The American experience influenced my understanding of individuality, basic human rights, freedom of expression and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
China didn’t want to lose the cutting edge of technology. So the idea of having a Sina Weibo was an attempt to compete with Twitter. However, it has no soul – which is freedom of expression. Nevertheless,
I think the pearls – one is a necklace, and another you have five hundred pounds of pearls, which may be one million pearls in a bowl – really show a kind of [society] condition.
Civilization has evolved toward more acceptance, understanding and tolerance of global thinking. If we accept differences, our creativity booms. It makes life much more colorful.
So for too long Americans take liberty as granted. We think we are in the safe hand, the democracy and the liberty, which is not true. And it can be even getting much worse than today.
At the moment about 350,000 students return to China from abroad each year – 350,000 young and educated people. I know about them because they know me and often ask me in the street if they can take a selfie with me.
![Ai Weiwei Quote - I think the pearls – one is a necklace, and another you have five hundred pounds of pearls, which may be one million pearls in a bowl – really show a kind of [society] condition.](https://minimalistquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/i-think-the-pearls-one-is-a-necklace-and-another-y-683x1024.jpg)
![Ai Weiwei Quote - I came back [to Beijing ] because that’s the only time I had an excuse to come back, or otherwise I would never have a reason to come back.](https://minimalistquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/i-came-back-to-beijing-because-thats-the-only-time-683x1024.jpg)
![Ai Weiwei Quote - [Shanghai Biennale] has been my attitude for as long as I’ve been practicing art and other cultural-related activities.](https://minimalistquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shanghai-biennale-has-been-my-attitude-for-as-long-683x1024.jpg)
