China Machete - Lu Kewen – a whole new kettle of fish

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Lu Kewen – a whole new kettle of fish

For those who don’t yet know, Lù Kèwén is the Chinese name of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. It has been astounding to watch the speed at which the Chinese media have adapted to the first Mandarin-speaking Western leader. Leaders of other countries are usually referred to by their last name, e.g. George W Bush is known as Bù shí, Vladimir Putin is known as Pŭ jīng, and John Howard was known as Huò huá dé. However, within days of Labor winning the federal election, the Chinese media were using Rudd’s Chinese name. This change of naming system was just the first sign that Kevin Rudd would be a totally different type of leader when it comes to China.

Last Wednesday, Kevin Rudd became the first leader of a Western government to deliver a speech entirely in Mandarin at Peking University. Rudd’s level of fluency impresses everyone and no one knows how he can maintain such a high level while being an influential politician. The speech was originally written in English by one of Rudd’s political advisors, but the translation contained some uniquely Chinese concepts, especially the world zheng you, which greatly impressed the Chinese media. According to my Chinese dictionary, the word zheng you is a formal reference to a friend who will give forthright admonition. Quite obviously, there is no simple way to describe this concept in English, especially in a way that the Chinese can quickly understand. I am not sure whether it was Rudd himself, his speechwriter or the speech translator who thought of using the word zheng you, but it was quite simply a masterstroke.

The beauty of Rudd is that he has given the Chinese government and media some very complex fat to chew. For the Chinese media, zheng you is a very worthwhile concept. Rudd’s dismissal of calls to boycott the Olympics was also welcomed. However, Rudd’s speech at Peking University was a case of sugar and spice – Rudd may well be the first person to speak Mandarin at the university and call for the Chinese government to stage open dialogue with the Dalai Lama. Usually Western leaders who call for such things are usually dismissed as being unable to understand China. In the case of Rudd, however, this stock-standard criticism cannot be used because Rudd is a fluent Mandarin speaker who understands a concept like zheng you, therefore he must understand China. When questioned about Rudd’s Tibet remarks, the Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jiang Yu could only say that Rudd had no right to interfere with China’s internal affairs. The report about the Peking University speech on Xinhua’s English website chose to ignore his Tibet remarks and focused on his dismissal of possible Olympic boycotts. I think that this is an indication that the Chinese government is unsure of how to deal with Rudd.

In fact, Rudd’s Mandarin and his balanced position may be the tonic that China needs. The Chinese government may begin to feel confident enough to engage in real dialogue and do away with the tired rhetoric. In future years, Rudd may become an emissary between China and the West, especially if the Sino-US relationship becomes heated. At the moment, Rudd’s popularity is approaching rock star status, especially among Chinese people who always love a laowai who speaks Mandarin and understands China. Through China and Rudd, Australia may have a chance of becoming a constructive ‘middle power’ that understands Asia.

Rudd meets Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing. Picture taken from Huaxia.

Posted: 11:59 AM, 13/4/2008 in China

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First mandarin-speaking western leader? I don't think so.

Contrary to your post, Kevin Rudd is not the first western leader to speak Mandarin. That title goes to President Herbert Hoover, who lived in Tianjin with his wife for many years. It is said they often spoke Chinese in the White House when they didn't want thier aides to know the content of their conversations.
Posted by Anonymous at 8:48 AM, 14/4/2008	Link

Understanding China?

It does not necessarily mean he understands China just because he can use a phrase like Zheng You. Your explanation of Zheng You is not entirely correct either. The emphasis is firstly on You, then Zheng. You have to be You, a friend, first and foremost. Is he a friend of China? Not yet in my opinion. We have to ÌýÆäÑÔ¹ÛÆäÐÐ.
Posted by Anonymous at 12:10 AM, 15/4/2008	Link

Friend?

Well, every westerner is China's greatest of friends when he or she makes money from China. When it comes to Tibet, they all become the greatest of friends of the Dalai Lama! They are chameleons by nature.
Posted by Anonymous at 9:28 PM, 15/4/2008	Link

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Posted by Anonymous at 10:44 PM, 16/4/2008	Link

An Excellent Blog !

A well-balanced, insightful blog. I look forward to reading more in the future. Cheers, J. http://lucky-jamieson.20six.co.uk
Posted by Jamieson at 11:08 AM, 26/5/2008	Link

Untitled Comment

I doubt Herbert Hoover spoke enough Chinese to tell the maid what to do, he was only there for a bit over a year.
Posted by Not Anonymous at 1:48 PM, 16/6/2008	Link

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