Freedom is a much abused word. There’s the negative aspect – being free from restrictions; and the positive aspect – actually being able to do something. Westerners are used to the way the state and their nexus of social expectations intrude upon their life; however, when they hear upon a different set of intrusions, they consider them insufferable. But freedoms and restrictions are different in every country. What I want to record here, is the way that life in China is often freer – in terms of being left alone by the state, and in your ability to do some things – than life in Western countries. Following are six freedoms offered by China that you may not enjoy in the West.

Photo: harryalverson

1)  Health and safety as it exists in developed countries is non-existent. Street vendors sell food with nary an inspector looking to close them down. Transporting things across a city, whether for chickens, gas canisters or children, often involves a motorbike or scooter and a basket. No one wears seatbelts. Driving may well be more hazardous because lanes and other rules have less import, but then there's less rage and aggression in driving than in Britain. Cars will actually slow down for you if you're crossing the road.

2)  The police are officious, but often they let people sort out things themselves. Traffic accidents (surprisingly rare) generally work on the basis that the bigger vehicle is at fault, and those involved usually come to a settlement between themselves.

3)  There's a pleasant anarchy when it comes to shopping. No-one gives a damn about copyright infringement; shops selling pirate DVDs operate openly on busy thoroughfares; shops selling fake clothes and accessories are everywhere. If you want to buy the real deal, that's available too. Brands have less status, therefore there's less difference between “real” goods and copies. It's up to you how much money you want to spend.

4)  Alcohol and cigarettes have low taxes (unless they are imported!) and freely available. Prostitution, often under the guise of foot-massage parlours, is similarly widespread.

5)  There is remarkable gender equality. You don't get men openly slavering over women in China. Women who wear revealing clothes do so with impunity, and there are rarely situations where women feel in danger.

6)  Public spaces are actually used by the public, instead of being taken over by drunkards or hordes of teenagers. Streets, parks and squares teem with all manner of people, all varieties of life. Compared to Britain, where night streets are surrendered to the drunken and the aggressive, and where gatherings are frowned upon for potential disturbances, this is a highly refreshing change.

As I suggested earlier, I don't want to defend China's less liberal aspects, which I guess we all know about. But I do want to suggest that Chinese people have freedoms that we generally don't have in the West, and that there is a balance to be struck. At the moment, obviously regarding the internet for example, China is highly illiberal in some areas; yet, it does leave the average citizen free to do as they like in numerous ways which the Western citizen is not.
 

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