Chinese Democracy: Fact or Fiction?
October 15, 2008
China isn't generally thought of as a bastion of democracy, but according to one senior official, this perception could change by 2020. Zhou Tianyong, a senior Communist official, told London's Daily Telegraph that "by 2020, China will basically finish its political and institutional reforms," which he says will give way to the establishment of a "democratic platform," with "public democratic involvement at all government levels."
According to Zhou, the 12-year-plan would culminate in "extensive public participation in policy-making, such as drawing up new legislation." He would give religion "a wider platform to play a positive role," and says China "should protect religious freedom." Civil society would also become increasingly significant to Chinese society.
Zhou's not the only official who has expressed more democratic sentiments. China's President Hu Jintao has also called for "more extensive democratic rights" by 2020, though he hasn't exactly qualified what those rights are. This ambiguity necessitates additional clarification, since a Chinese version of "democracy" differs dramatically from the Western connotations.
Many Chinese leaders have expressed an appreciation of democratic principles, but this concept of "democracy" would probably not imitate Western-style democracy, and the China Communist Party would still exercise a powerful political influence.
Xinhua News reiterates this sense of the Chinese government leading the charge towards reform, in an interview with Zhou Yongkang, another Communist Party official. He describes a recent initiative where government officials are opening the lines of communication with the people, and working with grassroots organizations to improve government policies.
While many parents might have liked to see certain policies, like the inspection of dairy products, enacted several months ago, dialogue between leaders and citizens is a good first start in terms of fostering a more democratic-style of society.
This government evolution probably won't unfold in a way that many Western observers would expect. Similarly, there will probably be several bumps in the road towards "democracy," whether a Western or Chinese interpretation of it. Despite the potential challenges ahead, however, the future looks promising.
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