The Question of the Line of the Chinese Democracy Movement

( Summary )

 

 

By Wu Fan

 

 

I. The importance of contention on the lines of pro-democracy movement.

The lines of organization of pro-democracy movement are to be contended on what strategy and what style and method of struggle to be used in the process of striving for democratization of China. This organization is the aggregation of the collective wisdom of numerous members and the wisdom and experience of various classes of the society.

II Various aspects of contention of the lines of Chinese Pro-democracy organizations.

  1. How to regard and treat the Chinese Communists. The Chinese Communists should be treated rationally, because among them there are many patriots and reformers, and many of them are elites of the Chinese people. One of the targets in the process of democratization of China is to strive for the self-transformation of the Chinese Communist Party amid the changes in economic benefits, political pressures and international circumstances.

 

  1. How overseas pro-democracy movements treat China. One of the ultimate aims of overseas pro-democracy movements is to make China strong, in order to maintain peace in the Asian Pacific Region and in the world and to treat neighbouring countries on equal basis.

 

  1. Peaceful rationale and violent revolution. This divergence in lines among overseas pro-democracy forces has been all along existing. The social reform and changes do not necessarily rely completely on violence. Peaceful and rational reform, and peaceful and rational election are the best alternatives.

 

  1. The openness and secrecy of pro-democracy movements. In organizing political parties and participating in elections, open activities must be adopted to expose oneself and one’s platform for the choice of electors. This is a way to observe the rule of law and to abide by the law, and it is also the safest way.

 

  1. Nationalism and Chinese Nihilism. In the process of striving for democratization of China, the ideological trend of nationalism must not be overlooked, lest it fail. When the national interest clashes with the process of democratization, the problem should be addressed by wise judgement of the situation. It is undesirable to bully other ethnic minorities with Han chauvinism. The various nations of China should be treated on the basis of democracy, liberty, human rights and rule of law.

 

  1. The position of the Chinese pro-democracy movement towards Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang. In respect of Tibet and Xinjiang and other places, under the basis of one China, under the condition of democracy, the union system may be a good alternative.

 

  1. The attitude on MFN and WTO. The Chinese pro-democracy organizations should support China to accept MFN and to join the WTO, because after economic takeoff, the political reform will be easier. China must reply on a full-scale improvement in the political, economic, social and cultural aspects and in international trade before she can launch a complete political reform.