Illegal Immigrants in China - Part Two: A Historical Perspective.

China, with a population of over 1.3 billion, has initiated a 100 day crackdown on its nearly 20,000 illegal immigrants. Foreigners have been stopped on the streets and forced to show their passports and residence permits on the spot. Local authorities have performed surprise visa inspections at places of employment. Violators have been detained and fined. Some would say these are harsh actions to be taken by a country with such a burgeoning population and such an insignificant number of illegal immigrants.

Many believe that the current situation is the result of a British tourist assaulting a Chinese woman, the video of which went viral here in China. While many question or deny the connection between an assault perpetrated by a tourist holding a VALID visa and current attempts to rid China of illegal immigrants, a look at China's history would explain why just one act of violence could spur such a harsh backlash towards all of China's foreign nationals.

A superficial look at China would reveal a country that has historically valued well established boundaries. Physical boundaries such as the great wall and walls that encircle entire cities have been erected to keep out invaders. As far back as Confucius, social boundaries have been erected to establish roles to protect families and communities, and even the country itself. Some would argue that this is a particularly Confucian value. China closed itself off from the world behind a shield of political boundaries after a succession of foreign invaders raped its women, stole its national treasures, and took over ports and cities... not to mention managed to hook a significant portion of China's population on opium in order to level out a trade imbalance. Anyone who believes that those wounds have healed underestimates China's enormous sense of pride.

Since the invasions that crippled China, there has been intermittent sentiment that traditional values left the country weak and open to aggression. Many, such as Chairman Mao encouraged complete abandon of traditional ways of thinking. However, China's defense mechanism of establishing boundaries has held fast. The most controversial boundary that China has in place now is the Great Firewall.

Yes, one man perpetrated one crime. Another crime against the Chinese people at the hands of a foreign aggressor. Chinese officials claim that the crackdown was already in place before this crime was committed. It may have been, but with the Chinese already always on the defensive, is it any big surprise that China is protecting itself in the way it knows best... by attempting to shut out foreigners?