China Approves Giant Propaganda Machine To Improve Global Image (bloomberg.com)

That's one way to do it by MiniMike · 2018-03-20 02:04 · Score: 5, Funny

I guess this is easier than actually acting better?

Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:17 · Score: 1

if you want to summon them you have to include terms other than just china. jail is a good one
china jail
chinese jail
too bad slashdot sucks at utf8 or I'd include some chinese text too
now marvel as all the pro china comments shoot up to +5
Re:That's one way to do it by jimtheowl · 2018-03-20 02:26 · Score: 4, Funny

Too bad there is no longer a global super power to act as a moral compass that could actually exemplify what 'better' means.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:28 · Score: 0

I hope they don't buy ads on Facebook!
captcha: impress
Re:That's one way to do it by jellomizer · 2018-03-20 02:42 · Score: 1

Well it is.
I would like you to name a country, who is void of any bad behavior, who has parts of its past it doesn't try to hide to explain away.
Now I am not taking China off the hook, they have some serious human rights violations they are still doing. However they have seem to be getting the Most Improved award over the past generations (still a low hanging fruit).
But it is easy to keep on focusing on the negatives of every country and not seeing the positives going out, and sometime you need some extra marketing/propaganda to show that.

--
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Re:That's one way to do it by WindBourne · 2018-03-20 02:44 · Score: 3, Insightful

they have a dictatorship now.
Chinese gov will be pushing this on many other nations, esp on their new international road.
With VOC, they will be able to BS their way all around.
Sadly, the one thing that you will NOT hear, is the truth.
This will be far more like regular Chinese news, Pravda, Fox News, or Breitbart.
Just a bunch of propaganda.

What is sad is that VOA made a big todo to NOT spew propaganda, but instead to simply get the facts/truth out.
I will say that with Trump/Today's GOP in charge, I do not know what we are broadcasting anymore.

--
I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:04 · Score: 0

I guess this is easier than actually acting better?
You know, the only other two superpowers do the same fucking thing ... it's all propaganda.
Britain isn't so much of a superpower these days as they've mostly fallen into insular disarray, despite what they might think.
Given the size of the propaganda machines Russia and the US have, why should China be any different?
Who needs facts when you can control the message and obfuscate with bullshit?
Trump has demonstrated that quite nicely.
China has been on a binge of trying to annex the South China Sea, as well as sprinkle money around to build up influence around the world, and we're increasingly retreating from such niceties as the rule of law and the truth. Russia is increasingly throwing around their weight, and the US has a president who seems to neither know not care what the law and Constitution say.
Having grown up while the cold war was still a think, we're definitely moving backwards globally. This isn't really all that surprising, which is depressing.
But let's not pretend that the US is some great shining beacon of Doing Things Right. That's not been true for a while now.
Re:That's one way to do it by Patent+Lover · 2018-03-20 03:13 · Score: 1

Works for Republicans.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:28 · Score: 0

What!! VOA is pure propaganda. You even changed your laws to alow propaganda to be used on Americans, because it was getting too hard to target the propaganda overseas without Americans getting in the way.
Hmm shall we limit the propaganda, or just make it legal....Yes just double down on propaganda, what could go wrong. You end up just legitimising it for when all the other countries do it as well.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:31 · Score: 1

Which countries will arrest and convict you for making a joke? A shorter list is; which country will not arrest and convict you for making a joke.
I think it is safe to say that any country that will convict you for humor is not in any position to act as a moral guide post and do not exemplify any definition of "better".
Re:That's one way to do it by Austerity+Empowers · 2018-03-20 03:34 · Score: 5, Insightful

Dictatorship is still dictatorship. They don't get off the hook until they become a functioning democracy and adopt some form of human rights guarantees and dedication to upholding them.
You may or may not like our president, in fact raw statistics would suggest you probably strongly dislike him. But our press is free to, and perhaps has actually enjoyed criticizing him without fear of retribution. He's twisted the screws, but our police force has been able to successfully investigate him and locked a few of his most corrupt cronies a way, and may yet get him. Protestors that roamed the streets and in a few cases were actually doing dangerous and unjustifiable things in the name of "anger", were not driven over by tanks. Our business leaders, who are split on liking and loathing him, have been able to take appropriate actions to protect the interests of their companies. We have no great firewall, even if Russia demonstrates that perhaps we needed one, my money is on us surviving this and coming out stronger and more discerning.
It's not perfect and there are abuses, but until China can demostrate that they are MORE free and LESS abusive than we are, I'm going to continue to consider them a dangerous dictatorship that needs to be put down when convenient.
Re:That's one way to do it by LifesABeach · 2018-03-20 03:54 · Score: 1

The Tyrant fears not the arrow or the spear, but the grin.
Re:That's one way to do it by Script+Cat · 2018-03-20 04:07 · Score: 1

the beetlejuice / biggie smalls effect!
Summon the china payed trolls!
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:08 · Score: 0

Well, yeah. Look at Germany, it's been acting the model citizen for over 70 years and still gets shit on daily for something current generations could not control.
While Russia Japan and China were more brutal and killed more people and our quibbles with 2 of them is just Putin and the price of our iPhones and Androids.
Propraganda absolutely > reality.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:14 · Score: 0

We've already seen what corporate-funded democracy looks like thanks to USA. Time to try something different.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:27 · Score: 0

I expect new stories like "Disruptive students throw themselves under treads of concerned Public Safety Tanks."
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:42 · Score: 0

To what degree do they get off the hook for pulling hundreds of millions out of poverty? Even so, China's economy is still nowhere on par with other Western nations at the micro level. However, let's do a comparison between India vs China. Which government has served the people better?
Re: That's one way to do it by nitehawk214 · 2018-03-20 04:56 · Score: 1

Here is how we banish you. "Tiananmen Square" "Tank Man"
There. Now you can't see this entire thread anymore.

