Perfectly adorable

A Disappointing Continuation

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

I was hoping to see an accurate picture of the Chinese involvement in the global economy and politics when I went to see this documentary, however I was quite disappointed. The undertone is so obvious, BBC is very prejudiced against the Chinese except for maybe part of the first episode. The other reviews here touched on some of the most important points which I won't repeat again, but below are some additional thoughts.1. Permission to film doesn't mean permission to infiltrate a property. The girl was simply asking for an one hour time for them to prepare, but the host simply repeats "why are you doing everything wrong?" over and over. The word that comes to mind is Paparazzi. Not quality and respectful documentary. Certainly not what I expect from BBC. And the thing is, the host started out directly with the accusation that they're doing everything wrong, without even having that interview yet. I would be VERY impressed if you DO get an interview after that initial prejudiced approach.2. The poor school board administrator, doesn't the host feel bad to just push him into that confrontation with those protesters all by himself? They're not there to negotiate or compromise. They just don't like how it is now, and the administrator could only stand there and get spit upon. And of course you didn't cover the part where the majority of the parents AND the school board supported this installation of Chinese classes, of course you didn't cover how much extra money and time is necessary to add in a whole new curriculum. The whole thing just seems very unfair to me.3. The Chinese went around the world to do business, not charity work. Many African countries appreciate that. People like it when you're being nice to them, but they also resent it when you're pitying them and glorifying yourself as if they're lesser beings. Chines doesn't do that. China is after all, still developing, you simply can't say "oh you're not giving out free money to others when you have starving children at home SHAME ON YOU!" You might as well start shaming the starving African children for eating livestock that is slaughtered "inhumane". Talking about morals, we put a tariff there to protect our own industries, it should be left at that. It's baffling why they'd even get into the muddy water of trying to make that sound "justified", that decision caused millions in China to lose their job, which of course is better than ourselves losing jobs I totally agree, but that's just it, no need to justify protecting ourselves. Relieved yes, appreciative yes, but trying to make it "righteous" is a far stretch. We're still taking dinner away from a lot of people somewhere else in the world, that's fine but we don't need to brag and clap to it. Do we simply HAVE to feel "better" than everyone else to go on?4. I gathered that the 2 main things that we're blaming the Chinese for are 1) Negatively impacting the environment and 2) Upsetting local industries. I find that laughable and I'm simply disappointed that BBC, out of all the broadcasters, chose to focus on those 2 points. Really? We're gonna blame China for elephant poaching even though they've banned ivory trade in their country and cracking down on it hard? We're gonna blame them for the destruction of the rain forest even though it's being going on for decades now far before their rise and they've no direct involvement in it? We're not blaming the poachers in Africa, the illegal foresters in Brazil, not even African business and Brazil business for not regulating their own export amounts, but rather on the one who buys what's available on the market and have no control over these countries' internal policies --- China? Not to mention that China IS NOT the source of all the problems, if China isn't there, Brazil will export to the States and Europe, ivory will be sold to Japan, and globalization will ALWAYS bring up strong competitors to local industries. What's funny is that, it was us kicking open that door FORCING imperial China to trade with the rest of the world. They were fine and thriving for 4000 years on their own, it was us pushing them into the game, with guns and cannons too. Recently we're finding out that they're very good at this game, so now we're trying to blame them for playing. It just doesn't work for me. Think of better reasons BBC, just not this. This is a hypocrite in bright flashing neon lights.I'm a Canadian, I've been to China for work, I have my own concerns with China, mostly with culture clashes. I've defended China and I've criticised China. But this documentary just rubbed me the wrong way and I find myself sympathizing against the prejudice that's been throwing at them... I mean at least not BBC documentaries, you're BBC documentaries, you're supposed to target a more intelligent population with their own perspectives and thoughts on things, a population that would rather watch a documentary than a blockbuster movie. You know, the typical present both sides of the story and let us be the judge, where is that?Maybe BBC should stick to the nature programs where you excel. I can't trust you with your political/social documentaries now.

Well, first as a foreigner living in china I can see the other side: People trying to make a few bucks or Yuan taking advantage of the Chinese hunger for resources or the corruption in his/her own country. (exporting illegal or fake products, subsidized etc..)In my opinion this program only shows the fact that the Chinese companies look to the other side when they know that the supplier is doing something wrong in is own country...same as UK or American companies is China. (Apple case, HP case etc..)And I just want to add the fun facts.....1. At the secret location of the ship "destroyer" equipped with state of the art weapons and technology, near the radar monitor is placed a "Maneki Neko" know as the Chinese GOOD LUCK CAT, with the FU character in is belly, waving his cute little hand, you can find it at your favorite 99 cent store, most of witch products are called "terrorist products". (what if that little cute cat have a Chinese GPS inside????) lol.2. Before the interview with columnist / 3 times Pulitzer winner Thomas L. Friedman, just when Justin Rowlatt walks trough the alley heading to the meeting point you can appreciate a big-well paint picture of Mao Zedong (yes, MAO!) and it is the only picture that you can see in the whole area..I wonder if is that the reason that Mr.Friedman when to soft on the comments...The Chinese are not coming..the are here!

Well I have seen a lot of terrible propaganda program from BBC for quite a long time already, but this is really the most terrible one.The whole program is specially to press the Chinese for their economic growth. Well, if one is jealous or envy to the success of their economic growth, why can't one simply admit it and try to improve oneself instead of making such a silly program to press them.Let's have a look to the following points:The forest: Sir, before China starts making business in that South American country, thousand of trees and land have been destroyed by the own people of that country to feed the greedy consumption of the Western countries, not China. No, no, no, listen good BBC.Dangerous to the local industries: Madame, we are living in the 21 century, we live our life with international free trade. Every country is trying to make products and sell to other countries to earn income. If you can not compete with the others you are simply out. Instead of blaming the others, go to improve yourself. If today China does not block your way, it doesn't mean you have solve your problem because tomorrow another one will stand right in your way.Artificially devalue the currency: If that is the real reason why the Chinese get strong in their economic growth, I think a lot of countries will follow the foot step. The British please better use some economics common sense.Unfair trade practice: Who are those that had created the things like import tax, quota, tariff etc.? The western counties, not China.Greediness: Who are those that had sent troops to India, Africa to rob the local people and build their colonies? The British and the other western countries, not China.Having watching this TV program, I am not worrying about the rising power of China, but worrying about the rising power of the media. People can just simply make such horrible program and turn facts upside down. Obviously this brainwash program was not made for people like you and me who can read, think and talk. It was made and specially targeted for poisoning the mind and soul of our next young generation, to spread hatred among races and people. Just like the Nazi spreading hatred to the Jews.Like what I have said, this terrible trash will poison one's mind. Beware!