By Silvano Azzopardi from Beijing: There is quite an outcry at the moment here in China about comments made a few days ago by CNN commentator Jack Cafferty who described the Chinese people as 'goons and thugs'.

Having lived in China for most of the past five years, I can vouch from first-hand experience that Mr. Cafferty could not have been more wrong in his analysis. The Chinese are probably one of the most gentle and friendly people on earth, and their genuine respect for foreigners is extraordinary.

Chinese cities are also extremely safe, unlike what one normally experience in Western metropolis.

Under heavy criticism, the comments were later clarified as referring to the Chinese government. Though indeed there are many issues that the Chinese authorities should tackle, even this clarification is highly incorrect, because in recent years these authorities were responsible for the huge development this country is experiencing, and also for tangibly raising the standard of living of hundreds of millions of people.

I borrow the words of former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt who in a recent interview with the Westdeutschland Zeitung said "We see China in a totally false way. Western hostility toward China is largely rooted in the strong perception of many Westerners that China should develop according to the 'democratic mode' represented by the United States and many Western European countries. Why should it have to ?" Mr. Schmidt said many Westerners have no idea about China's history and culture, or the complicated political and social issues that the country is dealing with.

The unfortunate reality is that many people who have never set foot in this country seek to judge China based only on information (and misinformation) fed by the media. The reality on the ground is much different.

Let's all thank God that Mr Cafferty was wrong because with 1.3 billion thugs running around, the world would have been a really dangerous place !

The author is Director Finance Asia of  W.E.T. Automotive Systems(China) Ltd. based in Beijing

(The Sunday Times, Malta, 04 May 2008 page19)