--
I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
Re:That's one way to do it by Opportunist · 2018-03-20 05:36 · Score: 1

Well, duh!
What's "better" though? China still has one of the fastest growing economies. That certainly is good for ... well, at least some Chinese. Not all, of course. Same as here, you know? Just with no growing economy and you can choose between two assholes to dictate your laws instead of having to go with only one.

--
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Re:That's one way to do it by Opportunist · 2018-03-20 05:38 · Score: 2

People laughed at me when I wept when the Soviet Union fell. Back when the evil Russians still existed our leaders had to pretend they're the good guys. Back then we had a evil empire that forced ours to be good. Today we have an evil empire that bribes ours to be as bad so it doesn't get noticed anymore.

--
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Re:That's one way to do it by Opportunist · 2018-03-20 05:40 · Score: 1

According to Iron Sky, I'd guess it could be Finland.

--
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 05:44 · Score: 0

But the freedoms you list aren't achievements of _this_ president but basic values of a democracy.
And it seems he'd rather abolish some of them (freedom of press ...) if he could without causing a major uproar.
Re: That's one way to do it by Type44Q · 2018-03-20 05:45 · Score: 1

Wow; well stated!
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 05:54 · Score: 0

Identical to the Trumpalump strategy.

“Perception is more important than reality. If someone perceives something to be true, it is more important than if it is in fact true. This doesn't mean you should be duplicitous or deceitful, but don't go out of your way to correct a false assumption if it plays to your advantage.”
-Ivanka Trump
Re:That's one way to do it by eaglesrule · 2018-03-20 06:00 · Score: 1

In the USA you can be charged and arrested for a felony for tasteless humor on Facebook. People overestimate their freedom of speech and face serious consequences surprisingly often.
Re: That's one way to do it by eaglesrule · 2018-03-20 06:06 · Score: 2

At least Tank Man can be admired and respected in other countries for his bravery, as he deserves to be remembered. Thank you for mentioning him.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 06:10 · Score: 1

I see it a lot on Reddit. Some topic comes up regarding China, and suddenly there's a flood of support for autocracy, opposition to the idea that freedom of speech is a universal human right, and whataboutism directed toward the US. It's a bit concerning to watch, even more so when people who don't seem to be wumao shills start falling for it.

I don't think I've seen it on Slashdot though. I guess that this is due to this site's smaller size, the differences in randomly allotted mod points vs every account being able to up/down vote, and in my opinion the demographics here are generally older and less susceptible to the common arguments you see.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 06:23 · Score: 0

> He's twisted the screws, but our police force has been able to successfully investigate him and locked a few of his most corrupt cronies a way, and may yet get him.
At least one of them had to plead guilty because the investigation was bankrupting him. There's not much justice in that.
Re:That's one way to do it by penandpaper · 2018-03-20 07:02 · Score: 1

Let's just make sure we are all on the same page.
m8 yer dugs a nazi Count Dankula has been convicted today for that video in Scotland.
Compared to a tweet that said: "I'm f***ed in the head alright. I think I'ma (sic) shoot up a kindergarten and watch the blood of the innocent rain down and eat the beating heart of one of them. "" Followed by "LOL J/K". 2 months after Sandy Hook elementary mass shooting.
I don't know the right answer but the later tweet borders an actual crime ie threat of violence. Bordering a crime about a particular sensitive topic in the US like school shootings after a fairly recent and bad school shooting. Kids say stupid shit absolutely but I think there is an apples oranges comparison going on. Was that a legitimate threat? Probably not. Should the kid have been punished? Probably not. Is that comparable to training a pug to get excited over the phrase "gas the jews" to "piss off your girlfriend" by "making her cute dog into the most uncute thing I could think of. A nazi". I don't think so but I do know that the US, while not perfect, has more protections for speech than most if not all other countries in the world today.
Threats of violence are not protected speech. What is the threshold for that kind of language to be illegal and a legitimate threat? I don't know.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 07:13 · Score: 0

If I were the judge, I'd entertain and grant a dismissal on First Amendment grounds. If I were a juror, I would vote NG.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 07:17 · Score: 0

So long there exist those who can remind that world that it doesn't matter so much what some nation says , as it matters what that nation does , China will fail to convince folks that it has any goal other than putting ever-more power over others into the hands of its selfish leaders.
Re:That's one way to do it by ChatHuant · 2018-03-20 08:44 · Score: 1

Great China please be contended already betterest. When temporary old hand go speak no unripe propaganda. If herein internet bring inconvenience please understanding. From China to World - is the common goal of us!
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 09:55 · Score: 0

"now" ?? They had and have dictatorship for quite long.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 09:58 · Score: 0

China is a couple of thousand years older than the US. So whether we like it or not, my bet's on the Dragon over the Eagle. Make no mistake about it. Today's so-called Communist Party of China is simply a continuation of the old imperial system, an empire without a collective emperor. Until recently. With Pres. Xi's moves to abolish term limits, he might well be the start of a new dynasty.
Re:That's one way to do it by eaglesrule · 2018-03-20 10:12 · Score: 1

