Chinese democracy activist Wang Dan (
Citing Hu's past record and the mind-set of Hu's generation, Wang said that he places more hope on the fifth generation of China's leaders than on Hu for pushing for democratization.
"I don't really have much faith in Hu when it comes to leading democratic development," Wang said.
The activist made the remarks during a meeting yesterday with Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) for an exchange of views on the promotion of democracy.
"But I am rather optimistic that democratic reforms will take place under the following generation's leadership," Wang said.
Hu, China's vice president, was appointed by Deng Xiaoping (
However, rumors are swirling in the run-up to the congress that Jiang -- chairman of the Central Military Commission, supreme commander of the armed forces as well as secretary-general of the CCP -- wants to hang on to power.
Pointing to Taiwan's democratic development, Wang restated that Taiwan is a model for China to follow and that Taiwan should use democracy and freedom as a foundation for talks with China.
"Being a mainland Chinese myself, I'd love to see a unified China. However, this should not happen through force, but through dialogue based upon democratic means," Wang said, emphasizing that democracy and freedom in cross-strait exchanges are good for both parties.
As a former leader of the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy movement, Wang has been a symbol of the human-rights struggle in China. He was imprisoned for nearly a decade for his role in the movement.
Wang heads back to the US today to continue his doctoral studies at Harvard University.
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