One of the major shortcomings of traditional Chinese culture is the lack of the concept of equality. Without it, it is difficult to establish a fair judicial system in society. For centuries, civil disputes were settled by renowned countrymen or family laws. These people conducted arbitration based on common sense and their understanding of moral principles. Oftentimes they misjudged. Then small matters festered and became an irreconcilable enmity.

Studying Chinese history or literature, one can find many stories about a person avenging the wrongs he or she suffered. Sometimes this process lasted for decades and was passed from generation to generation. Seemingly, the more torturous and complicated the process, the more it appealed to its readers. Often times, children and grandchildren were instructed to right the wrong inflicted on their parents or grandparents. Putting oneself in their place, inheriting the enmity of the former generation and making it the sole purpose and driving force in one’s life irrespective of whether one can eventually knife one’s enemy or not, is too grievous and horrid a life to live. I admit I lack such ambition.

On the other hand, one should not underestimate the power of hate. It has proven to be a catalyst for social revolution, rebellion and class struggles. Totalitarian systems and dictatorial governments have sown many seeds of hatred. When such a system loses its fragile balance, "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" will prove a powerful rallying cry and sufficient to ignite a raging wildfire. In the process, a not often observed side of human nature will be revealed.

The horrible struggles between sovereign rulers and those who rebelled throughout Chinese dynasties have been amply recorded in the annals of history and literature. Let us examine once again the representative revolutionary movie, "The Red Woman’s Army".

The plot goes: Jonflower was a slave to Southrascal. She hated him to the bones. She fled and joined the Red Army. Sometime later, she ran into Southrascal and killed him. Then, a Communist Party leader, Evergreen, learned about the incident. He started to indoctrinate and encourage her to distill her personal hatred to "class hatred". Consequently the hatred grew deeper and wider. Contention between individuals was transformed in a mass class struggle.

From my understanding, Southrascal was not a real person, but the script was based on a true story. The movie was shot in Linsui using a big mansion in the county. The owner and his household, though they had nothing to do with the story, were later severely persecuted just because the movie was shot in their house.

The real main character, Mr. Wang, was a leader of a minority tribe. Unlike his ancestors, Wang was educated and was a graduate of an military academy. When the Communist Party split with the Nationalist Party, he returned home and rallied his countrymen to support the Communists. His troops won many battles. Later he disagreed with the Party’s extreme left policies and returned to his tribal land. When the Red Army was losing the fight against the Nationalists, he and his army were drafted. Not only did he ignore the order, he killed those Red Army soldiers fleeing the battle field. Then the Red Army retaliated. They set up traps and captured him. Consequently he, his family, his wife’s family, and his troop leaders were all executed. Their fort was also completely destroyed.

There are numerous similar stories recorded in the history of the struggle between the Communists and the Nationalists. The end result of class struggle was the deepening and widening of hatred among its people.

Chinese history is filled with wars and conquests. China also created some of the world's greatest literature. The Chinese are particularly adept at wielding a kind of "soft weapon", a form of condemning public letter which established in detail the sins of its enemies. Then they followed their war of words with the sword. Chairman Mao was a master of this practice. A series of eloquent and pompous public articles condemning the Nationalist party were followed by the swift advance of his armies in the civil war. Sadly, within the whole Nationalist Party, they were unable to find someone who could adequately respond to his accusations. By then the fate of the Nationalists was sealed.

Unlike his predecessors who after their victories would restore the country to some semblance of normal life, Chairman Mao would not allow the people to shed the yoke of hatred. Instead he promoted various imaginary enemies both within the country and from abroad. He reminded the people not to forego the class struggle and to be vigilant and ready for war at all times. I myself was born in such times. Since my early youth, I recall being indoctrinated with all kinds of hatred. I was persecuted by others and very naturally persecuted others. When I came to my senses, I realized that the whole country and the hearts of the people had been scorched by the fire of hatred.

President Lee Teng-hui claims to be a Christian. Therefore his political practices will invariably be affected by his faith. Today in Taiwan, most high government officials received their higher education under the western educational system. The new value system that they brought in is like a graft onto the stock of Confucianism. This is workable and should bring new life to the old system.

A careful study of Chinese history will reveal that the Chinese are not a people that worship only hatred. Sprinkled among the history of its fierce political struggles are some acts of wisdom. For example, the first emperor of the Ming dynasty did not carry any animosity towards the last Mogul emperor who was driven out of the country. Instead, he included Ginghas Khan with other ancestors from the Tang and Sung dynasties in his ancestral worship. By so doing, Chinese history can rightfully claim that it is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural history. From this, one can see that the river of tradition is a body of living water capable of incorporating cultures originating from different sources.

Out of Christian culture come the concepts of fair competition and tolerance of different ideas. These are not difficult to graft onto the mainstream Confucius culture. They will help dissolve some of the animosity that have long existed both within the ruling party and the general public, and help bring forth a society characterized by tolerance and mutual respect.

In the early 90’s, the educated elite in China have called for "social reconciliation". Unfortunately, up till now this call has not been heeded by the various groups holding different political persuasions. These cycles of vengeance in history -- when will they be relegated to the museum as relics of the past ?

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Mr. Kong was Chairman of a writers association in Guangdong, China. He is now chief editor for "Democratic China" at Princeton.