Sunday, March 6, 2011

More on the Jasmine revolution, or the Possibility of a Movement Against the Chinese Government.

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-03/06/content_12123059.htm
This article looks at a Chinese point of view on the "jasmine revolution". While defending the position of chinese government, presented as trying its best to improve the daily life of Chinese people, the article hints a threat in the middle:
"Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, warned at the news conference on China's public diplomacy that excessive foreign intervention in the turbulent nations will have negative results."
The country affirms its position as one of the leader in the international economy as well as keeping control of the country "for the benefit of the people" and that therefore no Jasmine revolution will happen. An example taken to show this involvement is the building of 10 millions apartments.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12658963

This article, also dated from march 6th, present BBC's points of view on what is going on:
There are still calls to protest from anonymous posts.
The first point is that there is massive police presence all over the places where people might get together to protest, not only policemen in uniform but policemen in plain clothes. Cellphones are also controlled. And some news earlier last week said that the Chinese security kept a close watch on foreigner's media. The article remind that new rules have been established and media have to have the permission to film an/or interview.
On the other hand the government declares knowing that things are not perfect such as: "inflation, exorbitant house prices, land appropriations and house demolitions by the government and rampant corruption". (all material issues)

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/print/293605.htm
This article, dated March 7th, add that chinese people were urged to ""maintain social harmony and stability."
The article also mentions that "624.4 billion yuan (US$95.1 billion)" will go to law and order in 2011 which represents 13.8% increases. The military will have a 12.7% increase.

With those articles,it seems that the way China will tackle possible movement will be through more control and more money to improve daily lives. And as we saw in class, it is a complex relationship..

1 comment:

  1. I've heard some compelling evidence that this call for revolution was actually a test by revolutionaries and government disenters to see how China's officials might respond. For all intents and purposes it seems that the government has succeeded in preventing revolution.
    It also seems like China's only political party has based its legitimacy on economic growth, so when complaints are leveraged and revolution stirs they remind their citizens of economic improvements and build them apartments in order to sidestep the issues.

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