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Daredevil

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=25b_1217103232

Islamic Party Threatens Beijing Olympic Games

Terror Threats to Olympic Games
The Turkistan Islamic Party Released a Threatening Video Friday
By ANNA SCHECTER
July 26, 2008

A terrorist group based in western China threatens to attack the upcoming Beijing Olympics, and claims responsibility for last week's deadly bus bombings in China in a new propaganda video released July 25.

The Turkistan Islamic Party video, entitled "Our Blessed Jihad in Yunnan," warns spectators and athletes, "particularly the Muslims," not to attend the Beijing Games, which are scheduled to begin in two weeks on Aug. 8.

"Our aim is to target the most critical points related to the Olympics. We will try to attack Chinese central cities severely using the tactics that have never been employed," the group's leader, Commander Seyfullah said, according to a translation of the video provided by IntelCenter, a Washington, D.C.-based firm that monitors terrorism.

The Turkistan Islamic Party is fighting to gain autonomy for the native Muslim population in the Xinjiang Province of China, which shares a border with Pakistan and Afghanistan. The group has been linked to al Qaeda and has been monitored by U.S. and foreign intelligence agencies.

"Despite the Turkistan Islamic Party's repeated warnings to China and international community about stopping the 29th Olympics in Beijing, the Chinese have haughtily ignored our warnings. The Turkistan Islamic Party volunteers who had gone through special preparation have started urgent actions." Seyfullah said, according to the IntelCenter translation.


Seyfullah, with a raised voice and breathing heavily, claims responsibility for the bombing of three public buses in Yunnan on July 21, and the bombing of a plastic factory in Guangzhou on July 17.

The bus explosions killed at least two people and injured 14 in the southwestern city of Kunming in Yunnan Province.

The official Xinhua news agency of China said it was seeking to find out who was responsible for the attacks.

Seyfullah said the group bombed two public buses in Shanghai on May 5 and "took action against police" in Wenzhou on July 17 with a tractor loaded with explosives.

At the top of the video a sign for the Beijing Olympic Games is engulfed in flames. The video continues with still photos of the aftermath of the bus bombings in China.

The bulk of the video shows Seyfullah speaking, wearing a white cloth to cover his face. Two militants wearing black ski masks and holding rifles stand behind him.


"The Turkistan Islamic Party warns China one more time," Seyfullah said according to the IntelCenter transcript.

The warning comes two weeks before the start of the Beijing Games on August 8.

The video is about three and a half minutes in length, and resembles al Qaeda propaganda videos in structure.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=5455443&page=1
yuebaili3
The Muslims are obviously a greater threat against China than Tibetans. While most Tibetans respect Dalai Lama and his non-violence teaching, Muslims do not hesitate to use violence when oppressed. They also have the support of the Muslim world. The more China oppresses the Muslims, the more violent and radical they will become. E.g more and more women in Xinjiang are wearing purdah. The hatred against the Chinese is growing stronger and the Chinese people are becoming even more afraid of Muslims.
Daredevil
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 27 2008, 04:25 PM) *
The Muslims are obviously a greater threat against China than Tibetans. While most Tibetans respect Dalai Lama and his non-violence teaching, Muslims do not hesitate to use violence when oppressed. They also have the support of the Muslim world. The more China oppresses the Muslims, the more violent and radical they will become. E.g more and more women in Xinjiang are wearing purdah. The hatred against the Chinese is growing stronger and the Chinese people are becoming even more afraid of Muslims.

Yeah just look at 9-11 thats a taste of Muslim oppression for the Americans. OFcourse, the fact that these terrorists attacks and kills civilians target absolutely escapes you.
Caesar
Sorry but the Chinese can fool idiot westners but not people with common sense!! The reality is that Beijing is making excuses to slaughter these Muslim people--they have already committed genocide in this area and now they have another chance in the name of "Security of Olympic Games" to ensure that they kill a few hundred more people to ensure that the area is cleansed!!

It is a very known documented fact that China has committed some very serious human rights violations in this Muslim area and have supressed their Muslim Faith.
marchpole
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 28 2008, 05:25 AM) *
The Muslims are obviously a greater threat against China than Tibetans. While most Tibetans respect Dalai Lama and his non-violence teaching, Muslims do not hesitate to use violence when oppressed. They also have the support of the Muslim world. The more China oppresses the Muslims, the more violent and radical they will become. E.g more and more women in Xinjiang are wearing purdah. The hatred against the Chinese is growing stronger and the Chinese people are becoming even more afraid of Muslims.


Those who instigate violence and commit murder in China will be met with death.

Simple really.

Mind you, those Tibetans who resorted to violence a while ago are spending their life in a dark cell somewhere in a remote corner of Tibet. It will be a long long time before these thugs see the light of the day again. If you are a courageous man, which you are not of course, and really believe in the Tibetan course, you should come to Tibet, try your luck, and then join the rank. You are always wlecome.

