Open government can sell China overseas
- Source: Global Times
- [21:01 March 14 2010]
- Comments
Unquestionably, the Chinese government knows this, and has been trying for some time to enhance the country's "soft power." However, in the age of 15-minute news cycles a by politicians, some Western journalists find it hard to accept the aloof modus operandi of the Chinese government.
Sending out some suited, incommunicative official to reel off a list of statistics and pre-prepared statements couched in rhetoric from the 1950s will not change people's perception of China.
Some aspects of the Chinese system may be very good, but who can tell? The Chinese government needs to start arguing its case more convincingly and utilizing the full range of communication channels available in the digital age.
A more modern and transparent government would not only improve perceptions among foreign observers, but would also, more significantly, help the Chinese government overcome the deficit of trust that it is currently facing in its relationship with the general population.
Accountability and transparency not only make people feel more engaged in the political process, but they also act as mechanisms for controlling officials' behavior and making government more efficient and honest. These are some of the self-stated key objectives of the Chinese government as it seeks to encourage peaceful development in China and abroad. It would be encouraging to see more tangible progress in these areas.
Until such time, however, it will remain difficult for the NPC to shrug off its "rubber stamp" reputation and for Westerners and Chinese alike to trust China's political structures.
The author is a Beijing-based freelance writer specializing in Chinese political economy. sigmills@hotmail.com
