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Politics always passionate in Red China By
Leon D'Souza
Many universities in mainland China have glorious revolutionary traditions. For decades, these temples of learning have been the epicenters of political earthquakes that have rocked the nation at its foundations. Today, campuses across the nation are abuzz with lively debate on a plethora of political quandaries: the fate of the Falun Gong and its exiled dissident leader, Li Hongzhi, the future of Taiwan, democracy and human rights. Jim and I love to spend our free time in the city on the campus of Yunnan University in the heart of Kunming. Something about the campus spirit energizes the politicians dormant in our otherwise technical minds. On campus, politics is discussed with passionate eloquence. Jim picked the university as the venue for part 2 of our ongoing discussion on the politics of Red China. Seated on a stone bench across from a notice board that denounced the "evil" ways of the Falun Gong, Jim seemed ready to speak his mind on the loaded subjects on our agenda for the week. I asked my first question. Red Hot Political Talk What do you know about the Falun Gong and Li Hongzhi? When the Falun Gong was formed, friends of my mother invited her to join the group. She had just retired at the time. They provided her with brochures and other materials, which I had a chance to peruse. The Falun Gong is a quasi-religious cult. Li Hongzhi, the founder, claims that he is the reincarnation of Gautam Buddha. However, his works are very ungodly. He claims to have magical powers. His writings are contrary to nature, reason, and common sense. If the Falun Gong is to be believed, then general science must cease to have effect. According to Li Hongzhi, people who devote their lives to the Falun Gong will be able to exorcise evil spirits, regulate their body weight at will, and perform all kinds of miracles. My mother almost bought into his rubbish, but I managed to convince her to stay away. What are the core beliefs of the cult? What makes it dangerous? The word "Falun" can be loosely translated to mean "wheel of magic." Members of the cult believe that a wheel of magic spins in their abdomen. The faster the spin, the greater their magical powers. Some people have even cut their abdomen to try and find the so-called wheel of magic, trusting that their powers will keep them from bodily harm. Needless to say, there is no such wheel, and people have unnecessarily ended up endangering their lives. Others have immolated themselves in the belief that they will be lifted up to heaven.The Falun Gong is therefore a threat to our fundamental human rights. So what does Li Hongzhi get out of this movement? In my opinion, the cult is a way for Li Hongzhi and others in his inner circle to become very wealthy. His books and other materials are extremely expensive. In China, an audio tape is about 2 Reminbi. The Falun Gong audio cassettes are about five times the market price. Is it merely a get-rich-quick scheme? or does the money have a political purpose? The money is being used to fuel a political movement aimed at toppling the government. His modus operandi is not uncommon in China. Religion is often used as a means to generate support for movements that are intensely political. It is therefore easy to see why the Chinese Communist Party wants to rid China of this menacing cult. I would love to see this madness end, and so I support the CCP's effort. What about international opinion? Has the West been fair in its assessment of the issue? I think the West, particularly the United States, has been unfair in criticizing China's handling of the issue. Why does America give sanctuary to Li Hongzhi? The Americans do not know him, and especially his politics. They must not interfere in this matter. It is a domestic affair. China is often criticized for human rights violations? Is this criticism fair? I think the West makes too much of China's human rights problems. Most western accounts are somewhat sensational. There are indeed problems, and there is scope for improvement, but the West must be fair. The Chinese people are very poor, and therefore, they must put work before everything else, including certain basic rights. This is often construed as a violation of human rights. But the people care about putting food on the table. How they do this does not matter to them - human rights or no human rights. The West needs to understand this. There are sacrifices that people must make if this nation has to develop. We are learning from the West, and in time, I believe that human rights will become more sacred to the Chinese. What must be emphasized is that China has been developing for only two decades. What was the human rights situation in the US, for example, in the early 1900s? So is western criticism unfounded? No. However, the West needs to be more realistic. The human rights situation cannot improve overnight. Instead of playing Big Brother, America and other powers must support China's economic development. They have finally allowed us to join the World Trade Organization. This is a good gesture. Things like this will help China's economy, and with the prosperity that follows development, human rights will come to be respected more than they are today. Now for the all-important question: Democracy for China. Possible or impossible? and how soon? Democracy is an old political question. The May 4th movement of 1919 was the beginning of a struggle that continues today. Before 1949, everyone including MaoTse-tung, wanted democracy for China. Mao even promised the people that he would build a democratic state, but he did not keep his promise. After liberation, the first CCP administration had many members of rival parties, however they were all won over to the CCP and their powers were greatly reduced. In the 1980s, China developed rapidly. The development brought about a political awakening. People began to demand the right to vote. Tiananmen Square happened. The government was forced to reconsider its political stance. Some controls were eased. I think we will evolve into a democracy as China develops economically. In Guangdong Province, for example, people in rural areas participate in competitive elections with considerable freedom. This should give some indication of the future of democracy in China. What about the politics of reunification - the Taiwan question? Is Taiwan an inalienable part of China? One of my professors worked in the Department of Taiwan Studies at the Foreign Economics and Trade University of China. According to him, China and Taiwan have existed as separate states for 400 years. Towards the end of Ming rule, Taiwan was captured by Holland. The Ming general, Zheng Cheng Gong, drove the Dutch out of Taiwan; however, by this time China was under Qing rule. The new government saw the good general as an enemy, and Emperor Kang Xi dispatched Shi Lang, a Ming general who had surrendered to the Qing, to attack Zheng Cheng Gong. Shi Lang was victorious, and became Taiwan's head of state. The people of China came to dislike Shi Lang as he took from the Ming their last territory. Soon, China and Taiwan were on opposite sides — a situation similar to the one prevailing today. In the 1840s, Taiwan was captured by the Japanese following the Opium Wars. After World War II, the Japanese were driven out and the Kuomintang came to power. Thus, historically, China and Taiwan have seen each other as enemies. At least 70 percent of Taiwanese do not wish to rejoin the mainland, however they dare not revolt for fear of a Chinese attack. Thus, they support leaders who champion the cause of independence. In my opinion, the Taiwanese are afraid that joining the mainland will lower their standard of living. China must develop rapidly if Taiwan is to reunify anytime soon, like in the German case. I believe that Taiwan is a part of China. China and Taiwan are like squabbling brothers. However, there is a consanguinity that must not be forgotten. Someday, we will be one again. Last Words Politics is about power and choice. Mainland China is a powerful country on the global stage. Like many global powers, China will have to make several difficult choices. Some of these choices will bring this country in direct conflict with the western world. China will have to learn the art of compromise. At the same time, the West will have to be more understanding of modern China. China is, after all, a developing country, and building an economic powerhouse is no easy task. Jim's China is a snapshot of public opinion in China today, and his hopes and dreams represent the hopes and dreams of millions of Chinese. Jim asks us to see China through his eyes. There is much that we can learn.
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