P.S. The report about bus explosions is false. The thugs don't, as yet, have the reason, the means or the guts to match their words with deed.
jkroo
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 27 2008, 03:25 PM) *
The Muslims are obviously a greater threat against China than Tibetans. While most Tibetans respect Dalai Lama and his non-violence teaching, Muslims do not hesitate to use violence when oppressed. They also have the support of the Muslim world. The more China oppresses the Muslims, the more violent and radical they will become. E.g more and more women in Xinjiang are wearing purdah. The hatred against the Chinese is growing stronger and the Chinese people are becoming even more afraid of Muslims.


Your disguisting show, isn't it? You have showed your sympathy to the Muslims due to the Chinese gov's so called 'oppression' in the thread before. But now, look at you, Muslims became a bigger threat and Tibetans are blessed by you, ridiculous! Are you showing your peace-loving face or something else? As to me, say it directly, you are just a sh!t-loving person with sh!t-stirring stick.
OP1
If you bomb buses, university campus and promote seperatism in the name of religion, then you deserve whatever punishment imposed upon you. I have absolutely no sympathy for any person convicted against such a crime. In fact, I always felt that the Chinese government has been too soft on this issue with all their affirmative action programs that discriminate against the Hans.
Caesar
QUOTE(OP1 @ Jul 28 2008, 05:26 PM) *
If you bomb buses, university campus and promote seperatism in the name of religion, then you deserve whatever punishment imposed upon you.


Right!! When was the last time these Muslims bombed something in China and in particular in Biejing??

If you have some brains here is what the Chinese government said in its press release a few days back:

QUOTE
Spress said police shot dead five knife-wielding Muslims and detained 10 others in Urumqi who allegedly wanted to launch a “holy war”.


So Chinese government has a habbit of shooting dead people with KITCHEN KNIVES and the people shot dead wanted to start a holy war using Knives?? What freaking pathetic moronic Bull-shi-t from the Chinese!!!! swear.gif
marchpole
QUOTE(Caesar @ Jul 28 2008, 03:37 PM) *
Right!! When was the last time these Muslims bombed something in China and in particular in Biejing??

If you have some brains here is what the Chinese government said in its press release a few days back:
So Chinese government has a habbit of shooting dead people with KITCHEN KNIVES and the people shot dead wanted to start a holy war using Knives?? What freaking pathetic moronic Bull-shi-t from the Chinese!!!! swear.gif


Are these Muslims not Chinese? If they are, they should and will be dealt with in accordance with Chinese law.

Consider yourself lucky (not!), for if you were in China, and by the sound of it, you would one of those knife-wielding thugs, and you would be sternly dealt with. Be thankful to your Australian hosts who don't as yet advocate the death sentence. The terrorists should try their luck in western countries where the worst that can occur to them is being locked up in a comfy prison. In China, these same people will be met with death.
OP1
QUOTE(Caesar @ Jul 28 2008, 02:37 AM) *
Right!! When was the last time these Muslims bombed something in China and in particular in Biejing??

When was the last time? Try last week. Violence under the Islamic banner in Xinjiang was extremely common in the early 1990's.

QUOTE
If you have some brains here is what the Chinese government said in its press release a few days back:
So Chinese government has a habbit of shooting dead people with KITCHEN KNIVES and the people shot dead wanted to start a holy war using Knives?? What freaking pathetic moronic Bull-shi-t from the Chinese!!!! swear.gif

I recommend that a retard such as yourself walk up to a cop with a knife in your hand and see if you get shot to death or not. Law-abiding Muslim citizens such as the Hui don't go on the street wield knives. On the other hand, fundamentalist terrorist thugs and their sympathizers do.
gnak
QUOTE(Caesar @ Jul 28 2008, 06:07 PM) *
Right!! When was the last time these Muslims bombed something in China and in particular in Biejing??

1997 immediately after deng xiaoping's death 2 bus bombings in beijing and yes it was done by muslims separatist

now say if this video is correct that means muslim separatist r responsible for the may 5 shanghai bus bombing and the july 21 kumming bus bomb... now the police say those explosions on the buses were deliberate but not related to the turkestan terrorist movement, now who in the mind is chinese want to bomb buses notice how these 2 bus bombing r timed not that far a apart

to me this looks like terrorist attacked by the east turkestan terrorist movement who have a history of bus bombing now r these terrorists linked to a global terrorist network under the guidance of cia i dont know

QUOTE(Caesar @ Jul 28 2008, 06:07 PM) *
If you have some brains here is what the Chinese government said in its press release a few days back:
So Chinese government has a habbit of shooting dead people with KITCHEN KNIVES and the people shot dead wanted to start a holy war using Knives?? What freaking pathetic moronic Bull-shi-t from the Chinese!!!! swear.gif

yea some wacko in shanghai killed 5 policeman at a police station with kitchen knife not long ago, if someone came at me with a knife and i had a gun i shoot them for sure
OP1
If Uyghurs are getting oppressed and beaten down so much, then why are they the fastest growing group in China? Why did their population grew from roughly 3 million to 9 million today? I guess the government killed so many of them that they doubled in size.
platinum786
I have a few questions;

1. Why have i never heard of this group before?

2. If the last terrorist attack in China was in 1997, why this threat now, 11 years later, why not in between these periods?

