CCTV Program Discusses Grassroots Democracy in Urban China

China Central Television's English talk show program Dialogue recently discussed the topic of whether grassroots democracy is appearing in Chinese cities . Two guest speakers were invited to talk about whether the newly-emerging property owners' associations in Chinese cities are a promising sign of democracy in China's urban areas, comparing it with village elections in China's rural areas. It's somewhat surprising that the show probes such a sensitive topic and was aired on China's government-controlled national television. Watch the video of the show on the website of CCTV, which lasts about half an hour.

One speaker is Mr. Steven Dickinson, an American lawyer who is a China expert, and the other is Mr. Xuewen Wang, a former editor of a Chinese business newspaper. It's interesting to watch how carefully Mr. Dickinson chose his words to talk about the sensitive topic.

“So one theory of the property owners' association is that it's a place in a small way to experience with Chinese people learning what the benefits and problems of democratic systems are, ” said Dickinson at the show.

At the very end of the show, the host asked the two guests whether they think democracy is necessary for China's development. Here were the two answers:

“If the people do not have the say, do not have the power to choose their government, and change their government, then supervision would be empty talk, ” said one.

“My fundamental position is that, on which way to go is the decision of Chinese people, not the decision of United States or Europe, ” said the other.

Guess which answer was given by Mr. Dickinson?

China Falls For Christmas —

It was the week before Christmas, and the crush of shoppers elbowing their way past stalls at the Tian Yi market would have been familiar to holiday gift buyers anywhere.

So would the brightly colored baubles, red and gold bows, and strings of flashing lights from which the crowds were choosing: After all, China manufactures more than 80 percent of the world's Christmas decorations. [Full Text]

A series of photos about Christmas and Chinese people from Getty Image, Daqituhai, and Shanghaiist: