Chinese Democracy: Fact or Fiction?

China/st1 :country-region> isn't generally thought of as a bastion of democracy, but according to one senior official, this perception could change by 2020.  Zhou Tianyong, a senior Communist official, told Londons Daily Telegraph that "by 2020, China/st1 :country-region> will basically finish its political and institutional reforms," which he says will give way to the establishment of a "democratic platform," with "public democratic involvement at all government levels."/span>

According to Zhou, the 12-year-plan would culminate in "extensive public participation in policy-making, such as drawing up new legislation."  He would give religion "a wider platform to play a positive role," and says China/st1 :country-region> "should protect religious freedom."  Civil society would also become increasingly significant to Chinese society.        /span>

Zhou's not the only official who has expressed more democratic sentiments.  China/st1 :country-region>'s President Hu Jintao has also called for "more extensive democratic rights" by 2020, though he hasn't exactly qualified what those rights are.  This ambiguity necessitates additional clarification, since a Chinese version of "democracy" differs dramatically from the Western connotations./span>

Many Chinese leaders have expressed an appreciation of democratic principles, but this concept of "democracy" would probably not imitate Western-style democracy, and the China Communist Party would still exercise a powerful political influence./span>

Xinhua News reiterates this sense of the Chinese government leading the charge towards reform, in an interview with Zhou Yongkang, another Communist Party official.  He describes a recent initiative where government officials are opening the lines of communication with the people, and working with grassroots organizations to improve government policies./span>

While many parents might have liked to see certain policies, like the inspection of dairy products, enacted several months ago, dialogue between leaders and citizens is a good first start in terms of fostering a more democratic-style of society.  /span>

This government evolution probably won't unfold in a way that many Western observers would expect.  Similarly, there will probably be several bumps in the road towards "democracy," whether a Western or Chinese interpretation of it.  Despite the potential challenges ahead, however, the future looks promising.