3. Why is it in China, a country which has had Muslims for several hundred years living perfectly normally, would there be a problem today, now, when people are economically better off than ever, hence much less likely to be anti government?

I see sh1t stirring in the entire issue.
gnak

bus bombing in xinjiang 2005 i bet no one ever heard about this one

now i believe theres a lot more terrorist attacks in xinjiang which just doesnt get reported, probably the goverment doesn't want to cause fear among the public, only the terrorist attacks outside xinjiang get more media coverage

QUOTE
On March 18, a rumor spread quickly through the streets of Urumqi that an Uighur woman had detonated a bomb on a city bus, escaping before its explosion. Officials have denied that account, but in a telephone interview an American resident of Xinjiang’s bustling capital said that he had visited the scene hours after the rumor spread and found what looked like a heavily guarded impromptu construction site, where workers refused to talk and urged him to leave.

“Pretty much everyone you speak to, whether Chinese or Uighur, says a bomb went off,” said the American, who declined to be identified by name. “That same night there were riot police in full gear patrolling the neighborhood, and since then I’ve seen heavy police patrols everywhere, including riot police at the main markets, with tear gas, automatic weapons and armored personnel carriers with gun turrets parked nearby.”

“We’ve been here for three months and it was certainly never been like this before.source



recent kumming bus bomb


recent shanghai bus bomb
OP1
QUOTE(platinum786 @ Jul 28 2008, 03:25 AM) *
I have a few questions;

1. Why have i never heard of this group before?

There are many sub-groups to the East Turkestan movement, banded together for the purpose of seperatism. Some of them are secular while others are Islamic fundamentalists.

QUOTE
2. If the last terrorist attack in China was in 1997, why this threat now, 11 years later, why not in between these periods?

There are various news stories that surface in the past 11 years of police raids against terrorist hide-outs. Xinjiang's security was tightened up after early 1990's so the amount of attack dropped. Most of these attacks you will not hear in the news because the government keeps them tightly sealed, but now Olympic has attracted thousands of reporters to China. It's hard to keep anything from them.

QUOTE
3. Why is it in China, a country which has had Muslims for several hundred years living perfectly normally, would there be a problem today, now, when people are economically better off than ever, hence much less likely to be anti government?

I see sh1t stirring in the entire issue.

Because they are only using the Islamic banner as cover. Their true motive is extreme Pan-Turkic nationalism, funded by U.S and Europe. They claim religious repression because it gets idiots like yuebaili who won't check their facts onboard. Muslims have lived in China for over 1400 years and most have successfully intergrated.
platinum786
^^^ Exactly my point. Does nobody find it suspicious that as soon as the run up to the Olympics begins terrorist splinter groups emerge from nowhere and start claiming oppression of all sorts.

seawolf

Turkistan Islamic Party doesn't have such long arm to reach Yunan though they boasted by claiming responsibility for the bus explosions.

China should grab the opportunity to train its special anti terrorist task force. We know that China has a more and more sophisticated inventory of tactics and equipments to handle situations like this, it may become a new export growth point. Chinese cheating devices in examinations are advanced due to robust demand for such gadgets, it is an underground industry. With support from government, electronic enterprises in Guangdong province can switch to production of anti terrorist equipments since they already feel the pinch of the market and increasing labor costs.


*Zarrar Jareeh*
These terrorists are probably some CIA front (like Mehsud and Fazlullah in Pakistan). China should use brute force on their asses plus economic force for development in the area.
Caesar
Although I respect what China and Pakistan share in common I do not at all ignore the ground realities--which are that Chinese government sees this as an opportunity to kill a few more so that the ground is clean!!

And please don't for a second think that I am going to buy this nonsense argument about OPENESS of Chinese government. Let me remind you China is a communist country and it does not have freedom of press or people! The cleansing has been going on decades but the news does not flow because CHina is a communist country.

