久久亚洲国产成人影院-久久亚洲国产的中文-久久亚洲国产高清-久久亚洲国产精品-亚洲图片偷拍自拍-亚洲图色视频

  Home>News Center>Life
         
 

The evolution of iconic figures in China
By Lu Chang (Shanghai Star)
Updated: 2004-04-21 08:47

Chinese people in their 50s or older probably remember all the "Labour Models" from past decades, people who were once their heroes and examples for them to follow. For those in their 20s, however, impressions of these "models" are based on little more than pictures seen in their school textbooks.


The outdated national icon, Lei Feng, who was devoted to serving the people. [file photo]
During the years in which this generation grew up, people have begun to prefer pop songs to speeches about the stories of "Labour Models" or heroes who fight against villains. They have also started to stick pictures of movie stars on their notebooks and hang posters of them in their rooms.

The evolution of icon figures in Chinese society after 1949 - from labour models to entertainment stars - has developed drastically, especially after 1978 when the country started its economic reforms.

As with many other countries in the world, "celebrity culture" has swept across the community, greatly influencing people's systems of values.

People today are not unfamiliar with scenes of zealous fans chasing after stars at concerts or at airports.

Celebrity worship

Yet until recently, regulations forbade governmental units from using public funds to invite famous stars to attend provincial promotions or festivals.

How things have changed! CCTV reporters have covered the stories from a number of provinces where millions of yuan have been spent inviting stars to perform at peach blossom or persimmon festivals, for example.


F4, a Taiwan popular band, is the smash hit among the young people nowadays. [file photo]
The price list of popular stars has also been exposed, with the payment for one performance by a top star reaching 300,000 yuan (US$36,000).

"China is in the process of a change from advocating heroism to secularization or rationalization," said Yu Hai, associate professor in the Sociology Department of Fudan University. "Western societies began this evolution in the 18th century, alongside urbanization and industrialization."

Yu said China's economic reforms since 1978, led by Deng Xiaoping, had actually helped to change and reinforce the Chinese recognition of individual happiness, including such aspects as health, family and personal success.


Zhao Wei rose to a super star overnight as playing in a TV series "Pearl-Returned Princess." [file photo]
"In the past, people were respected depending on their contributions to the country and their loyalty to the Party, while now in the country, the more wealthy someone is, the more respect they can obtain," Yu said.

As Max Weber, founder of modern sociology, said, the three main principles of social stratifications are money, fame and power.

"Entertainment stars are favourably placed on at least two of these three indexes. They would certainly be focused upon and envied," he said.

The group of people considered to be celebrities is expanding in China. Ever more people have begun to take an interest in various "Chinese richest" lists.

Yu said in China wealthy people, such as successful entrepreneurs, might also easily gain political power.

"If they have succeeded in their chosen business, they may also be themselves chosen as representatives of the People's Congress," he said.

In this process, the media in China now plays an important role.

"In the 1950s or 1960s, there were also plenty of movie stars who people loved. However, they didn't have any commercial status at that time. Therefore, the media were just focused on their films, performances and acting," Yu said.

But nowadays, much media coverage strays into the area of celebrities' private lives, since this is what the audience is increasingly interested in.

Out of consideration for profits, the media tries to meet the audience's needs. Yet this is now overdone and has negatively influenced the community, according to Yu.

Too much attention to celebrity lives plays up the importance of money, fame and power in a person's life, even those these are only enjoyed by a minority of people.

"China is confronting a situations of extreme polarization between rich and the poor, over-exposure of celebrities could easily cause conflicts between the two groups," Yu said. "That could also encourage corruption among officials and other crimes."

The mandatory subscriptions to some Party newspapers have been stopped. In order to earn profits, newspaper groups have set up tabloids full of stories covering various aspect of celebrities' lives.

In some Western countries, Yu said, churches had a great influence on people's morality and values, yet China does not have the same institutions to guide people.

"Chinese people should know that money, fame and power are important, but not the only things people should chase after. Therefore, the media, education departments and social organizations should play correct roles," he said.

 
  Today's Top News     Top Life News
 

Tough action to wipe out `killer' milk powder

 

   
 

Nation opposes Vietnamese islands tour

 

   
 

Forced demolitions blur rights

 

   
 

Mubarak: Arabs hate U.S. more than ever

 

   
 

Housing prices jump causes overheat worries

 

   
 

Iraqi tribunal to try Saddam

 

   
  Girl, boyfriend ran away several months ago
   
  AIDS scare sparks call for porn film probe
   
  City protects its East-West architecture
   
  The evolution of iconic figures in China
   
  Dreams of a village teacher
   
  Kidman, Gibson among Time's the 'most influentials'
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Veteran master in Chinese popular cultures language
   
Campus ballads tune to yesterday melodies
  Feature  
  Cui Yongyuan and his battle with "Cell Phone"  
Advertisement
         
主站蜘蛛池模板: 色www永久免费网站国产 | 色怡红院 | 狠狠色丁香婷婷综合久久片 | 成人深夜福利在线播放不卡 | 欧美视频在线观看 | japanese乱子另类| 成人精品综合免费视频 | aaa在线| 一级特色大黄美女播放网站 | 国产精品一一在线观看 | 看片亚洲 | 久揄揄鲁一二三四区高清在线 | 欧美自拍另类 | 草草草在线视频 | 美国毛片基地a级e片 | 久久99久久成人免费播放 | 美女视频黄视大全视频免费网址 | 欧美精品亚洲 | 亚洲日本中文字幕在线 | 中国一级毛片免费观看 | 求欧美精品网址 | 日韩在线一区二区三区 | 国产高清厕所盗摄视频 | 久久―日本道色综合久久 | 国产成人一区二区三区视频免费 | 成年女人免费观看视频 | 久久精品爱国产免费久久 | 女人张开腿给男人捅 | 一区二区在线播放福利视频 | 成人久久久久久 | 亚洲欧美在线视频 | aaa在线观看高清免费 | 亚洲一区国产 | jizz国产精品免费麻豆 | 国产精品一区亚洲一区天堂 | 手机看片日韩国产一区二区 | 亚洲片在线观看 | 欧美顶级毛片在线播放 | 成年人免费看视频 | 亚洲欧美日韩国产 | 国产亚洲精品一区二区三区 |