China In Focus - Number 18

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China In Focus - Number 18
China’s Fate: Tied to “Every Ordinary Man”
July 1, 2008 | Editor Al Santoli

On June 27, in China's southwestern Guizhou Province, anti-corruption riots involved an estimated 10,000 protesters. Some, as young as 12 years old, attacked police stations and government offices. The The BBC and Associated Press reported riots were sparked after the rape and murder of a teenage girl and the subsequent cover-up by local government officials. In the past, numerous violent protests were reported around the country; however, this incident may have been unique for its ferocity and the young age of its protesters. In contrast to Chinese government reportage of Tibetan riots conducted by local ethnic minorities, the riot in Weng'an County of Guizhou Province is inhabited by the majority ethnic Han Chinese.

The Politburo leadership has repeatedly expressed urgent concern about social and economic disparities that have alienated hundreds of millions of citizens living in the impoverished countryside. During the past six months, however, economic stability across all social groups, including urban dwellers has appeared increasingly fragile.

There is virtually no dispute in regards to China's economic progress and related international influence. Yet internally, previously unbridled optimism and materialism are suddenly being challenged. The Chengdu earthquake, which has already cost the economy at least 250 billion dollars, continues to threaten China's agricultural heartland. In addition, the urban population has been stunned by a 45 percent drop in the value of China's stock market, a sudden fuel price increase of 17 percent, and further instability in the value of China's currency. This has caused a large number of the emerging Chinese middle class to worry that an economic bubble could burst and destroy their life savings.

Beijing's military build-up on the oceans and in space are also draining overall economic vitality. The potential for social and economic adjustment is severely restricted by the government's authoritarian rule. As a result, the target of passionate Chinese nationalism is increasingly unpredictable. There is a growing ferment in the intellectual community that could contribute to dramatic changes within Chinese society. The current trends are similar to previous periods of historic change that led to the rise and fall of dynastic leadership.

There is increasing expression of intellectual honesty by scholars and socially astute members of the educated class in China's urban centers. Among them, Hu Xingdou, a professor of economics at the elite Beijing Institute of Technology, is an influential social and economic commentator. The following excerpts, translated into English, can be found on his website (www.huxingdou.com.cn)

Hu Xingdou: Chinese Intellectuals Should Tell Truth for The Whole Nation

In the 1980s, Chinese intellectuals paid much attention to politics. They went through all kinds of hardships during the "Great Cultural Revolution" period, so they had the desire to speak out. After the 90s, most intellectuals care only for their vested personal interests. In order to protect their benefits, most of them chose to tell lies or keep silent, never to challenge or criticize the political power. At present, most intellectuals are indifferent to society. They only care about their own daily life.

There are still a few conscientious intellectuals in the society, who are continuously shouting in support of the disadvantaged groups, making suggestions and offering advice for the nation. The crux of China's further development is to look at our problems, to face them squarely, and to solve the problems according to our national conditions.

That we probe into these problems is not to cavil or nit-pick, not ill-intentioned to expose the darkness, not to direct to our government, never to create disturbances. We just want to be loyal critics of social problems during the modernization process of our nation. Because only in this way, my true love of my great nation could be reflected; only in this way, the great exploits of modernization can be helped; only in this way, China could be urged into a healthier way of development... However, there are still a lot of problems in social and economic development. We should not ignore these problems, such as antagonism between masses and government, environment problems etc.

The 17th Century Chinese philosopher, Gu Yanwu, of the early Qing Dynasty, had a famous expression, "The rise and fall of the nation is connected to every ordinary man." In the crucial moment of China changing into a modernized country, I deeply comprehend his quote. Because I love my nation so deeply, I criticize her so much.

In the present situation, authorities must understand that without political civilization there will be no spiritual civilization, and the material civilization will also grow unhealthy. The ethical crisis of governance and management results from the backward system -- which follows the rule of men, not the rule of law, without accountability. Ethical standards should be the foundation of officialdom. Only if the officials become a model of such ethical standards can China's social ethics and civilization be improved. Therefore, "governing the officials" is very urgent for China now.