Maybe I've gotten a bit bored on these stereotypes? I don't know. If you don't have something new to report, just typing following shxxxts to earn a life:
1. corruption (remember that every single problem in China is due to CCP corruption)
2. Uighurs (they live a bloody miserable life)
3. Tibetan (they live a bloody missable life, too)
4. Hongkong
5. Cultural repression
....
For point 4 and 5, I have my own experience and observation.
I have many Hongkong friends. There are many reasons why Hongkong people (special young) feel angry, unsafe, doubt, uncertain, not so confident no more..: income inequality, high living cost, expensive (and unbearable and undreamable) real estate price, more and more mainland influence, more competition...
All these are true. But you know what, the most fundamental reason is: China mainland is much developped now than before, and then Hongkong is no longer special to China.
A quick glance at below (year 2016 GDP):
1. Shanghai 423.8 billion (USD 17530 per capita)
2. Beijing 384.2 billion (USD 17680 per capita)
3. Hongkong 320.9 billion (USD 43681 per capita)
4. Guangzhou 302.6 billion (USD 21700 per capita)
5. Shenzhen 300.8 billion (USD 25790 per capita)
...
Reminded that back in 1980, Hongkong GDP used to be 31% of whole china's.
Now it is merely 2.8%, how come it still be special?
Under such a circumstance, many changes in material aspects and people's mindset take place.
Regarding "cultural repression", I have personal experience. When I was a kid, in schools, we were taught in Cantonese, and we spoke Cantonese, we watched Cantonese TV, we don't understand many jokes/ talkshow/ "xiaopin" in mandarin (we understood what they said, but what the hell they were laughing?) . Many teachers were not able to speak Mandarin (Pu tong hua). Those who can, spoke in broken, hard to understand. If I remember correctly, it was not until 1993-1994, teachers are forced to learn mandarin themselves, and teach their students (I was one of) in mandarin. Many old age teachers really had to struggle, very poor.
I myself had many embarrassing moments (e.g. even late when I was freshman in university, I shouted at my roommate to hurry up: 你快点“死”呀,你不“死”,我怎么“死”?, when he occupied the bathroom for too long. You know, I was saying "洗“, take a bath。
Is it "cultural repression"? you may argue.
To me, I feel thankful instead. Many wouldn't agree with me. But I felt that it is a need.
Several days ago, one of my Hongkong friends even discussed this with me, he asked: "You used to speak Cantonese, not mandarin, now you rely more on mandarin every single day, and we all know that central government have and had plans to spread mandarin all over the whole country. Don't you feel pity, angry? Don't you feel Cantonese is better in interpreting our old chinese culture/ poems?".
No, I said. Cantonese influence declines, it is normal, it is just back to its normal status, not a surprise to me. Now I speak Cantonese, I don't feel a bit pity. I speak Mandarin, I don't feel a bit guilty. Why should I.
A chinese empire reborn?
I sincerely wish.