That threshold has already been defined. Libel, slander, incitement to violence, perjury, etc. are considered crimes to be considered in court.
You're correct that the US does have protections to free speech built into the constitution. Burning the flag is considered free speech, and the supreme court reaffirmed that there is no exception to the first amendment for hate speech.
That said, the letter and spirit of the law matters less than your ability to pay for lawyers to defend you, and post bail. Thus a stupid kid gets tossed in jail for half a year for lack of understanding that using Facebook under your real name amounts to writing legal affidavits that can be used against you in a court of law, without consideration of the context or intent in which it was spoken.
Eventually it will be understood that the 1st is problematic and there will be a need to circumvent it for the greater good. "freeze peach" trolls will appear in forums everywhere, late night comedians will make snarky and deriding insults about free speech advocates to thunderous applause, and treacherous scumbags on /. will politely argue that allowing mega corporations to control even political speech and dictate the Overton window for what serves as the defacto public square is their right and that first amendment protections do no and should not apply.
In other words, we're not far behind ruining someone's life for posting a video about a nazi pug. So yes, we're on the same page. This is somewhat different for sending someone to the gulag for questioning Dear Leader, and the nightmare orwellian situation developing in China, but I don't see a bottom to our slippery slope either.
Re: That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 16:38 · Score: 0

Does PLA pay by the word, commie troll ?
Re: That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 17:26 · Score: 0

So the only thing you remember about an alleged oppressive slaughter of innocents, is a video of someone clearly NOT being run over by a tank.
Are you an idiot?
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 21:36 · Score: 0

For a while?
It's been more than a while since the saying (from memory not exact quote): "The good thing about Americans is that they'll eventually do the right thing, after they've tried everything else".
I guess nowadays it might be said less jokingly, but there's always been quite some skepticism about that shining beacon.
Re:That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 21:42 · Score: 0

As a German, I am far less concerned with being "shit on" than with Nazis in the US becoming some kind of "running gag".
Complacency and thinking "we'd never do such a thing" is the best way to repeat history.
Most of my generation feels 0 inclination to feel guilty, but I think many at least don't fall into the trap of believing "oh, only OTHER people can be so evil".
IMHO a lot of countries have far too much buried their flirtations with nationalism, eugenics, forced sterilizations etc. than is good for their health.
Re: That's one way to do it by nitehawk214 · 2018-03-21 04:07 · Score: 1

No, Xi, images and reports of those things are banned by the Great Firewall.
But you know that, of course. Really, you guys have a lot of catching up to do to reach Russia's level of shitposting.

--
I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
Re:That's one way to do it by FreedomFirstThenPeac · 2018-03-21 04:26 · Score: 1

So long there exist those who can remind that world that it doesn't matter so much what some nation says , as it matters what that nation does , China will fail to convince folks that it has any goal other than putting ever-more power over others into the hands of its selfish leaders.
But the whole point of weaponized social media is that it makes you think you are reading what they are doing, you cannot separate the fake information that says that

China is ending pollution in its slave colonies in Afrika
from some whiny truth-pretender who says

China is poisoning millions of acres in Africa
Think of social media manipulation as analogous to CGI, two things have happened to our viewing of movies now that CGI rules the screen.

We are not as amazed by flashy space-opera fights between X-wings and Star destroyers

and

We now sometimes assume that an expensive flashy screen event is CGI when in fact it was real, and we really don't care about that distinction

--
"There is no god but allah" - well, they got it half right.
Re: That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-26 14:38 · Score: 0

This and tv's parent are over the top.
Arresting the kid was stupid but he hasn't been convicted and very likely won't be (I never say never). Free speech is still a sacred cow in the US, and with 5 Constitutionalists on the SC it's likely going to remain that way for some time, and there may be a 6th soon. I'd say "thank Trump" but he just happened to be the Repub as President. So better to say "thank goodness Clinton didn't get in".
Re: That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-26 14:47 · Score: 0

CHINESE TROLL! CHINESE TROLL! We found one boys let's track him down and get him.
Lol.."alleged slaughter of innocents". There are people who lived at that time, we're not talking ancient history.
And since we're talking about free speech, perhaps you can tell us what happened to the guy in that iconic video.
Re: That's one way to do it by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-26 14:56 · Score: 0

CHINESE TROLL! CHINESE TROLL! We got another one?
Things are getting better? Right just as Xi declared himself emperor for life, yup so much better. A well preened pet parrot is still just a pretty bird in a cage

"Made in China" by Fly+Swatter · 2018-03-20 02:06 · Score: 1

Good luck undoing that.

Re:"Made in China" by thinkwaitfast · 2018-03-20 02:39 · Score: 3, Insightful

Japan did it.
Re:"Made in China" by originalGMC · 2018-03-20 03:07 · Score: 1

I think it's already undid. Those 3 little words changed the world. If china wants a better image, be quieter (government) and have easier time to get visas.

I currently have to bribe some official in another town to go to the embassy for me to bribe a higher up official to get my visa even in line for processing. It's another bribe to get it processed within a month. Certainly not easy or cheap to get to china. Guess its easier if you're an inanimate object.
Re:"Made in China" by alvinrod · 2018-03-20 03:08 · Score: 1

Every country that industrializes does it at some point. Even the U.S. went through a period where it was thought of as making cheap, inferior goods compared to what European manufacturers could produce.

