The most prominent dissident still living in China has attacked the Communist party’s economic reforms and compared Deng Xiaoping, its late leader, to Louis XIV.
His essays are the second public challenge to the leadership after the appearance of Charter 08, a manifesto for political change that has been signed by more than 7,000 prominent citizens.
The essayist is Bao Tong, 76, who was the highest-ranking official imprisoned after the ...
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It is encouraging to hear the brave voices of dissent in China, as they speak out for people and for democracy. The article presents a good sketch of Bao Tong and his critique for the short space allowed here.
I was struck by reading Bao's charges that China moved against political liberalism and backed rule by a strong state; that the party transferred economic privilege to a corrupt bureaucratic elite; that they have paid for it with cheap labour and plunder of natural resources, poisoned air, and polluted water. He could have been an American writing about the US and the Republican party. N'est-ce pas?
Bao says true economic reform died in 1989 when Deng turned against political liberalism and backed rule by a strong state. He argues that the party has merely transferred ... More »
Never hearing about Bao Tong it's hard to say anything about him except to say what's reported about him is right-on. I believe the people of China are getting restless.
How encouraging to learn of strong anti-autocratic sentiment within high ranks of the Chinese "Communist" Party and to read of this sage's principled protests.
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