China is China

In the Orlando Weekly article "Detained in China," writer Billy Manes conducted a phone Q&A with Orlando filmmaker Brian Conley who was detained for five days under the charge of disturbing the peace in China for casually filming a protest by Students for a Free Tibet. 

On Aug. 19, asleep in the hotel room, Conley was woken by the sound of beating fists on the door and Chinese authorities. As he was escorted out, the authorities told him he was being taken for his safety, but that was not the case. 

"You know, as far as the Chinese are concerned, I was never arrested," Conley said. "They have what they call 'administrative detention,' which is not an arrest."

Interrogated for 22 hours, Conely learned that his act of filming the protest was a greater offense than the protest itself, as the film would bring an international audience to Chinese internal disputes, which would delude China's "amiable" totalitarian image. 

"I was even told by one guy that we were lucky we hadn't don this in the '70s because we would have been tortured and probably killed," Conely said, in his response to the suggestive nature of the opening ceremony promoting China's move toward human rights and freedom of speech. 

The Chinese government keeps watch like a George Orwell novel, Internet access, phone lines, behavior is all monitored closely. If a country can dictate what you do in every facet of you life from your job, education, to how many children you can have, it comes as no surprise that Americans would have a vastly different view of life.  But to assume an American can still act like an American in a country like China is an act waiting for trouble, ignorance is not a get-out-of-Chinese-prison-free-card. 

In China, the authorities can hold you for 24 hours for investigation. 

My friend and UCF alumnus Jason Groot is studying for his master's degree in China. He loves the history and traditional culture. Before graduation he took Mandarin Chinese classes. He's living in a dorm, enjoying the international student body, food, and conversation. In our emails and conversations with him, we are advised caution in our choice of words as the consequences are dire. He's there for the experience and he can't have that if he is detained. It's different 180 degrees different over there; the best thing to do is appreciate the experience and co-exist within.