It's a natural consequence of beginning with little expertise or experience meaning that the only way to compete is on price. As a country does that over several decades they start to build up skill and competency that allows them to command higher prices for their higher quality goods. Meanwhile some other country that's just starting to industrialize realizes that they can only compete on price.
Re:"Made in China" by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:10 · Score: 0

Made in USA used to be good, but now you get failed welds, cold solder joints, and those "F" brand tires with rats wrapped in the steel belts (true).
Re: "Made in China" by nitehawk214 · 2018-03-20 05:01 · Score: 1

Why was Japan putting "Made in China" on things? :)

--
I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
Re:"Made in China" by BESTouff · 2018-03-20 05:26 · Score: 2

Every country that industrializes does it at some point. Even the U.S. went through a period where it was thought of as making cheap, inferior goods compared to what European manufacturers could produce.
I don't think e.g. "made in USA" is a particularly good label nowadays, except in the USA.
Re: "Made in China" by Opportunist · 2018-03-20 05:41 · Score: 1

Didn't you ever produce defective products and still wanted to sell them?

--
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Re: "Made in China" by Type44Q · 2018-03-20 05:48 · Score: 2

Actually, the U.S. is only competitive with good shit these days; other nations are able to manufacture cheap shit far more competitively. So, no; not actually.

Why not just buy Fox News? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:09 · Score: 0

They've got the money

Re:Why not just buy Fox News? by amiga3D · 2018-03-20 02:46 · Score: 0

Actually CNN is bleeding money so badly I think they could be had for cheap. And they're already anti-American and pro-Communist so they don't really need to change the format, they could probably keep everyone there with the exception of maybe Jake Tapper.
Re:Why not just buy Fox News? by WindBourne · 2018-03-20 03:19 · Score: 1

Really? How is CNN pro-communist? Being anti-fascist does not make one pro-communist, or even pro-socialist.
And bleeding money? They laid off 50 ppl, while Fox laid off 10,000+, AND is selling itself to Disney. Who exactly is bleeding money?.

--
I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
Re:Why not just buy Fox News? by Train0987 · 2018-03-20 03:21 · Score: 1

Fox laid off 10,000+? Why did you leave out the part that those layoffs are part of Disney's acquisition of Fox?
Re:Why not just buy Fox News? by dcollins117 · 2018-03-20 03:37 · Score: 1

He didn't. It's literallly the next fscking sentence.
Re:Why not just buy Fox News? by Opportunist · 2018-03-20 05:42 · Score: 1

Please. There's things even the Chinese won't touch, they already have enough pollution at home, why import more?

--
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Re:Why not just buy Fox News? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 06:03 · Score: 0

Disney isn't buying Fox News.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_Century_Fox

Under the terms of the deal, 21st Century Fox will spin off the Fox Broadcasting Company, the Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, the national operations of Fox Sports (such as FS1, FS2 and Big Ten Network, but excluding its regional sports networks), and Disney will acquire the remainder of 21st Century Fox. This will include key entertainment assets such as the 20th Century Fox film studio and its subsidiaries, a stake in Hulu, the U.S. pay television subsidiaries FX Networks, Fox Sports Networks, and National Geographic Partners, and international operations such as Star TV and Sky plc.
Re: Why not just buy Fox News? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 06:13 · Score: 0

Look everybody, it's Train0987, the trump loving, liberal hating, slashdot troll.

Is Voice of America still broadcasting??? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:09 · Score: 0

Of course they are :-). The Cold War ended over 30 years ago and there is still Voice of America!

"Voice of China" by Train0987 · 2018-03-20 02:09 · Score: 0

"The new broadcaster will be called "Voice of China""

Because "Washington Post" and "New York Times" were already taken.

Re:"Voice of China" by Errol+backfiring · 2018-03-20 03:23 · Score: 1

I wonder if they will have the notorious V.O.C. mentality.

--
Nae king! Nae laird! Nae yurrupiean pressedent! We willna be fooled again!
Re: "Voice of China" by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 06:17 · Score: 0

Look everybody, it's train0987, the trump loving, liberal hating, slashdot troll.

10 yr dictator limit would go a long way by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:23 · Score: 0

10 yr dictator limit would go a long way.
So would acting civil over the S.China Sea aspirations with the other countries who are much closer.

Not killing or disappearing people who disagree about Chinee politics would also help.

Lastly, letting public discourse actually happen ...er ... in public and internationally would be cool.

Wow! Those Chinese are smart! by Bohnanza · 2018-03-20 02:25 · Score: 2

(see, it's working already)

--

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Sorry, I'm only a 1336 h4x0r.

er by cascadingstylesheet · 2018-03-20 02:28 · Score: 5, Interesting

mimicking the U.S. government-funded Voice of America that started up during World War II to advance American interests.

Er, yeah, if by "advance American interests" you mean "combat worldwide totalitarian movements that were grinding humanity under their boots".

China, OTOH, is the massive totalitarian movement grinding humanity under their boots.

Re:er by ghoul · 2018-03-20 02:31 · Score: 5, Insightful

Your response shows the investment in VOA has worked

--
**Life is too short to be serious**
Re: er by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:44 · Score: 0

No, I think he actually meant "combating elected democracies because they happened to no coincide with American econo-political interests, while pretending to combat oppressive regimes".
But maybe I'm wrong, he may also have meant "spreading moral hypocrisy and double-standards under the trademark label of 'American Exceptionalism'"... or something.
Re:er by arcade · 2018-03-20 02:49 · Score: 5, Insightful

Saudis, Guzzetti, Branco, Pinochet, Chiang, Batista, Battalion, Suharto, the Shah, Saddam Hussein, Vang Pao, Somosa, Mobutu .. just a small list of dictators supported by the US.

