A regular reader alerted me to the fact that OI-C Bowl, a restaurant specializing in fresh, “gourmet” Chinese food on North Main Street in Walnut Creek, displays a big, red People’s Republic of China flag hanging outside.
I’d love for the reader to explain his objections some more, because I don’t want to put words in his mouth.
It sounds like he wasn’t happy that a flag representing a government founded on Marxist, communist, and/or Maoist principles was flying so prominently in downtown Walnut Creek—and so close to City Hall.
The reader referred to it as a “communist China flag,” then said, “Yeah, I understand it’s Chinese food, but come on! How ‘bout an American flag next to it at least?”
What do you think? I know a flag with such strong associations with communism pushes some people’s buttons. Even though communism as a political ideology is rather passé–not including occasional retro commie blasts from Nepal, where communists have made themselves the nation’s leading party, or from Peru, where the Maoist Shining Path guerrillas continue their sporadic terrorists attacks.
But isn’t communism—the kind we associate with Marx, Trotsky, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, or other 20th century utopian ideologues—so last century? Okay, sure the People’s Republic of China—better known as mainland China—is the most populous nation on earth (1.2 billion people), and it is ruled by the Communist Party of China under a single-party, authoritarian system.
But how “communist” is the Communist Party of China, or the People’s Republic of China? Only about 5 percent of people in mainland China belong to the Party. Then there was the rule of Deng Xiaoping (de facto leader of China from 1978 to the early 1990s). He introduced a social and economic philosophy termed “socialism with Chinese characteristics” that merges a market economy with a socialist political system.
In terms of discussing contemporary Chinese political systems, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m flying without a net, and it would be nice if some expert on modern China or communist theory weighed in. But, it it sounds to me like China is more capitalist than stereotypically communist. At the same time, I understand that China’s government, with its single-party system, is not as democratic as many of us would like.
Back to OI-C Bowl? Does any of this high-falutin’ political economy/ideology stuff have any bearing on how we should react to the People’s Republic of China flag flying hanging outside this restaurant?
On a somewhat related topic, it is common to go into an Italian, French, or Mexican restaurant, and see the colors of those country’s flags, or the actual flags themselves, flying as part of the restaurant’s décor. I’m a big fan of Thai food. Any Thai restaurant worth its fish sauce will display photos of the Thai royal family, a display—like that of the Italian, French and Mexican flags—that is an exercise in nationalist pride. (And, yes, technically, Thailand enjoys democratic rule, so, by that measure, we Americans like Thailand. But how democratic is a country like Thailand that continues to be plagued by rampant vote buying, corruption, and regularly military-backed coups?)
And, compared with the Italian, French, and Mexican flags, is there something different about a display of Chinese flag–a bright red sheet with its five bright yellow stars–on WC’s popular North Main Street? In terms of color scheme and design, this flag is reminiscent of the red-and-yellow hammer-and-sickle flag of the Soviet Union. Of course, both the flags of the USSR and of the People’s Republic of China were and are controversial symbols of the communist ideology with which we Americans were so long at war. Cold War-wise, that is.
For many people, seeing this Chinese flag won’t provoke the same sentimental reaction they might get from seeing an Italian, French, or Mexican flag. Suburbanites of mainland Chinese origin might have a different reaction.
Also, you might have a more open and welcoming attitude towards the PRC, following the Beijing Olympics and in light of our complicated relationship with that country in the midst of the global economic crisis–with that country emerging as the United State’s largest creditor.
Is China our new economic BFF on the world stage? Should we therefore show its red-and-gold-star flag some respect? Or is China our new big, bad superpower enemy, and should we treat that country, and its flag, with wariness?
Crazy in Suburbia 
If everyone is so up in arms about the ideals the country of China was founded on, why don’t we also look at some of the practices we demonstrated when our country became a nation, slavery anyone?
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Who cares? Seriously. With all the problems we face, people want to worry about a flag? Some of you people need to get a life. They serve CHINESE food – should they put up a Mexican or French flag?I know the owners and these are nice people simply trying to make a go of it in a borderline location. I suspect they put the flag up to get a little more attention in a location that needs some attention. I seriously doubt they had ANY idea this would turn into a political issue.
