BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Party elders attack China censors — Wild turn of events. Let’s see what happens.
A group of former senior Communist party officials in China have launched a scathing attack on the country’s handling of the media and information.
In an open letter, the group denounced the recent closure of investigative newspaper Bingdian (Freezing Point).
They said strict censorship may “sow the seeds of disaster” for China’s political transition.
Among the signatories are an ex-aide to Mao Zedong, a former newspaper editor and a former party propaganda chief.
“History demonstrates that only a totalitarian system needs news censorship, out of the delusion that it can keep the public locked in ignorance,” the group said in the letter, according to Reuters news agency.
The tenor of much of our discussion about conflict in the Middle East gives me confidence in our readers’ willingness to understand other cultures and their history. The strength of those currents in China are tenfold. I watched a recent Sino-American dialogue where an American professor was the one who pointed out that China has had seven ruling dynasties — that were each longer than the whole history of the United States.
On one hand, I was a wee bit surprised to see this current discussion go public so soon. That could be a positive or a negative — acceptance of broader encounters with the world media or rejection of the discussion in forms inside the Chinese government. No way to know, either way.
But, the halo effect of this discussion being initiated by elder statesman of Chinese politics shouldn’t be underestimated. Tradition mandates rare use of the stature as elder — and probably guarantees support for other national discussions already in progress on the inevitability of political democracy. The only real argument appears to be how much — how soon.
When the elder politicians talk, the younger ones will have to listen. If not, then the public WILL become suspicious.
Fascinating.
I want to shout Hooray, but I have this nagging feeling.
Aren’t these “Elders” the same one running the Communist Party when all the dissidents were jailed?