--
"Rune Kristian Viken" - http://www.nwo.no - arca
Re: er by WindBourne · 2018-03-20 02:52 · Score: 1, Troll

I would agree that we WERE like that back in the 50s. We re-installed the shah of Iran over a democracy, and then backed him until Carter. Likewise, in the early 1900s, America really messed with South/Central America, similar to what CHina does in SouthEast Asia.
However, all of that stopped clear back with Carter, though reagan was an exception. Even W's invasion of Afghanistan or Iraq was not about economics. Afghanistan was about America rightly (though in the wrong fashion) protecting ourselves from A. Q. and Iraq, was basically payback ( W was a coward and an idiot through and through). Libya was forced on America via NATO. O had no desire to invade, but Italy, France, and a few others pushed that nightmare on America's military (similar to how France got us into Vietnam).

So, no. CHina is running around propping up dictatorships today, while America has pulled back from that BS.

--
I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
Re:er by ohnonononono · 2018-03-20 03:04 · Score: 0

Your response also seems to show the investment in VOA has worked - American exceptionalism continues, people keep acting like the United States doesn't have analogous programs, they keep acting like the extremely aggressive mass surveillance program (which absorbs EVERYONE's information, not just foreigners or targets of warrants (from secret courts by the way)) is being used for nothing other than 'national security'.
The United States and the whole western world rivals and (in many cases) exceeds the rest in "totalitarianism".
It seems hard to go into depth about this problem without being silenced by downmodding as a "troll" - it used to be a topic of interest here.
Re:er by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:21 · Score: 0

Fuck u f@ggot!
Re: er by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:36 · Score: 0

America really messed with South/Central America, similar to what CHina does in SouthEast Asia.

You must be using an extremely broad definition of similar.
Re:er by Ryanrule · 2018-03-20 03:37 · Score: 1

cram it xi. how many chinese did china kill?
Re:er by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:59 · Score: 0

cram it xi. how many chinese did china kill?
And how many civilians have US bombing campaigns killed around the world in the last bunch of years?
Do you think pointing out that China has done horrible things excuses the horrible things America has done?
America ... crooks, thieves, and murderers. China ... crooks, thieves, and murderers. Russia ... crooks, thieves, and murderers.
America has propped up tyrants and dictators in favour of democratically elected governments because the tyrants and dictators were more friendly (at the time) to the US ... and then many of those turned around and bit the US on the ass.
Stop pretending that pointing out that what China does excuses what America and other governments have done. Because that simply isn't true.
Re:er by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:01 · Score: 0

Don't you mean "US government"? (You personally don't support those dictators, do you?)
Re:er by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:05 · Score: 0

lol. As if *you* give a flying F about that.
Re:er by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 05:25 · Score: 0

9/10 for use of false equivalency.
committing atrocities against non-citizens vs citizens is not the same thing, but you sure tried to paint it like it was!
Re:er by lgw · 2018-03-20 05:39 · Score: 1

How many countries has China invaded?

China doesn't need to invade other countries to hold the world record for deaths in war. Most people who have ever been killed in a war were Chinese killed in internal conflicts. Most people who have ever been killed by a brutal dictator were killed by Mao.
Your whataboutism fails to distract from the truth. Most people who have ever been killed by a government, either in war or in purges of undesirables, have been killed by the Chinese government. All other governments ever in the world combined have done less damage.

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Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
Re:er by Opportunist · 2018-03-20 05:44 · Score: 1

You know that there was time between WW2 and now, yes? Because until WW2 you might have had a case.

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We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Re: er by Type44Q · 2018-03-20 05:54 · Score: 1

I'm on your "side" here but this is geopolitics; don't try to project ethics onto it.
Re:er by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 06:27 · Score: 0

In the same way "China" means "Chinese government". Clearly we're not talking about the civilian population which in both countries rarely has much say in what's going on in day-to-day matters and frequently has little control over the broad reaching scope of their government's actions. Yes, in America in theory one can vote for a candidate against those evil things, but Obama supposedly was against a lot of the things which he very quickly about-faced on when he became President. I guess he got rid of the outright torture, so yeah?
Re:er by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 07:38 · Score: 0

ever been killed in a war

[20-100]m killed in Taiping revolution.
That [20-100] range indicates uncertain/fake data right off the hop.
Even taking face value 20m killed, that would be percentage wise comparable to the American civil war (a far shorter conflict by more than 10 years).
population of China
Reliable recent history China has been far more peaceful than America.
Re:er by eaglesrule · 2018-03-20 08:04 · Score: 2

That's right, American exceptionalism does continue. We're so exceptional, that on the same day we celebrate the anniversary of freedom from a distant tyrannical government, we won't think twice about having to que up and have our genitals fondled or be digitally strip searched by federal agents just so that we can use modern forms of travel.
We're so exceptional, we'll send our kids to schools and expect them to conform to a daily ritual of pledging obedience and parroting a line of hollow dogma about liberty and justice, with the U.S. second only to some all-powerful imaginary spiritual being. Because it makes us feel so good and patriotic to do so.
Mass surveillance? Parallel construction? Secret courts and Star Chambers? Paramilitary police and for-profit prisons? Who cares? A lot of effort goes into us accepting the status quo. If you go pointing out hypocrisy don't be surprised when you get downmodded for it.
Re:er by ohnonononono · 2018-03-20 09:19 · Score: 0

