Dalian, China - Propaganda Alive and Well

March 10, 2024

Dalian, China

Propaganda Alive and Well

Remember how I said that Vialula and I had a hesitation about China? Well, Shanghai set us at ease, but then we came to Dalian ... Just another little spit in the road of over 6 million people; a far cry from Shanghai and it’s 26 plus million. You would think it would have a small-town flavor but then the government gets involved… at least in my eyes.

The Zuiderdam is the first cruise ship to stop at Dalian since the epidemic (which they started). Did I say that out loud??

Well, the red carpet was pulled out, dusted off and set up. But not before the paparazzi was in place to record everything. And that is ok because they are desperate to bring the American and Canadian tourists back.

The first stop for the day was at the People’s Park. What we saw front and center were two military soldiers standing on their platforms, guns in hand watching things. What did they need to watch? Two buses of elderly American tourists complete with canes, walkers, wheel chairs planning and executing a coup of the park? Taking over the Peoples park. Which, was full of local families with kids out for a Sunday afternoon, riding bikes, skating, walking, etc, I am fully convinced that arrangements were made by someone to be sure that the correct number of families were told to be there and to have a good time. Reporters were there to record the common folk with an interpreter in case we wanted to talk to a common man or woman in case we had any questions.

Further proof was at the second stop which was at the Oriental Music Cultural Museum. There we saw a great performance by students at the institute. They ranged from about 7 years of age up to the middle teens with very elaborate and traditional Chinese costumes.

They played ancient instruments and the show was excellent and fun. Love to see the kids perform. Off to the side were at least 15 photographers shooting us and video taping the Americans enjoying the gifts that China has to give to the world. In fact. We were in the paper the next day as they promoted and celebrated the arrival of the first cruise ship back to Dalian in 4 long years. (Click here to read the article). Again, the common business man was glad to see us while the powers that be wanted the world to know that we were there.

Our last stop that day was at the Labor Park. Again, it is a Sunday and people are out and about. In this park there were about 1,500 people and it was not a staged event at all. Music played, people danced and men and women played cards and other games in and on the bleachers of the amphitheater. Street vendors sold their wares, and it was just a Sunday in the park

We had time to wonder and wander around and found what they call the marriage corner. This part of the park was dedicated to the desperate mothers and fathers who are trying to arrange marriages for their sons and daughters. The younger generations here are putting off marriage these days for several reasons. China’s one child rule is basically over. Their population growth is now negative and after a couple generations of one baby rule they are finding out that they do not have enough workers coming up to replace the workers who are aging and retiring. This younger generation has to pay their taxes and support an aging population and it isn’t working out. It is common for people to have two or three babies these days. And it is actually being promoted.

Anyway, these parents have printed out papers promoting their son or daughter and trying to find a good match. QR codes give information about age, work, wages, health, education and other information that might interest the parents of a possible suitor. Obviously the kids hate it and even avoid going home as blind dates are set up without their knowledge. It is sad, but in our case, funny thing to see. Sorry.

It was a fast day and while I didn’t care for the underlying feeling of being watched and photographed everywhere we went, it was interesting and eye opening. The police at the dock marched in formation as we were preparing to sail away. They waved at us before they left.