In 2002-03, several scholars and I proposed some new ideas about China's relationship with Japan. We hoped to promote original thoughts on dealing with the Sino-Japanese relations to develop good neighborhood ties based on China's long-term benefits. New ideas often trigger controversy after they are proposed, and we expected some response.

But a certain famous scholar went to exceptional lengths. He not only blasted the new ideas in China but also went to Tokyo to criticize our works. No one at that time expected that he would later be discovered to be a spy and be sentenced to prison.

Such kind of incredible cases have been frequent in recent years, which stuns us.

Nationalism and patriotism turned out to be nothing but a show for some people.

Not long ago, several young scholars coauthored a book named Who Is Unhappy In China? The book notes that, in 1996, when the book China Could Say No came out, one author was in high school. "I was a huge fan of this book … every time I read it, I felt that my blood boil with indignation as if I had taken an aphrodisiac." But in his new book he came to the conclusion that unscrupulous authors were happy to see people like him as " a big market for those book-suppliers to swindle money out of" and that "Nationalism is good business."

What causes this?

Certain people are nothing but opportunists. It's all about pushing themselves forward.

They see that nationalism is popular, so they follow the trend. They brag about their patriotism every day. Today they criticize one person for not being patriotic, and tomorrow they scold another person for the same sin.

It seems that they are the most patriotic. But what are the facts? They actually change their views according to the prevailing political wind in order to climb the ladder.

A female college student posed embarrassing questions to the former US president Bill Clinton face to face when Clinton visited China 10 years ago.

She used the incident to show off her patriotism. A few days later, she got married to an American and obtained the permanent resident card. She boasted about this achievement. What were her real feelings?

Another reason is that something is wrong with the ecology of public opinions.

A disabled athlete protected the Olympic torch with her own body and won public praise.

But when she didn't support the nationalist boycott of Carrefour on the grounds that there were many Chinese employees in Carrefour and they would be the first to be affected by the boycott, the nationalists cursed her as a "traitor" and mocked her disabilities.

What's weird is that such unreasonable abuse and attacks are held by some people to be "patriotism." And this isn't an isolated case.

In recent years, people who call for a reasonable assessment of the whole situation and a rational patriotism have frequently been boycotted and attacked. Reasonable patriots shouldn't be emotionally radical, nor use violent language or support the casual declaration of war.

But apparently being reasonable causes some people to lose their minds and threaten brutal attacks, thus no one dares to speak out.

If the situation continues, it will damage our country's long-term benefits, help to spread "China threat" theory internationally and put China in a vulnerable position.

In the speeches at last year's congress sessions, several retired ministers sighed that it was difficult to tell the truth.

We should certainly preserve national sovereignty and devote ourselves to people's happiness and the country's good.

However, the complicated facts and painful lessons make us wonder whether those who mouth high-sounding words of patriotism every day are doing it for their own benefit.

The author is former director of the op-ed department with People's Daily and a commentator with Phoenix TV. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn

supposed 'patriotic thieves' not the real threat to China