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“I never eat in Walnut Creek because all of their restaurants are crappy, expensive, and overrated.I will, however, make an exception. I intend to eat at this restaurant just to give them some support.”Congratulations, because that restaraunt is definitely crappy, expensive and overrated. Knock yourself out!
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“I know the owners and these are nice people simply trying to make a go of it in a borderline location.”“Borderline” location? Are you kidding me? That’s one of prime shopping/eating areas in Walnut Creek.
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“A world flag signifies a COUNTRY, not a political party or ideology.”In this case it actually does represent the communist revolution and Communism.
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“Borderline” location? Are you kidding me? That’s one of prime shopping/eating areas in Walnut Creek.”Wrong, it’s a bit past where most of the prime locations are. Not much foot traffic at all. If what you say is true, why has there been 5-6 other restaurants fail in this location?
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10:50,Thanks! The only places worth eating in Walnut Creek are McDonalds and Il Pavone in Saranap. McDonalds isn’t overpriced, and Il Pavone is overpriced, but the food is decent. All of the other restaurants? Blech. If I was going to go out to eat based on the quality of the food, I wouldn’t be going to ANY Walnut Creek restaurant.I have all my spots. Best Mexican in Contra Costa is in East County. Best Chinese is in Oakland. I haven’t found any Chinese in Contra Costa that’s fit for human consumption.Oooh, oooh. WC has a newer Le Cheval. I eat at the Oakland Le Cheval often. Good food, sometimes flaky service. How is that if anyone’s tried it?
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“If what you say is true, why has there been 5-6 other restaurants fail in this location?”Because they were not well run. Just like this Chinese restaurant is, except the food there is even worse than the others like Crepevine. Why has Le Bistro not gone out of business? Why is La Scala doing so well?
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“The only places worth eating in Walnut Creek are McDonalds and Il Pavone in Saranap.”Yeah, WCYC and Va de Vi are crap, right? Why don’t you get out of Rossmoor more often and go to a real restaurant.
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2:42,I don’t live in Rossmoor — I’m not old enough. I don’t live in Walnut Creek or Saranap, but I am a neighbor. Tried all of the restaurants, and they’re all crappy and overpriced. Most Contra Costa restaurants are overpriced and leave much to be desired. I’ll drive out to go to a good restaurant or stay at home.Tsk, tsk, tsk to you on your insult against the elderly Rossmoor residents. I’ve been in there, and I like ’em. Why do you dislike them? Because they’re old or because they wield too much power for you?
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Hey 7:39,Leave your lame ‘grow a pair’ somewhere else. It didn’t work on the Claycord blog and it didn’t work here. Do you have undescended testicles or something?
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Hey 7:39,Leave your lame ‘grow a pair’ somewhere else. It didn’t work on the Claycord blog and it didn’t work here. Do you have undescended testicles or something?
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More Americans eat Chinese food every day than eat apple pie.There are more Chinese restaurants in the US than McDonalds, Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken combined (per TED conference speaker).These people came and opened a restaurant in WC for a reason. Probably the same reason ALL your ancestors came to the United States.Get over this ignorance. By all means go to Il Pavone, probably no heinous Italian flags there…hey didn’t Italians throw Christians to the lions…GASP! OMG Down with Pasta!
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You’re right. It is not the “American” flag…it is the flag of the goddamn “United States of America”…and if you don’t like it, you can get the f#@K out! Bunch of wimps.Flags are seriously symbolic. There is much ceremony and propriety built around them. Read up on it before you make up your mind.Showing both flags shows pride in your culture and appreciation for the opportunity and rights you have as a participant in our great economy (choke choke hack hack)
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Well, at least YOUR name is correct.
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Why is this even a controversy? It’s the national flag of the People’s Republic outside a Chinese restaurant. For all China’s faults (of which there are many, along the lines of environmental policies, human rights, animal welfare, etc.), it’s not exactly a rogue nation. The restaurant employs people, pays taxes, and contributes to the city. What more do people want? And it’s not as though the U.S. has a spotless human rights record. … If you like the restaurant’s food, eat there. If you don’t, don’t. Frankly, some of the objections to the flag make me want to go out of my way to eat there.
