Feng Shoot and Dim Son

China piqued my interest yesterday. I love China, having long been busy with Chinese business and even serving on the board of a Chinese company for a while. But it was something, at first glance more light-hearted, that caught my eye.

The BBC featured a story concerning a Chinese father - Mr Feng - who seemingly hired on-line assassins to kill his son's avatar in multi-player games. World of Warcraft was the offending title - perhaps somewhat ironic given the origin of Sun Tzu's Art of War.

At one level, this parental intervention may seem laudable. After all, we want the best for our children and keeping them out of harm's way is a profound duty. All Mr Feng wanted to do was to stop his "dim" son spending endless hours on-line. I know. I have been there.

At another level - actually at most levels - it's very concerning. I am not sure there can ever be a clear dividing line when parental caring oversteps to become something more sinister. But this does cross that line, wherever you draw it. An old boss told me once that, whilst some situations might be hard to call, bad stuff always looks like bad stuff, because it is bad stuff!

This story came hot on the heals of another talking of a New Year censorship dispute at the Chinese Southern Weekly. How can you ever reconcile freedom of expression as a human right with the emergence of a nation, still struggling with the balancing act of those freedoms and stability?

These stories are linked. One is micro. The other macro. Both address the issues of the challenge of change.

I have seen China become the new world power it is over the last 20 years. I remember joining missions in and out of China introducing Chinese business people and leaders to what happened in faraway kingdoms. Those small successes and failures are best kept to boardrooms and dinner tables. One thing that I did learn though was that it is unwise ever to jump to conclusions where China is concerned. It is seldom as it seems.

The good news is that a compromise is seemingly close that allows face to be maintained - warm porridge is coming from the Beijing News. According to The Global Times things might be settling down but there is a recognition that it's difficult to achieve the balance - referring to "walking a difficult tightrope". Indeed.

Freedoms need to be non-negotiable and China has a long journey ahead still but I do recall, from some of those shows all visiting dignitaries once had to witness,  that the Chinese are gifted as acrobats. Let's hope so.

And as for Mr Feng - he needs to eat an harmonious bowl of warm congee porridge of reconciliation with his son.