Advertisement

Latitude Wen enjoys signals party's evolution

Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0

Since the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in 1989, any discussion of Western-style political reform has been taboo - or at least kept behind closed doors, like the proverbial skeleton in the cupboard.

But the fact that Premier Wen Jiabao can maintain his status despite his recent calls in public for political reform - contrary to the leadership's consensus - underscores the significant changes that have taken place in the Chinese political system since 1989.

Wen's boldness has coincided with a stepped-up crackdown on political dissent and a tightening of the authorities' grip on the media following widespread political upheaval in the Arab world this year.

Yet he appears to be safe from political retribution. Unlike outspoken leaders such as Hu Yaobang and Zhao Ziyang, who were purged for their liberal remarks, Wen has continued to air his frustrations publicly with little impact on his political career, although many believe he can only do so because he will be retiring in early 2013.

Wen ignited the debate with a series of speeches in which he said political reform was a do-or-die issue for the party.

He renewed his campaign in speeches in Malaysia and Indonesia last month and in a chat with young people in Beijing on Tuesday, the eve of China Youth Day.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2-3x faster
1.1x
220 WPM
Slow
Normal
Fast
1.1x