What is on the mind of most Chinese people? What are their views on fundamental problems like reform and democracy? Figuring these questions out is vital to understanding the social psychology of the nation and hence making crucial decisions of national importance.
In appearance, current public opinion probably looks more chaotic than ever. But new outlines are gradually taking shape amid the chaos. An analysis based on the surveys by the Global Times Polling Center and other survey centers shows the following points.
First, Chinese people have many specific grievances. Previously powerful political slogans have mostly lost their strength today. Meanwhile, people are generally content with the present situation in China and confident about its future development. Overall, Chinese society is optimistic.
Second, the majority of Chinese support reform but fewer and fewer people advocate radical change. Progressive reform has gradually become society's mainstream attitude toward reform.
Third, it is beyond doubt now that democracy is the way for China to go. China's progress toward democracy has become the expectation of most people. At the same time, many worry that China might fail to cope with democratic progress properly and cause national turmoil. They have yet to see how well democracy could mesh in China.
Finally, maintaining national stability has paramount support. Some mock maintaining stability only because they see it as an excuse to delay necessary reforms. But the great majority of Chinese people oppose bringing the Arab Spring into China.
Surveys demonstrate that at present, corruption is top of the list of worries with many concerned that China cannot stop it. Most people do not think corrupt officials will be held legally responsible.
Chinese generally do not think China is in an ideal state, and they all know the West is doing better than China in many aspects. But they also begin to realize that the achievements of Western society did not come overnight and China cannot reach their level through mimicry alone. China has moved away from wanting to quickly become Westernized .
On the Internet, particularly on Weibo, there are numerous voices contradicting this analysis. Voices that completely deny the administration of the CPC are often heard, to the extent that one may feel China is on the brink of a new revolution. But these voices do not represent mainstream public opinion. Both the government and society need to pay attention to such voices, but should also know their position in Chinese public opinion.
The disintegration of the former Soviet Union left a profound heritage to Chinese society. The Arab Spring and other such revolutions all make the Chinese public ponder deeply on the national path ahead. Extreme voices usually grabbed the attention when the Internet first became popular, but gradually rationality is returning.
All those who are concerned about China's future should be clear about the state of mind of present Chinese society.