Zhang Yiwu: Breaking through the barriers of Western discourse and presenting China's reality

Source: Global Times

Distorted reports and negative propaganda around Xinjiang have become a hot spot in some Western media recently, and have also become the focus of some forces to hype up China issues.

After a long period of time and repeated efforts on this issue, some Western forces have repeatedly worked this issue, including various displays of false witness testimony, multi-party rendering of mainstream media public opinion, comprehensive public opinion on the Internet, intensive voices of NGOs or industry organizations, and finally the government officially followed up, and then widely amplified by public opinion, which finally constituted an extremely strong discourse. Its momentum has also created a strong deterrent to the general public or businesses, gradually turning the Xinjiang issue into a kind of "political correctness" that seems self-evident in the West, and any opposition is marginalized and excluded from the mainstream of public opinion and discourse. Absurd expressions such as "forced labor" in Xinjiang's cotton production, which have no basis in fact and are not worth refuting, can become the mainstream narrative and become a discourse barrier to shield the real situation. The significance of this discourse barrier is that it is impossible to believe that all objective voices are deliberately described as propaganda that is Chinese. Using this method to form cognitive biases and stereotypes makes the real one useless. The reason why their discourse exists only in their own circles is the result of effectively rejecting true information.

We should see that on the one hand, facts speak louder than words, and these false discourse barriers will eventually go bankrupt; on the other hand, the current situation requires us to break through the discourse barriers with greater efforts and more concentration, so that the truth can break through the falsehood and reverse the atmosphere of public opinion.

First, chinese society, the media, and the public need to be able to make presentations about the real situation on a continuous and repeated basis, using all possible avenues. Every lie is responded firmly with truth, and every unfounded claim must be verified and responded to. The constant official response is indeed working, and the public also needs intensive vocalization to ensure that there is a real voice in every specific scene on every relevant occasion. Mainstream media, networks, society and industry organizations all have to be vocal in the relevant situation, constantly striving to make the real thing appear. Although such sounds may still be blocked, intensive sounding can break through the barrier to a certain extent and let the Public in the West hear it. This requires the whole society to have a high degree of awareness of the issue itself and constantly strive to seize the opportunity to present the truth. Continuous, continuous sound has power in itself, and increasing the density and intensity of this aspect is extremely important.

Secondly, for all kinds of under pressure or in a dilemma of enterprises to make inappropriate remarks and wrong choices, such as when they blatantly violate international trade norms, on the basis of resolute clarification and response, we must make good use of international rules and standards, legally and reasonably carry out the necessary response, civil and public response is an important aspect, industry organizations and civil society organizations respond to the same. On the basis of multi-party efforts and repeated clarification of facts, we will strive to return to a state of conformity with trade norms.

Third, the objective presentation of facts can allow more third parties to make their voices heard, so that public opinion in developing and emerging countries can continuously transmit the truth. One more person in the international community who can make a real voice will have less misunderstanding and prejudice. At the same time, efforts are also made to present the truth in international organizations and international multilateral forums.

Finally, efforts need to be made to present the real situation in the mainstream media and online public opinion in the West. In all possible cases, use all opportunities and possibilities to make real sounds possible. On the one hand, it is necessary to follow up and track those unfair reports and statements, to present the truth in all feasible ways such as submission, follow-up, comment, etc., so that after every false voice appears, there is a real voice to follow. Let the appearance of ordinary people and the objective testimony of the parties be able to "leak" through all the gaps. Use objectivity to defeat false prosperity, and use truth to eliminate false forces.

At present, the "Xinjiang issue" has become a key focus. Breaking through the barrier of discourse and finally presenting the truth requires more tenacious patience, more resolute efforts, a firmer will, and the whole Chinese society needs to do more. (The author is a professor at Peking University)