TOKYO—Novermber 23, 2007 marked the third anniversary of the release of The Epoch Times' "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party" ( The Nine Commentaries ). The Epoch Times Japan held a commemorative seminar in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, titled "A Close Examination of The Nine Commentaries ." Chinese scholars from both China and Japan examined the impact that the The Nine Commentaries has had on Chinese political circles and society at large.
Xia Yifan, an expert in Chinese social issues and a member of the Japanese branch of the Federation for a Democratic China, delivered a speech titled, " The Nine Commentaries Has Triggered a Non-Violent Revolution in China," in which he praised the editorials, seeing it as bringing about a great change in the country. Below are some highlights from his presentation.
I. Tracing the Rise of a Democratic China
There is a recent incident in Chinese political circles that has gathered much attention—an open letter by Mr. Wang Zhaojun. I agree with and support his views.
This letter has been very encouraging. It came from within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime, penned by a top official and it challenges the core of the current regime. These attributes prove that there are already quite a number of individuals within the CCP who have their eyes set on a political reform!
Mr. Wang's letter signifies that the mounting international pressure being placed on the CCP developed through several factors which include, The Nine Commentaries, Falun Gong's truth clarification effort, and the Human Rights Torch activity which appeals for human rights over the Olympics. As Chinese people gradually become aware of these factors, they in turn will place pressure on the government to implement change. At this rate, it won't be long before political reform becomes reality. I believe a non-violent revolution is growing in China.
II. Recognizing the Need for a Political Reform
1. Impact of The Nine Commentaries
Judging by the extent of its coverage, the dissemination of The Nine Commentaries over the past three years is the driving force behind the approaching revolution in China. People in the 40's and 50's have first-hand experience with what is written in these editorials, but they are new to the younger generations which have been fooled by the CCP's lies and propaganda.
Wouldn't it be shocking to find out that what you have learned in school and from newspapers are all lies? The Nine Commentaries is the first large scale, systematic analysis and inquisition of the CCP's history that is not under the CCP's control. Because of this fresh alternative voice, the younger generations are gradually realizing the true nature of this regime.
2. International Pressure
Beginning with the Tiananmen Massacre in 1989, worldwide support continues to grow for those inside China who challenge the regime and call for change—first with the pre-democracy movement, and later Falun Gong practitioners' stand against an eight-year persecution. This kind of support gets back to mainland China via the Internet and various other channels, which strongly encourages the growing anti-communist movement.
3. A True Picture of Life in China
The CCP is well known for disregarding fundamental human rights. Through their political power, the CCP has been responsible for the brutal demolition of millions of homes in Chinese cities, and the illegal encroachment of farmland in the countryside.
For dozens of years, the CCP has justified their actions in the name of economic development, while turning a blind eye to the call for political reform. They say that their efforts go toward improving the economy and overall quality of life, but look at China's financial and real estate markets, the cost of goods and services, tuition, the rising cost of medical care, social security, rampant unemployment, scores of corrupt government officials who use their political power to take advantage of ordinary citizens, and the growing number of pirated and inferior Chinese products in the marketplace. How do these problems improve the economy and people's quality of life?
III. Stop the Persecution, Start Land Privatization
Because of the CCP's crackdown on Falun Gong, millions of people throughout China live in a perilous situation merely because of their beliefs. Indirectly, the ongoing persecution affects virtually everyone in the country.
Ending the persecution would not only be a solution to the immediate problem, it would also fundamentally change the character of the nation as well. It would send a clear message about the kinds of values Chinese people would be proud to stand for. Encouraged by this positive example, a new China would quickly emerge—one based on freedom, democracy and a rule of law.
But most importantly, there are very few who would like to see this persecution continue; it is not a policy that most people in the country truly support in the hearts. Even officials within the CCP look forward to an end to this persecution. Jiang Zemin, the man who had started the persecution, has stepped down. It's time to do away with his brutal crackdown.
Besides, as mentioned before, to convert the CCP's wasted resources spent bullying people of faith and have it channeled into something that truly uplifted and empowered the populace—just think how great that would be. So what would be the most worthwhile cause to bring this change about? Land privatization.
1. Consider that the risk for violent revolution is steadily increasing in the country. Due to the combination of an overall collapse in national morality, and the poor leadership of the CCP mixed with a growing passion for political power, one can see that China has created the perfect recipe for such a scenario. This is a matter of grave importance—it is where we should seriously focus our attention. If a citizen can work toward land ownership, the entire economic foundation would change. There are simply too many examples in the history of China that show how the exploited masses can lead to a climate of social instability, finally culminating in violent revolution.
2. The reformation of land privatization would see several positive side-effects. It would enable farmers free from poverty and fundamentally improves their political status of Chinese farmers. This in turn would attracting many to return to their homeland to help out on the family farm, immediately reducing the pressure on employment in the urban areas. But most importantly, it would give hope to many in China who currently have little. Once a person owns his own property he would naturally lose interest in plotting violent revolution.
So many different changes have taken place in the three years since the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party were published. This editorial series has provided people with a new perspective and understanding in the problems that China faces. The Nine Commentaries have in fact given the Chinese people a needed wake up call. Years from now when someone asks where our revolution started I will reply, The Nine Commentaries.
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