In the run up to the 17th Chinese Communist Party Congress in October, reformers and orthodox communists are trying to influence the leadership. The website Maoflag has become a gathering place for those who argue that China has become too capitalistic. The website published an open letter to the leadership, but this was quickly removed. A certain level of debate is tolerated, but open defiance of the policies of the Central Committee is still touchy.
On the other side of the political divide are the reformers, who argue that political reform is going too slowly and China should speed up the introduction of direct elections.
The debate is becoming much more lively thanks to the internet. In the past it would have been nearly impossible to have such a wide range of opinions published. Readers online can moreover add their comments to the stories. While websites are also monitored, what is tolerated on the web is much broader than what is tolerated online.
In the months ahead, the debate will certainly intensify. But the central leadership will no doubt stick to the middle ground: no return to communist orthodoxy, but also no far-reaching political reforms.
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