Controversial writer Yu Jie left China for the US on Wednesday, to embrace what he thinks a brand-new atmosphere for free expression. More than a few Western media outlets reported the incident, attributing Yu's departure to the Chinese authorities' refusal to accept criticism.
Yu has long been marginalized by mainstream Chinese society. He was once shortly detained, which made him a hot topic for foreign media. Personally for Yu, leaving for the US is probably a relief.
It is worth noting that as opposed to Yu's departure, an increasing number of expats turn to China for their careers.
Yu's leaving symbolizes his individual opinion that China has no freedom of expression. This contradicts the trend of diversifying public opinions growing here. There is indeed space for China to boost freedom of expression, and such efforts are being made. Critics and liberal writers make up an important force to push forward such freedom. Yu's earlier success is evidence that China is not a place surrounded by a iron curtain that blocks liberalism.
However, China's environment for writers cannot achieve Western standards overnight, as some seem to require. This would mean, with many urgent tasks facing it, the nation should prioritize the needs of a few intellectual elites. This is impractical.
Such a requirement also indicates their selfishness in politics - their judgment on China's path depends on their own social clout, rather than whether the total benefits for the huge population could be improved. Once they find their own interests violated, they spare no efforts in advertising their personal feelings as "public pains," and try to attract various forces to help them combat the authorities.
In fact, an increasingly rational society is being fostered by diversifying public opinion. Extreme idealists and liberals find it harder and harder to keep a foothold in society. Once limited, they may rapidly fade out from the public view.
There are more and more legal and proper ways to drive democracy forward in China. As a result, "dissidents" receive less attention, which turns some more radical.
People like Yu are able to take a closer look at the Western system, and make comparisons with China. Normally, such cultural collisions will provide food for thought. We hope people like Yu will not be hoodwinked and keep an open mind as opposed to previous runaway intellectuals.