What I'm saying is this place is patrolled by intelligence contractor shills and bots, and that the site is directly run by the same
Re: er by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 09:34 · Score: 0

no1curr wat you say chinky linky
Re:er by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 09:45 · Score: 0

All of those combined don't come close to the death toll of Mao, or even of Stalin or Hitler.
Even at its worst, the US is still a lesser evil.
Re:er by eaglesrule · 2018-03-20 10:43 · Score: 1

Real intelligence contractor shills would probably at least be able to properly implement unicode, so that shuts down that theory. Or so the Russians would have us believe...
Re:er by ohnonononono · 2018-03-20 16:35 · Score: 1

what are you even talking about, that is such an arbitrary and irrelevant determining factor

Arrogance by Ryanrule · 2018-03-20 02:32 · Score: 1

chinese arrogance is astounding. wonder who they will attack when the bubble pops. .

Re: Arrogance by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:40 · Score: 0

Trumpsky. The Chinese have also been eyeing all the real-estate north of their border.
Re: Arrogance by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 05:33 · Score: 0

Thanks for your input, Shareblue

Voice of Government by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:34 · Score: 0

I think you mean "voice of government". And that applies no matter what country, no matter what form of government, no matter what culture. The actual citizens of a country, of course, wouldn't need to serve propaganda to themselves or convince themselves of anything. Only somebody who rules through coercive authority needs that.

Re:Voice of Government by Train0987 · 2018-03-20 02:38 · Score: 1

No, I meant "propaganda machine".

They are acting better too, you know by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:35 · Score: 2, Interesting

They're adding the whole "social credit" system to their society, meaning that if you say Bad Things (or anything at all) about Tibet, say, or include the letter N in your weibo tweets, or something else the censor doesn't like... you're barred from trains and airplanes for a year.

See? They're working hard at making all the Chinese act better, more harmonious and in line with the party.

And yes, they're deadly serious about it. They just told all their citizens: You will act better, or else!

Re:They are acting better too, you know by saider · 2018-03-20 03:56 · Score: 2

China bans Winnie the Pooh
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-40627855

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Remember, You are unique...just like everyone else.
Re:They are acting better too, you know by VeryFluffyBunny · 2018-03-20 05:33 · Score: 1

Make me wonder if China has any Disney World resorts and what they look like. And do their characters get rounded up from time to time an interrogated for political dissent? http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix...

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Debate is a form of harassment. Do not question my truth.
Re:They are acting better too, you know by SuricouRaven · 2018-03-20 06:38 · Score: 1

They do have Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park. That's suspiciously close to Disney.

facebook by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:36 · Score: 0

They need to do it on facebook. And target conservatives because they are the ones who fall for propaganda.

They should have pictures of their hard working people in factories making AR-15 stocks with a caption:
"Helping to make Great Again!"

Pictures of Chinese kindergartners making Ford F-150 parts with a caption:
"Our kids know the value of work! Not like Liberal Americans!"

And a picture of a Chinese guy refusing welfare while a Mexican takes his.
Caption: "We WORK for a living! No need for a wall to separate us!"

And a picture of an execution of a drug dealer - or just some guy picked off the street and call him one"
"WE know how to handle our drug problem."

I'm on it! Where do I send my resume?

Re: facebook by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:43 · Score: 0

No need to send a resume in advance. Just show up and try to convince them you're not an American spy.
Re:facebook by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 07:31 · Score: 0

And a picture of a Chinese guy refusing welfare while a Mexican takes his.
Caption: "We WORK for a living! No need for a wall to separate us!"
If you not using yours can we have it?

not surprising, but has consequences due to time by WindBourne · 2018-03-20 02:37 · Score: 1, Insightful

America learned how to be a great nation by example taking from the many nations of Europe. During post WWII, we were just like the pre WWII Europe in that we happily worked with any Dictator and even installed a few of our own. We were an economic powerhouse, and by the late 60's, LA, Chicago, and NY looked similar to China, though no where quite as bad.
Fortunately, America DID clean up our act.

Now, we have China wanting to bring dictatorships all over the world. Problem is, that so many ppl have been disappointed by the likes of W and now Trump, that many will support china. Combine that with the on-line direct trolling that China gov pats for (/. is LOADED with paid-for chinese trolls), combined with about 5-10% of all chinese tourists/residents being spies for the gov.
Then add to that, the fact that so many are happy to have chinese gov a pass. FOr example, Chinese gov continues to build coal plants in china, but another 300-400 plants are being built by china in other nations. Why? Because they are going to sell them their coal once china starts shutting down their coal plants in 2030-2040 time frame.
The problem is that so many here in the west will ignore this and allow it to continue even though CHina accounts for 33-50% of all CO2 being emitted today.

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I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.

facebooked by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:39 · Score: 0

FB has a Deal for you...!

You have got to be kidding, well trolled. by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:49 · Score: 0

LOL, because now you don't support any more dictatorships. Not even the ones you set up yourselves...

Re:You have got to be kidding, well trolled. by WindBourne · 2018-03-20 03:12 · Score: 1

Which dictatorships did America set up in the last 30 years?

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I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
Re:You have got to be kidding, well trolled. by WindBourne · 2018-03-20 06:27 · Score: 1

In both Iraq and Afghanistan, the leaders were voted in, not installed by America.
When Egypt voted in the Muslim brotherhood, we STILL backed it when the army took over, which is why they jumped over to Russia/China for support.
And no, Muslim brotherhood is NOT a fan of America, nor we of them. BUT we did not interfere with them.

