He is putting on the emperor's new clothes and saying, "I am the fairest of them all," declaring that the Chinese communists, referring to himself,"traditionally" "respect" human rights and democracy. Can we stand idly by and watch this happen to China?
Zhu Rongji made a revealing statement when receiving German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder: "We traditionally consider politics and economics as inseparable, with economic development as the fundamental basis. Economic development, democracy and rule of law are linked together."
Unlike Jiang, he did not boast a "historical" respect for "human dignity" and "the realization of freedom, democracy and human rights."
China continues to reject political reforms and refuses to recognize respect for individual freedom and human rights.
Jiang, the leader of the country, who initially more or less agreed about the country's inadequacy in these areas, actually now claims that there is no need for reforms because Chinese enjoy freedom, human rights and so on "traditionally."
Do the people agree?
Look at what resulted from Jiang's crackdown on the Falun Gong. The movement did not simply succumb to pressure but has, and continues to, organize "illegal congregations."
People are not afraid of crackdowns.
Suppression frequently brings undesired results. Many such examples may be found in world history.
Jiang, in his attempts to make a "turn left," is seeking to secure his personal dictatorship. The problems that this is bringing in its wake can already be glimpsed and economic achievements may vanish overnight.
Absolute power results in dictatorship, the corruption of political parties, the loss of political power and the suffering of people. Chinese in China and overseas, it is time to be alert and put an end to Jiang's ambition.
Xu Jiatun is a former director of China's Xinhua News Agency in Hong Kong and former Communist Party general secretary for Jiangsu Province. He lives in Los Angeles.
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