Germans upset at China's export position?

[Scoobyqueen]

as title

[adrianlondon]

When the average standard of living matches that of Germany then they can be proud ;)

[gato]

The Germans might have gotten upset if the Chinese had bought Daimler instead of Volvo.

[roddy]

Act offended and tell 'em you're a developing country.

The best one was a few years back when Italy was overtaken as the Xth largest economy - not even in the official figures, they just issued a correction and bam! Bye bye Italy.*

*I think. It was a while ago.

[Scoobyqueen]

The Germans might have gotten upset if the Chinese had bought Daimler instead of Volvo.

I wonder if Volvo`s market share will go down here in Europe as a result.

[jbradfor]

I'm glad you like us Americans more than you like the Chinese :mrgreen:

[jbradfor]

Even if there is not much feeling at the change in ranking (which is pretty meaningless given the difference in population), I would expect there are some feelings in Germany about the loss of manufacturing jobs this represents?

[gougou]

Given all the negative press Germany is getting in the European Union for exporting too much and consuming too little, it's probably quite handy to have somebody else to point a finger at...

[Kenny同志]

Well, it is obviousy something that is important to each and every Chinese.

Nationalism, which can be easily taken advantage of, can be sometimes very misleading. Though the statistics is meaningless considering China's huge population, it is surely of great importance to the government and those fooled by the government's publicity. However, as is suggested, it would be of more importance for sober minds that we have a better life than the Germans.

Edited March 31, 2010 at 11:12 PM by kenny2006woo

[Outofin]

Nationalism, which can be easily taken advantage of, can be sometimes very misleading.

No, trust me. I once read an article on Foreign Affairs. After the US found to be one of the most nationalist countries by an international survey, experts have successfully proved that nationalism, contrary to common misconcept, is in fact good for people and nations and is a key factor for success. I'm so convinced.

[Kenny同志]

experts have successfully proved that nationalism, contrary to common misconcept, is in fact good for people and nations and is a key factor for success.

I concur, but everything has two sides. One downside of nationalism is that it is sometimes used by politicians as a tool to achieve their goals that do not necessarily do good to the people. In reality, some politicians are so good at arousing nationalism in people that many people are made to believe what is actually false, or to favour what is not so favourable.

Edited April 1, 2010 at 04:45 AM by kenny2006woo

[Lu]

Outofin, play nice now, don't use subtle irony on non-native speakers!

[Kenny同志]

Lu, thanks.Some people may scoff at Chinese nationalism(I am not fingering at anyone in particular), but this doesn't upset me in the least. Whether what Outfin said was ironic or not, it remains true that by nationalism, we have performed many miracles that are not possible otherwise. Nationalism has its downsides, but nothing is perfect. I can't see what's wrong with one loving his or her own nation.

PS: There might be some misunderstanding. According to the online Longman Dictionary, nationalism is love for one's own country and the belief that it is better than any other country. I must make it clear that what I call nationalism (民族情结，民族感情，民族主义) is not the same as is defined in the dictionary. It is merely the love one harbours for his or her nation. It is not combined with the belief that his or her nation is in any way superior to any other nations.

Edited April 1, 2010 at 11:29 AM by kenny2006woo

[adrianlondon]

Patriotism.

[chrix]

Actually the German press goes on and on about Germany being "Exportweltmeister", but I'm not sure if ordinary people cared so much about it...