China plagued by rising social unrest

[bemildred]

HONG KONG - China has witnessed rising social unrest, mostly involving peaceful demonstrations stemming from anger over unfair government policies and illegal actions. Recent protests have been sparked by the near-fatal beating of a migrant worker, an illegal hike in taxi fees and low wages in an electronics plant - to name a few. These are but the tip of the iceberg in the nation of 1.3 billion people where the wealth gap is widening, corruption is widespread and the rule of law is far from entrenched. For those who know their Chinese history, this raises the specter of devastating peasant and other revolts over the ages, sometimes cataclysms that have toppled regimes.

In some cases, the situations even deteriorate into violent conflicts between protesters and police in a nation historically alarmed by mass protests that could threaten the regime's "mandate of heaven". These protests, just the tip of the iceberg, have sent shock waves through the highest echelons in Beijing, and the leadership now is grappling with the best means to curb - and defuse - the widespread simmering public outrage.

According to an informed source, Zhongnanhai - Beijing's government compound and the Middle Kingdom's power center - remains divided on strategy and tactics for dealing with social unrest. Some propose reinforcing the police force in order to brace for a deterioration in the social order, while others argue that to achieve a fundamental solution, the authorities must improve their governance and truly listen to the voices of the masses.

In China, groups that want to hold demonstrations must submit applications to local authorities, as they do in many other countries that emphasize the public's right of peaceful protest; peaceful public protest is one of the basic human rights in China's constitution, but the people must get an official "go-ahead" before taking to the streets.

Asia Times

[bullimiami]

1. in bushworld china stamps on the poor

the corporations thrive, the rich get richer and eventually we have to fight them over the last of the resources.

in a better world. we support real democratic reforms for china, we work toward world solutions to the global problems and we walk together as partners into the next millenium.

[amandabeech]

2. China also is facing energy shortages this winter.

They simply cannot mine and transport coal fast enough to supply their electrical power plants and provide coal for heating.

In addition, the north is very, very dry. I saw a report that some southern areas also face a water shortage. And much of the water is extremely polluted.

China also raised interest rates a touch which may actually slow down growth.

Chinese leadership certainly has many, many problems to solve, and perhaps not too much time to solve them.

[bemildred]

3. It is interesting to me that most commentators I see point to China

as the rising power in Asia, whereas it seems less clear to me, as you
point out, China has serious and varied internal problems.