1. Speech to the City Hall Council--In defense against Calgary ARP
(2016.12.6)
Your Worship, Members of councilors, Good afternoon!
My name is Zuhong Wu (or John Wu, if it is difficult for you to pronounce Chinese). I have been a
volunteer in the Chinese communities in Calgary Chinatown (such as CCCSA, CCM) for several
years. But I am now speaking as a Canadian citizen, or a resident of Calgary. My purpose is
clarification and understanding, and providing to you some cultural insights, so that you may
move forward more smoothly.
I just want to answer the question that at least two of your members of councilors have raised at
least three times during the discussion: Why Chinatown culture rejects "hotel" structure?(or Why
no "hotel" in Chinatown?) I have two points about Chinese culture in general, and Chinatown
culture in particular:
(1) The Oriental or Asian culture emphasizes peaceful, harmonious, quiet, meek, stable, certain
etc. of so called "conservative" elements while "hotel" structure is something noisy, unstable,
uncertain, temporatory, and sometimes even troublesome of so called "open elements--you can see
the differences? On the other hand, so many unfamiliar people passing by hotel also makes
Chinese people fear and insecure;
(2) The Ancient Chinese culture in general is a kind of agriculture culture, which emphasizes
family, in which people welcome friends or guests as their own family members, providing food,
utility, shelter, and sleeping. So, in ancient Chinese culture, hotel is just an attachment to Chinese
restaurant or grocery, not an independent unit. This is obviously in contrast with the industry
culture of modern Western countries. In the mind of a traditional Chinese, hotel is just like railway
station or airport, a structure that is incompatible to Chinese culture.
Thank you very much!