China Expat is a cultural and literary forum for expatriates interested in China and has been published by Asia Briefing Ltd since 2001. The sites resident China culture writers have included such expatriate luminaries as 
China’s Anthem
You’d think if a country were going to choose a song for itself, the song would reflect its best traits. Venezuela’s would be about beautiful women and pristine beaches, Switzerland’s about its chocolate and cuckoo clocks. If a nation wishes to advertise its fighting prowess, decorum would dictate following America and England’s lead, with allusions to flags still waving and making mightier yet.
In the East, countries display a lyrical schizophrenia, giving voice to a side otherwise seldom advertised. The trend seems to be historical. The Qing Dynasty, for example, was founded by a semi-nomadic race of mounted toughs who rode roughshod over the remains of the Ming Empire. To judge by their anthem, though, their reason for doing so was to establish a loafer’s paradise, a realm of gold and giggles threatened only by the ocean.
Cup of Solid Gold
Solidify our golden empire,
Underneath the aegis of heaven,
All of civilization will cease to toil,
United in happiness and mirth,
As long as the Qing rules.
Our empire is emblazoned by light,
And our boundaries are vast and preserved.
The expanse stretches infinitely,
The sea brims with turbulence.
The party had to end sometime. The last years of the Qing, and the subsequent era of internal strife almost left China a giant roast duck, sliced up by Germany, England, and other colonial powers. Still, in these times of post-Panda diplomacy and much ado about global prosperity, the words to the PRC’s anthem seem a tad inappropriate, outside of a Metallica reunion concert.
March of Volunteers
Arise,
Ye who refuse to be slaves!
With our very flesh and blood,
Let us build our new Great Wall!
The peoples of China are in the most critical time,
Everybody must roar his defiance.
Arise!
Arise!
Arise!
Millions of hearts with one mind,
Brave the enemy’s gunfire, March on!
Brave the enemy’s gunfire, March on!
March on!
March on!
“March on and on and awwwwwwn, YEAH!!” You can almost hear the screeching electric guitar and double bass drum. No better tune to hail the fierce victory of that fifty-kilo hero who wins China the gold medal for badminton. Foreigners attending the Olympic Games, or for that matter, any foreigners wishing to impress potential Chinese friends, would do well to memorize the song in Putonghua. [Those annoying ‘3's signify third tone.]
Qi3lái! Búyu
No related posts.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Well, china is really emerging to be the next destination for expat. If Vietnam is starting to rebuild the country and build casino it is okay, because it will create job and tourism.
Regards, Jenny, golf camps
You have given short and sweet info here, however, I love Japanese one, because, there are just 4 lines, however, this posts help me to knw more about China, that is great,
Hello, I can’t understand how to add your blog in my rss reader.
sears parts
Thanks a million, FGC.
Well, I guess all national anthem are made to boost the pride of a people to their beloved country. People are willing to die and sacrifice to keep it safe. Cheers, Imesh, t-shirt printing
Nice post. I like your blog very much.
This is a very good information on China and its culture and this post also give an in-depth meaning of the Chinese anthem which I was not aware of previously.
baby shower invitations
I love China when I went there, it had some really great virtues and nature was wonderful.
I loved it as well, my mom went there, but when she came back, he had a lot of mosquito bites. How to Make Money Online
The March of the Volunteers was composed by Nie Er and Tian Han in 1932. On March 14th, 2004, March of the Volunteers was selected to be the National Anthem of China formally by the Second Plenary Session of 10th NPC.
Baby Shower Favors
I hear Vietnam is going to become the next Las Vegas. Is that true?
It is indeed a great resource to obtain information on this subject. Keep posting. Thanks.
There is a staff notation in the picture. I was surprised being the picture seems very old, how Chinese have already known about the note staff while other countries in Asian musician does not know how to read staff notation. Chinese anthem with staff notation is a big wonder for me.
This is a very good information on China and its culture and this post also give an in-depth meaning of the Chinese anthem which I was not aware of previously.
You got it, Piggy, you got it.
I think one national anthem is just as bad as the other and something that more often than not needs to be modernised.
The March of the Volunteers was composed by Nie Er and Tian Han in 1932. On March 14th, 2004, March of the Volunteers was selected to be the National Anthem of China formally by the Second Plenary Session of 10th NPC.
Do you love it?
I think one national anthem is just as bad as the other and something that more often than not needs to be modernised.
Well, I guess all national anthem are made to boost the pride of a people to their beloved country.
There is a staff notation in the picture. I was surprised being the picture seems very old, how Chinese have already known about the note staff while other countries in Asian musician does not know how to read staff notation.
This is a very good information on China and its culture and this post also give an in-depth meaning of the Chinese anthem which I was not aware of previously.
Well, I guess all national anthem are made to boost the pride of a people to their beloved country.
For any country fight for freedom their historical fights, national anthem etc are the topics that are mostly noticed and loved by the people of that country.
I think one national anthem is just as bad as the other and something that more often than not needs to be modernised.
very nice poem
If you want bloody lyrics, try La Marseillaise! (France)
More proof of my lyrical schizophrenia theory.
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.