"So, you're saying you surrendered for a cigarette?"

May 18, 2008 8:32 AM

They Chose China is a documentary about the 22 western POWs who chose to defect to China after the Korean War armistice.
posted by bunnytricks (13 comments total)

the numbers involved rather small--and of that batch, many later left China. More to the point, in the "settlement," was the fact that so many Chinese did not want to go back to china burt rather go to Taiwan...those who supported Communism but were POW's often fought with those who where POWs but hoped for freedom in Taiwan rather than being sent back to China.
posted by Postroad at 9:23 AM on May 18, 2008

Very interesting and touching video. At times it pegs my 'this is [Chinese] propaganda!' response but then I realize it is just being told from the perspective of a Chinese person. I think it nicely captures the human side with minimal politics.
posted by norabarnacl3 at 9:37 AM on May 18, 2008

Downloading this to watch as although Google video works here now it streams a bit slow for me. Anyway, there was a post on the topic previously which I recall as I commented there on having read about one of the defectors.
posted by Abiezer at 10:04 AM on May 18, 2008

Fascinating, good film. See also Simon Winchester's new book The Man Who Loved China, which has some related stuff.
posted by stbalbach at 10:49 AM on May 18, 2008

The story of Chinese POWs seeking to go to Taiwan is addressed in Ha Jin's excellent novel War Trash. Highly recommended.
posted by Rangeboy at 11:09 AM on May 18, 2008

If I witnessed the tens of thousands being murdered under the watch of the US, I'd probably feel like defecting too.
posted by mullingitover at 1:46 PM on May 18, 2008

Great post, reminded me of this Guy
posted by hortense at 5:52 PM on May 18, 2008

Summarized by Cat and Girl
posted by suedehead at 10:48 PM on May 18, 2008

Fascinating video. What I did hardly registers compared to what these guys did, even if it's vaguely similar.
posted by Poagao at 1:51 AM on May 19, 2008

You chose chinese takeout?
posted by bouncebounce at 6:37 AM on May 19, 2008

Based on his profile: Chose to make his life in Taiwan?
posted by Gnatcho at 10:09 AM on May 19, 2008

More or less, yeah.
posted by Poagao at 1:42 AM on May 20, 2008

I've actually heard Poagao's quite amazing story through a mutual friend. You don't know the half of it, bouncebounce, but I see that didn't stop you acting the twat.
posted by Abiezer at 3:31 AM on May 20, 2008