China got what it asked for; the nation is now a heavy hitter in the international scene and has officially joined the anyone who doesn’t like us can suck it club. The CCP and the Chinese economy dominates foreign media, every other article on the economist.com is about China, and many Americans had a stroke when they saw 11.3% GDP growth for Q1 this year. Although foreign media is barred from investigating specific hostile zones (i.e. Tibet & Urumuqi), and the majority of controversial topics, themes, and situations are hidden from the outside world, western media and the domestic blogging community are still capable of digging through the propaganda and revealing truths about deep seeded social problems, government apathy and inadequacies, and many other situations the CCP finds embarrassing or dangerous to regime stability.
China is a closed country. The government controls the flow of information, the staff of the party, cultural forces, and the economy. Consequentially, the majority of people lack the freedom (or capacity, blame poverty and lacking education) to pursue intellectual interests, career ambitions, and few have the privilege to enjoy social mobility. The maneuverability of foreign media’s ability to report on social and political events is limited while domestic press is an obvious, laughable at times, tool to proliferate party interests.
Due to the fact that:
1. Party leaders have no fear of losing power from outside elections (they are subject to inter-party elections)
2. The will of the people is an insubstantial voice
3. The dynamic of a closed country (with a severely restricted domestic press)
The possibility for policy changes, even the slightest, now almost exclusively relies on angry bloggers stirring up resentment from injustice (Z-San won that debate) and western media’s ability to exploit the CCP’s insecurities. Read this article, here is one example of how media outlets pressure the government into action. For those who are too lazy to click the link, the article discusses the CCP’s policy change of evidence used in criminal cases taken from torture. Why did the CCP decide to enact legislation meant to curb unjust evidence collection? Don’t hold your breath on this one, we all know the motivations behind this policy have nothing to do with developing a fairer society. That would have dire consequences for the status quo of party leaders. The reason is two fold, the CCP hates getting embarrassed on a global level and they are shook of the blogging community’s ability for inciting nationwide frustration aimed at the administration.
The gov’t can’t handle criticism from foreign governments and major media outlets because they are unbelievably insecure and sensitive. Whenever the Obama administration brings up human rights, the CCP replies, “It is unfortunate the US government thinks this way, we are now going to cry ourselves to sleep 
.” In this case, the world heard the story about the dude who was found innocent after spending 11 years in jail, only after his “victim” turned up alive, and the truth came out that he was beaten until he confessed. After front page headlines across the globe highlighted this story, the CCP decided to alter the current policy and void all evidence found during violent interrogation. ONLY after it became a big deal and their joke of a justice system came under fire. Hey guys, if you can’t handle the 面子 (face/reputation), get out of the security council.
The blogging community is massive and incredibly far-reaching. Millions upon millions of people access and write in blogs and all different types of websites daily, Kaixin holds the world record for most visitors simultaneously visiting a single website, and many have become very famous and influential (Han Han’s my BOY). Although most blogs and websites aimed at directly criticizing the government are removed, or worse, regular news of daily events spread like herpes in jail. See ChinaSmack to find out what Chinese people are discussing and how they think/feel. The power this community holds is massive. When news reports surface about corrupt officials, contaminated products, a well-connected criminal who escaped punishment, and other forms of injustice, Chinese netizens react strongly and often the CCP must adjust their tactics to pop the inflating balloon of anger.
When the two forces combine, they are captain planet! Not really, but foreign media and the blogging community have the unique opportunity to spearhead change in China. As both continue to develop their influence in China, we may see a reoccurring trend changing the political landscape little by little. Lets face it, the CCP fears social unrest and a hurt pride more then anything else. Look at the 2008 Olympics and now the Expo to find obvious attempts at over-compensation. By expressing their desire to prove to the world the power of China, the CCP exposes their gaping insecurities for joining the exclusive ranks of cultural and financial global powers (don’t you have to be considered a first-world country?). People who consistently brag are insecure and get hurt easily, often changing their behavior to avoid criticism, the same line of logic can be applied to international relations. Policy after policy is passed aimed towards quieting the voice of the people, whether that consists of repressing or relaxing freedoms, or flaunting their labor pool and surplus of resources. This is why they are vulnerable towards famous bloggers and international criticism and like an insecure teenager, they will alter their behavior accordingly. At the same time, these fears and insecurities can be very dangerous and may have the opposite effect of what I’ve been arguing… oh well.
@CCPlovin: please don’t arrest me.
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oh wow, somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed…
There’s a really interesting power relationship between the People and the Power here.
Take nationalism, for example. On one hand, it’s a very exploitable political tool that tends to bring the Unthinking Majority together on a range of subjects. On the other, there are many examples from the past where strong emotions – especially when it comes to feelings of injustice (which this country is rife with) – have initiated rather ungovernable and uncontrollable fury.
I think this sort of thing applies to countries across the board, but is certainly more pronounced in places like China.
So in terms of China’s relationship with Japan and interests within the 亚太地区 (Asia Pacific), because of the dual implications of nationalism, hating Japan is both useful to stoke pride in leadership (or whatever else), yet also harmful in that according to China’s 和平与发展理论 (peaceful development – see “China’s Rise”) in that it has the very likely potential to damange ties.
The concept of nationalism is super interesting, anyway. In America, there is reasonable evidence to conclude that pride for a handful of political rights and amendments has supplanted traditional concepts of nationalism. To put it bluntly, Chinese nationalists hate Japan, where are American nationalists love the American constitution and hate certain ideologies that start with the letters S and C. Of course the dichotomy isn’t THAT simple, but what ever is?
I’d really like to see an article from Francesca on her conception of Chinese nationalism. That would be sweet.
