There are a group of self-proclaimed "independent thinkers" in present-day China. Included are some public intellectuals as well as young people who spend most of their time online. They are fixated on using theories of Western politics to stir up Chinese society. For example, they "enlighten" people that "Loving the country doesn't mean loving the Party and the government," and emphasize the military should be "nationalized." They also trumpet that Western-style elections are the only source of legitimacy for political parties.

Most of those who advocate such propositions in China have been brainwashed by the West. In fact, they are not "independent thinkers," but followers of Western ideology.

Western political creeds are suitable to the West. However, by sticking to slavishly applying them in China, those "independent thinkers" err on the side of dogmatism. They worship the US and the West, disregarding the truth that if any ideas from abroad are introduced into China, they should be based on our own national situation.

China in fact is the biggest independent thinker across the world. The country over the past century has assimilated the essence of varied schools of thoughts, based on which we have formed a national development path with prominent Chinese characteristics. We also have reached outstanding achievements. 

A small number of Chinese are reluctant to admit the fact that China, led by the Communist Party of China, has created, and continues to create, a history, simply because Western powers refuse to hail China's achievements.

With Chinese society becoming more open, those followers and trumpeters of Western values face declining risks in China. However, these "independent thinkers" have a common feature in that they are influenced by populism. Many of them misperceive lashing out at the authorities and opposing the mainstream in society as being insightful. 

It's not easy to have independent thought about politics, since politics are complicated. Political confrontation is irreconcilable. One's stance in most cases is the prerequisite for one's political views.

If you want to think independently in a complicated and enigmatic world, the most important thing for you is to distinguish the trend of the times and figure out the relationship among individuals, society and the nation.

Our life is fraught with uncertainties in view of rapid changes in the world. How to define yourself correctly in the trend of society is testament to the independent mind.

When we are attracted by some voguish concepts, we have to reflect on them. For those subversive propositions, we have to dwell on whether they are political traps. Independent thinking is based on experiences and practices. Before making a conclusion, we need more contemplation.