I did not use to believe what western media said about China until I met some of the victims. In Sydney there are many Muslims from Chinese Turkistan who illegally crossed borders to get out of there due to Chinese crack down. They still fear for their loved ones living there!! So what are you gonna tell me that these people are liars??? Who should I believe--these people or the Chinese Communist government??? You know my answer!
fireworks
QUOTE(Caesar @ Jul 28 2008, 06:24 PM) *
I did not use to believe what western media said about China until I met some of the victims. In Sydney there are many Muslims from Chinese Turkistan who illegally crossed borders to get out of there due to Chinese crack down. They still fear for their loved ones living there!! So what are you gonna tell me that these people are liars??? Who should I believe--these people or the Chinese Communist government??? You know my answer!

here are a few questions for your new friends from "Chinese Turkistan".
1.are their loved ones also Muslims
2.whether the crackdown was against Muslims in general
2.1.if yes
2.1.1.then why did they left their loved ones, supposedly women, children, behind? Is deserting one's family in face of danger a violation of Muslim's code of conduct?
2.1.2.do they still plan to get their families out of China? If so, why they came to Australia?
2.2.if no
2.2.1.what caused them to be singled out by the " Chinese Communist government". Why they felt less safe than their loved ones in China?

Honestly, I found your new friends despicable if what they said is true. What kind of men are they? to escape from the death camp alone with no intention to go back for their families.
If the "Chinese Communist government" is as ruthless as they say, they should know what their running away means for their families, but these people did it anyway.
Your new friends demonstrated a poor sense of responsibility towards their loved ones, I hope that's not typical of Muslims.

Caesar, don't get your social network infested with liars or cowards, or both.
jkroo
QUOTE(Caesar @ Jul 28 2008, 04:24 AM) *
Although I respect what China and Pakistan share in common I do not at all ignore the ground realities--which are that Chinese government sees this as an opportunity to kill a few more so that the ground is clean!!

And please don't for a second think that I am going to buy this nonsense argument about OPENESS of Chinese government. Let me remind you China is a communist country and it does not have freedom of press or people! The cleansing has been going on decades but the news does not flow because CHina is a communist country.

I did not use to believe what western media said about China until I met some of the victims. In Sydney there are many Muslims from Chinese Turkistan who illegally crossed borders to get out of there due to Chinese crack down. They still fear for their loved ones living there!! So what are you gonna tell me that these people are liars??? Who should I believe--these people or the Chinese Communist government??? You know my answer!

Interest point. I just wonder what kind of freedom you need. To prove your point you should live in China for months that you may know something.

Though I don't want to commit they are liars, I just wonder what the background of these people you know? As I know, those who choose go abroad even illegally

DO exist 2 groups: 1、economic area problems; 2、so called political reasons.

I do respect your attention in the religious problem, but I expect to get your overall perspective in the field of China.
macau boy
QUOTE(*Zarrar Jareeh* @ Jul 28 2008, 04:04 AM) *
These terrorists are probably some CIA front (like Mehsud and Fazlullah in Pakistan). China should use brute force on their asses plus economic force for development in the area.


I don't dispute that.
At the same time, quite a few of these Turkistan terrorists are enjoying free food (commensurate with their "religion" laugh.gif ) and lodging (with housekeeping services laugh.gif ) at Guantanomo Bay courtesy of Pentagon and at the expense of US taxpayers. Perhaps it is difficult to please more than one master.
waz
These f*cking assholes use ISLAM AS A COVER! SPEAK TO THE HUI MUSLIMS ABOUT THESE PEOPLE!
One of their battle chants included, “death to the Hui the allies of the Chinese”. No Pakistani should buy into this garbage, thankfully most do not. Pakistan also has such movements, I’m sure everyone here is aware of fazaullah’s group? They to use faith as a cover for the worst sort of treason and violence…

Good luck to China in keeping its sovereignty intact. Muslims have lived for over a thousand years in China in peace, and China is a great friend to not only the Muslims world, but the developing world in general.
aziqbal
Firstly can people stop calling these guys muslims because anyone who does sucide bombings is NOT a muslim!

China is safe from muslims because China is longest muslim freind.

China has nothing to fear from muslims or islam these guys dont represent muslims if they are killing innocents.
Kim Jong-il Hater
If I instigated violence in my country, I'd be linked with al-Qaeda. hitwall.gif

Independence for East Turkestan, but not in the way these guys want it.
Caesar
Oh God....just reflects what double standards we Muslims follow!! If Israel kills Palestians or US Kills Iraqi then it is Genocide but if China kills then it is LAW AND ORDER!!! You know, I guess that is why we Muslims are considered mere Jokers!!! Does our religion Islam discriminates on who kills who??? Grow up for F* sake!!
seawolf
QUOTE(Caesar @ Jul 28 2008, 09:54 PM) *
Oh God....just reflects what double standards we Muslims follow!! If Israel kills Palestians or US Kills Iraqi then it is Genocide but if China kills then it is LAW AND ORDER!!! You know, I guess that is why we Muslims are considered mere Jokers!!! Does our religion Islam discriminates on who kills who??? Grow up for F* sake!!


Who kills who?

