For more than half a century, more than half of the world’s population has experimented with the idea of communism, only to prove its incapacity to eliminate wealth disparity and class struggle. The modified ideology, similar to capitalism in economic pursuit and socialism in political endeavor, generated great wealth for China.
Prosperity might have continued had the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) established an open and democratic society.
However, under an authoritarian regime, China could not escape the disastrous result: a great depression.
Soaring unemployment and sinking deflation might push hundreds of millions of people into poverty, with millions at risk of starvation.
Young people in China have lost hope, with some committing mass suicide, such as the cases of four young people at Tiananmen Mountain and nine at Shangzhuang Bridge in Beijing.
The “cultural revolution 2.0,” featuring the “melt the pot to sell the iron” strategy, did not go as planned. Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) is reported to have been restrained. While unconfirmed, facts have emerged supporting a peaceful coup and challenge to Xi’s power. For example, Xi’s self-reproach was published in a government paper, former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping’s (鄧小平) economic reform was celebrated and many of Xi’s allies were removed from key positions in the military, which is evidently under the command of Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia (張又俠).
Xi’s days are numbered.
When a dictator is banished, it is important to ensure democracy and freedom. As institutions and culture need reform, it will be a long time before democracy can take root. A separation of powers, as advocated by Deng, would not ensure a peaceful transition of power, let alone democracy, freedom and hard-earned wealth.
New leaders should avoid making mistakes that have been made before.
To minimize corruption, it is crucial to establish local control and allow people to elect leaders they trust at all levels of government. The freedom to form political parties is essential for people to choose the lesser evil in all circumstances.
It is time for activists to form opposition parties in counties and provinces to voice opinions at the national level.
Checks and balances must be defined in the constitution, as power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The independence of the judicial branch and rule of law must be respected. All laws must be passed by elected representatives to be legitimate.
The saying “no taxation without representation” recognizes the natural law that people are the rightful masters, voicing their opinions and paying taxes to enable a functional government.
The military must be independent of political parties, as reason should prevail over guns.
Chinese are talented and innovative. Under democracy, freedom and rule of law, they will create wealth through free enterprise, as vibrantly proved by Hong Kongers before 1997. They will become positive members of the world.
Meanwhile, an open and transparent culture will be vital to secure democracy and freedom.
However, lest we forget, economic woes are the reason for China’s implosion. To prevent further economic deterioration and political violence, with public officials being murdered at an alarming rate, unfinished housing units should be given to people who need shelter while the properties are still valuable and salvageable.
Distributing wealth to the masses might be the first step in jump-starting the economy and soothing public sentiment at this political crossroads.
James J.Y. Hsu is a retired professor of theoretical physics.
Two weeks ago, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh (楊紫瓊) raised hackles in Taiwan by posting to her 2.6 million Instagram followers that she was visiting “Taipei, China.” Yeoh’s post continues a long-standing trend of Chinese propaganda that spreads disinformation about Taiwan’s political status and geography, aimed at deceiving the world into supporting its illegitimate claims to Taiwan, which is not and has never been part of China. Taiwan must respond to this blatant act of cognitive warfare. Failure to respond merely cedes ground to China to continue its efforts to conquer Taiwan in the global consciousness to justify an invasion. Taiwan’s government
Earlier signs suggest that US President Donald Trump’s policy on Taiwan is set to move in a more resolute direction, as his administration begins to take a tougher approach toward America’s main challenger at the global level, China. Despite its deepening economic woes, China continues to flex its muscles, including conducting provocative military drills off Taiwan, Australia and Vietnam recently. A recent Trump-signed memorandum on America’s investment policy was more about the China threat than about anything else. Singling out the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as a foreign adversary directing investments in American companies to obtain cutting-edge technologies, it said
The recent termination of Tibetan-language broadcasts by Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) is a significant setback for Tibetans both in Tibet and across the global diaspora. The broadcasts have long served as a vital lifeline, providing uncensored news, cultural preservation and a sense of connection for a community often isolated by geopolitical realities. For Tibetans living under Chinese rule, access to independent information is severely restricted. The Chinese government tightly controls media and censors content that challenges its narrative. VOA and RFA broadcasts have been among the few sources of uncensored news available to Tibetans, offering insights
“If you do not work in semiconductors, you are nothing in this country.” That is what an 18-year-old told me after my speech at the Kaohsiung International Youth Forum. It was a heartbreaking comment — one that highlights how Taiwan ignores the potential of the creative industry and the soft power that it generates. We all know what an Asian nation can achieve in that field. Japan led the way decades ago. South Korea followed with the enormous success of “hallyu” — also known as the Korean wave, referring to the global rise and spread of South Korean culture. Now Thailand
RSS