Historical & National Conditions for China´s Democracy

cctv.com 03-03-2005 14:02

Host:

Yang Rui

Guests:

Pan Zhenqiang: World Affairs Analyst

Tao Wenzhao: Senior Research Fellow of Inst. of American Studies of CASS

Lead in:

There is no doubt that democracy has a universal appeal. But China has its own interpretation and agenda. The annual plenary session of the country鈥檚 top supervisory body, the Chinese People鈥檚 Political Consultative Conference, provides a seasonal perspective and may shed spotlight on democracy in practice here in Beijing. With its opening later today, Dialogue takes the leave to address some of the broad issues concerning China鈥檚 pursuit of democracy under the Chinese national and historical conditions. Comparisons are likely to be drawn in the following discussion here live between China and the rest of the world in this regard.

Main Questions:

1. What exactly is democracy with Chinese characteristics? Is modernization essentially a process of westernization?

2. We know individualism is highly respected in the western society. But China is a socialist country with its own characteristics. How do you look at the relationship between an individual and his social environment in China?

3. The concept of democracy was originated in the West. Can we say it is a patent product of the West? Has its universality gained broader recognition around the world?

4. Does China have a tradition of democracy in its history?

5. In the 1840s, the western powers forced China to open its gate to the outside world, using its advanced arms. Is it true that when they tried to occupy China鈥檚 market by means of force, they were also introducing into this country some valued concepts of the western civilization?

6. The Revolution of 1911, the bourgeois democratic revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Qing Dynasty. Is this a typical example of introducing western ideology into China?

7. The May 4th Movement of 1919 introduced the concepts of democracy and science into this country. What impact did they bring on to the traditional Chinese culture at that time?

8. During WWII, the whole nation was caught in a war of resistance against the Japanese invaders. Some say it somehow compromised the process of democracy and enlightenment launched by the May 4th Movement. Do you agree with this point of view?

9. When China began to reform and open up 25 years ago, economic reform came before political reform. Why is that? What does the NPC mean to China鈥檚 political life? How about CPPCC?

10. The Chinese leaders have been promoting the idea of building a harmonious society. What does a harmonious society mean to the construction of China鈥檚 political civilization? The Chinese leaders insist that the process of political reform has never been broken. What is your point of view?

11. According to some politicians and media in the West, human rights have been constantly violated in China. As this country is further integrated into the world, how should we take their allegations and criticism?

12. China is now strengthening the rule of law. Despite the government鈥檚 effort in this regard, the West still believes corruption is a big problem in China, and that the general public still have limited resources to participate in the nation鈥檚 political life. Do you share their point of view?

13. How do you look at the media鈥檚 role in China鈥檚 political life?

Program Archive

Homepage of Dialogue

Editor:Xiang  Source:CCTV.com