Activist’s preaching misses China’s progress

By Su Li Source:Global Times Published: 2012-12-5 1:05:05

As Chinese Web users are engaged in fierce debates over recent exposure of series corruption scandals, blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng launched into his typical preachy tirade on China's human rights, this time urging the Chinese leadership to learn from Myanmar in terms of political and social reform.

Chen's experience seeking shelter at the US embassy in Beijing, before departing China for the US in May, caused quite a stir within and outside the country. After that, like many other activists who left China for other countries, Chen has seemingly faded from public attention, though he was again in the spotlight when he suggested China should learn from Myanmar.

His appeal was barely noticed by Chinese netizens. In cyberspace, online forums and microblogs are abuzz with discussion of the new change in the political atmosphere within China.

Meanwhile, messages sent by the new Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, on topics such as discouraging officials from making scripted speeches, have been the subjects of heated debate.

Political reform is underway in China. Despite constant pressure from the West exerted on the Internet and through other channels, the direction of reform has been under the firm control of the Chinese. Most of the Chinese dissidents found that their halo dwindled after they left their home country.

Amid social diversification, intellectuals have increasing legal channels to influence the authorities. Many who care about the nation's prospects choose to interact in a constructive way with the authorities and promote democratization within a legal framework.

Though many Chinese are watching Myanmar's opening up with interest, among mainstream Chinese, few would agree that Myanmar's political progress is ahead of China's. Myanmar still faces great uncertainties in terms of reform, whereas China has witnessed three decades of reform which has brought rapid growth.

After all, the key evaluation of the effectiveness of reform is how it improves the lives of ordinary people.

Overseas Chinese activists are not necessarily as "independent" as they appear to be.  Some have raised questions over the sources of income for Chen and his family in the US, and New York University has refused to give a response.

In such circumstances, it's doubtful to what extent overseas activists like Chen can provide objective, sincere suggestions for China's development. In addition, their departure from China also means they become unfamiliar with the realities and dynamics of society here.

We hope overseas activists can truly keep an open mind as they claim.



Posted in: Observer

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