Quote:
"Our aim is to target the most critical points related to the Olympics. We will try to attack Chinese central cities severely using the tactics that have never been employed," the group's leader, Commander Seyfullah said, according to a translation of the video provided by IntelCenter, a Washington, D.C.-based firm that monitors terrorism.
Unquote

Is that the appropriate action by Muslims? Guess not.
fireworks
QUOTE(Caesar @ Jul 29 2008, 11:54 AM) *
Oh God....just reflects what double standards we Muslims follow!! If Israel kills Palestians or US Kills Iraqi then it is Genocide but if China kills then it is LAW AND ORDER!!! You know, I guess that is why we Muslims are considered mere Jokers!!! Does our religion Islam discriminates on who kills who??? Grow up for F* sake!!

hey, why did you skip Pakistan's killing of militants in tribal areas? many of them were local Muslims. Come on, show us your "single standard" and say something about your home country too.
gnak
to say its genocide thats stupid china does kill uyghurs for stability, but not genocide them if it was a genocide there wouldn't be 10 million uyghurs around and they wouldn't be the fastest growing ethnic group in china

the only true genocide of modern times is probably the near wiping out of american indians by the brittish/europeans
OP1
QUOTE(Caesar @ Jul 28 2008, 10:54 PM) *
Oh God....just reflects what double standards we Muslims follow!! If Israel kills Palestians or US Kills Iraqi then it is Genocide but if China kills then it is LAW AND ORDER!!! You know, I guess that is why we Muslims are considered mere Jokers!!! Does our religion Islam discriminates on who kills who??? Grow up for F* sake!!

The Uyghur population more than doubled from 3 million to today's 9 million in 60 years. They are also the fastest growing group in China. You little genocide story doesn't live up to the facts. Muslims have lived in China for 14 centuries and prospered in society. The vice-premier of the State Council, one of the top 5 most powerful men in China, happens to be a Muslim. No real Muslim would go bomb schools and buses. Your prophet Mohammed himself specifically forbid harming of non-combatants and innocents. The only jokers around here are terrorist thugs who use Islamic as cover and their sympathizers such as yourself.
yuebaili3
QUOTE(marchpole @ Jul 27 2008, 06:59 PM) *
Those who instigate violence and commit murder in China will be met with death.

Simple really.

Mind you, those Tibetans who resorted to violence a while ago are spending their life in a dark cell somewhere in a remote corner of Tibet. It will be a long long time before these thugs see the light of the day again. If you are a courageous man, which you are not of course, and really believe in the Tibetan course, you should come to Tibet, try your luck, and then join the rank. You are always wlecome.

P.S. The report about bus explosions is false. The thugs don't, as yet, have the reason, the means or the guts to match their words with deed.


I am not defending terrorism. But in democratic countries, people who are unsatisfied with the government can express their criticism in different peaceful ways without repression. Tell me which options such people have in China, except resorting to violence!

As for reason, means or guts........did anyone imagine 9.11 before it happened?
China should not underestimate the strengh of the Muslim opposition. And it would be very wise to change the strategy. Dialogue is better than oppression.
OP1
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 29 2008, 03:05 AM) *
I am not defending terrorism. But in democratic countries, people who are unsatisfied with the government can express their criticism in different peaceful ways without repression. Tell me which options such people have in China, except resorting to violence!

There are 1.3 billion people in China, and vast majority don't bomb buses or schools everytime they have a problem with government. There are large amount of elections happening at local level, but you chose to be willfully blind to them.

QUOTE
As for reason, means or guts........did anyone imagine 9.11 before it happened?
China should not underestimate the strengh of the Muslim opposition. And it would be very wise to change the strategy. Dialogue is better than oppression.

You need to stop with this Muslim oppression propaganda crap. Muslims are doing fine in China, while armed seperatists pretending to be Muslims are not. The government should not and do not negotiate with those that use violence against innocents. Why didn't you Swedes give Hitler what he wanted? Oh wait you did! How did collaborating with the Nazis worked out?
yuebaili3
QUOTE(OP1 @ Jul 29 2008, 03:26 AM) *
There are 1.3 billion people in China, and vast majority don't bomb buses or schools everytime they have a problem with government. There are large amount of elections happening at local level, but you chose to be willfully blind to them.


If this is the case, how come East Turkestan or Tibetan independant movements, Falun Gong etc never participate. Don´t they know about it?
OP1
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 29 2008, 04:41 AM) *
If this is the case, how come East Turkestan or Tibetan independant movements, Falun Gong etc never participate. Don´t they know about it?

Simple, you break the rules of society and you get excluded. They use fraud, threats, violence and lies for their cause to destablize society, and they deserve to be banned. You don't see Al-Qaeda running for political office in U.S do you retard?
seawolf
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 29 2008, 03:41 AM) *
If this is the case, how come East Turkestan or Tibetan independant movements, Falun Gong etc never participate. Don´t they know about it?


The following author knows something about it. China is a developing country and not free of social frictions, but it is moving on, wish it is not an annoyance to you.


Step by step to democracy in China
By Kent Ewing

HONG KONG - While China's crackdown on Tibet and heavy-handed approach to dissidents in general have reinforced its international image as a ruthless, totalitarian state ahead of next month's Summer Olympic Games, the reality on the ground is that the Middle Kingdom has never been more democratic and is, step by small step, becoming even more so.

