Continuous attempts have been made by the Chinese government to "protect" the minds of the young people of China from too many outside influences for fear it might cause them to view the Chinese government and culture in a less favorable light, but is this really a valid fear? In spite of internet censorship in China, Chinese youth are becoming increasingly internationally aware, partially through their contact with international students, both on their home campuses, while studying abroad, and even on the internet sites they frequent. How are these encounters shaping the minds of the Chinese youth? Are they truly being won over by the West, or are the increased encounters with western people and ideas causing them to become disenchanted with the "wonders of western culture" and instead prompting more pride in China on both a cultural and political level? Or, is there a third option, that in fact both phenomena are taking place simultaneously within the community of Chinese youths?
