The news media in China have had a roller-coaster ride over the past few months.
During his inspection in Jilin Province between May 30 and June 4, Li Changchun (
This announcement also provided cover for the news media that had long been eager for action. The SARS outbreak and both Chinese President Hu Jintao's (
On June 9, Beijing's The Economic Observer published an article -- entitled "Officials' dismissal due to cover-up of epidemic beyond doubt" -- in which the newspaper publicly criticized Vice Health Minister Gao Qiang (
Later, it also published a telephone conversation between economist Wu Jinglian (
Meanwhile, another Chinese newspaper ranked Zhong Nanshan (鍾南山), a respiratory expert in Guangdong Province, as China's top anti-SARS hero. Jiang was ranked second while Vice Premier Wu Yi (吳儀), who is responsible for China's anti-SARS war, was ranked only third.
It was unbelievable when I saw a journalist harshly questioning those health authorities during a press conference on CCTV-4's news program. "You covered-up the epidemic from us before. How can you prove that you are not cheating us again?" the journalist asked. Had freedom of the press really arrived in China?
The answer is a definate "no." A sweet dream is always short-lived. We have already seen the government's policy change.
In early June, a Beijing newspaper published an article, entitled "China's seven most disgusting things," criticizing both the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference for being wallflowers, and condemning government leaders for their empty words.
Beijing immediately closed the newspaper. Meanwhile, the party's Propaganda Department ordered government agencies to strictly regulate the media. People's hope for freedom of speech was dashed once again.
Nevertheless, the media's roller-coaster ride did reflect the public's strong hope for freedom of speech. Although the media had Li's words as their protective shield this time, their reports on Jiang, the open criticism of minister-level government officials, and critiques such as "China's seven most disgusting things" far exceeded the limits of China's propaganda policy.
These actions were obviously not led by the government. They were the achievements of the media that seized an opportunity. The government's backlash is therefore no surprise. The media's efforts to strive for freedom of speech also show that the power of civil society is accumulating, while strong public opinion is gradually forming.
Wang Dan was a student leader during the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations in Beijing.
TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (李顯龍) decision to step down after 19 years and hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong (黃循財), on May 15 was expected — though, perhaps, not so soon. Most political analysts had been eyeing an end-of-year handover, to ensure more time for Wong to study and shadow the role, ahead of general elections that must be called by November next year. Wong — who is currently both deputy prime minister and minister of finance — would need a combination of fresh ideas, wisdom and experience as he writes the nation’s next chapter. The world that
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and
Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.