That reality was bolstered with the recent announcement by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as reported by the official Xinhua News Agency, that it has adopted a "tenure system" that will give real power to traditionally rubber-stamp delegates to party congresses. In the past, party elites made all the decisions. The future could be quite different - but that all depends on



implementation of the new system.

Today's China is rife with inspiring policies and initiatives - on beating back inflation, fighting corruption, cleaning up the environment, enacting political reform and more - but results so far have been decidedly underwhelming. If, however, China is indeed undertaking a long, cautious march to democracy, that should be encouraged by Western powers, even if Beijing's democratic vision does not live up to Western models.

That said, it is important to remember that the ultimate goal of China's leaders has not changed since Mao Zedong routed the Nationalist (Kuomintang) army, winning the Chinese civil war and declared to the world in the autumn of 1949: "The Chinese people have stood up." Social stability and the unchallenged rule of the CCP have been the double obsession of Chinese leaders ever since. The great difference between the dictator Mao and those currently wielding power, however, is that today's leadership understands that, without democratic reform, the country risks widespread social unrest that could ultimately bring down the party.

But don't be fooled by the rhetoric. The limited brand of democracy being trotted out by Beijing will not give a political voice to the common man or woman or brook any opposition to communist rule. It will, however, give party delegates more say in their country's affairs and, hopefully, create a system of checks and balances that will lead to greater efficiency and better decision-making. Moreover, the leadership is desperate to come to grips with the massive corruption that has become a way of life for officials, especially at the local level, and sees so-called "intra-party democracy" as a way to do that.

China's move toward greater democracy is set to happen at such a carefully slow pace that it is likely to go largely unnoticed in the West. But it is nonetheless a potentially significant development not just for China but also for the rest of the world, which will have to deal with China as a major power in the 21st century. A less corrupt, more efficient, more humane China is in everyone's interest - whether or not the democracy it practices passes the Western litmus test.

That's why the recent CCP announcement about the tenure system should be welcome news. True, it is a small step. But that is how every long journey begins.

In the past, delegates to national congresses of the CCP held mostly nominal power, gathering every five years at party congresses to put their stamp of approval on policies and candidates already vetted by the central committees. Technically, the central committee - which currently consists of 204 members and 167 alternates - is "elected" by the delegates, but members are largely pre-selected by party elites. The newly formed central committee then chooses the ruling Politburo, which now numbers 25, and the nine-member Politburo standing committee, the country's inner sanctum of power presided over by President Hu Jintao. In the end, delegates help to provide atmosphere and pageantry at party congresses, but their impact on decision-making is minimal. The decisions have already been made.

While party congresses are likely to remain heavily scripted affairs for the foreseeable future, the tenure system is aimed at granting national delegates greater and more meaningful participation in party affairs before a congress takes place. The new initiatives allow delegates to attend party meetings throughout the year, offering suggestions and feedback. The open invitation apparently includes the plenary session of the central committee, usually held once a year. In addition, in a sign of how concerned Hu and his leadership team are about corruption, delegates may take part in meetings of the Central Commission for Disciplinary Inspection (CCDI), the party's top anti-graft body, where they can monitor committee reports and even challenge them if they see fit.

Taken at face value, all this means that the central committee and the CCDI will now be accountable to delegates whose previous role was mostly ceremonial. And changes at the national level are being mirrored by changes in the way party committees will be run at the provincial and local levels. Local delegates have been promised a role in party appointments and in the evaluation of those who receive those appointments. They will also be encouraged to meet when party committees are not in session for discussion of important issues and to research and investigate party decisions.

Again, establishing checks and balances for a one-party system that is reeling out of control is the goal - but there may be a hitch: the party committees that delegates would be investigating are at the same time responsible for paying the costs involved. How many of the legion of corrupt local and provincial officials are going to be willing to fund a probe that would reveal their venality? Of course, Xinhua's report promised that such obstructionists would be found out and punished, but, at this point in China's development, that needs to be seen to be believed.

Unfortunately, this whole effort in democracy could turn out to be yet another exercise in official hypocrisy. But let's hope not. For China truly to emerge as a world power, its political structure - not just its economy - must command respect. Right now, that is simply not the case - and corruption and sometimes brutal authoritarianism are a big reason why. At the top, it is clear that the leadership desires reform. At the local level, however, those reforms are not just resisted; to the embarrassment of the nation, they are openly mocked, and ordinary citizens are fed up. That's why mass demonstrations, which often turn into riots, are a regular occurrence. Most of these protests go unnoticed beyond the village or county in which they take place, but increasingly the official media have been given license to report them.