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I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.

CNN and MSNBC can be had for cheap by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 02:53 · Score: 0

Why only one? Any IT person knows that one needs redundancy. Both MSNBC and CNN espouse China's party line anyway (China good, US BSD), so might as well just call a spade a spade.

Re:CNN and MSNBC can be had for cheap by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:06 · Score: 0

One more crippling bombshell hit the already beleaguered US BSD community when Anonymous Coward confirmed that US BSD's CNN approval rating has dropped yet again
Re: CNN and MSNBC can be had for cheap by nitehawk214 · 2018-03-20 05:03 · Score: 1

Netcraft confirms: BSD is dying.

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I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust

I am astounded by DaMattster · 2018-03-20 02:56 · Score: 1

I am simply astounded that the Chinese Communist Party actually thinks people believe the shit they spew. There is overwhelming evidence to the contrary so there is no way I would believe any of their propaganda. It's so preposterous as to be bordering on asinine.

Re:I am astounded by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:12 · Score: 0

Works for CNN.
Re:I am astounded by Tablizer · 2018-03-20 04:36 · Score: 1

CNN never claimed to be "fair and balanced".

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Table-ized A.I.
Re:I am astounded by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 20:17 · Score: 0

You know those kind of people believe FOX don't you? Well everyone knows Chinese are smarter than Americans (they always come top of the class) but they aren't that smart.

VOA is Made in China too? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:27 · Score: 0

you are onto something! DAMN YOU NIXON!

China has a Pro-Panda Machine? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:41 · Score: 0

How is that news for nerds? Nerds have always been pro-panda.

the US is much more subtle. by bonedonut · 2018-03-20 03:46 · Score: 1

They just call their giant propaganda machine 'news' and bill it under names like 'CNN' and 'FOX'.

Re:the US is much more subtle. by Tablizer · 2018-03-20 04:40 · Score: 1

Actually, CNN is centrist, not left-leaning. But they found out bashing Trump is a ratings bonanza and cranked it up. And it's cheap because he provides so much eyebrow-raising material for free. 4: Profit!

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Table-ized A.I.
Re:the US is much more subtle. by nonBORG · 2018-03-20 10:36 · Score: 1

This is where the whole problem is, such a short term view that they care only about this weeks ratings not about truth, trust and doing their job.

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You can't handle the truth! - Because I don't post left all my comments get modded down, bye bye Karma.
Re:the US is much more subtle. by Tablizer · 2018-03-20 10:57 · Score: 1

Welcome to Capitalism 101

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Table-ized A.I.

In other words... by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 03:53 · Score: 0

... China is now going to try to apply their censorship rules globally.

Propaganda Machine... by LostOne · 2018-03-20 04:01 · Score: 1

Am I the only one who read the headline and immediatley had a picture of a gigantic rube goldberg style machine clanking away and belching great plumes smoke periodically with newspapers with various front page coming out on a conveyor belt? Maybe I saw that in a cartoon somewhen. Now it's stuck in my head.

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If it works in theory, try something else in practice.

Re:Propaganda Machine... by cbraescu1 · 2018-03-20 04:32 · Score: 1

Am I the only one who...
Yes.

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Catalin Braescu
Ofaly.com
Re:Propaganda Machine... by LostOne · 2018-03-20 04:38 · Score: 1

Oh, good. For a moment, I had this horrible thought that I might not be strange.

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If it works in theory, try something else in practice.
Re:Propaganda Machine... by mentil · 2018-03-20 06:01 · Score: 1

No, I imagined it too.
"Enjoy your truth, citizen." *shoves newspaper down throat*

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Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.

Xi is a dictator by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:19 · Score: 0

There is no amount of propaganda that can counter that single, damning fact.

Re:Xi is a dictator by Tablizer · 2018-03-20 04:47 · Score: 1

There is no amount of propaganda that can counter that single, damning fact.
But he's a lovable and cuddly dictator, like a Mr. Rogers + teddy-bear love-child.
I wonder what forces and organizations counter their propaganda. Taiwan, their mortal enemy, may be trying to counter.

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Table-ized A.I.

The irony by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:23 · Score: 0

Voice of China vs Voice of America I see what the Chinese are doing.

Re:not surprising, but has consequences due to tim by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:28 · Score: 0

Now, we have China wanting to bring dictatorships all over the world.

What evidence do you have of the above statement?

China has a very different history than us. Going back several centuries they were arguably the most technologically advanced county, tended to be isolationists, were colonized, humiliated during the opium wars, turned into a puppet state by the west, invaded and brutalized by the japanese, communists were able to free the country from foreigners, then they starved and killed millions of people, and more recently their government successfully changed tack enough to industrialize. They seem to be focused on security and continued economic progress, just like we are.

It sounds like too many Americans assume that the Chinese think they way Americans do. There are significant differences. The handover of Hong Kong is a perfect example: The west assumed China would want to force Hong Kong into the Chinese system, while the Chinese are more open to harmony between two different systems. In the USA it is all about the individual. In the far east the individual takes a back seat to the group.

Post WWII American global dominance is not going to last forever. It's not right to beat the drums of war just because someone is different than you or has interests that don't 100% align with yours. We simply have to recognize that they are a regional power and adjust our best interests accordingly. It is not in our best interests to act like assholes.

Re:not surprising, but has consequences due to tim by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:32 · Score: 0

Dude, you are so full of shit.
China continues to pour out far more carbon dioxide than any other nation, and it continues to grow. As long as that happens, the world will never lower our CO2.

