Quote
“In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.”
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.”
John McCrae, Canadian military doctor, 1915.
News
Wreaths of poppies were laid at various war memorials in Britain and the Commonwealth over the last few days, as symbols of gratitude and remembrance of those who laid down their lives to defend their country during the two world wars and subsequent conflicts. In countries allied to Britain in the two world wars, the poppy has become a deeply meaningful symbol of sacrifice for others.
Wreaths of poppies were laid at various war memorials in Britain and the Commonwealth over the last few days, as symbols of gratitude and remembrance of those who laid down their lives to defend their country during the two world wars and subsequent conflicts. In countries allied to Britain in the two world wars, the poppy has become a deeply meaningful symbol of sacrifice for others.
In China, however, the poppies worn by UK prime minister David Cameron and his delegation last week symbolised something quite different. During the opium wars in the mid 19th century, Britain used superior military power to force Chinese markets to accept their imports – particularly opium, which was illegal in China – in order to pay for the huge exports of tea to the British Empire. Currency wars today carry echoes of these opium wars in the past.
This humiliating memory (for both nations now), rather than soldiers’ lives laid down in the 20th century, is the one recalled by the Chinese when they see British people wearing red poppies.
In seeking to build strong and healthy relationships between nations, the preconditions of directness of communication, continuity of relationship over time and parity of power play a major part (these are three of the five pillars of Relational Proximity). Knowing the history of relations between two nations is essential for leaders to understand how to conduct the present relationship in an appropriate and sensitive way.
While China continues to gain the ascendancy over Britain in economic, financial and military terms, ‘parity’ does not have to mean equality in these areas. Rather, shared participation in decisions, fairness in application of ethics and respect for the values of the other country are the key ingredients of parity in any relationship between two nations, if they are to move towards lasting peace and prosperity.
Read on...
Jeremy Ive wrote an insightful chapter on International Relations in the Jubilee Manifesto, the landmark book presenting a relational basis for Christian social reform, edited by Michael Schluter and John Ashcroft. You can read it on our website here: www.relationshipsglobal.net/Web/OnlineStore/Product.aspx?ID=52
Walk the talk
Almost all cultural symbols, such as the poppy worn around Remembrance Day, have a story behind them. Think of someone you know, originally from a different culture to you, who has worn or displayed a symbol you know little about. Why not make an opportunity to enquire about the story behind that symbol, so as to understand the person and their culture more fully?
The last word
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