For example, state media have followed the disturbing story of 17-year-old Li Shufen, who was found dead last month in a river in Guizhou province's Weng'an county, a place notorious for police collusion with gangsters. The official story of Li's death is that she committed suicide by jumping off a bridge into the Ximen River. But her parents and others insist that she was raped and murdered before being tossed into the river. Since Li's suspicious death, 30,000 people have rioted in Weng'an. Officials claimed the riots were led by gangsters taking advantage of an explosive situation. In reality, the rioters were more likely residents whose tolerance for corruption has worn out. (See Tilting at China's red windmills, July 16, 2008).

And the Weng'an riots are hardly an isolated incident. As Beijing struggles to present an image of social stability ahead of the Games, police opened fire this month on rioting residents of a rubber-farming community in Yunnan province, which borders Guizhou, killing two people. Violent incidents have also occurred in Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces - and those are just the ones reported.

The threat of wider social unrest, spurred by corruption and income inequalities created by China's rapid economic boom, is what lies behind Beijing's push for democratic reform. While the perception of China from the outside is one of authoritarian control, the reality is that the social and political balance in the country is more fragile. Chinese leaders clearly recognize that, and so should at least a few of the 30,000 foreign reporters descending on Beijing to cover the Olympics.

Kent Ewing is a teacher and writer at Hong Kong International School. He can be reached at kewing@hkis.edu.hk.

(Copyright 2008 Asia Times Online (Holdings) Ltd. All rights reserved. Please contact us about sales, syndication and republishing.)

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/JG25Ad01.html
yuebaili3
I do hope China is moving towards democracy. But China has already broken a lot of promises about opennes and freedom to western journalists in order to arrange the Olympic games. Our swedish journalists among others witness about this. They have been prevented to talk to dissidents and they have been told that they can talk to Chinese people about sports but not about politics. We hear reports about this just about every day.
fireworks
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 29 2008, 06:39 PM) *
I do hope China is moving towards democracy. But China has already broken a lot of promises about opennes and freedom to western journalists in order to arrange the Olympic games. Our swedish journalists among others witness about this. They have been prevented to talk to dissidents and they have been told that they can talk to Chinese people about sports but not about politics. We hear reports about this just about every day.

yes, we hear your whining all the time, it's getting louder and more boring by the day.
we only need to look at Iraq to see what democracy, openness, and freedom can bring to one country.
and it seems that we are not even allowed to say "no, thank you". 200 years ago, you forced "open market" on us in order to sell opium in China, now this democracy, openness, and freedom crap, to tear down the central authority and open up the whole country for your unrestricted market (read "looting").
Russia fell, felt the pain, and got out; Pakistan is falling; oh, well...
fireworks
Caesar, you might be a good case study to show how extremist groups such "Eastern Turkistan" recruit from formerly intelligent, moderate Muslims, using the Islamic banner.
If you someday do get out of their influence, please share with us your experience, how you were approached, conditioned, excited, and converted, ...etc. It can be very educational to others.
jkroo
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 29 2008, 04:39 AM) *
I do hope China is moving towards democracy. But China has already broken a lot of promises about opennes and freedom to western journalists in order to arrange the Olympic games. Our swedish journalists among others witness about this. They have been prevented to talk to dissidents and they have been told that they can talk to Chinese people about sports but not about politics. We hear reports about this just about every day.

China will move to democracy but this kind of democracy will never meet others' need.
As an ordinary countryman I can talk anything I want. When come to the openness and freedom to
the westerner, what I have to point out is that the westerner should stop cheating the people in the west
and don't make up or fabricated the news about China.
About BBC, their journalist have already done it. They interviewed those people in the street and use the stuff
to make fake news. CNN also have done it. They interviewed a young haker and make them related to the Pentagon
information security problems, though all he said is that no site is safe. Need proof? Go to ANTI-CNN to see them.
This is the most important reason that some Chinese people don't willing to talk about politics with the westerner.
Though those negative news can feed the demands of readers but they really need to stop lying first!
We China domestic people do know exactly what the practical situation we are in.
England
These kinds of acts by so called Islamists are deplorable!!!!!!. China is the only 'friend' Muslim countries can reply on.
instantexcess
I, as a Pakistani, will fully support any brutal beatings being handed to anyone who is distrubing the peace in China. Be it some snakes wearing the cloack of religious mambo-jumbo.




Free beatings for all miscreants!!!!!!!!!!!
OP1
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 29 2008, 05:39 AM) *
I do hope China is moving towards democracy. But China has already broken a lot of promises about opennes and freedom to western journalists in order to arrange the Olympic games. Our swedish journalists among others witness about this. They have been prevented to talk to dissidents and they have been told that they can talk to Chinese people about sports but not about politics. We hear reports about this just about every day.