Fool the halfwits, bemuse the discerning by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 04:54 · Score: 0

More fake news, more propaganda, from our media (right/left/kook), Russia, China and whoever else wants to get in on the act to advance their own interests. It's just going to force the American news consumer to be more discerning. And that's a good outcome.

Works too well in the USA already by bussdriver · 2018-03-20 05:15 · Score: 1

Fox News and Friends have become so powerful instead of merely being a propaganda arm they now have taken over control of the Republicans. The suckers who were just supposed to be managed (vote & donate) are now literally running and getting into positions of power!

It's now an incestuous insular cycle. The end result of too much success.

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Democracy Now! - uncensored, anti-establishment news

Re:Works too well in the USA already by mentil · 2018-03-20 05:59 · Score: 1

Yeah, remember when the Gerber baby and a retired actor were made Republican Presidents? Damn Fox News!

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Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
Re:Works too well in the USA already by nonBORG · 2018-03-20 10:33 · Score: 1

This is just funny that you single out fox without pointing out the left wing media culprits. Fox is right leaning (if you watch their opinion shows, much less on their actual news) but the left wing media is militant.

The problem is the left puts opinion in the news headlines, let alone stories. The funny thing is people are so anti Trump pro crappy stuff they cannot see the difference between facts and opinions and don't even accept other people are allowed to differ in opinions.

Comment re: fox is so unbalanced I have to call it fake news.

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You can't handle the truth! - Because I don't post left all my comments get modded down, bye bye Karma.

Ironically... by nagora · 2018-03-20 05:31 · Score: 1

proving that they really are just like all the other fascist dictatorships.

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"Encyclopedia" is to "Wikipedia" what "Library" is to "Some people at a bus stop"

Nothing new here (Chinese Water Army) by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 05:31 · Score: 0

Nothing new here (Chinese Water Army) https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=INCOH2&PC=IFJ1&PTAG=ICO-c9d0fc87&q=Chinese%20Water%20Army/ . China's been doing this for ages already.

Doesnt work if I can see Chinese people by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 05:38 · Score: 0

Mainlander Chinks are the worst people you will ever meet. As long as they can come here as educational system destroying spies no amount of propaganda will stop everyone from seeing them for what they are: Our Enemy.

Re: not surprising, but has consequences due to ti by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 05:43 · Score: 0

>while the Chinese are more open to harmony between two different systems

HAHAHAHA.

You chinks are hilarious. You may come here and poison the water but you'll never pass for real natives because your brainwashing is so complete it inevidibly bubbles up shit like the above. Youre a slave. We can all see it. Why cant you?

Does this mean... by Ghostworks · 2018-03-20 06:05 · Score: 1

... that I'll no longer get to chuckle at a "news" channel called CCTV, or have to explain to non-Americans why that's funny?

What image, an imperialistic despotic tyranny? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 06:52 · Score: 0

the more they advertise, the worse it will look

governments are way too far from the governed

Reinventing the wheel by petes_PoV · 2018-03-20 07:49 · Score: 1

Why would they bother creating a giant propaganda machine? Couldn't they just buy Facebook?

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politicians are like babies' nappies: they should both be changed regularly and for the same reasons

Re:Reinventing the wheel by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 21:12 · Score: 0

Cheaper to just buy some Facebook ads and make some sock-puppet accounts
Just ask the Russians for tips.

Or they could do things that make them look better by Dusanyu · 2018-03-20 08:39 · Score: 2

Like i don't know Ending their occupation of Tibet and allowing the Dali Lama to return home would be a good start. Or shutting down that Great firewall of theirs

Well America has their own, why shouldn't China? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 08:47 · Score: 0

America just call their own machinery "news", and anything else "fake news", and "propaganda machine" and "troll factory."

You just have to look at who kills the most people and commits the most wrongs in the world to figure out that China are not the bad guys, America is.

I Just Noticed... by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 09:41 · Score: 0

The word "Panda" can be taken out of the word "Propaganda". As in, Propaganda.

This explains why I briefly read the headline as, "China Approves Giant Panda Machine To Improve Global Image". Which is true and also, much more unexpected and interesting!

Will google put these guys on the same list as RT by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 10:56 · Score: 0

Will google put these guys on the same list as they put RT for being a propaganda wing of a totalitarian government??

Next step... by XSportSeeker · 2018-03-20 17:51 · Score: 1

...closing down all outlets that are not seen as pro-regime.
Something we really don't need: a chinese sized North Korea.

Americans are so ignorant it's funny by Anonymous Coward · 2018-03-20 18:36 · Score: 0

Wow you so smart. Big country has big thing. But individuals in both countries are far different. Americans are twice as bad.
You think you get a free pass for having a tiny country 1/5 the size of China?

USA isn't any better! by martinfb · 2018-03-21 05:29 · Score: 1

We here in the USA still have the Chinese government beat!
We have quite a plethora of state and corporate manipulated propaganda machines: FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, Turner, ...

Oh, and let's not forget NPR! Have a look at their donors.

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Self-importance and self-indulgence is the root of ALL evil.

Nothing new here. by LinuxLuver · 2018-03-21 06:59 · Score: 1

Hillary Clinton did the same thing when she was Secretary of State in the Obama Administration. It didn't really work, though, because Wikileaks let everyone know what the US *really* does.

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Only boring people are ever bored.

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China Approves Giant Propaganda Machine To Improve Global Image (bloomberg.com)

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