A commentary in the People's Daily yesterday urged authorities to be willing to take risks and face opposition when launching bold reforms.
The article, headlined 'We'd rather have complaints than crisis,' is the latest push by state media for bolder reforms after a number of recent commentaries that have use the 20th anniversary of late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping's southern tour as an occasion to raise the topic.
The online version of the headline was more explicit: 'We'd rather have imperfect reforms than crises brought by no reform.'
The commentary has sparked speculation among some internet users about whether liberals in the Communist Party are stepping up their push for reforms ahead of the 18th Party Congress this autumn.
'It is difficult for reforms to be perfect ... No matter how well-calculated and wise they are, reforms will always instil opposition. Those with vested interests will use their advantaged position to speak against reforms, the media and the public will view reforms through critical eyes, while some with a Utopian mindset could have unreasonable expectations,' the commentary said.
It said some policymakers chose to maintain the status quo to avoid criticism, but that would only lead the party to a bigger crisis.
'In the course of reforms, the scary thing is not the voices of opposition, but for the reform to halt immediately whenever there are opposing voices,' it said.