Letter

In response to Australia-China relations: A question of trust

American attitude to China

Jimmy Stewart made many movies. In 1960, he made The Mountain Road, set in China in 1944, when America was supposedly helping China against Japan.

Stewart’s character slowly developed an antipathy to the people he was helping and the final scenes escalate as the innocent Chinese villagers become collateral damage in his attack against Chinese brigands. (Yes, some Chinese fought anyone with whom they crossed paths).

Some say it was Stewart’s anti-war movie, but I cannot help but notice comparisons with American attitudes to Asians, especially Chinese, today. A lot of collateral damage can be expected if a peaceful understanding of their values and economy and trust are not reached.

— Ian Bowrey from Hamilton South