Letters

摘要

"Banyan" accused China of racism based on a misinterpretation of a sketch in a televised Chinese New Year gala (February 24th). The criticisms of China's policies towards Africa and ethnic minorities, and the use of the labels "social Darwinism" and "neocolonialism", are unfounded, biased and lack respect for historical facts. China has the longest continuous history of all ancient civilisations in the world. The standard writing of Chinese characters was already in place as early as the Qin dynasty in 221BC. Those who claim that "no standard Chinese existed" in the 19th century should have at least heard of the terracotta warriors.