Gooding’s original text reads: “It is forbidden to carry any items from China on the plane. We are about to take off for the United States. ” The key to the impact of this incident is not whether it is “right” or wrong, but rather the context in which it occurred. The Chinese side had just completed the send-off ceremony at the airport, designed to grant the highest form of “face” to the US. This involved a 21-Gun Salute, Honour Guards of the Three Services, a Red Carpet, State Banquets, and visits to the Temple of the Divine-Sky. A few minutes after this display of Chinese respect for America, the same group of people (the Americans) stood in front of the boarding-ladder and threw everything given by Chinese-side into the rubbish-bin (one by one). This cruel act of disrespect was performed in-front of the general public and designed to attract the maximum Press coverage – sending a clear message of US disrespect for China.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 