Embracing the Chinese

While some observers are speculating that China’s cessation of oil exports to North Korea in September is a sign that that the Middle Kingdom is exerting pressure on its neighbor, the Chinese are rejecting a different type of squeeze: free hugs. Influenced by a popular YouTube video, a group of people launched a grassroots campaign ...

While some observers are speculating that China's cessation of oil exports to North Korea in September is a sign that that the Middle Kingdom is exerting pressure on its neighbor, the Chinese are rejecting a different type of squeeze: free hugs. Influenced by a popular YouTube video, a group of people launched a grassroots campaign on the streets of Beijing, Changsha, and Xian over the weekend, offering hugs to strangers. Many passers-by expressed curiosity, but in the end declined the friendly embrace. In Beijing, four huggers were taken in for questioning by the police for not having the proper authorization. "It might pose a negative social impact," one officer said.

While some observers are speculating that China’s cessation of oil exports to North Korea in September is a sign that that the Middle Kingdom is exerting pressure on its neighbor, the Chinese are rejecting a different type of squeeze: free hugs. Influenced by a popular YouTube video, a group of people launched a grassroots campaign on the streets of Beijing, Changsha, and Xian over the weekend, offering hugs to strangers. Many passers-by expressed curiosity, but in the end declined the friendly embrace. In Beijing, four huggers were taken in for questioning by the police for not having the proper authorization. “It might pose a negative social impact,” one officer said.

So, it appears the Chinese are uncomfortable with random huggings. A man from northern China found recently that the disdain extended to the animal kingdom when, emboldened by four beers, he jumped into a panda enclosure at the Beijing Zoo for a snuggle and was promptly attacked. Expect those who throw around the pejorative term “panda hugger” (to describe people who promote improved relations with China) to feel a bit emboldened by this episode unfortunately.   

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