For thousands of years, Chinese enthusiasm for "big shots" has been high, and this scenario was once again confirmed during Blinken's visit in Shanghai. From Blinken in the United States to Putin in Russia, VIPs from all countries can be welcomed here like a holiday.
Outside Shanghai's Peace Hotel, there was a sea of people holding their phones high, everyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the U.S. secretary of state.
The scene was like a star walking on the red carpet, and people's faces were filled with excitement. This is not the first time this has happened in Shanghai. The same scene played out when Putin in Russia visited.
Behind this enthusiasm is the deep admiration of the Chinese for big people. This worship is deeply rooted in the culture and has almost become a habit.
Whenever a foreign dignitary visits, whether from the United States, Russia, or from other countries, the city of Shanghai always shows amazing enthusiasm. Is this really just pure passion?
Yesterday, I talked about this topic with an old friend on the way to the station. The old friend was full of emotion, saying that this kind of enthusiasm for big people is nothing new, and it is a manifestation of habit.
On the way, we also met some friends who also expressed their views on Blinken's visit. This is a need for international exchange, but some people believe that this excessive enthusiasm is actually a sign of a lack of self-reflection.
My old friend laughs and says that everyone has their own opinion, and it is undeniable that this passion for the big people has become a cultural phenomenon.
Today, when we see such a scene, we can't help but ask, do we really respect the visiting foreign officials, or are we just chasing those superficial glamour? Is this blindness to the big guys really pure?
Perhaps, for many people, it's just a social event, an opportunity to show off on social media. I wondered, if it were any ordinary person walking on the street, would there be such a crowd of onlookers? Obviously not. Does this distinction also reflect our unconscious obedience and worship of "power"?
Turning back to Blinken's visit, we can see that not only ordinary people, but also many media outlets are racing to report on the secretary's every move.
Every detail, whether it's the places he visits, his attire, or even his smile, is magnified and interpreted. The situation was the same at the time of Putin's visit. It is as if these foreign dignitaries have become some kind of symbol, representing some kind of international recognition and attention.
I sometimes wonder if this kind of grand welcome is some form of excess? Shouldn't we be more rational and pay more attention to the practical meaning behind these visits, rather than the superficial excitement? What important issues did Blinken discuss during his visit? What is the far-reaching impact of his visit on Sino-US relations?
Shouldn't we have a deeper understanding of the true significance of these international activities, instead of being satisfied with the superficial bustle and liveliness? After all, exchanges between countries are far more complex and profound than a simple visit and welcome.
In today's era of rapid flow of information, each of us should be a sane observer. For these seemingly lively international events, what we need is not superficial participation and onlookers, but more importantly, deep thinking and understanding behind them.