You sound like the typical arrogant clown thinking just because you are a jornalists (not even good ones at that), you can do whatever you want with a free pass. The Olympics is a sports event, and your retarded journalists are in China to stir up trouble so you can sell your story back home better. We all know your tactics. Save the human right and democracy hypocrisy to yourself. I don't see you talking about democracy when you were busing collaborating with Nazis.
Kim Jong-il Hater
QUOTE(instantexcess @ Jul 29 2008, 02:48 PM) *
I, as a Pakistani, will fully support any brutal beatings being handed to anyone who is distrubing the peace in China. Be it some snakes wearing the cloack of religious mambo-jumbo.
Free beatings for all miscreants!!!!!!!!!!!


What about in America?
yuebaili3
QUOTE(jkroo @ Jul 29 2008, 09:55 AM) *
China will move to democracy but this kind of democracy will never meet others' need.
As an ordinary countryman I can talk anything I want. When come to the openness and freedom to
the westerner, what I have to point out is that the westerner should stop cheating the people in the west
and don't make up or fabricated the news about China.
About BBC, their journalist have already done it. They interviewed those people in the street and use the stuff
to make fake news. CNN also have done it. They interviewed a young haker and make them related to the Pentagon
information security problems, though all he said is that no site is safe. Need proof? Go to ANTI-CNN to see them.
This is the most important reason that some Chinese people don't willing to talk about politics with the westerner.
Though those negative news can feed the demands of readers but they really need to stop lying first!
We China domestic people do know exactly what the practical situation we are in.


So Western journalists fabricate news? The journalists from Swedish TV were prevented by Chinese police to contact Chinese dissidents and Chinese police also intervened when they tried to talk to other Chinese citizens. I saw this on Swedish TV. So you mean this was all fabricated?

I have tried to discuss these so called proofs on ANTI-CNN. But I was banned. Chinese people are obviously afraid of open discussion. At least Chinese communists are. But ANTI-CNN claims to be an independent forum, not controlled by CCP. So why was I banned? Is it that Chinese people are so brainwashed that they are unable to accept that anyone expresses an anti-communist opinion? It seems all other anti-communist posters had also been banned. So what is left is only communist propaganda. So boring!!!!!
Daredevil
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 29 2008, 06:10 PM) *
So Western journalists fabricate news? The journalists from Swedish TV were prevented by Chinese police to contact Chinese dissidents and Chinese police also intervened when they tried to talk to other Chinese citizens. I saw this on Swedish TV. So you mean this was all fabricated?

I have tried to discuss these so called proofs on ANTI-CNN. But I was banned. Chinese people are obviously afraid of open discussion. At least Chinese communists are. But ANTI-CNN claims to be an independent forum, not controlled by CCP. So why was I banned? Is it that Chinese people are so brainwashed that they are unable to accept that anyone expresses an anti-communist opinion? It seems all other anti-communist posters had also been banned. So what is left is only communist propaganda. So boring!!!!!

Be thankful, in the US trouble makers like you would be in jail or Guantanamo by now. The FBI or the home security is very efficient in taking care of people like you.
yuebaili3
QUOTE(OP1 @ Jul 29 2008, 02:19 PM) *
Save the human right and democracy hypocrisy to yourself. I don't see you talking about democracy when you were busing collaborating with Nazis.


Sweden was neutral during WWII. This is a rather complicated issue. But it already happened and it is too late to do anything about it. Besides I was not even born. So please don´t blame me!

Anyway the evil Nazi dictatorship fell at last. And hopefully the Communist dictatorship in China will also fall soon.
BTW Sweden and other Western countries are collaborating with the Communists. This is probably the same pragmatism that made Sweden collaborate with Nazis before.
OP1
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 29 2008, 06:29 PM) *
Sweden was neutral during WWII. This is a rather complicated issue. But it already happened and it is too late to do anything about it. Besides I was not even born. So please don´t blame me!

Anyway the evil Nazi dictatorship fell at last. And hopefully the Communist dictatorship in China will also fall soon.
BTW Sweden and other Western countries are collaborating with the Communists. This is probably the same pragmatism that made Sweden collaborate with Nazis before.

You were so neutral that you provided Nazis with what they needed. Not only will the Communist party not fall, it rallied new support thanks to you western idiots talking trash about China for the last 4 months. Congratulations for making the government stronger.
yuebaili3
Well, lots of Germans - maybe even the majority - once supported Hitler. Hopefully Chinese people will also realise the truth.
OP1
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 29 2008, 06:43 PM) *
Well, lots of Germans - maybe even the majority - once supported Hitler. Hopefully Chinese people will also realise the truth.

Sadly you and truth don't belong in the same sentence.
marchpole
QUOTE(yuebaili3 @ Jul 30 2008, 07:43 AM) *
Well, lots of Germans - maybe even the majority - once supported Hitler. Hopefully Chinese people will also realise the truth.


Why not make Dalai Lama the King of Sweden so that the course of your action and way of your life might be legitimately determined by the serf owner?

After all, it is your so-called freedom to have this man bring you lowlifes under his political, economic and intellectual servitude.

What a splendid servitude......, you slavishly intone. Yeah, that's because you are a born slave.
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