By Dan Bloom
CHIAYI, Taiwan — Longtime observers of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have said, “The China question is open as long as the CCP rules China.” And as
long as the gates of freedom in China remain closed, as long as theseungainly scars of gates are permitted to stand, it is not the China question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for allhumankind. Yet, today there is a quiet yet growing message of hope inside China, a message of triumph, where slowly people are trying to take matters into their own hands and set up a democratic movement inside the country that can finally replace the CCP. Can it happen and
will it happen? Time will tell, and history will be the judge.
Leaders of democratic countries around the world have long understood the practical importance of liberty — that just as truth can flourish only when journalists are given freedom of speech, so prosperity can come about only when the farmer and businessman enjoy economic freedom. China will learn that in time.
In fact, even now, in a limited way, the current leaders of China may be coming to understand the importance of freedom. We hear much from Beijing about a new policy of reform and openness. Some political prisoners have been released, here and there. Certain foreign news broadcasts and Internet sites are no longer being jammed. Some economic enterprises have been permitted to operate with greater freedom from state control.
Are these the beginnings of profound changes in the CCP? Or are they token gestures, intended to raise false hopes in the West, or to strengthen the Chinese system without changing it? One must welcome change and openness; for we in the West believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Chinese communists can make that would be unmistakable, that would
advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.
President Hu Jintao, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for China and Hong Kong and Macao and Taiwan, if you seek liberalization:Go soon to those gate of
tyranny, and replace them with the gates of freedom! Mr. Hu, replace these gates! Mr. Hu, let freedom ring!
U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who understood the old USSR so well,would surely understand the fear of war and the pain of division that afflict the leaders of China today — and he would know that the West could use all its efforts to help China overcome those burdens. When freedom finally comes to the Chinese people, they and their leaders will be surprised how wonderful it feels.
Today represents a moment of hope. We in the West stand ready to cooperate with China to promote true openness, to break down barriers that separate people, to create a safe, freer world. The totalitarian world produces backwardness because it does such violence to the spirit, thwarting the human impulse to create, to enjoy, to worship. The totalitarian world finds even symbols of love and of worship an affront.
As one looks at China today, from across the seas, one can perhaps catch a glimpse of some words crudely spray-painted upon a city gate,
perhaps by a young Beijinger: “This gate will fall. Beliefs will become reality.”
Yes, across China, those unsightly gates will fall someday. For China,as Reagan knew so well, cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand
truth. The gates of China will not be able to withstand freedom.
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Bloom is Taiwan bureau chief for San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at dan.bloom@sdjewishworld.com
Not Your Grandfather’s China
To the American people and the US Congress:
It’s time to open your eyes regarding the basic agenda and very real threat posed by communist China — that country you love to put on an exotic pedestal festooned with technicolored tourist photos and pretty Chinese movie stars.
Let’s not mince words: China is a dictatorship ruled by an aggressive Communist Party that does not believe in human freedom, human dignity, morality or the pursuit of happiness.
Stop your love affair with communist China. Wake up and smell the Starbucks being roasted by Chinese chauvinists inside the Forbidden City tourist trap. China is out to squash the US and will use every means possible to attain this end. This is not your grandfather’s China. This is the Chinese Communist Party of the People’s Republic of China.
But it is a not a “republic” and it is not run by the people or for the people. It is the old Soviet Union in Chinese clothing.
China is not our friend, by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, Gong Li (鞏俐) is gorgeous, and Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) is slim and beautiful, but don’t get distracted by China’s Hollywood exports. Don’t be fooled by the 2008 Beijing Olympics “show.” China’s leaders, like the leaders of the former Soviet Union, are bent on world domination. Fly too close to Hainan and they’ll threaten to shoot your planes down.
No amount of friendly smiles and warm handshakes will change their agenda. It is not a free, democratic country and never will be, at least not as it is currently set up.
Did someone say pet food? Did someone say toothpaste? Do you remember who dumped dangerous chemicals into a Chinese river and didn’t alert residents living downstream? Who burns coal in coal-fired power plants as if there were no tomorrow? Does the term “acid rain” ring a bell?
China is a country that covers up SARS and bird flu. Global warming? China’s leaders never heard of that Western concept.
God? There is no God for China. China is one of the most godless nations on Earth. So why is the US sucking up to China?
This China you so love to do business with is dangerous. This China needs to be confronted.
Wake up, America. China is polluting the world, and not only with carbon dioxide emissions and other atmospheric pollution.
If you hated the old Soviet Union, you should hate the current People’s Republic. Different clothing, same evil empire. There should be no compromise with this state.
China is a threat to the American and European way of life. Darfur? You know the drill.
Stop kissing the ground the Chinese government stands on. Tear down that Great Wall of lies and deception full of state-sanctioned cover-ups and fabrications.
The US needs a transparent and democratic China. And the Chinese people are up to it. But Americans seem to be turning a blind eye.