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I have mixed feelings about this, but I do not think it’s worth a resurgence in Cold War emotions.Just a few points.1. We need the Chinese as much as they need us. This helps keep us from ever fighting a war with them.2. Remember that it is the Chinese Government that is currently funding the genocide in the Darfur region while they drill out their oil – (which is why the US does nothing). And don’t forget Tibet either.3. They have the right to fly their flag, and I have a right to burn one and stomp all over it too!4. Chinese food is damn good.5. You also have a right to boycot the resturant.6. We should not be wasting valuable time over an irrelivant subject as this.7. I am glad that we have Chinese people living in our country. They make decent neighbors and they don’t go around dealing drugs, stealing, trashing the neighborhood or having drive by shootings. For the most part Chinese people are meek. I don’t support their government, but the people are actually pretty nice. I can’t even say that about my own country – The USA.
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I don’t agree with #6, but your argument #4 has changed my opinion.
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I’d just like some clarification on the note post by Sinn Feiner which said – If there was a Chinese restaurant over in China that served American food, do you really think that the Chinese Govn’t would allow them to fly an American Flag outside of their restaurant??? Hell no! In fact, they would probably be arrested for doing so. In that case, they shouldn’t be flying the Chinese flag out here.???So does that mean you feel that China’s policies are the ones we here in the States should be trying to emulate? That China has the best way of dealing with any expression that does not have governmental sanctification?I rather think I prefer the way we here allow people to have an opinion, regardless of whether it toes the correct political line or not. (Though I’ve noted that being allowed free speech is something that is becoming more frowned upon daily.)
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DumbAsBricksTheir food is good, but they have a long way to go in learning how to brew beer.Or drive a car.
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They imprison without due process, they torture, they spy on their own citizens, they suppress civil rights, they…oh wait…that’s the US until Obama!
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OK. There are a few Americans that feel that a Chinese person flying the Chinese flag somehow diminishes the American flag.It’s obvious that this has nothing to do with the Chinese people or their flag.
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Dear Anon 9:26: Deleting your post. It’s annoying, but I suppose that’s why you continue posting it. Ha ha ha. Anyway, I’m going to Sleepy Town now. Big day tomorrow. Gotta clean out the garage and stuff like that. I lead such a glamorous life. I suppose I’m flattered that you’d take the time to post comments that I’ll keep deleting when they come to my attention. In any event, nightie-night. Hope you have sweet dreams, too.
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I think that it is wrong. Sorry, this is America and we need to show more support for our country and NOW more than ever. Somewhere along the line as American’s we need to say enough is enough. My Immigrant great-grandparents wouldn’t dare wave their country of origin’s flags once they arrived here. They wouldn’t even let their children speak their native languages. They were told that they were American’s now and they would speak English! How are we going to stop the flood of change that seems to be eroding so many of the values that people came to this country for in the first place if we don’t ban together and say stop? I would feel much better if these folks loved this country enough to fly an American flag. I don’t care how good the food is. If they want to fly a Chinese flag they should move to China and do it there. They can also have a nice comparison to go by then. Better to live in the United States or China??? Then see which flag they want to wave.Sorry, my username isn’t working.Sincerely,Revcoco
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I think that it is wrong. Sorry, this is America and we need to show more support for our country and NOW more than ever. Somewhere along the line as American’s we need to say enough is enough. My Immigrant great-grandparents wouldn’t dare wave their country of origin’s flags once they arrived here. They wouldn’t even let their children speak their native languages. They were told that they were American’s now and they would speak English! How are we going to stop the flood of change that seems to be eroding so many of the values that people came to this country for in the first place if we don’t ban together and say stop? I would feel much better if these folks loved this country enough to fly an American flag. I don’t care how good the food is. If they want to fly a Chinese flag they should move to China and do it there. They can also have a nice comparison to go by then. Better to live in the United States or China??? Then see which flag they want to wave. Revcoco
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The first step in taking over a country usually starts with changing the language. When a country is conquered a new flag is typically raised. Inconsequential? I guess the question is “What language and flag matters to you?” Revcoco Revcoco
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All our flags are now owned by China? They were probably all made there. But, do you ever wonder why they are so concerned about our economy??? Let’s see, we have their cheap flags and they have our… Revcoco
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Ching Chong Bing Bong.Arl your frag are berong to us.
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Hey,
They took it down. I saw this blog post on claycord.com but had not seen the flag until I read this. I noticed it was there for a couple weeks and now for the last week it has been gone.
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