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Holidaymakers face a moral dilemma when travelling to China

Apr 15, 2008, 12:51 GMT

Hanover - This year's summer Olympics in Beijing should boost tourism in China as it will attract worldwide attention while showing vibrant images of China's diverse culture - at least theoretically. But the world is already focusing its attention on China and its record on human rights in Tibet. Some people who have booked a trip to China are reconsidering whether it's morally right to visit the country. To go or not to go? That's a question that Christian Thies, deputy director of the Research Institute for Philosophy in Hanover, finds difficult to answer. 'The incidents that have occurred in Tibet should be condemned. I believe it's worth cancelling a journey for moral reasons, even if there are weightier issues to consider,' says Thies. Thies says politicians bear more responsibility than holidaymakers. But Professor Torsten Kirstges believes cancelling a trip to China is not the right way to protest against China's policies. A travel boycott would hardly damage the country's political leadership and would not force them to change course in Tibet, says Kirstges who researches tourism at Wilhelmshaven Polytechnic in northern Germany. Tourism does not play a major role in China's economy and a boycott would have few consequences. Kirstges says a boycott would even be counterproductive. 'Tourism encourages understanding between nations and cultures. It's a slow process, but it's also long lasting one, and it cannot be prevented by the leadership on a long term basis.' By travelling to China, the Chinese come into contact with people from foreign countries. In the long run, that will encourage understanding within China for western perceptions and criticism - such as those directed at the country's human rights record. In addition, China is not a country where income from tourism lands exclusively in the government's coffers. A travel boycott would also adversely affect those Chinese who seek more contact abroad and people working in the tourist industry. But Kirstges believes holidaymakers are not completely powerless. Instead of going on a standard package tour, tourists could consider a journey where they get to meet local people. 'That won't be easy in China, however,' says Kirstges. 'As a tourist, you probably won't have much contact with locals because of the language barrier.' In the end, it's up to each individual to decide whether it's right to visit China. The financial aspect of cancelling a trip for moral reasons had has to be taken into account also. Travellers cannot break off a journey for moral reasons and a cancellation fee usually has to be paid, warned Sabine Fischer of Germany's Consumer Protection Office.

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Tour-WelcomeApr 15th, 2008 - 15:33:23

It will be a great idea to go to China an meet with the locals. There are many people that have only the image of the situation behind the iron curtain. It will be an eye opening experience. Do not be overwhelmed to find people are free to speak, in English in most cases. You might think that are plain cloth police but they are ordinary local people.

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Arthur Borges (Zhengzhou, China)Apr 19th, 2008 - 18:45:52

I've been living in China for five years now and teaching English to university sophomores. They're the nicest, most inspiring kids I've taught in my life.

No, it's not difficult to travel on your own: get a copy of the Lonely Planet guide for China, buy your ticket and go. If you have cold feet, book your ticket to Hong Kong and spend a week there: no visa needed and you can get your China visa there in 24 hours (or same day service at a marked-up fee).

Take trains: even 'soft bed' (1st class sleepers) are cheap and it's a great way to meet people. The LP guide will set you straight on prices, hotels, restaurants and night life.

Though you should take normal precautions in big cities, the Chinese are basically extremely curious, helpful and endearing people -- if I have to sum them up in a nutshell, it's a nation of 1.3 billion Italians.

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Arthur Borges (again)Apr 19th, 2008 - 18:48:08

Dear 'Tour-Welcome'

Like most countries, China does have plainclothes officers, but lemme put it this way: like in the UK, most uniformed officers are unarmed.

Got it?

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LeighApr 21st, 2008 - 16:03:21

I am puzzled why the world applies different standards to developed and developing countries.

The US invaded Iraq, and at the last count, was responsible for the displacement of 2 million iraqi refugees and the death of 300,000 Iraqi civilians. Yet, there has never been a debate on whether it is moral to visit the US or not.

The Chinese authorities had to quell a riot in their country and bring order to the region to protect civilians and property, yet some feel that this action was inappropriate and visits to China should be subject to moral scrutiny.

I think that this is a prejudiced view, if not subjective double standards.

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