So, while democracy might be in the air right now, it is unlikely to be found on the ground for a long time to come.
Meanwhile, watch what Chinese leaders do, not what they say.
Well said Kent Ewing!
Asia Times: Excerpt - Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, two well-known figures associated with the Tiananmen protests - Ren Wanding and Chen Ziming - have been allowed to visit and speak freely to the press...
South China Morning Post commentator Chris Yeung, clearly buoyed by the visitors' presence, wrote: "When dissidents like Mr Ren and Mr Chen can walk and talk freely not just in Hong Kong but on the mainland and democracy is no longer a taboo subject among Beijing leaders, hopes for a democratic, free China are perhaps not a pipe dream." ...
Cynics, however, might suggest that this recent stream of talk about democracy is just another part of the effort to burnish China's international image before next year's Summer Olympic Games in Beijing and to strengthen the president's hand at the 17th Party Congress next in the autumn. The Olympics represent an unprecedented chance for China to shine on the world stage, and the country's leaders are keen to pull them off without any media hitches, including sidebars about China's continued suppression of political freedom...
For many analysts, it is significant that political and economic reform may now be seen as partners - albeit unequal ones - on the congress's agenda. It should be remembered, however, that Hu was also in a reformist state of mind before the last congress, calling on the media to aid the government in its drive against China's endemic corruption. What has followed, however, can only be characterized as a crackdown on journalists and human-rights activists that does not bode well for freedom of expression in the country...
So, while democracy might be in the air right now, it is unlikely to be found on the ground for a long time to come.
Meanwhile, watch what Chinese leaders do, not what they say. (more)
South China Morning Post commentator Chris Yeung, clearly buoyed by the visitors' presence, wrote: "When dissidents like Mr Ren and Mr Chen can walk and talk freely not just in Hong Kong but on the mainland and democracy is no longer a taboo subject among Beijing leaders, hopes for a democratic, free China are perhaps not a pipe dream." ...
Cynics, however, might suggest that this recent stream of talk about democracy is just another part of the effort to burnish China's international image before next year's Summer Olympic Games in Beijing and to strengthen the president's hand at the 17th Party Congress next in the autumn. The Olympics represent an unprecedented chance for China to shine on the world stage, and the country's leaders are keen to pull them off without any media hitches, including sidebars about China's continued suppression of political freedom...
For many analysts, it is significant that political and economic reform may now be seen as partners - albeit unequal ones - on the congress's agenda. It should be remembered, however, that Hu was also in a reformist state of mind before the last congress, calling on the media to aid the government in its drive against China's endemic corruption. What has followed, however, can only be characterized as a crackdown on journalists and human-rights activists that does not bode well for freedom of expression in the country...
So, while democracy might be in the air right now, it is unlikely to be found on the ground for a long time to come.
Meanwhile, watch what Chinese leaders do, not what they say. (more)
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