Crackdowns & Smackdowns: Foreigners in Beijing

May 15, 2012. If you can remember that far back, you might recall that as the beginning of the “100-Day Crackdown.” There were a lot of scare stories around that time – we might have contributed to it after being visited by the police a couple of times – but since then, it's dwindled as a topic of discussion. In any case, the hundred days expires today (or Wednesday, depending on how you count).

It’s that forgetfulness that we want to remind you of. Back then everyone was concerned: about their visa situation, about the apparent increase in violence around Sanlitun and about anti-foreigner sentiment. Let's not forget.

You need to be on top of your visa. You know this. You also know to treat Beijing as you would any other city and not be naïve about the potential for trouble in areas that abound with young men and alcohol. You should also be aware that there are people in this city – just like in every other city around the world – that don’t welcome foreigners.

Below is an email from one of our readers describing a xenophobic attack that took place in Sanlitun ten days ago. As you read it, you may come to the same conclusion that we have: This is unlikely to be the last incident of its kind. Even as we advise expats to be careful, though, we don’t want anyone to be anxious. There are many people in Beijing who want you to be here. We're not trying to scare anyone. We want everyone to love Beijing as much as we do, and understanding its unseemly side is part of that.

The following incident took place at around 8pm on Friday, August 10 around the intersection of Baijiazhuang Lu and Sanlitun Nanlu. We have decided to reprint the original email verbatim.

“Me and my boss (who is also a friend) had some dinner after work and were walking towards the SOHO Sanlitun area (my office is located at SOHO Nexus, so the walk is not that far). It was already starting to get a little bit darker as the evening fell, but there were still a lot of people on the road. When suddenly out of the blue, some guys jumped us and attacked us. My first reaction when they grabbed me from behind and tried to throw me on the ground was “oh god, very funny guys” thinking it was a friend trying to joke around. But when they started beating and kicking me, I quickly realized it was serious.”

“Thinking they were trying to rob me and having never been in a fight in my life. I just kept yelling “stop”, trying to protect myself while kicking to keep some distance between us. I managed to get up again, and saw there were 4 Chinese guys in total. 3 of them focused on me, 1 was dealing with my friend. Before I could react they threw me on the ground again and kept hitting me in the face. I guess my friend (who is Chinese) was managing well with the other guy, since most of them went to beat him down. While only one guy focused on me. I managed to get myself free again, pushed him out of the way and tried to help my friend. The one guy hit me from behind and I fell on the road again.”

“Suddenly they stopped, all 4 of them ran away while me and my friend were on the ground still confused about what happened. Before they completely disappeared one of them shouted to me something along the lines of “Get the f**k out of our country. We don’t want your kind around here”. If the random attack was surprising, the guy’s ability to speak a high enough level of English to convey their message to me was even more. They didn’t steal anything and I have never seen them in my life. I presume they just wanted to give ‘those foreigners’ a good trashing.”

What do you think? Do you think that this was not an anti-foreigner incident? Do you generally feel welcome in China? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below.

Photo: Dumais.us

Comments

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4 Chinese ONTO 2 or even 3 to 1. Do not believe unless they had weapons. This email does not ring true.

not to say that incidents like this should happen but when you live in a city as large as beijing you are bound to hear stories of violence, abuse and trouble. us foreigners only have to look to our own countries to see that these types of attacks are far more common in the west than here in china. ive been in beijing 8+ years and people's attitudes towards foreigners (respect, admiration, perhaps jealousy and fear of the unknown) - hasnt changed in all that time. in all cities that are decent people and not so decent people. as representatives of your own country remember you are a guest living and working here and if you dont like chinese or their attitudes towards foreigners then pack up and piss off.

At least we're not Japanese. Well, I'm not.

Baijiazhuang Lu and Sanlitun Nanlu at 8pm? That's a pretty busy intersection at a close to peak time. Where were all the witnesses? You would be hard pressed to find free space in that area.

Of course, I'm not suggesting the story was made up. I've heard comments to that effect ('go back home, we don't want you here') from those cowards who thought I couldn't understand what they were saying in Chinese.

My guess is the resentment that comes from the inability of young locals to focus their anger on what is truly repressing them. Also, the fact many foreigners are male, have Chinese girlfriends, and make more money than most of them tend to pour salt on the proverbial wound.

五毛 described by Chinese President Hu Jintao as "a new pattern of public-opinion guidance"

dp

If someone says to get the F*** out of their country, that is certainly anti-foreigner. Three on one? What pussies. Chinese men can't fight so they have to gang up on people. So weak.

As a native, I feel very sorry to hear this and very sad of this behavior too. I don't really think it was an anti-foreigner incident, I guess it might be some reasons which caused this tragedy, maybe business, girls or something else..

As foreigners, we all know we're more likely to be forcibly parted with our cash whether it be paying a higher price in the markets, being targetted by pickpockets or being done out of our housing deposits. I wonder if they'd be so glad to see us leave if they knew how much extra wedge they make from us.

I wonder who taught him such slang English terminology???

Maybe time to think about limiting Beijng citizens in our countries. They can't have it both ways. People in Shanghai, etc. are so different. Beijing folks are too easily brainwashed.