Don’t even get me started on “Harmonious Society”….
I know I’m becoming Chinese because I feel butthurt that you don’t ignore the China’s flaws. Feeling butthurt is the result of adopting some of China’s “gaping insecurity”.
Also, funny stuff on here – good work. I like that 50% of the comments are you guys ragging on eachother.
Also ween is hot. Not gonna lie – that’s probably why I’ve read this blog for the last 2 hours. Or is it ak47…?
I admire your guts to post such article while in China. Bravo!!
I’m from India which is the largest democracy in the world. I think my view on comparison between India and China could offer some more light on the article.
India and China have been getting lot of press due to economic growth. India looks upto China and wonders how in the world did they get ahead of us in all spheres of life. China started its economic growth initiative in the mid-80′s while Indian started way back in the 60′s. After 40-50 years…if you come to any major Indian cities…It looks the same, dirty roads, holes, corrupt administration, the same dish been served again and again.
While China has marched forward with real visible changes, India has been stuck on the same old economic growth which looks good on paper but nothing has changed really on the ground.
Regarding freedom, if you compare it with India, China is way way ahead of it. Consider, that many restaurants and shops have to close before 11.30 PM in Major metro cities in the name of various things life saving electricity, protection of women or just one government party playing oneupmanship in there city administration with the other. There are no 24 hr shops in India like 7/11 yet.
For the young crowds, all bars, pubs, etc must close by 11.30 PM thats a government order made law..thats right, when most of the party animals get ready to party we in India, tug our selfs in the bed…now this is all all in the name of not spoiling the young minds…the young minds been 21 years which is the age to get permitted in the bars, so 21 yr old can vote but can’t decide what is best for their lifes.
KTV bars are not banned in China, they open and close often but in India KTV like dance bars have been banned in India ..yes BANNED by the highest court of India for spoiling the culture of India or whatever that is.
Now, regarding economy, try getting a licence to open a restaurant or start a small company in India. I promise you, if it wont break your back and your heart in six months, you would know what India is really on the ground. Unless you know someone high on the government side, getting a licence to start new ventures will better start in your dream cos it ain’t gonna be in the real life anytime soon.
Regarding freedom of press or blogs, it may be interesting to note that India was second on the list of countries asking goggle to ban certain content. if you follow local Indian news, last year 12 bloogers were arrested merely for making comment on the prime minister of India.
In India, if you go against the state, you are termed as a terrorist and put in jail. This year alone, naxalites or rebel have waged wars against India killing 100 ‘s of military personals. Most of people who join them are from very poor background, they have no choice but to take arms, fed up with the mistreatment they get from the democratically elected governments.
With all said and done, it wont matter, I want to prove it to you that China is way way better than India on any and every matter. I invite anyone to live in my house for few months and try to live his lifestyle as they do in China, if you don’t run away to China in few months
I will stop making curries and will eat Chinese food for ever 
Whole point being in the name of democracy and freedom, half of the world population gets exploited. Having lived in Singapore, hong kong, TH, PH and CHina, i don’t think China is that bad compared to what is happening around the world.
Interesting, I had no idea India was so repressive and the government were such douchebags. Good stuff, it’s amazing how you really don’t know a country until you’ve spent an extensive amount of time living there.
Funny, I had a long conversation today with an Indian lady about the problems democracy creates in developing countries, specifically India.
Lewceein,
We try to keep eachother honest, constantly under fire, and ignorant as hell.
For butthurt, try soothing creme and green tea. It is the China’s concoction?
ichabod: i appreciate that you gave a synopsis of the linked article for me because i was too lazy to click it. i figured you had me in mind when writing this post. however, i was also too lazy to finish reading that paragraph or the rest of your post. i appreciate that you have an opinion on things of value, but i really only want to read about drunken debauchery. Please continue to debase shanghai while intoxicated, with follow-ups via shlaowai. Thanks!
Weesage
will do, back to the basics! Always appreciate reader input. Dolph(sp?)
“Whole point being in the name of democracy and freedom, half of the world population gets exploited.”
Democracy’s tyranny of the majority makes me want to spend my life savings on electric fences and heavy cannonry, and move to a small island somewhere in the south pacific.
Democracy works with an educated population. In theory, that educated person will ask questions (and understand the answers). IMO those areas with limited or no education are not candidates for a successful democracy. So that would rule out the middle east, many other poor countries including most of Africa. India has many highly educated people but also many in the opposite camp so a slow development. China seems to be working toward that education and therefore, in the not too distant future may be able to embrace it. It is a fine line the CCP will have to walk over the next 20 years….how do you continue the economic development/model which requires an educated working population to compete/out compete on a global scale and retain control?
Although I agree that democracy only works in developed nations with an educated population, I strongly disagree that there is any possibility that China will become democratic in the next 20 years. Although more and more people (I’m guessing now it may be up to about 1-5 people in an entire school district outside tier one cities) may have access to “quality” education (lets not forget what exactly is taught even in the top universities), the propaganda machine in highly effective and continues to be one of the strongest, if not the strongest, influence in this country. Western ideals rarely penetrate the great wall of ignorance, take environmental preservation for example. I’d be surprised to find 1/10,000 people who genuinely care or KNOW about coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef. Because the level of ignorance is so high, the government will always retain a firm grasp on their control. The CCP has liberalized markets, therefore people are free to pursue whatever consumerist desire they may have, that alone is good enough for the majority. Don’t be fooled into thinking the economic model China has adopted since Deng Xiaoping is a step in the process of democratizing a government. Don’t expect “democracy” anytime soon, maybe we will see a slackening on certain freedoms to quell the masses but the Chinese COMMUNIST Party won’t release their grasp on government control without a fight.