BEIJING - Earlier today we posted an article titled "Japanese Train Controversy", which discussed the anger many Chinese felt towards a train conductor for stopping his train at an unscheduled stop so Japanese passengers could disembark and make their flight.  You can read the background here.

Now the train captain has responded to the uproar on his own blog (which can no longer be found).  The translation below is from a story on Tianya:

I am the captain of the No. 2220 that stopped for these Japanese passengers.  My name is Yu Jinwen.  I don't understand why netizens are so angry about this.

I didn't work today.  When I finally got a chance to relax, my son, who was surfing online, told me that what I had done on the 22nd had been widely criticized online.  The story that has been reported as a good thing in the newspapers turned out like this... I can't really understand why.  I have worked for the China Railway system for many years.  I have done so many good things for the railway industry, and my good work and efforts have granted me a good reputation.  So why does everything turn out like this?

First, why was there a delay?  Due to the rapid growth of the Chinese economy and our large population, the demand for railway services is far higher than the actual volume.  The report (the author references an original newspaper article praising him for stopping the train) said that China's railway volume is 7% of the world's railway volume, but in fact it stands at 40%.  This is a huge accomplishment, but a big problem, too.  This can not be solved in the near future due to the massive amount of investment needed for the development of the China Railway industry.  We have nothing to do with the delays of Chinese trains.  The acceleration of the Chinese railway system is at the expense of fewer stops.  Lots of trains don't stop at small stations.  I hope everyone can understand these delays.

Second, why would we stop for those Japanese passengers?  The seven Japanese passengers were late for their flight, which was due to the delay of our train.  If they couldn't catch the flight, it would cause them a late departure and maybe other troubles as well.  It was due to our problem.  There were two elders in their group and they looked really worried.  Credit (?) records are very important in the developed world, so if there was a late departure on their passports it would cause other problems for them.  From another point of view, Japan is a developed country.  Our country needs their investment and has to import lots of advanced technology from them.  I did it for the benefit of our country.  It was a good opportunity to build a good image of China.  There are no trivial things in diplomacy.  If I didn't handle this well, it would result in damage to our country's reputation and foreign investment.

Third, why did I apply for a police escort for them?  Generally speaking, if it is not an important activity, the police will not provide an escort.  As I mentioned before, this mattered to China's international reputation.  The seven Japanese friends would be late even if we let them off at the station without the escort.  So stopping, by itself, would mean nothing to them.  I thought about this at the time; if I was going to do a good thing, I'd better do it the best.  That was the reason I called for a police escort.

Fourth, would we stop for Chinese passengers and ask for a police escort for them?  I can guarantee that this is the first time this has ever happened in my dozens of years in the railway industry.  If Chinese passengers are really in that situation, we'd have to deal with it according to the situation.  This kind of emergency has to be considered from a larger scale from the leaders.  I don't think it definitely won't happen again.

Fifth, the thankful letter written by those Japanese passengers indicates that my decision was right.  We gained a good international reputation for our country and the railway industry.  It proves that since the "opening-up", our service industry has improved a lot and reached or surpassed the advanced international level.

Sixth, many netizens have criticized me and have raised this issue to a higher level.  They insulted the people who work for the railway industry.  I can not understand this.  No one is having an easy life.  Among ordinary people, who doesn't want to have a good reputation?  Yes, we are not perfect.  We have to improve.  But we need time.  Criticizing us will not help, and please don't involve history in your criticism.

Last but not least, I hope everyone can view this rationally.  Don't be used by a small number of people who have other intentions.  I need your understanding.

Below is a small selection of comments posted under the original article:

　　换作同胞你能让火车等吗？ 最鄙视某些人的软骨头，对鬼子谄媚，对同胞色厉内荏。
　　地位的卑贱并不可耻，灵魂的卑贱才是最可耻的。

If it was Chinese, would you stop for them? I look down upon some people who caters to foreigners, soft bone! Double faced! It is not shameful to be in a low social position, it is shameful to have a low spirit.

作者：zjccom　回复日期：2008-10-23　22:04:42

　

 

　　铁老大做得好不好是要靠老外来认可？

　　原来老外的、领导的评价才是有用的，中国老百姓说什么都不算？
　　铁老大是不在乎在中国老百姓的，是不是这个意思？
　　
　　楼主真是那个列车长么？你真的确认你是个没有缺钙的中国人？
You are the public transpotation No.1, do you need foreigners' recognition?

Oh, I see. Only foreigners' comments count. The ordinary Chinese's opinions don't count?

The publication No.1 doesn't care about the chinese ordinary people at all, right?

Are you the real captain? Are you the chinese who is a soft bone?

 

 

作者：一千临一夜　回复日期：2008-10-23　22:04:38

　

 

　　看来我要争取早日做个国际友人......
It looks like I have to work hard to be an international friend!

 

作者：08majia　回复日期：2008-10-23　22:07:39

　

 

　　大家的不满情绪不是针对你个人。
　　而是针对这种屡屡发生的超国民待遇事件。
　　既然"世界上没有一个国家做的到"，那为何非要牺牲众多国人来取悦友邦人士呢？

I don't think netizens are angry only at you. It is the common SUPER NATIONAL TREATMENT incidents. If "it won't happen in any other countries in the world", why we would sacrifice to please "foreign friends?"


Translation by:  XQ

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