While it's admirable that Mr. Wang can still speak truthfully and openly about what’s wrong with the unfortunate turn of policy choices made in the last decade or so, which driven by ideological indoctrination from ages past, it remains doubtful whether he can put forward his thoughts publicly on the mainland and in Chinese, without risking being silenced or more harshly “dealt with”.
Thanks Ronald. The fact that this article is published on a Hong Kong newspaper shows that one country two systems is still very much alive in the city.
Should be more discussion of just how much the picture has changed since 97. I remember reading policy docs from early 2000’s about how China saw US basing in Japan as a hedge against Japanese militarism. That’s a significant position that has simply disappeared in 2024, even without a significant pla buildup. Furthermore his campaigns in the 80s and statements on hk etc really show similarities with current leadership
As a foreign observer, what strikes me most is the mention of "the bloody crackdown on student demonstrations in 1989" as it signals a version of events that stands in sharp conflict with a number of other accounts, primarily Western ones: viz.,
In that case, I suggest that you should read more. I did not say that there was a massacre on the Tiananmen Square. I merely stated the fact that many students and civilians were shot dead as the PLA rolled the tanks into the city. Those events were well documented.
The China now faces a different challenge after 2008 compared to 1990s. The economic and political approaches shepherded by Deng and continued by Jiang and Hu are simply not sustainable. One way or the other, China has to make fundamental change. Do you think Deng will implement more political reform to loosen party control or the other way around? Based on his Four fundamental principles and his decision during 64, I would bet his general direction will be similar with what Xi tries to do today with maybe a different tactic.
Thanks Racine for your comment. Of course, one will have to adapt to changing circumstances. I would argue that Deng, a great internationalist (Xi's words) would have done a much better job in handling international relations. As argued in the column, Deng would also have done a much better job in growing the economy at home.
Very nice and deep article.
While it's admirable that Mr. Wang can still speak truthfully and openly about what’s wrong with the unfortunate turn of policy choices made in the last decade or so, which driven by ideological indoctrination from ages past, it remains doubtful whether he can put forward his thoughts publicly on the mainland and in Chinese, without risking being silenced or more harshly “dealt with”.
Thanks Ronald. The fact that this article is published on a Hong Kong newspaper shows that one country two systems is still very much alive in the city.
Should be more discussion of just how much the picture has changed since 97. I remember reading policy docs from early 2000’s about how China saw US basing in Japan as a hedge against Japanese militarism. That’s a significant position that has simply disappeared in 2024, even without a significant pla buildup. Furthermore his campaigns in the 80s and statements on hk etc really show similarities with current leadership
Thanks Jeff. I am a bit confused about your last sentence. When you said "his campaigns in the 80s...", who did you refer to?
As a foreign observer, what strikes me most is the mention of "the bloody crackdown on student demonstrations in 1989" as it signals a version of events that stands in sharp conflict with a number of other accounts, primarily Western ones: viz.,
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/there-was-no-tiananmen-square-massacre/
https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2018/02/surprise-authoritarian-resilience-china
https://www.amazon.com/Tiananmen-Massacre-Evidence-Disinformation-Humanity/dp/1494326590
In that case, I suggest that you should read more. I did not say that there was a massacre on the Tiananmen Square. I merely stated the fact that many students and civilians were shot dead as the PLA rolled the tanks into the city. Those events were well documented.
The China now faces a different challenge after 2008 compared to 1990s. The economic and political approaches shepherded by Deng and continued by Jiang and Hu are simply not sustainable. One way or the other, China has to make fundamental change. Do you think Deng will implement more political reform to loosen party control or the other way around? Based on his Four fundamental principles and his decision during 64, I would bet his general direction will be similar with what Xi tries to do today with maybe a different tactic.
Thanks Racine for your comment. Of course, one will have to adapt to changing circumstances. I would argue that Deng, a great internationalist (Xi's words) would have done a much better job in handling international relations. As argued in the column, Deng would also have done a much better job in growing the economy at home.