[Ill_ban_myself]

In the west the idea of a hukou has been used by kings, lords, police, governments big and small of all kinds for more than 1000 years.

It’s not a new idea it is one that I think most western countries would say, “we tried it and it failed.”

For me it brings to mind racism, slavery, a good excuse for genocide.

In the west the idea of hukou isn’t “foreign” it is too familiar and ugly. Like an alcoholic father you have left behind.

[krageon]

There really is no call for this sort of vitriol, especially when it isn't really paired with any information that we might learn from what you said. If you gave some actually tangible examples, perhaps this anger could at least be intellectually interesting.

[Ill_ban_myself]

I'm not angry. As they say in America, "I have no dog in this fight."

It does not bother me in any way that the government in China gets to decide whether and where people can travel or work or live.

I'm glad they don't do it where I live, but I am sure the average Chinese citizen is glad they don't have to suffer many indignities and strange quirks of western life.

I cannot, for instance, let my child play with a water gun at the public park for fear he will be shot and killed by a police officer. I do not need to pretend that's unquestionably good. It is certainly not the way I would prefer to live. It is just a fact of life.