It's not just a shared love of tea
With Chinese President Xi Jinping on a state visit to the UK, the China Daily is hopping on the bandwagon with a series of stories on UK culture. It’s looked at British international schools in China, popular British dramas in China, and a pictorial of the many colorful outfits the Queen has worn. The flattering coverage even includes an article published yesterday called “The very best of Britishness” that list things like afternoon tea and William Shakespeare as symbols of exemplary English culture.
But China Daily has outdone itself to warm UK-Sino relations by publishing not one, but two infographics about ties between the two countries. One of the infographics comes in the form of a video list called “29 Things that Chinese and British Share.”
Insisting that the two countries enjoy an intimate bond due to their vast similarities, the video concludes by saying, “We are now becoming close friends. Cheers, mate!” However well-intentioned the list may be, “29 Things that Chinese and British Share” makes some dubious claims in the name of bilateral friendship and stronger ties.
The video points out that China and the UK have a drinking culture populated by binge drinkers “Who look funny after getting drunk…” as well as suggesting that both Chinese and English food are unhealthy. In addition, the video makes a direct comparison between Winston Churchill and Mao Zedong because they both happen to be leaders “who love smoking and fought against invasions during the war” as well as comparing Chinese national treasure the giant panda and former footballer David Beckham as “the most adorable creatures”.
If that’s not amazing enough, China Daily is willing to joke about the UK and China’s love of tea, a commodity that had caused a trade imbalance and led to two Opium Wars, something that didn’t work out so well for China. There’s one shared similarity between China and the UK not included on the list, but it’s one that both countries can share a laugh over: Hong Kong.
Are China and the UK basically the same thing? Are these two countries destined to be intimate allies to mutually enjoy the benefits of a “golden era”?
The full list is seen below:
29 Things that Chinese and British Share
Youtiao (deep-fried breadstick) on the left, fish and chips on the right)
The blind kung-fu master who played the guqin (Chinese harp) from Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle on the left, Ozzy Osbourne on the right)
Xi Jinping has made soccer mandatory in elementary and middle schools in China, while David Cameron once gifted US President Barack Obama with a ping pong table, albeit one that was manufactured in China
Here’s the video:
Source: China Daily, Telegraph, China Daily, China Daily, China Daily, China Daily, China Daily
Photos: China Daily
Tags: British, diplomacy, Diplomatic Relations, pandering, UK
https://thenanfang.com/separated-birth-uk-chinese-similarities-compiled-one-big-list/
