主题：【原创】晚清外交官(3)：万家酣睡几人醒 -- 风雨声

The enlightenment movement that happened in the 17-18 century Europe and in the 19 century Japan never came to China in a substantial way except for a brief period of less than 10 years during 1910-1920s which was terminated by the following chaotic war lords infighting and civil wars.

The unfortunate reality in today's China is that people become increasingly cynical about everything, which may be resulted from the compounding effect of the distrust nurtured by brutal and dishonest politics, unaccountability of public officials, the selfishness of jungle life philosophy, and moral and spiritual void. Anything sounds like “enlightenment" may not relate well to people in such a cynical context. As an American saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can not force it to drink.

On the other hand, the growing gap between the haves and the have-nots, is used, as always, to pose people against each other. I am quite concerned about the discontent of the under previleged people and the destructive way they may choose to unleash their anger.

Though so many challenges may well dislodge China from its path for a renaissance, I am not saying that a Chinese individual should not take on his/her individual responsibility, however small impact it might have.

BTW, thanks for your kind words for my article.