indeed be a powerful weapon. Making it free is not a simple slogan. Twitter believes Trump's speech will incite violence. In fact, there are many cases that prove that words can kill people too. I remember that after a boy said something offensive to his girlfriend, she jumped off a tall building and died. "Freedom of speech" should be subject to boundaries, laws and governance.
While I agree with you Owen, it opens up a tricky debate....what is the definition of free speech? For example is hate speech free speech? If hate speech is not free speech, than who governs what is right and what is wrong? Lebron James made a good comment about Free Speech....we have free speech but free speech sometimes has consequences, it's a good thing to be aware of
Nice article Cyrus, freedom of speech definitely has its limits and evils, but it’s an important founding principle and now the president of America is being censored?!!! Time for some serious soul searching...
I agree Diane, it is going to take a while for America to recover from this low point, but Americans are resilient, I'm still hopefully for a turnaround. America will sort itself out
To those who say it's "Chinese culture" that is requiring Jack Ma to lay low - one might make the observation that the culture in Taiwan is not the same, at least in this respect, as the culture in China because in Taiwan no one ever has to stay out of the public spotlight due to "sensitivities." So, its it actually Chinese culture or something else? "Living under the Communist Party 'culture'", perhaps?
Chinese culture is obviously balanced and restrained. You said that Jack Ma will not show up at sensitive moments. This is actually a manifestation of Chinese culture, that is, restraint from obeying the public. If you understand Chinese culture, you should know what Confucius once said about "克己复礼（something like self-discipline and Restoring etiquette)". This "礼(etiquette)" can have many meanings. Western culture does not have this element. In fact, freedom of speech is also mentioned in the West. The Chinese have never had this kind of culture. This has nothing to do with the Communist Party. Taiwan now also learns from the West.
I agree with what you say, as a general aspect of Chinese culture, but disagree with your assertion that it has "nothing to do with the Communist Party." The Party is the ultimate authority in China, and has control over everyone's lives, futures, and personal freedom (or lack of it), including Jack Ma. He can not afford to offend the Party, as they can (1) negatively affect his business, as they have done by unilaterally cancelling his IPO; (2) force him to shut his mouth, upon penalty of, perhaps, being charged with a crime against the State, as has happened to many of his peers under similar circumstances. These things have much more to do with the nature and character of the Communist Party of China than Chinese culture. If he felt compelled to restrain his speech and/or visibility by Chinese culture, and made the decision himself to lay low for a while, that would support the argument that this is just culture - however, it's more likely that he did not make this decision himself, but was compelled by outside forces - with the power to follow through on consequences of non-compliance - that are greater than him, and that would mean the Party itself.
People on the outside are always willing to interpret certain events in China as oppression by the Communist Party. For example, the cause of the Hong Kong incident has never been questioned. The halting of the IPO of Ants and the disappearance of Jack Ma from public view are all blamed on the Communist Party. Do you know what ordinary Chinese people think of Jack Ma's speech? It is not offending the Communist Party, he is offending millions of Chinese who believe in him. If Ant IPO goes public, it will be a feast for Jack Ma, and ordinary people will encounter great financial risks. The Communist Party is a responsible government. If the Communist Party is stupid enough to be irritated by Jack Ma’s speech and sanction him, then I really doubt how China has achieved success in the past 40 years.